Plenary on theory of change

Agroecology workshop

Field work

Objectives: Assist in the program identification and the elaboration of the theory of change, defining and promoting the approaches on agro-ecology and capacity building

Work done: Data collection for the preparation of several projects was redirected towards the identification of a long-term program focused on 7 communities and 1,200 families. The theory of change was defined through training and workshops in which 26 people from the RDT team participated. The main approaches of the program (hydrological, agro ecological, sustainable livelihoods, gender and capacity development) were elaborated. Training in agro ecology of the RDT team was carried out to promote this approach. The livelihoods of families were analysed based on the sustainable livelihoods approach. The Baobab team included three people, two of them experts in agro ecology.

Results: Identification report of the program with the analysis of the livelihoods of the families. Theory of change of the program with a perspective to 8-10 years. First draft of the program approaches. Awareness-raising and training materials in agro ecology transferred to the RDT team.

Date: May 2021 – March 2022 

Community garden

Awareness on entrepreneurship

Workshop with stakeholders

Objectives: Two consecutive services were carried out. A first one to identify a framework for intervention in food security in the Ziguinchor region, and a second one to plan the projects to submit to donors.

Work done: For the identification study: we reviewed the available context information; we conducted interviews with people from ACPP and local partners; 4 meetings with the teams of the participating entities; 5 meetings with beneficiary groups; 17 interviews with public institutions, government programs in the region, international cooperation actors in Casamance and other Senegalese organizations. The study prepared includes: regulatory and conceptual framework of food security in Senegal; context of food security in the country, region and intervention communities; characterization of the holders of rights and obligations; problem analysis and justification of the proposal; framework of results, indicators and activities, structured into 4 components (Family food strategies, Youth agricultural entrepreneurship, Livestock improvement and Capacities of local partners); sustainability analysis.
To design the projects, we produced a plan focused on 3 components: food and nutritional security based on community gardens, female entrepreneurship in the horticultural sector, and capacity building and collaboration with other actors. The 3 axes included 13 result areas, to be financed from several projects. For each result area, we produced the intervention strategy in collaboration with the technical staff of the local partner. In the gardens area, we designed and budgeted the improvement of each garden, and we ran a survey of beneficiaries to obtain the socio-economic profile and baseline. In the area of entrepreneurship, through a local expert in agro-ecology, we carried out sensitization sessions and data was collected from 70 young candidates. In the area of capacities, we prepared the capacity-building strategy of USOFORAL and we ran day of work with the 14 main stakeholders in community gardens to produce a plan of collaboration. Finally, we produced the logical framework of the program, planning of activities, monitoring and evaluation matrix, detailed budget broken down by project, and analysis of the viability of the gardens.

Results: Identification study; Program formulation (base document, logical framework, activity planning, monitoring and evaluation matrix, detailed budget).

Date: September 2019 – April 2020 

Objectives: Facilitate learning processes, program design or participatory planning.

Work done: development of the agenda and work methodology of various workshops lasting between 2 days and a week, with participants from various countries, in various languages, and with groups of between 30 and 60 people:
- Workshop for the design of programs with young people
- Learning workshop on economic empowerment of women in agriculture
- Writeshop for a youth employment program in 4 countries
- Workshop for the definition of a collaboration framework in tax justice
- Learning workshop on working in fragile states and conflict zones

Results: Various depending on the objective of the workshop: writing of program documents, identification of learning plans, exchange of lessons, learning of methodologies, etc.

Date: May to December 2015 

Planning workshop

Objectives: Assist in the development of the Concept Note to submit to the European Commission.

Work done: The technical and strategic requirements of the "Call for Proposals" were studied and explained to partners; a process to discuss together the project strategic framework was managed; a workshop to build the logical framework and budget was facilitated; it was assisted the drafting of the Concept Note.

Results: Draft Concept Note to submit to the EU.

Date: November 2013 - January 2014

Objectives: Facilitate the transition process from national to regional programs for Oxfam working in the Maghreb region

Work done: A methodology was developed consisting of 3 workshops facilitated by baobab in which to address an analysis of the regional context, identify the priority areas of work for Oxfam and, once delimited, conceive 3 regional programs. For each one we made a map of actors and power, we defined a theory of change and we identified objectives of change and strategies.

Results: The master lines of 3 regional programs were defined and progress was made in the cohesion between the Oxfams that work in the Maghreb region.
Date: June 2012 to February 2013 

Workshop with participanting institutions

Meeting with a producers group

Meeting of the planning committee

Objectives: To coordinate the design and the planning process; to write the program document; to carry out a diagnosis to select the producers organisations who will participate in the program.

Work done: a methodology was designed with the participation of a wide range of institutions involved in rural development in the province of Barahona. A questionnaire was submitted to all agricultural organizations in the province. An inventory was compiled and 18 agricultural organizations in the province were preselected. A workshop was done with each preselected organization to assess their situation and decide on their participation in the program.

Results: A program document was delivered, including a methodology to elaborate the program baseline and a diagnosis to select the producer organizations who will take part in the program.

Dates: September 2011 to February 2012

PARYAY's education program

Purpose: Identification of areas of work and potential local partners for Intervida's program in India.

Work process: We conducted a 3-week visit to the state of Maharashtra where we interviewed experts on education, academics and government officials to understand the challenges facing primary education in India and to determine what an international NGO's contribution may be. We also met several Indian NGOs working in the field of childhood education.

Results: We identified a possible intervention strategy and potential partners for Intervida. The proposal was submitted and discussed with the Intervida team.

Date: December 2011 to February 2012.

Program design workshop in Amman

Objectives: To assist Solidaridad Internacional (SI) in designing their program on sexual and reproductive rights in Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon, through a participative methodology.

Work done: A methodology was prepared to help fit both SI and its partners’ plans at the country and regional level, the preliminary design of the program, and the results of a gender analysis, into a common framework. This took into account partner capacities also. Through visits to each country we assisted SI and its partners in designing 4-year intervention plans.

The program was designed in a 4 day workshop in Jordan with the participation of the SI regional team and its partners and was facilitated by a Jordan consultant. The workshop allowed all partners to share the conceptual basis of the program, to agree on a program framework and to initiate the preparation of detailed plans for the first year of implementation.

Results: A report on the Jordan workshop was produced. A rights based approach program was designed, complying with AECID requirements, as well as implementation plans for years 0 and 1 of the program.

Date: June to September 2010
 

Map of the region.

Purpose: To define the profiles for two regional programs in the following areas: women's rights and food security & rural policies.

Work process: We developed a methodology to help us produce both profiles. The field teams of IO in 3 countries (Nicaragua, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic) participated in the process as did other regional and sectoral experts.

Results: We identified the main tendencies in the regional context in both sectors and suggested a strategy for intervention – both at the regional and at country level-. In doing so, we took into account the experience and added value of OI and its partners in the area as well as the opportunities we anticipated through our context analysis.

Date: May 2009.

Women learning a new trade to set up
her own business

Purpose: To create a Manual to manage a microfinance program addressed to immigrants who want to set up a business in their country of origin.

Work process: This work consisted in the compilation and revision of a series of instruments to create a Manual for the day to day management of an transnational micro credit program. It involved the harmonization of a variety of both management tools (web, financial databases, written forms) and of procedures applied by a network of organisations.
The consignment was carried out by reviewing documents and by interviewing various members of the organizations involved.

Results: A comprehensive and unified Manual was produced which will help run the RETALE program efficiently both in Spain, Ecuador and Colombia. It will also serve as a training tool for future program officers and will help to unify working procedures.

Date: October 2007 to February 2008.