Community Facilitation and Participatory Activities for Targeted Communities – Implementation of Component 3 of the GARID Project
The Government of Ghana secured funds from the World Bank for implementation of the GARID Project with the aim of supporting critical investments to cope with increased urbanisation pressures and disasters and climate change impacts in Greater Accra Region. The project’s core objective is to improve flood risk management and solid waste management in the Odaw River Basin of the Greater Accra Region and improve access to basic infrastructure and services in the targeted communities within the Odaw River Basin. The SWS Consulting Engineering of Italy has been engaged to implement the Component 3 of the Project. The assignment involves Consulting Services for the Preparation of Community Facilitation, Planning, Preliminary and Detailed Engineering Designs and Construction Supervision and Contract Management for three Communities.
The Consortium of Cooperazione Internazionale Sud Sud (CISS) and NECPAD assumes the NGO face of the project intervention for component 3 of the GARID Project. Specific assignments being carried out include community facilitation and project awareness raising, conduct of participatory actions and meetings with targeted communities and related stakeholders, conduct of socioeconomic surveys, among others
Client’s Name
SWS Engineering Consulting Italy
Project Cost
USD ***.**
Address
The Managing Director,
SWS Engineering Consulting Italy
Contact:
SWS Engineering Consulting Italy
Email: [email protected]
Cooperativa Sociale il Cenacolo via Pella, Florence Italy is implementing Supply of services subcontract within the framework of “RE-BUILD”
Cooperativa Sociale il Cenacolo via Pella, Florence Italy is implementing Supply of services subcontract within the framework of “RE-BUILD” activities project, financed by the Minister of Interior – Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund AMIF 2014-2020. Consorzio CO&SO has an agreement with Cooperativa Sociale il to implement actions in the framework of NECPAD as a subcontractor assumes the obligations of reintegration and traceability of project beneficiaries (returnees) from Italy to Ghana. The project’s general goals are: promoting AVRR actions for third-country citizens in full compliance with their rights, valuing and enhancing their competences in order to foster a socioeconomic reintegration both individual and family; connecting Italian and foreign networks and stakeholders.
Client’s Name
Cooperativa il Cenacolo Onlus via Pellas 20 a/b Florence
Project Cost
USD ***.**
Address
Carolina Progetto RE-BUILD Consorzio CO&SO e Associazione Nosotras
Contact:
Email: [email protected]
Support to establish networks for the implementation of Child Labour Action Plans, Child Labour Monitoring, Reporting and Law Enforcement under the CARING Gold Mining Project in Ghana and the Philippines
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is implemented a five-year United States Department of Labour (USDOL) funded CARING Gold Mining Project entitled “Convening Actors to develop and implement strategies to reduce child labour and improve working conditions in Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (ASGM) in Ghana and the Philippines. The Network for Community Planning and Development (NECPAD) is a key partner in the project implementation with the responsibility of establishing networks for the implementation of wide range of activities including child labour action plans, child labour monitoring, development and operationalisation of standard operating procedures and child labour monitoring framework and operational plans in ASGM.
NECPAD has led the establishment of the Child Labour and Responsible Mining Network (CLaRM-Net) and is providing technical support to enable the network implement child labour actions outlined in the National Plan of Action against the worst forms of child labour (NPA:2017-2021), child labour free-zones and the project pre-situational assessment study. NECPAD is working with the ILO to link the CLaRM-Net as a national network to global networks working around issues of child labour and working conditions in ASGM.
Client’s Name
International Labour Organisation/International Program on Elimination of Child Labour (ILO/IPEC)
Project Cost
USD ***.**
Address
Address:
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) Headquarters 4, route des Morillons CH-1211 Geneva 22, Switzerland
Contact:
ILO Ghana Office
Head of Civil Service Annex Ministries Accra, Ghana
Learn4Work targets one of the root causes of child labour: lack of both income and economic opportunities. By investing in Technical Vocational Education and Training, Learn4Work ensures that people get the knowledge and skills which are useful to obtain a job or start a small business. When parents or caretakers have a sustainable income, they can support their children, younger siblings or other dependants to go to school. But Learn4Work also targets the victims of child labour themselves: children are trained and supported to get an income, provided that these income-generating activities can be combined with schooling.
A special feature of Learn4Work is that numerous and diverse organisations work together to improve vocational education. Not only development organisations, but also schools and training institutes, central and local governments and knowledge institutes share their expertise. Projects supported by Learn4Work have an international dimension. Linking the Dutch society to Learn4Work projects enhances mutual learning and increases the awareness of the importance of international
On the basis of the above unique opportunities that learn4work offer to children and youth in the world of work, NECPAD and its southern partners are implementing the project entitled “Child Labour Elimination and Youth in Agri-Business Project in 3 districts in the Western Region of Ghana co-funded by Learn4Work of Netherlands with funding from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project is managed by Edukans nl. (Netherlands) and seeks to place children in schools, informal TVET training and in agri-business to improve food security.
The Project seeks to do the following:
– Contribute to progressive elimination of child labour in agriculture (cocoa sector) through withdrawal and rehabilitation processes, school placements (including transitional education/levelling), and informal/apprenticeship training etc.
– Reduce poverty through improved incomes to the youth
– Promote Food security
– Link TVET to the Labour Market
– Improve attractiveness of TVET
– Supporting and linking beneficiary youth to financial services towards self-employment
The Long term of the Project is to contribute to the substantial and sustainable improvement in the quality of life of children and the youth through increased access to education, improved incomes and food security.
The Medium term objectives include:
– to raise awareness of child labour issues and decent Work amongst
farming communities.
– to contribute to progressive elimination of child labour in agriculture.
– to enhance access to knowledge and skills through formal
education and TVET.
– to work alongside other partners to advocate for actions to help
make a positive difference to cocoa farming families.
– to contribute to food security through youth in agri-business
Project Results and Outcomes
i. A total of 306 children (168 boys and 138 girls) withdrawn and
placed in formal schools. These children have been provided with
school supplies including school uniforms, sandals, school bags,
exercise books and assorted stationeries
ii. 75 youth (40 males and 35 females) placed in Technical, Vocational
Education and Training (TVET)
iii. 268 youth (195 males and 73 girls) provided with agri-business
opportunities
iv. 121 family members of beneficiaryyouth provided with
skills/livelihood employment training
v. 62 Teachers trained on Learn4Work Agenda
Project Results and Outcomesroject Results and Outcomes
Others Activities accomplished under the Project:
– 12 Communities in 3 districts sensitised, educated and provided with
awareness on effects of child labour and importance of TVET
through community durbar and local broadcast devices.
– Panel discussions and FM radio programs organised on district FM
radio stations to reach a larger audience
– Traditional TVET providers are being supported through training and
orientation to increase their capacity in delivering TVET services to
beneficiaries in local communities.
– Arrangements have been finalised between the Lead Partner
(NECPAD) and TMF towards linking beneficiaries to micro-financial
services.
Client’s Name
Learn4Work
Project Cost
Learn4Work Contribution (34% of project cost) = €199,050
NECPAD and local Partners contribution = €386,473
Address
Edukans Foundation
P. O. Box 1492
3800 BL Amersfoort
The Netherlands
Contact:
Tel:+31(0)33 460 60 10
Fax: :+31(0)33 460 60 20
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.edukans.nl/learn4work
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the Management Information International (MSI) is implementing the Ghana Local Governance and Decentralisation Program (LOGODEP) in the Western Region of Ghana. The Network for Community Planning and Development (NECPAD) is as a “Grantee” is implementing a project entitled “Social Mobilization for Good Governance and Local Empowerment Project” in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Assembly (TNMA). The TNMA is one local government unit in the Western Region with a cosmopolitan composition which makes it crucial for it to properly manage diverse interests and demands for services. In many years of its work in the municipality, NECPAD has noticed key challenges which hamper the Assembly’s development oversight responsibility for basic social services which also inhibit responsiveness, inclusive decision-making and the efficient management of development policies to serve community needs and empower people to participate in, and influence the development process. The project thus seeks to improve on transparency and accountability in local governance as civil society and citizens are involved in budget tracking and monitoring of how well projects are being implemented and how well funds have been used in Municipal Assembly compared to the allocations in the budgeting process.
The Overall project goal is a strengthened capacity of local government and civil society to manage development through participation and social mobilization. Specific objectives are;
i. To strengthen local governance through improving the engagement capacity of communities to demand accountability and promote participation in decision making;
ii. To provide information, knowledge, and skills to increase community interest in assembly processes for development benefits.
iii. To create and institutionalize Governance Issues Forum Network (GIFNET), a local platform
for inclusive development and sustainable project monitoring.
The “Social Mobilization for Good Governance and Local Empowerment Project” covers all the 30 electoral areas in the TNMA. It targets communities with development programs and projects identified in the TNMA’s 2014 and 2015 Annual Action Plans. The Strategy features awareness creation through community entry, education and social mobilization; institutional strengthening and capacity building; partnerships and networking; participatory community monitoring and project tracking; lesson learning and experience sharing.
Under the technical guidance and supervision of the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), NECPAD is leading the identification and mobilization of community-based organizations and opinion leaders to form Governance Issue Forum Network (GIFNet). The organisation is supporting and participating in the training of the identified groups to physically monitor the implementation of the TNMA‘s Annual Action Plan delivery and interface with the local governance system. Through this it is mobilizing local CSOs for consensus building on processes, procedures, and content of monitoring engagements. Further, it is holding public forum to inform the constituents about the project objectives, expectations and their complementary roles for the success and sustainability of the project. NECPAD is organizing and leading an experience sharing workshop session on Social Accountability where GIFNet will share success stories and challenges with Assembly members, civic groups and the public. Lessons learnt and recommendations will highlight relevant issues for other project environments of the Municipality.
Client’s Name
LOGODEP
Approx. Value of contract sum
Contract sum: GHS 69,645
Address
Ghana Local Governance and Decentralisation Program (LOGODEP) funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) The Grants Manager
MSI/ LOGODEP
Plot 42, Airport Ridge
Takoradi – W/R
Following the end of the implementation of the Mutli-Sectoral HIV and AIDS Program (MSHAP), the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) developed a National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan 2011-2015 (NSP 2011-2015) anchored around a National Response of Zero new Infections: “Towards Achieving Universal Access to Comprehensive HIV Services” in Ghana. To facilitate implementation of the program at the local level, the GAC has been working with the Network for Community Planning and Development (NECPAD) since October 2012 to implement strategic HIV and AIDS Prevention activities in 7 District/Municipla/Metropolitan Assemblies in the Southern sector of the Western Region of Ghana..
(including Tarkwa-Nsueam Municipal, Prestea-Huni Valley District, Ahanta West District, Ellembelle District, Jomoro District, Nzema East Municipal and Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assemblies).
The funding arrangement follows a grant management approach in which NECPAD works with local or district/community based NGOs (called Sub-Recipients – SRs) in each implementation area. NECPAD manages the grant on behalf of GAC as together with the SRs do direct implementation in a total of 72 communities in the region. In doing this NECPAD and its SRs collaborate with the Technical Support Unit (TSU) of the GAC under the auspices of the Western Regional Coordinating Council (WRCC)
Client’s Name
Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC)
Approx. Value of contract sum
GHc450,000 (disbursed to date)
Address
The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC)
P. O. Box CT 5169
Cantonments, Accra
Contact:
The USAID through LOGODEP funded governance interventions in the Western Region of Ghana, NECPAD as a “Grantee” implemented a project dubbed “Institutionalizing Participatory Governance: Stimulating Citizens Participation for Transparency and Accountability” which sought to provide innovative and practical solutions to identified governance challenges within target communities. The key strategic approach was based on promoting systems and mechanisms that increase public participation, transparency and accountability in local governance in the Jomoro and Wassa Amenfi East Districts of the region. The project anchored around target communities where citizens were empowered and guided to demand transparency and accountability. The overall objective of the Intervention was to advance citizen’s involvement in local governance through increased engagement in decision-making processes and opportunities to influence and participate in local development. The specific goals of the project were to:
- To introduce alternative and Rights Based practices in citizens engagement in public decision making
- To expand public spheres as arena for grassroots participation in decision-making
- Promoting co-ownership in local development agenda
NECPAD worked in two Districts (Jomoro and Wassa-Amenfi East Districts) to identify and build the capacity of 10 community level Public Participation Units (PPUs) in 4 Area councils – AC, (2 communities in each AC). The units were empowered to engage local authorities based on development issues of the communities. The organization carried out awareness raising campaigns, district and community-level engagements, formed 10 Public Participatory Units (PPUs) in 10 communities in 2 Districts, developed Participatory Development Framework (PDF) and drew up a credible Citizen’s Charter. NECPAD has thus achieved five key milestones: Preparation for buy-in, Community mobilization and PPUs formation, Training and Community Interactions, development and dissemination of right-based educational materials and District level Public Participatory Units (PPU) engagements and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E).
Client’s Name
LOGODEP
Approx. Value of contract sum
GH₵49,901
Address
Ghana Local Governance and Decentralisation Program (LOGODEP) funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) The Grants Manager
MSI/ LOGODEP
Plot 42, Airport Ridge
Takoradi – W/R
The project is part of a Multi-bilateral Programme of Technical Cooperation under the Project titled “Eliminating the Worst Forms of Child Labour in West Africa and Strengthening Sub-Regional Cooperation through ECOWAS. NECPAD is implementing the mining and quarry intervention in Ghana in collaboration with the Minerals Commission, Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs and other CSOs.
NECPADs key intervention strategies are:
Advocacy, direct action and social protection
- Advocacy for improvement in social welfare, education and relevant legal systems
- Direct action to withdraw and rehabilitate children
- Social protection (including family empowerment) towards securing better livelihoods
Awareness raising and community education
- Awareness raising to improve families resolve towards educating children
- Community education to improve knowledge and appreciation on importance of education
Promotion of behavioural and attitudinal change
- Media programmes to change attitudinal and behavioural change
- Sensitisation to influence community perceptions
Institutional strengthening
- Capacity building for relevant institutions (including DAs, CCPCs etc)
- Mainstreaming child labour into local government systems
Key Project Outcomes include the following:
i. Withdrawal of Children from work, Rehabilitation and Provision of satisfactory and sustainable alternatives to work
NECPAD employed participatory and right-based approaches and through community education, sensitisation, advocacy and direct action withdrew a total of 1297 (as against a target of 1138) working children from work (comprising 574 boys and 723 girls), provided psycho-social, moral and educational counselling services and placed them in formal school system and information apprenticeship training in 30 communities within 7 Districts.
ii. Non-formal education for working children
A total of 455 children have been counselled and placed in informal apprenticeship training in the 30 communities.
iii. Family and Skills Empowerment and Livelihood Provision through Social Inclusion Transfer Interventions
A total of 300 parents/guardians/caretakers of withdrawn children have been identified, counselled and provided with empowerment/entrepreneurial skills and management training to empower them assist their children to go and remain in schools and informal apprenticeships.
iv. Strengthening local level institutions
NECPAD strengthened a number of Community Child Protection Committees (CCPCs) through capacity strengthening to enable them contribute to the implementation of the intervention
v. Awareness Raising, Community Education, Social Mobilisation and Advocacy for improvement of social welfare educational system and law enforcement actions
Throughout the implementation of the intervention, NECPAD carried out awareness raising on child labour to inform communities about the dangers of subjecting children to work as against sending them to school or learning a trade. The organisation has also embarked on community education programmes as well as social mobilisation for communities toy fight and resist child labour in all endeavours. Additionally, intensive efforts have been made to push institutions to act towards improving social welfare systems and law enforcement
Client’s Name
International Labour Organisation
Approx. Value of contract sum
US$ 451,925
Address
International Labour Organisation/International Program on Elimination of Child Labour (ILO/IPEC)
Address:
The International Labour Organisation (ILO)
The United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Contemporary Forms of Slavery provides grants for combating all forms of modern-day slavery and trafficking around the globe. Slavery and trafficking are practices existing in fishing and mining endeavours in Ghana. As regards modern-day slavery in mining, the three districts of Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Assembly (TNMA), Prestea-Huni Valley District Assembly (PHDA) and Amenfi East District Assembly (AEDA) are known areas with severe forms of slavery exist. In these communities people are enslaved economically as they strife for personal survival, family survival, payment of personal debts, contributing to payment of family debts etc.
The partnership between Free the Slaves (FTS) of the United States of America and Network for Community Planning and Development (NECPAD) of Ghana aims at eradicating slavery and rehabilitating the victims of slavery on the basis of the following shared assumptions and interest:
i. Empowerment of artisanal mining communities affected by trafficking and slavery to form and develop self sustaining groups such that FTS strongly support NECPAD to help communities
develop action plans to protect themselves and help them to acquire concessions and operating licences;
ii. Educating the public and policy makers and engaging supporters to undertake various forms of solidarity and action as contribution to the international struggle to eradicate slavery;
iii. Creating access to effective communication between frontline human rights organisations and anti-slavery organisations such that FTS and NECPAD joining other anti-slavery groups in Ghana and globally will promote partnership that strongly impacts on the underlying causes of slavery.
The objectives of the project are:
- To develop and implement programs to create awareness and sensitise communities to fight against slavery in small scale mining
- To promote self-organised slave-free enterprises
- To establish firm grounds towards effective enforcement of laws and regulations to end slavery To facilitate processes for community action to end slavery
Client’s Name
(UNHCR)
Approx. Value of contract sum
US$ 22,500
Address
Nations Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR)
Human Rights Treaties Branch,
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10,
Switzerland
Telefax:
(41-22) 917.90.17
Telegrammes: UNATIONS. GENEVE
Telex: 41 29 62
Telephone: (41-22) 917.93.76
Internet: www.ohchr.org
Given the spread and socio-economic dimensions of the HIV and AIDS the national response to disease as viewed by the Ghana’s Ministry of Health (MOH) required a multi-sectoral approach to enhance expansion and scaling up of the response into a multiplicity of interventions in various sectors and levels of government structures including CSOs.
The Network for Community Planning and Development (NECPAD) implemented a project of support on “Prevention of New Infections, Promoting Behaviour Change and Condom Use” in 6 Municipal and District Assemblies of Tarkwa-Nsueam Municipal Assembly, Nzema-East Municipal Assembly, Prestea-Bogoso-Huni Valley District Assembly, Amenfi East District Assembly and Amenfi West District Assembly. The major economy activities of the target districts were either mining, cocoa farming or in oil extraction.
The Goal of the project was “ to reduce new infections in the general population”. The
main objective was “to promote safer sexual practices in the general population especially among vulnerable groups”. Key activities focussed on behaviour change of in-school and out-of-school children, counselling and testing, condom use promotion and influencing behaviour change through mass media. Approaches involved conduct of outreach programmes to increase knowledge and reduce misconceptions, CT outreach to reach target population, organising group activities to reduce stigma and discrimination, provision of pre-testing, HIV testing and post-test counselling services and condom distribution among others.
NECPAD’s core strategy was on building partnerships with district-level CSOs (NGOs, CBOs, FBOs) who, as sub-recipients, were funded for direct implementation at the community level. NECPAD’s role was largely based on grant management, project coordination, monitoring and evaluation, as well as direct action in Municipal Assemblies.
Client’s Name
Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC)
Approx. Value of contract sum
GH₵240,000
(equivalent to US$165,517.21
@ US$1=Gh₵1.45)
i.e. Two year budget
Address
The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC)
P. O. Box CT 5169
Cantonments, Accra
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ghanaids.gov.gh
Tel
+233-21-782262 / 782263
Fax +233-21-782264
