S4C started in May 2011 as an online discussion forum on Facebook with an objective to provide a coordinated platform for young Nigerian professionals to engage in informed debates
Spaces for Change (S4C) started by working overtime in trying to jolt passive people into active citizens. The NGO hasn’t reached its destination yet but covered many miles in the journey of ensuring citizens take an active part in the social and economic affairs of Nigeria.
A statement by S4C on the journey so far reveals that it has been “ten years of solid impact, of building new knowledge and of providing levers for steering policy and systemic reforms.”
S4C started in May 2011 as an online discussion forum on Facebook social networking site with an objective to provide a coordinated platform for young Nigerian professionals to engage in informed debates about social and economic policies and programmes in Nigeria.
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It capitalised on the accessibility of social media to promote civic participation, especially of young people in democratic governance, while reinforcing the philosophy of youth engagement in critical issues bordering on economic justice, housing and urban development, environmental justice and national security.
Tapping the volunteer resources and professional networks developed in the online community, S4C was registered in March 2012 and has since then, transitioned from a Facebook discussion group into a highly-respected advocacy organisation with two offices in Lagos and Owerri, Imo State.
S4C has a five-member board with a healthy balance in favour of women. All board members are renowned experts in diverse fields; medicine, law, energy & human rights.
In the last ten years, S4C has been reputed for leading rigorous research investigations characterized by in-depth analytical quality and objectivity.
S4C’s research action majoring on the organisation’s four major thematic areas—energy, civic space, gender inclusion and housing matters—have exposed human rights injustices as well as the gaps between policy and practice and proffered forward-thinking and reflective recommendations that have formed the basis for sectoral advocacy, policy development and reforms, media analysis, business and investment decisions.
S4C’s journey tells a compelling story of the transformation of raw passion into a powerful tool for social change.
Ten S4C created a dream that demanded strength, dedication and purpose. The rigorous researches, policy analysis, legislative engagements, online exchanges, stakeholder alliances and public advocacy that they have done in the past eight years represent both a glimpse of that dream and a peep into the future of the organization.
S4C says with the deepest joy and excitement, it is very proud of the many and great tasks they have accomplished in a short time. The greatest of its achievements is the growing number of passive citizens, especially the youth and marginalized populations that they work with, who have suddenly found their voice, and now firmly understand that they are active participants in decision-making and nation-building.
The Board and Staff of S4C says they are grateful to its numerous partners, donors, volunteers, allies, corporations, networks and supporters online and offline for buying into the organization’s vision, supporting its core mission over the years, and walking together with them to become stronger and achieve greater milestones.
It concludes that: “Without you, there is no us. Although a lot has been done, we recognise that more work lies ahead. And together with all of you, we must trudge forward, ever hopeful of a better tomorrow.”
