Event Overview

Kanga, Birmingham: The Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Kanga Educational Foundation, Dr. Abdulrahman Salih, participated in the UK Organizations Forum and presented a new strategy for sustainable organizational development and continuity.

During the meeting, which took place on Sunday (15 February 2026) following an official invitation from the Kurdish Centre in Birmingham, Dr. Abdulrahman Salih highlighted two key strategic pillars that form the foundation for transforming organizational work from being “temporary and individual-based” to “institutional and sustainable.”

The first pillar focused on building a financial sustainability structure as a long-term strategy. He emphasized that financial sustainability is not merely about fundraising, but requires a comprehensive vision through diversifying income sources. Organizations should not rely solely on donations; instead, they should actively pursue grants, develop internal revenue streams, and build partnerships with the private sector. In addition, he stressed the importance of maintaining operating reserves by allocating a three- to six-month contingency budget for each organization to ensure that services are not disrupted during crises. Financial transparency was also underlined as essential, with careful monitoring of expenditures and clear reporting considered fundamental to maintaining donor and public trust.

In another part of his presentation, the Chair discussed governance and succession planning, describing it as a scientific model to address the issue of “over-reliance on a single individual.” This can be resolved through several mechanisms, including establishing an active and skilled board composed of professionals from diverse fields to oversee operations and design strategic plans. He also emphasized preparing future leaders by ensuring the presence of “second- and third-line leadership” within the organization so that transitions in leadership do not destabilize the institution. Furthermore, all decisions should be properly documented, with clear internal policies to ensure accountability and transparency.

The forum was attended by several experts and advisors and included discussions on additional topics such as restructuring Kurdish organizational networks and establishing a system for institutional capacity building and quality development.

At the conclusion of the event, participants expressed their appreciation to the Kurdish Centre in Birmingham for providing this important opportunity for volunteer and community organizations.