| budget |
€ 67.545,44 |
status |
execution |
| start date |
01-10-2007 |
date end |
31-07-2008 |
| location |
|
country |
palestinian territory, occupied |
| financer |
Agriterra |
| executor |
Palestinian Farmers' Union |
intervention level |
sub-national |
| Programmes |
| work area 03: Internal organisational strengthening (OS) | IFAP 03: Enhance capacity of farmers' organisations | |
| description |
The Palestinian Farmers Union was established in 1993 and it was registered by the Ministry of Interior Affairs. PFU reaches 16 farmers' associations all over Palestinian districts, who are also project beneficiaries: 11 in West Bank and 5 in Gaza strip. These are targeted in this project and reach more (...more...) |
| description |
The Palestinian Farmers Union was established in 1993 and it was registered by the Ministry of Interior Affairs. PFU reaches 16 farmers' associations all over Palestinian districts, who are also project beneficiaries: 11 in West Bank and 5 in Gaza strip. These are targeted in this project and reach more than 9.800 member farmers (of whom 15% women). Furthermore PFU reaches about 60 farmers' cooperatives, including 3.040 members. These are active in a.o. grape and palm date cultivation, organic olive oil and other food processing, sheep, beekeeping, protected cultivation, savings and credit and agricultural development (among these are 10 women cooperatives).
PFU is regarded as eligible partner to IFAP with a genuine member base-structure and a significant membership base. A prospection mission (June 2007) followed by RPO quick scan (Sept 2007) mark the departure point for project collaboration. The mission enabled assessment of PFU character and outlines, but did yet not lead to further elaboration of the first proposal. Further liaison has lead to a focused proposal now presented to Agriterra for funding.
PFU wants to represent Palestinian farmers and assist them in becoming able to defend their rights and benefits and to share actively in the national development of an independent democratic state. As reads the proposal (as derived from more complex wordings - JBO): the general project objective is “to strengthen the PFU structure and empowering the member regional farmers associations through training [ ….. ] to become an important sustainable force in the center of the agricultural and rural sector [ … ] to improve their capacities and infrastructure [ … ] to lead farmers towards their benefits and rights “. (...less...) |
| results & observations |
In abstract from Project evaluation (J. de Lamarzelle, Oct-2008) p22-24 "Effective amelioriations through the project" , we present an overall conclusion, illustrated by a range of results.
Conclusions
Analysis of this project shows that its effectiveness of this project is satisfactory for many reasons and helped to initiate real changes (...more...) |
| final results & observations |
In abstract from Project evaluation (J. de Lamarzelle, Oct-2008) p22-24 "Effective amelioriations through the project" , we present an overall conclusion, illustrated by a range of results.
Conclusions
Analysis of this project shows that its effectiveness of this project is satisfactory for many reasons and helped to initiate real changes within the PFU :
- Logistical support helped to provide all associations members of PFU with computer equipment , needed for the acquisition of their autonomy
- The trainings have allowed member associations to gain confidence and take more initiatives
- The PFU evaluation generated an in-depth debate on the PFU objectives and already generated some changes
Thus, a certain degree of the project effectiveness has been reached. But this does not preclude that there is still a real way to achieve the ambitious goals set by Agriterra and PFU through this project.
Concrete results counted :
* For the regional associations, the logistical support of the Agriterra project was an essential aspect in the acquisition of their autonomy.
* The associations admit that the various trainings enabled them to better manage themselves. Because all are young associations, they found particularly useful aspects concerning management of an association: each role within the association, managing the relationship with the PFU headquarters, etc. These courses have been particularly well received in associations having renewed their board of directors in the mid-2008 elections.
* This better understanding of the roles of each allows a better self-knowledge and self-confidence of the regional associations, and also a better understanding of their environment. Thanks to the "Community analysis” training, associations say they have now methods to better understand the needs of farmers. In addition, they also have a better vision of the institutional landscape of the agricultural sector.
* This new self-confidence has prompted new associations to take initiatives. Several regional associations have recently identified new needs within their district. Some went so far as to write the draft and send the proposal directly to donors (e.g. Jericho : date palm nursery). Meanwhile, others less experienced associations identified needs, proposed areas of action and then left it to technical experts PFU to precisely define the project (e.g. Bethlehem : water irrigation project).
* This PFU general evaluation allowed each PFU actor to question its functioning, strengths and weaknesses. Preliminary conclusions, presented in a collective meeting, allowed them to become aware of specific room for improvement :
- the board of directors meetings, which must validate all decisions, affecting the responsiveness and efficiency of the PFU team
- the need to encourage regional associations to gain more autonomy
- the need to focus again PFU action on the syndicate activities, because it is too financially dependent on its development projects.
* Some evaluation recommendations (not fully included here) began to be partially taken into account :
- It was decided to give an allowance for some of the members of the board of directors ; to incite them to be more frequently in the offices of PFU (effective in the first months of execution)
- Decentralization is ongoing. The activities delegated to regional associations are becoming more numerous. E.g. they now manage alone farmers’ files for VAT recovering.
- The aim is to enable each association to write independently full project proposals in Arabic (where needed with initial help of PFU headquarters). (...less...) |
| specialisms |
| Internal organisational strengthening | |
