Project Focus: Institutional capacity building in Cameroon
Estimated cost: 80.000 Euros
CONTENT
1.0 Justification of project
2.0 Problem statement
3.0 Methodology
4.0 Objective
5.0 Expected outcomes/results
6.1 Formation of cooperatives
6.2 Functions and services of farmer groups
6.3 Governance
6.4 Farmer group financing
6.5 Record keeping, Accounting and Auditing
6.6 Splitting, Merging and Dissolution
6.7 Business Management within farmer groups
INFORMATION ON APPLICANT ORGANISATION.
TABLES:
Table 1- Project implementation time table
Table 2- Budget
ANNEXE 1:
Chede Cooperative Union Certificate
1.0 Project Justification:
The key to successful cooperative is training farmer members, boards, and management personnel in the basics of the purpose and utility of agricultural cooperatives in the market place. Scarcely in capacity building, has there been focus on programmes that target institutional capacity building activities for farmer leaders, government agricultural agency personnel, and local and regional representatives of nonprofit organizations serving farmers. The need to improve the performance and effectiveness of association leaders and members involve in cooperative organizations is the basis for profitability and improvement in management within organizations. Building capacities will assist cooperatives and association leaders in developing a framework that stabilizes and increases cooperative or association membership, promotes effective communication and problem-solving skills, and provides a forum to set goals, objectives and work plans that are participatory and inclusive. This will enhances effective participatory leadership skills and business management capacity for leaders of agricultural cooperatives and associations.
2.0 Problem Statement:
Hardly any farmer capacity building focus on institution building aspects of farmer organizations. The lack of adequate knowledge in the establishment and functioning of farmer groups needs to be address. Leaders of these groups as well as members are less knowledgeable in the areas of; improved governance, leadership, mission and strategy, administration (including human resources, financial management, and legal matters), program development and implementation, fundraising and income generation, diversity, partnerships and collaboration, evaluation, advocacy and policy change, marketing, positioning, planning, among others.
3.0 Methodology:
To successfully implement institutional capacity building within organizations requires conducting education and outreach programs through workshops aimed at transferring concepts of cooperative rules and regulations, structure, function and management. The workshops organized will address social factors that permit cooperative leadership and members to effectively, efficiently and inclusively manage the cooperative enterprises. The project aims at delivering six workshops per year, the implementation schedule is programmed for six farmer organizations and each workshop will be held for three days at a location for a cumulative period of 6 months.
4.0 Objective:
To build high performing, democratic and lasting farmer groups in the rural areas as an instrument of poverty alleviation.
5.0 Expected outcomes/results:
– Project should lead to the creation and/or further strengthening of cohesive farmer groups(cooperatives and common initiative groups) which will underpin the long term sustainability of the new washed coffee technology
– The capacities of farmer groups should be enhanced to attain fair-trade and organic agriculture certification
– Should sharpen the technical aptitudes of farmer groups to raise funding and other forms of support from local; and international donor communities
– Effectively govern and manage farmer groups are expected to be more successful in bargaining with government agencies for development projects and outcomes
– Build and sustain democratic culture and processes at the grassroots in the rural or village sector of the country.