FPDL Annual Report – 2004
Transcription
FPDL Annual Report – 2004
PARTNERS FOUNDATION FOR LOCAL DEVELOPMENT - FPDL PART 2: ANNUAL REPORT 2004 SUMMARY 2004 ACTIVITIES 2004 INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS REGIONAL PROGRAM “WORKING TOGETHER” • Local Economic Development - LED TOT • Ethnic Diversity and Conflict Management- EDCM TOT • Managing SMALL GRANTS III • 7th Annual Trainers Meeting OTHER INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS • Leadership & Management Skills TOT, New Delhi, India • Development of Local Training Capacities - Series of TOTS in Macedonia • Capacity Building for Local Authorities and Civil Society in South Eastern Europe - ALDA TOTs • Participatory Planning TOT for Contact Center in Moldova • Building Bridges through Managing Conflict and Differences & Participatory Planning- Series of Trainings for Officials from Republic of Moldova • Local Economic Development, OSCE, Trento, Italy • Citizen Participation Program, USAID Moldova • Consultancy for Training and Human Resources Development in Serbia 2004 NATIONAL PROGRAMS • UNDP Center for Change and Conflict Management- 2nd Year of Activity • Professionalism and Efficiency in Students Organizations- Organizational Development for ANSSA • Capacity Building Program for Youth Serving NGOs in Romania • Support to the National Strategy to Improve Roma Conditions in Romania • Improving Romanian NGOs Capacity - Technical Assistance for NGOs, GRASP, USAID Program • World Bank Rural Education Program • National Training Programs as follow up of the TOTs “Strengthening Local Democracy in the Stability Pact Region” • Improving Local Government Integrity- Training And Technical Assistance • Partnership Programs With AIDROM • Social Support Center For Roma Communities, UNDP Romania 2004 FINANCIAL STATEMENT 31 2004 SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES Learning events in 2004 Training of Trainers in 2004 Training events in 2004 32 Learning events in 2004 2004 was a very successful year involving intensive work of our full-time trainers and facilitators as well as of our part-time collaborators. In 2004, we succeed to initiate and conduct 336 National and International learning events, Training of Trainers, Training Programs and Workshops/Facilitated Meetings – involving a total of 1694 participants during 569 days. 2004 Learning Events 73 263 International level 2004 Number of Participants National Level 296 1398 International Level National Level 2004 Number of days 214 355 International Level National Level 33 Training of Trainers in 2004 Our trainers prepared and conducted 19 TOTs, in which 313 participants were trained as trainers/facilitators, during 108 training days. 10 International TOTs were conducted for 166 participants 9 National TOTs were conducted for 147 Romanian participants 2004 NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IN TOTs 147 166 International TOTs National TOTs 2004 TOTs NUMBER OF DAYS 36 72 International TOTs National TOTs 34 Training events in 2004 FPDL trainers designed and conducted 89 training events (training programs, workshops and facilitated meetings) involving 1381 participants, representatives of NGOs, and public institutions from Romania as well as other countries from the region, during 199 training days. These training events were organized in English and Romanian, for foreign audience, as well as for participants from Romania, as follows: 4 2004 Number of Trainings 85 International Trainings 2004 Number of Participants National Trainings 130 1251 International Trainings 2004 Number of Days National Trainings 22 177 International Trainings National Trainings In 2004, our trainers and consultants performed a number of 228 site visits in organizations and communities from Romania, Serbia and Republic of Moldova in order to provide technical assistance and/or conduct needs assessment, summarizing a total of 262 days. 35 2004 INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS REGIONAL PROGRAM “WORKING TOGETHER” • • • • Local Economic Development - LED TOT Ethnic Diversity and Conflict Management- EDCM TOT Managing SMALL GRANTS III 7th Annual Trainers Meeting OTHER INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS • • • • • • • • Leadership & Management Skills TOT, New Delhi, India Development of Local Training Capacities - Series of TOTS in Macedonia Capacity Building for Local Authorities and Civil Society in South Eastern Europe - ALDA TOTs Participatory Planning TOT for Contact Center in Moldova Building Bridges through Managing Conflict and Differences & Participatory Planning- Series of Trainings for Officials from Republic of Moldova Local Economic Development, OSCE, Trento, Italy Citizen Participation Program, USAID Moldova Consultancy for Training and Human Resources Development in Serbia 36 REGIONAL PROGRAM “WORKING TOGETHER” The Regional Program “Working Together” is a Capacity Building Program initiated and conducted by FPDL since 1998, supported by Local Government Initiative of the Open Society Institute LGI/OSI, Partners for Democratic Change – USA, US Department of State – USAID, Netherlands Government, and USAID. The Regional Program 2004 Activity continues the effort of the six previous years, following the same main strategic directions that ensure building the regional network of training organizations and having the multiplying effect at national level: (a) Training the trainers through “working together” programs, which success is determined by clear criteria of selection, efficient training methodologies, user-friendly training materials, professional senior trainers and logistical organization, opportunities for experience exchange. (b) Providing support for national programs development, through small grants for training programs and materials translation and adaptation, consulting and mentoring, information dissemination and ideas exchange, opportunities to develop common projects The 2004 Regional Program Capacity Building activities included: • Local Economic Development - LED TOT • Ethnic Diversity and Conflict Management- EDCM TOT • Managing Small Grants III • 7th Annual Trainers Meeting 37 LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – LEDTOT The activities performed for this TOT were structured in three main components and implemented in the period January – August 2004, as follows: a. Preparing the strategic planning process in the pilot city b. LED TOT with Strategic Planning Workshop c. Follow-up activities Each of this component included diverse activities performed in Horezu or in FPDL office involving trainers, consultants and experts in local economic development and strategic planning from Romania and other countries, Local Authorities representatives from local and county level, community members, as well as students from Architecture and Urban Planning University, as follows: a. Preparing the strategic planning process From January till March, the following activities were performed: o Analysis of existing situation (desk research, synthesis of the 80 questionnaires from business and community survey, and 25 interviews with local key stakeholders: business people, farmers, banks private companies and associations representatives), having as results a Study on Local Economic Potential of Horezu o Series of 4 working meetings with the Local Planning Team (City Hall representatives, Local TV and FDPL experts) in order to o Organization of two contests to raise interests and awareness of community members about the Local Economic Development Process: “ Bright Ideas for Economic Development in Horezu” for Youth and drawings contest “Horezu, when I will be adult” for children from primary and high schools from Horezu. The opening of the drawing exhibition was organized in the first day of the Strategic Planning Conference – on April 18, 2004, at the Cultural Center Horezu o Public Meeting involving 38 participants, representatives of the interest groups from the three main economic areas: industry and services (including banking, retail) tourism and craft, farming and fruits processing o Distribution of the Study on Horezu Local Economic Potential to all the key stakeholders from local and county level, as well as to the foreign experts and trainers involved in the TOT component 38 b. LED TOT with Strategic Planning Workshop Date and venue: April 15-24, Horezu, Valcea County LED TOT Objectives: • To field test the content and process proposed by the new UN HABITAT Manual on Local Economic Development, using as live laboratory a Romanian community and local authority. • To build the capacity of trainers to design and facilitate participatory processes for local economic development planning • For the local Planning team of Horezu, LED TOT had additional objectives: to build a strategic plan for economic development of Horezu. Participants The total number of participants involved in this component could be summarized as follows: • 16 trainers/ experts from Bulgaria, Moldova and Bosnia Herzegovina and Romania, as well as UN HABITAT and LGI representatives for 9 days TOT (April 15 –24) • 45 local community members during the 3-day Strategic Planning Conference (April 18-21) Trainers and Organizers Ana Vasilache and Nicole Rata designed and conducted the TOT. Plenary and groups work during the Strategic Planning Conference were facilitated by FPDL facilitators/trainers. Facilitators were involved in structuring and ordering the ideas generated during the Pilot Workshop, so that each day built on the previous day results, supporting the progress in the planning process. Ancuta Vamesu was the main organizer and contact person for the relation with key stakeholders. Trainers Evaluation: Trainers highly appreciated the TOT program, considering that their knowledge and skills increased as a result of this TOT Program (4.90 on a scale from 1 to 5) and that they will apply back home what they have learned (4.80). The overall satisfaction with the program was very high (4.90) and senior trainers work was appreciated with maximum (5.00). The Manual was appreciated as very useful for the experts when preparing the planning process. Concepts and tools presented in the manual will be improved based on trainers’ ideas and recommendations. Participants Evaluation The Strategic Planning Conference was also highly appreciated by participants. They evaluated with 4.77 facilitators work in stimulating reflection and discussions, and offering opportunities for ideas and experience exchange; with 4.72 the usefulness of information and acquired knowledge. 39 c. Follow-up activities Date and venue: May 2004 – August 2004 In order to support and facilitate the implementation process of the Economic Strategy of Horezu, FPDL initiated and conducted the following activities: Elaboration of the LED Strategy Document FPDL registered all the results of the Strategic Planning Workshop and drafted the final Form of the LED Strategy. The document was sent to all the participants of the Conference as well as to the Horezu City Hall. After the local election process (June 2004) FPDL presented the document to the newly elected Council, who approved it in the first working meeting of the Local Council. The new elected Mayor, who was one the most committed member of the Local Planning Team in the preparation stage, supported this step. Training for Young entrepreneur, June 24, 2004, Horezu Training objectives The program was focused to improve participants’ knowledge and skills in developing business plans for small economic activities that could be developed in Horezu, using local resources. The participants had the opportunity to use the knowledge and skills when developing business ideas in the contest organized on July 9, 2004, when is organized the traditional Ceramists Fear in Horezu “Cocosul de Horezu” (Horezu Rooster) Organizers and trainers The program was organized by FPDL, Ancuta Vamesu, in partnership with the Center for Economic Development, (SON- Soros Organizations Network) Mr. Remus Nica, “You Can Do It” Program (Chiar Poti) was the main trainer. Participants 17 youth from Horezu, college and university students, who intent to participate in the Contest „Bright Ideas for Local Business Development” Contest “Bright Ideas for Economic Development in Horezu”, July 9, 2004 The Selection Committee formed by City Hall, Business sector and FPDL representatives, selected 4 papers from the total of 22, to receive awards. The majority of the proposed projects were consistent with the main strategic directions and the business plans, even developed by very young participants, demonstrated that they have learned basic entrepreneurial knowledge. The local business representatives, as well as FPDL experts have sponsored the contest awards. Training on Project Management- Writing Project Proposals, July 26- 28, 2004 Training Objectives: As a follow up of the Strategic Planning Conference held in April 2004, within the LED TOT, FPDL provided support for the strategy implementation through capacity building of Local Government and community representatives in accessing external funds. The specific objectives of the training were the following: Develop participants’ basic knowledge and skills in project management, focusing on writing project proposals Build a local team able to initiate and develop project proposals Drafting the skeleton for 4 projects, focusing on the strategic directions identified in the Horezu Strategy Participants 17 participants, local councilors and technical staff from Horezu City Hall, as well as NGOs representatives participate in this training. Trainers Nicole Rata and Ancuta Vamesu designed and conducted the training program. Program description Participants selected 4 problems based on the SWOT analysis and the Strategy for Local Economic Development. Team work alternated with short lectures for introducing and explaining key concepts. At the end of the programs 4 project proposal were initiated. The participants shared responsibility to finalize the two projects which had funding opportunities: two PHARE programs with application deadline in August and September. They won both projects. 40 Training Evaluation The participants’ evaluation at the end of the training program demonstrated the success of the training event: the trainers received the highest mark (5.00), as well as the logic of the program and the exchange of the experience during the workshop (both 4.92). The participants really appreciated the new knowledge and skills, as well as the topic, as a very useful one. Summer School „ Horezu Revitalization”, July 29- August 8, 2004 As a follow up of the Strategic Planning Conference hold in April 2004, within the LED TOT, FPDL provided support to the local authorities for the strategy implementation through bringing students and teachers to work and develop ideas for the strategic directions related to Rural Tourism Development. The objectives of the Summer School were: Providing an important support for implementing the strategic plan for LED of the city of Horezu Elaborate some practical solutions for the main strategic directions set up by the strategic plan Students have learned and developed skills in planning and implementing participatory processes, as well as in working in multidisciplinary teams (students from architecture, urban planning, and economics). Organizer and facilitators In June, FPDL contacted the Faculty Architecture of University of Architecture and Urban Planning, Vice-Dean, professors and assistants, signed an agreement with the Faculty of Urban Planning and developed, based on the main directions of the Strategic Planning document of Horezu, the term of reference for the mix teams of students in urban planning and architecture. The announcement was posted in the University, as well as through our web page. The students received the program with great interest, FPDL receiving 57 on-line applications. Nicole Rata and Ancuta Vamesu from FPDL, and representatives of Architecture and Urban Planning University form Bucharest (prof. Arch. Liviu Ianasi, Vice-dean, and Arch. Gabriel Pascariu, lecturer) were involved in organizing and conducting the process of the Summer School. They have worked with a team of assistants from University of Architecture and Urban Planning “Ion Mincu Bucharest. Claudiu Runceanu, Flavia Rosu, Vlad Thiery, Florentina Iugan, Ana Maria Goilav. 41 Participants 44 participants, from which 33 were students in Urban Planning and Architecture from the University of Bucharest, 1 Landscape engineer, and 10 were students in economics from Horezu. Program description The students were organized in 5 teams and worked on one of the following topics: Tourist information point (potential location in the city, information types, ideas for tourism marketing); Camping and leisure areas (localization, accessibility, tourism advertising); Tourist routes and promotional flyers (maps including various landmarks of cultural and natural patrimony situated around the city, ideas of organizing and improving the tourist services); Rural tourism – accommodation in traditional households, design for new rural boarding houses; Urban image and quality of central public spaces (organizing and improving the quality of the public space in the downtown, urban furniture, lighting, advertising in accordance with the scale of the city center and with the local potential). The agenda of the summer school comprised three main steps: Assessment of the existing situation (where are we now) and identification of the main actors interested in urban operations; data collection; data processing and identification of the local problems. Development of new solutions for the further interventions. Public presentation of the final projects when the representatives of the main stakeholders involved in the local economic development process were invited. More than 100 citizens participate in the event. Every team presented own project using drawings, texts and schemes as graphic support Program evaluation The community was very interested in the results of the projects. Some ideas found the opportunity to be put in practice (i.e. the tourist information flyers). As a result of the summer school, a Booklet of projects was published and sent to the Local Council, which was impressed by the results of the projects and decided to further collaborate with FPDL and University on future projects. Many students expressed their desire of taking part to such events in the future, considering them as very important step in receiving practical knowledge regarding the development of the city. The faculty staff considered such an event as an excellent opportunity for students’ development as well as a very useful approach in going out of the “walls” of the academic world. Dissemination of the lessons learned in the LED TOT Process A detailed report on Horezu experience was sent to UN HABITAT and manual author in order to be included in the LED Habitat manual as a Horezu Case Study. FPDL representatives were invited as panelists at the “World Urban Forum” in Barcelona, when Horezu experience as well as the Regional Program “Working Together” were presented and raised a huge interest. 42 ETHNIC DIVERSITY AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT - EDCM TOT The TOT was organized under Managing Multiethnic Communities Program of LGI/OSI in partnership with Regional Program “Working Together” of FPDL, with the financial support of LGI/OSI Period, location, organizers, trainers EDCM TOT was organized December 5-12, 2004, Hotel Astoria, Budapest, Hungary by Angela Radosits, Logistics and Training Coordinator, LGI/OSI and Petra Kovacs, LGI MMCP Program Manager, in partnership with Ana Vasilache and Nicole Rata, the senior trainers who designed and conduct the TOT. TOT Objectives: The TOT had the following objectives: • Improve knowledge and skills in the design and conduct of interactive and participatory training programs for local governments officials, in order to improve their performances in assuring peaceful coexistence and in preventing violent conflicts in multiethnic communities • Elaborate action plans for future activities at national level, in order to disseminate the acquired knowledge and skills, using "Ethnic Diversity and Conflict Management" manual, developed within the framework of LGI's Managing Multiethnic Communities Program Participants: 26 participants, from 17 countries (Albania, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia and Montenegro, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine and USA) selected from 159 applicants from 29 countries, based on the following criteria: • Having training experience and knowledge in the topic • Working for training institutions that have the capacity to multiply the program at national level • Good English language skills Training Manuals Ethnic Diversity and Conflict Management manual is part of the series of manuals for Managing Multiethnic Communities, and was developed by Ana Vasilache. The series of 5 Brochures on “What is Conflict”, “What Is Communication”, “What is Negotiation”, “What is Facilitation” and “What is Ethnic conflict” was provided as in-kind contribution of FPDL Program evaluation: Participant highly appreciated the process as well as the content. The overall satisfaction regarding the senior trainers was 4.91 and the overall satisfaction with the TOT was 4.79. They leave the training as friends, being decided to work for building together future programs and to meet again. 43 MANAGING SMALL GRANTS III FPDL, through the Regional Program “Working Together” managed Small Grants III Program to support the translation, adaptation and/or multiplication of the Training Manuals used in the Regional Program TOTs held in 1998-2003. Activities The following activities have been achieved: • Launching of the Small Grants Program, January 29, 2004 through our web site • Receiving proposals, deadline April 15, 2004 • Evaluating the proposals, based on the above-described criteria and through a jury formed by three neutral experts, April 15 – May 19, 2004. • Signing the agreements with the awarded organizations and providing the small grants, until June 10, 2004 • Monitoring the projects implementation, June – December, 2004. Selection process For the projects selection the following criteria were used: Training Institutions capability Capability to deliver Training Programs for elected and appointed officials, demonstrated by the types and numbers of training programs delivered, number of training days & trainees Capacity to develop and/or translate/adapt Training Materials, demonstrated by previous experience Capacity to use in future training programs the translated/adapted Training Manuals, provided in the Regional TOTs. Capacity to develop a project having joint funding Proposed project qualities Project structure clear and concise • Project activities consistent with the project objectives • Project activities cost effective and efficient • Quality evaluation system for the project outcomes Grants awarding FPDL awarded USD 44 789 for 10 grants between USD 2 600 and 5 765, for projects developed by 10 training institutions, focused on the Training Manuals translation / adaptation / multiplication, from 7 countries (Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Georgia, Serbia and Montenegro) whose trainers attended the Regional TOTs List of countries and manuals translated Albanian: Guide to develop Code of Ethics for Professional Associations working for Local Governments (CoE) Azerbaijan: Elected Leadership Roles Series (EL) Armenia: Local Government General Management series of Manuals (LGGM) Bosnia Herzegovina: Building NGO/CBO Capacity Series (NGO/CBO), Guide to develop Code of Ethics for Professional Associations working for Local Governments (CoE), Building Bridges between Local Governments and Citizens through Participatory Planning (BB-PP) Bulgaria: Building NGO/CBO Capacity Series (NGO/CBO), Developing and Managing Professional Codes of Ethics (CoE), Building Bridges between Local Governments and Citizens through Managing Conflicts and Differences (BB-MCD) Georgia: Building NGO/CBO Capacity Series (NGO/CBO) Montenegro: Adaptation of Local Government General Management series of Manuals (LGGM) to the Montenegro situation Serbia: Building Bridges between Local Governments and Citizens through Participatory Planning (BB-PP) 44 7th ANNUAL TRAINERS MEETINGS Date and venue: March 19-20, 2004, Bucharest, Romania Meeting objectives The Annual Trainers and Steering Committee Meetings overall objectives are to provide information on the Regional Program “Working Together” activities and future plans and evaluate the Regional Program impact. The 7th SC Meeting was focused on: • Prioritize Regional Program “Working Together” TOTs offer • Exchange experience on CEE trainers and training organizations activities/programs aimed to fight corruption in the public sector (Follow up of the Community of Democracies NGO Forum, held in Bucharest, November 2003) • Improve knowledge on the innovative approaches to fighting corruption, proposed in the book “Corrupt Cities – a practical guide to cure and prevention” Organizers FPDL, Ana Vasilache, Daniela Plugaru, Carmen Marasescu, Nicole Rata, Ana Maria Naca. Ana Vasilache and Nicole Rata designed and facilitated the meeting. Participants: 52 participants from 18 countries attended the Meeting, representing Training Organizations and NGOs, members of the Regional Program network, as well as Funding Agencies and International organizations, interested in the Regional Program activities, such as: • Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative of the Open Society Institute, LGI/OSI • United Nations Human Settlements Program UN-HABITAT • Friedrich Neumann Foundation • World Bank Institute • Association of Local Democracies Agencies • Development Alternatives Initiatives – DAI/Romania • GTZ – Duetsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusamenarbeit Meeting description FPDL celebrated its 10th anniversary and Ana Vasilache – FPDL Executive Director, Fred Fisher and Tomasz Sudra, Board members, had in the opening session short speeches to present FPDL main achievements in its first decade. Regarding the most useful TOTs that should be repeated, in order to increase the number of trainers having knowledge and skills in the specific area, the voting results were the following: Local Economic Development 23 Local Government Management 16 Participatory Planning 14 Ethnic Diversity and Conflict Management 14 Leadership 13 NGOs Management 11 Advanced Training of Trainers 11 Conflict Management 9 Ronald MacLean Abaroa was Regional Program Trainers Meeting special guest. He is the co-author of the book “Corrupt Cities” and presently is working with World Bank Institute as Lead Public Sector Management Specialist, Governance, Decentralization & Poverty Reduction (WBIPR). He was four times mayor of La Paz, Bolivia, founder of Transparency International Latin America and Bolivia former minister of foreign affairs. Many participants appreciated the topic of the meeting “Fighting corruption in the public sector – the role of trainers and facilitators” as well as Ronald MacLean Abaroa presence and presentation. FPDL decided to include in the next year Regional Program this topic, due to the huge interest and need in the region. 45 OTHER INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS In 2004, FPDL conducted 8 other International TOTs, 3 Training Programs and 2 Processes for Consulting and Needs Assessment: LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS TOT, NEW DELHI, INDIA UN HABITAT Training & Capacity Building Branch – TCBB, and Human Settlements Management Institute (HSMI), organized this TOT. Period and location January 11-22, 2004, HSMI Building and New Delhi Municipal Corporation, New Delhi, India Participants 15 trainers from 5 South and East Asian countries (India, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Nepal and Sri Lanka) in the TOT component and of 53 councilors of Municipal Corporation of Delhi and neighboring corporations, involved in two parallel workshops Trainers Ana Vasilache and Nicole Rata designed and conducted the TOT. FPDL team of Senior Trainers was supported by HSMI Senior Fellows, Dr. K.K. Pandey and Dr. S.K. Gupta, as well as by Ms Sarika Seki Hussey, Associate Human Settlements Officer, UN HABITAT TOT Objectives The overall objective of LMS TOT was to serve as a catalyst for starting broad national training programs to strengthen leadership and management skills of local government officials in the South Asian Region. The specific objective of LMS TOT was to improve the knowledge and skills of a core pool of South Asian trainers in designing and conducting interactive and participatory training programs in leadership and management fields, based on UN-HABITAT manuals, in order to be able to disseminate the acquired knowledge and skills trough country-specific training programs to train local government elected officials, as well as to train other trainers in the same field Program description The LMS TOT had three main components: 1st component, included a TOT component and a Pilot Workshop for Trainers and focused on improving trainers knowledge and skills in adult learning / participatory training design and delivery 2nd Component, included two parallel Pilot Workshops for a total of 53 councilors of Municipal Corporation of Delhi and neighboring corporations and focused on three inter-related objectives • Improving trainers knowledge and skills in conducting interactive participatory training sessions for a real audience formed by elected officials • Promoting HSMI leadership and management training programs for councilors in India 46 • Improving Indian local elected officials leadership and management knowledge and skills 3rd Component included LSM TOT evaluation and elaboration of Action Plans to implement national and sub/national training programs. Most Action Plans included the translation /adaptation of training manuals into national languages and to the national context, organization of other TOT programs to increase local training capacity and identified local elected and appointed officials as the main target clients for future national training programs. Program Evaluation The LMS TOT success was determined mainly by: • Careful selection of high quality trainers attending this TOT • Committed Resource persons – UN HABITAT and HSMI team worked in a very professional way to organize a complex program, attracting in the Pilot Workshop the Councilors of New Delhi and assuring high visibility for this program • TOT overall design empowering trainers with own learning responsibilities, motivating them through challenging tasks and offering opportunities to learn from each other • Training Manuals high quality and user-friendliness • Senior Trainers and Resource Persons support, flexibility and involvement The main Lessons Learned expressed by trainers: • Trainers should be flexible in their designs and adapt continuously to trainees’ needs, even if they have designed carefully each minute • Trainees must be involved through active participation in order to be motivated learners • Self confidence is an important training skill • Learning objectives should be realistic for the time available – over design is ineffective • Thorough preparation is the key to success The following conclusions can be drawn based on LMS TOT Final Evaluation Forms: • TOT had a significant impact: trainers’ knowledge and skills increased (4.80) and they will apply the gained knowledge and skills in their jobs (4.70) • The overall satisfaction with Senior Trainers was 4.90 and they highly appreciated that Senior Trainers were interested to help them (4.93) • Training materials were useful during the training (4.73) and also they will be used in their current work (4.70) The overall satisfaction with the training program was also very high: 4.83 47 DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL TRAINING CAPACITIES - TOTS IN MACEDONIA The program was initiated by Euro Balkan Institute of Macedonia and FPDL, having financial support FROM Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia Participants Euro Balkan Institute selected 15 participants to be trained as trainers for Local Government Capacity Building and to participate in all TOTs. They work in public sector, at central and local level, as well as in NGOs. 4 participants were involved only in 2 TOTs, 3 new participants joined the group after the 2nd TOT. Trainers and Organizers: Ana Vasilache, Nicole Rata and Ancuta Vamesu, working in teams of two, were involved in design and conduct of 4 TOTs. EuroBalkan Institute, Lovren Markik, was in charge to manage organizational issues. ELECTED LEADERSHIP TOT Date and venue: March 7-13, Ohrid, Macedonia TOT Objectives o To improve trainers’ knowledge and skills in the design and conduct of interactive, participatory training programs in order to be able to train Local Government Elected and Appointed Officials in enhancing their performance in leadership roles o To develop Action Plans in order to implement national training Program description o 1st component, conducted by senior trainers was focused on Leadership roles, and adult learning principles and training tools o 2nd component when participants, have worked in 6 teams to design and conduct a 3 day Pilot Workshop for their colleagues focusing their sessions on one of the leadership roles. o 3rd component was devoted t evaluate the lessons learned and to build action plans. Program Evaluation The programs was a very successful ones, the participants appreciated especially the structure of the program (skills oriented), and the training methodology. Great marks were received through the evaluation form at the end of the program: the trainers (5 for stimulating thinking and discussions, 4.92 for overall satisfaction with the senior trainers), the relationship trainerparticipants, the logic of the program and the way the training was delivered as a very effective to learn the subject matter. 48 Managing Conflicts And Differences TOT Date and venue: May 28- June 5, 2004, Skopje Macedonia TOT Objectives To improve trainers’ knowledge and skills in the design and conduct of interactive, participatory training programs in order to be able to train Local Government Elected and Appointed Officials in managing conflicts and differences, to work more effectively with citizens. Program description The program structure was the following: 1st component- Training process and training tools: the participants, working in groups, prepared short training sessions for their colleagues, focusing each on one key topic related with training process and training tools, based on the previous knowledge and skills 2nd component- Conflict: one day training conducted by senior trainers on conflict management styles, Conflict outcomes, conflict causes, conflict dynamics, conflict stages and resolution methods. 3rd Component -Pilot Workshop: The participants have worked in 4 teams to prepare and conduct each, a training module focusing on the following topics: interpersonal communication, principled negotiation, interpersonal mediation, inter-group mediation; 4th component: Lessons learned and evaluation: the participants prepared a simulation of a marketing event when they tried to persuade various stakeholders about the usefulness and applicability of the MCD training Training Materials The participants receive the Building Bridges through Managing Conflicts and Differences manual, translated into Macedonian, by Euro-Balkan Institute as well as series of the brochures What Is Conflict, What is Interpersonal Communication and What is Negotiation in English, as in-kind contribution of FPDL. Program Evaluation The participants filled-in an evaluation questionnaire at the end of the TOT, developed by Euro-Balkan institute, with grades from 1 to 5, were 1 is for unsatisfactory and 5 is for excellent. The biggest rate were received for the trainers, and the quality of their presentation (4.75), as well as the importance of the topics for Macedonian Local Governments; the lower ones for the training materials (3. 83) 49 Participatory Planning TOT Date and venue: September 23-28, 2004, Ohrid, Macedonia TOT Objectives • Improve participants’ understanding, knowledge and skills on the facilitator role in the participatory planning process • Improve participants knowledge and skills in the initiation, design and facilitation of participatory planning processes, using UN HABITAT training manual, Building Bridges Between Citizens and Local Governments through Participatory Planning Program description 1st component: conducted by the senior trainers focused to better understand the role facilitator in participatory process and group work, focusing on group communication, group decisionmaking and group problem solving, as well as the relationship between trainer, consultant, and facilitator. 2nd component, when participants working in teams facilitated working sessions of a participatory planning process, based on a case study, which gave the general frame of the existing situation. Each session of the participatory planning process was followed by feedback sessions in order to clarify the concepts and to improve participants’ facilitation skills 3rd component, conducted by the senior trainers, when participants exchanged the lessons learned and discussed about future actions to apply the new knowledge and skills working for their community Program Evaluation Participants appreciated that the program was a very intensive learning event and that the time allocated was too short in order to learn the concepts of strategic planning process and design/facilitation of such processes. Local Government General Management TOT Date and venue: November 26- December 1, 2004, Skopje, Macedonia TOT Objectives The TOT had the following objectives • Increase knowledge and understanding of the role of managers in LG • Improve knowledge and skills on the role of managers in some specific fields: Organization culture, Staff development and Strategic Planning & Change Management • Develop alternative training program designs for local government managers and evaluate the lessons learned. Program description 1st component: 4 training days, conducted by the senior trainers focused to better understand the key concepts of the Local Government Management series of manuals: The evolving roles and responsibilities of Managers, Manager and Organization culture, Manager as Staff Developer, Manager as Visionary Strategist. The training for the last topic was organized as a simulation facilitated by the senior trainers, focused on developing the draft strategy for the team of Macedonian trainers trained in these series of TOTs. 2nd component: one and a half day TOT component, when participants developed alternative training programs designs for Local Government Managers in Macedonia and evaluate the lessons learned Program evaluation Participants showed interest for the topics, but not all of them were motivated to become trainers as full time profession and to organize themselves in a training organization, as the funding agency expected. 50 CAPACITY BUILDING FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND CIVIL SOCIETY IN SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE - ALDA TOTs Association of Local Democracy Agencies –ALDA, in cooperation with Association of Italian Towns –ANCI organized the program. Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through ANCI and ALDA funded it. FPDL is the main partner responsible for designing and conducting the series of Training of Trainers programs on Building Bridges between Local Authorities and Communities and Partners Poland will design and conduct the TOT on Public Relations Participants 26 participants represented 11 LDA from 5 countries and regions (Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, Macedonia, and Kosovo. They were the trainers, selected by each LDA to conduct the series of training programs in local languages for local governments and NGOs representatives. Trainers and Organizers Nicole Rata, Ancuta Vamesu and Olivia Baciu, FPDL trainers, designed and conducted the two TOTs, working in pairs of two trainers. ALDA staffs, Dorothe Fisher, Martial Paris and Stefania Toriello together with 1 organizer from the host Local Democracy Agency, (LDA Ohrid and LDA Subotica) were involved in logistic activities Managing Conflict And Differences TOT Date and venue: September 1-10, 2004, Palic, Subotica, Serbia TOT Objectives The TOT had the following objectives: • Deepen participants understanding on the concept of conflict (models to understand the territory, dynamics) • Improve participants Knowledge & skills on using alternative strategies for Conflict Resolution • Improve participant’s knowledge and skills in the design & conduct of interactive training programs based on the Building Bridges Manuals • Developing action plans to implement training an capacity building activity in your country/ region/ community (transfer these knowledge and skills while addressing community issues) 51 Program description 1st component- Conflict: one day training conducted by senior trainers on conflict management styles, Conflict outcomes, conflict causes, conflict dynamics & stages and resolution methods. 2nd component- Training process and training tools: one day training conducted by senior trainers, focused on key topics related with training process and training tools, 3rd Component -Pilot Workshop: The participants have worked in 6 teams to prepare and conduct each, a training module focusing on the following topics: Communication- cause of conflicts, Communication-strategy to manage conflicts, Principled negotiation- achieving results, without third party intervention, Inter-group negotiation- using role negotiation to solve intergroup issues, Mediation- a facilitated negotiation, and Power and conflict 4th component: Lessons learned and evaluation: when senior trainers facilitated the exchange of lessons learned and ideas for designing and implementing training programs on the topics related with conflict management, for local governments and NGOs representatives Training Materials Participants received the Building Bridges through Managing Conflicts and Differences manual, in English and Serbian (translated under the Regional Program Small Grants), as well as the series of FPDL brochures What Is Conflict, What is Interpersonal Communication and What is Negotiation in English, as in-kind contribution of FPDL. A Trainer Tool Kit was prepared by FPDL based on UN Habitat manuals “Designing Human Settlements in Transition Countries”, Volume II. Program evaluation The program was well received by participants, they perceived their knowledge and skills increasing (4.24) and that the program met all of its stated objectives (4.31). Among the key lessons learned, they mentioned the following: • New usage of already knew exercises, as well as new exercises • New training approach to training performance and new topics • Working in teams with different people and how to fit every one strength in the process • Better understanding of the topics: the structure of power sources and how to use power, mediation, structure of conflict causes; Participatory Planning TOT Date and venue: November 1-10, 2004, Ohrid, Macedonia TOT Objectives • Improve participants’ understanding, knowledge and skills on the facilitator role in the participatory planning process • Improve participants’ knowledge and skills in the initiation, design and facilitation of participatory planning processes, using UN HABITAT training manual, Building Bridges Between Citizens and Local Governments through Participatory Planning Training Manuals Participants received the Building Bridges manuals, in English and the Serbian version of the manuals translated under the Regional Program Small Grants, as well as the brochure What Is Facilitation, in English, as in-kind contribution of FPDL. A “Facilitator’ Tool Kit”, was prepared by 52 FPDL to explain the key concepts for each steps, examples and the tools used by the facilitator in each step. Program description The program had the following structure: 1st component: two days training conducted by senior trainers on facilitator roles, facilitation techniques and participatory planning process steps, which included a simulation of the strategic planning process for ALDA Development 2nd component: when participants working in teams facilitated working sessions of a participatory planning process, based on a case study, which gave the general frame of the existing situation. Each session of the participatory planning process was followed by feedback sessions in order to clarify the concepts and to improve participants’ facilitation skills 3rd component, conducted by the senior trainers, when participants exchanged the lessons learned and discussed about future actions to apply the new knowledge and skills working for their community Program Evaluation The majority appreciated as very useful the lessons learned, but not all participants were able so easily to get out from the trainer shoes (learned in previous TOT) and get into the shoes of a facilitator. 53 PARTICIPATORY PLANNING TOT FOR CONTACT CENTER, MOLDOVA Date and venue: Chisinau, July, 17-24, 2004 The program was organized through a Partnership Agreement with Contact Center from Republic of Moldova. TOT Objectives o To develop participants (Contact Center facilitators) knowledge and skills in training design for local governments and NGOs representatives. o To design and conduct interactive and participatory training sessions in strategic planning for a local planning team (LG and NGOs representatives of Visoca village) o To elaborate action plans for future planning the use of the acquired knowledge and skills in the local participatory strategic planning processes. Trainers and Organizers FPDL trainers Simona Pascariu and Daniela Plugaru designed and conducted the TOT. Contact Center – Aliona Niculita, Executive Director was the main organizer. Participants 9 trainers / facilitators from 5 Contact Centers (Chisinau, Cahul, Soroca, Tighina, Balti) participated in the TOT. Program description The program prepared the Contact Centers trainers / facilitators in adult learning processes and in designing and delivering a 2-day interactive and participatory strategic planning sessions for Visoca village planning team (LG and NGOs representatives). As a result of the strategic planning sessions Visoca village developed a Draft Strategy for the next 4 years. 54 BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN LOCAL AUTHORITIES & COMMUNITIES – SERIES OF TRAININGS FOR OFFICIALS FROM REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA Date and venue: September 22-30, 2004, (1st series) and November 30 - December 9, 2004, (2nd series), Hotel Margaritar, Poiana Tapului, Prahova, County, Romania Project proposal was initiated by FPDL for the elected officials and Local Government representatives from Republic of Moldova, having as goal to support the participatory planning and change management process in local communities from Republic of Moldova. Romanian Government, Department “Romanii de Pretutindeni” and Contact Center, Republic of Moldova, funded the program Two series of training for 9 days each were organized in Romania, in partnership with Contact Center from Republic of Moldova for 25 participants in each of the two series, (councilors, mayors, and technical staff from rural communities from Republic of Moldova. Participants 50 participants were involved in the two series of training (25 participants in each) and participated in a study tour and working meeting with Brasov City Hall officials. Trainers and Organizers: Daniela Plugaru and Doru Bularda designed and conducted the training. The program was organized by FPDL, Carmen Marasescu, in partnership with Contact Center, Aliona Niculita Executive Director. Program description The training program was organized in two modules, each module with specific objectives: • 1st module – Managing Conflicts and Differences with the topics: communication, teamwork, efficient meetings, group decision making, understanding conflict- causes, dynamics, stages, as well as improving knowledge and skill on conflict management strategies, negotiation and basic issues on mediation. • 2nd Module: Participatory Planning: understanding the logic and steps of the process, with accent on strategic planning (visioning, setting goals and objectives, elaborating strategies and planning the actions, monitoring, evaluating). Training Materials: Participants have received a Participant Workbook for each module (Participant Workbook for Conflict Management and Participant Workbook for Participatory Planning) elaborated by the trainers Daniela Plugaru and Doru Bularda FPDL provided as in-kind contribution for each participant the series of Building Bridges manuals translated into Romanian Program evaluation: The program evaluation demonstrates the success of the program, the quality of the training process and the usefulness of the topic. On the scale from 1 to 5, participants perceived as one of the main strengths of the program the organization and the working environment (5,00), the logic of the process and content (4,96), the usefulness of the manuals and handouts (4,96), the achievements of its stated objectives (4.92), the usefulness of the acquired knowledge and skills (4,92), the exchange of experience (4,87). The participants highly appreciated the trainers work, the trainers received 5,00 and the overall level of satisfaction was rated with 5,00. 55 LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, OECD, TREENTO ITALY The training was organized and funded by OECD- Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development – under LEED program of Trento Center for Local Development - Local Economic and Employment Development. FPDL was invited to conduct some modules. Date and venue: November 21-24, Trento, Italy Trainers: Ana Vasilache, from FPDL and other 3 experts from Ireland, France and UK Participants: 30 participants, Central and Local government officials from Central and Eastern Europe, involved in Local Economic development processes Training Objectives: Exchange experience on implementing local economic development strategies Program description: Ana Vasilache conducted two sessions on: • Identifying stakeholders in multi-level governance systems • Financial Planning for Local Economic Development Horezu case was presented during these sessions and raised participants’ interest. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PROGRAM IN MOLDOVA, USAID FPDL is working as partner with Democratic Change -PDC /USA and International Research and Exchanges Board - IREX in the USAID Program in Moldova “Citizen Participation Program in Moldova” which started in 2004. The 2004 activity, was focused to organize and conduct the need assessment over all regions of Moldova, in order to identify the main problems to be addressed through technical assistance and training in the next stage of the program. Date and venue: November 26 -December 20, 2004, Republic of Moldova Consultants: A team of 4 FPDL consultants was involved in the need assessment component: Simona Pascariu, Aliona Niculita, Anne Gasser, and Kristina Creosteanu Organizers: IREX, Moldova and PDC, USA Program Description: The four consultants worked in 4 regions and visited around 300 communities in order to conduct the needs assessment. • One-day workshop was organized with all experts (FPDL, IREX, and local Consultants) in order to form the teams (FPDL consultants have worked in teams with IREX team and local Consultants, to clarify the work plan and the main goals of the Need Assessment, as well as the format of the reports, to obtain relevant and consistent results. • 1 day planning was necessary to discuss the intermediary results and decide on how to solve the problems and challenges. • 2 days follow-up was organized in Chisinau to integrate all the results. Each team report included structured information collected based on the questionnaires, as well as the recommendations for the next step (the need for technical assistance, training and /or grants) 314 communities were visited and around 3600 citizens, CBOs and NGOs representatives, as well as elected officials and private firms from each communities where involved in the needs assessment process. 56 CONSULTANCY FOR TRAINING AND HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT IN EASTERN SERBIA Ana Vasilache, was involved as short term consultant for Training and Human Resource Development of LGID, under Eastern Serbia Municipal Support Program, funded by European Agency for Reconstruction, and coordinated by GTZ and LGID Ltd. The activity was delivered and organized through 3 Missions, as follows: 1st Mission, May 24-28, 2004, Zajecar, Serbia • Discuss and clarify together with the Team Leader of the Project, GTZ representative, the TOR, the objectives and the work plan • Collect information on the project history, progress and actual results • Contact 3 from the 15 cities to test and develop the TNA methodology that would complete the diagnosis report 2nd Mission, June 14-29, 2004, Zajecar and Belgrad • Visit key organizations • Interviews with key stakeholder 3rd Mission, July 9-30, 2004, Zajecar, and Belgrad Develop a concept for the 15 Eastern Serbian Local Government managerial capacity building and a long-term strategy for the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities – Training Unit. Prepare and Design and a marketing workshop, as a meeting point between demand and supply sides, attended by the best Serbian Training organizations and municipalities representatives. Develop a database with Serbian Training organizations was developed and provided to SCTM 57 2004 NATIONAL PROGRAMS • • • • • • • • • • UNDP Center for Change and Conflict Management- 2nd Year of Activity Professionalism and Efficiency in Students Organizations- Organizational Development for ANSSA Capacity Building Program for Youth Serving NGOs in Romania Support to the National Strategy to Improve Roma Conditions in Romania Improving Romanian NGOs Capacity - Technical Assistance for NGOs, GRASP, USAID Program World Bank Rural Education Program National Training Programs as follow up of the TOTs “Strengthening Local Democracy in the Stability Pact Region” Improving Local Government Integrity- Training And Technical Assistance Partnership Programs with AIDROM Social Support Center For Roma Communities, UNDP Romania 58 UNDP CENTER FOR CHANGE AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT 2nd YEAR OF ACTIVITY Project period: October 2003-October 2004 (Here after are highlighted only the activities performed in 2004) The project “Building the Capacity for Conflict Analysis and Resolution in Romania” Year 2 continued to pursue the main goal of Year 1: “To contribute to the establishment of a culture of constructive conflict resolution and collaborative problem solving in Romania, by increasing the capacity of Romanian government and civil society to analyze, prevent and manage conflicts in the social sector” Specifically the Change & Conflict Management Center promoted conflict prevention in Romania through building the capacity for participatory policy-making and cooperative problem solving approaches and other alternative methods for resolution of public disputes. FPDL Strategy for the second year built on Year 1 successes and continued the effort of building the capacity for conflict analysis and resolution. Year 2 activities demonstrated, to public and civil society opinion leaders, the effectiveness, efficiency and benefits of using alternative dispute resolution methods and third party facilitators. Main Clients In order to continue to demonstrate the value of collaborative problem-solving, participatory planning processes as well as to continue to build FPDL Team capacity and experience in the design and facilitation of these processes, in Year 2 we have identified the following main clients: • National Council for Fight Against Discrimination (Consiliul National pentru Combaterea Discriminarii – CNCD) • Office for Roma Problems, Department for Inter-ethnic Relations, Government General Secretariat At the beginning of the year, as a follow-up of the meeting held in 2003, we decided to adopt the following strategy: o For CNCD: we have agreed together with CNCD representatives that CNCD officials need more training than consulting for participatory problem solving processes. Their needs were to improve knowledge and skills in the fields of conflict management and communication, negotiation and mediation. We decided to provide to CNCD Board members 3 training modules that were held to February, April and June 2004 o For Office for Roma Problems: we agreed together with the Secretary of State at the Office for Roma Problems, Department for Inter-ethnic Relations, Government General Secretariat to provide one training modules on negotiation and facilitate one participatory problem solving event, having as target clients Roma elected representatives and civil servants working at local level and Roma NGO members Based on this agreement, in Year 2 of activity, we conducted one participatory problemsolving event, and five training events instead of three, addressing the expressed needs of high-level officials from the two central government institutions, working in the areas of interethnic relations and anti-discrimination 59 Participatory, Problem-Solving Processes Date and venue: 7-8 September 2004, Vidra – Sintesti At the beginning of September 2004 the newly elected mayor (June 2004) of Vidra commune did not agree to contribute from the local budget in projects developed by the Roma community organizations. Contribution from local government budget was a pre-condition for projects to be sent for the EU Grant Fund program consideration. The mayor motivated his decision with: “there are enough wealthy Roma people in this village”. Some local councilors and a strong Roma NGO (whom representatives were trained by FPDL in other training programs) persuaded the mayor to take part in a two day meeting, focused on problem solving and negotiation skills, where actually the new knowledge and skills were applied to facilitate the negotiation process between Roma community representatives and Local Government representatives, in order to develop a common project to apply to this Grant Fund. Participants 6 representatives of Vidra local government (mayor, councilors, civil servants), 1 representative of the Ilfov county council, 4 representatives of Roma community (informal leaders) attended the two-day event. Another 30 Roma community representatives were involved in the community consultation process. Objectives • To build knowledge and skills in participatory approaches and principled negotiation concepts / instruments. • To build a partnership between Vidra local government and Roma community representatives from Sintesti, to work together on common projects. Facilitators Simona Pascariu, FPDL facilitator/trainer having as co-facilitator Viliam Oaie, Ilfov county council Roma Office, designed and conducted the participatory process Training Materials The brochure “What is Negotiation” developed under the present project and the manual on “Building Bridges between local government and citizens to work more effectively together through Participatory Planning” developed by UN HABITAT/FPDL/LGI, have been provided to participants Evaluation The results of the two-day program could be synthesized as follows: • Both parties agreed on the necessity to jointly participate in the effort to improve Roma community life conditions in Sintesti village; • For the first time both parties accepted to work together focusing on a clear common goal: develop projects to apply to the Grant Fund • Both parties appreciated the participatory planning and the principled negotiation processes, as the best approach to overcome problems and conflicts • There were identified two issues for which projects has to be developed: (a) healthcare services and improving access to these services, (b) generation of income activities, based on Roma community traditional skills and crafts However, no agreement was signed despite promises from the mayor who delayed this until the detailed project proposal was developed. In present, the initiative group of the Sintesti Roma community prepared two projects: (1) a joint project proposal with a Roma community from Oltenita County and (2) a joint project with Vidra Sintesti Town Hall. The initiative group elaborated also an Action Plan for a 6-month period and decided to debate it in the community in order to obtain its agreement before discussing it with Vidra Town Hall. In 2004 we designed and facilitated participatory problem solving & strategic planning processes in other FPDL projects, such as: • Participatory Strategic Planning for Local Economic Development program held in Horezu Romania (February – August 2004), • Building the organizational capacity of Youth NGOs (October 2003 – July 2004), • Building the organizational capacity of the Association of Students in Administrative Sciences (January – October 2004). 60 Training in basic skills: Communication, Negotiation, Mediation In order to continue to improve Romanian government and civil society representatives’ knowledge and skills in communication, negotiation, mediation we designed and conducted for the two main clients (CNCD and Office for Roma problems) 2 to 3-day training programs, clientcentered and demand driven, as follows: Training in Conflict and Communication Date and venue: February 11-13, 2004, Crowne Plaza Participants: 14 participants - 11 officials, members of CNCD Board and 3 officials, working for the Department for Inter-ethnic relations, Romanian Government General Secretariat Training objectives • To deepen participants understanding on the concept of conflict and conflict management tools • To improve participants knowledge and skills in inter-personal communication, as a tool to solve conflicts and as a base for building negotiation and mediation skills Training Materials Participants received the brochures “What is Conflict” and “What is Interpersonal Communication” developed by Ana Vasilache and Nicole Rata, under this project frame. Trainers Ana Vasilache and Nicole Rata, FPDL Training Evaluation Participants evaluated the training program by completing Evaluation Forms at the program end. They expressed their satisfaction (from 1 to 5) with the overall training program – with 4.92, with the trainers – with 4.92. They considered that the training improved their knowledge and skills – with 4.42 and that knowledge and skills are applicable in their jobs – with 4.25. They appreciated the interactive, participatory process and the way the program was structured. They expressed their interest in attending the other modules FPDL will provide them in the frame of this project. Training in Negotiation Skills Date and venue: April 13-15, 2004, Bucharest, Institute for Education Sciences Participants: 14 participants - 11 officials, members of CNCD Board and 4 researchers from the Institute for Education Sciences Training objectives • To improve participants knowledge in negotiation styles and the influence of these styles on the negotiation outcomes • To deepen participants’ understanding on the differences between principled and positional negotiation • To improve participants knowledge and skills in using successfully the principled negotiation to solve their specific disputes and conflicts 61 Training Materials Participants received the brochure “What is Negotiation?” developed by Nicole Rata and Ana Vasilache, FPDL, in the frame of this project as well as handouts developed for this training program (exercises, case studies, role-play situations, etc.) adapted from the real situations encountered in the CNCD field of work. Trainers Simona Pascariu and Olivia Baciu, FPDL Training Evaluation The synthesis of evaluation questionnaires shows participants’ high appreciation of this training program, regarding the structure and the design (4.9), the training materials (5.0) as well as the trainers’ performances (5.0). Participants practically did not mention any weaknesses, excepting that the training was considered too short, and that the location is better to be outside Bucharest (residential training) enabling participants forget about the daily professional duties and have supplementary discussions on the training subjects. The Negotiation skills training program was considered a good opportunity for team building, by “evaluating and negotiating their own relations” in a friendly atmosphere. As a follow-up of this training, CNCD hired three more Roma experts. Participants understood the necessity of acting as principled negotiators, despite the positional based approach of most clients and the very competitive environment. Training in Mediation Date and venue: 23-25 June, 2004, Bucharest, Institute for Education Sciences Participants: Same 14 participants as in the previous Negotiation Skills Training, 11 officials, members of CNCD Board and 4 researchers from the Institute for Education Sciences Training objectives To improve participants’ knowledge and skills regarding: • The alternative strategies in solving disputes (recapitulation) • The Mediation process and skills • The use of mediation skills in the professional activity The Training Materials FPDL trainers developed Training materials and handouts (exercises, case studies, role-play situations, etc.) adapted to the real situations encountered in CNCD field of work. Trainers Simona Pascariu and Olivia Baciu, FPDL Training Evaluation The Synthesis of evaluation questionnaires indicates a high appreciation given by participants to this training program concerning the structure and the design (4.8), the training materials (4.9) as well as the trainers’ work (4.9). Participants expressed the opinion that the Mediation is the most difficult process, but at the same time it is really rewarding when is successful. They understood the crucial importance, for the mediation process success, that mediators are accepted as impartial third parties. Before this training most participants thought that they are doing (proper) mediation but in fact they find out that they only applied some tools. Most participants were interested in mediating in teams and wanted to know more about mediators’ professional standards. All participants regretted the end of the series of training programs for CNCD, but were satisfied that they benefited from participating in all of the three training programs: Conflict management and communication, principled negotiation and mediation skills. They expressed their interest to build partnerships in future projects, to exchange information and experience and to participate in other FPDL programs. Training in Negotiation and Problem Solving Date and venue: 11-12 September 2004, in Bucharest, Bucharest, Tourist Hotel In 2003, FPDL facilitated a Participatory Planning process having as main client the Office for Roma Problems. Roma and non-Roma key experts, officials and civil society representatives, 62 worked together and identified the obstacles encountered in the implementation of the National Strategy for improvement of the Roma minority situation in Romania, after one year of its launching. The results of this planning effort was a 6-month Action Plan, which helped Romanian Government in taking measures to speed-up the strategy implementation. This training program was a continuation of this collaboration, based on the identified training needs. Participants: 12 Roma minority representatives, from which 8 elected officials members of Local and County Councils, (Mayors, Vice-mayors and councillors) and 4 experts working for Local Governments, Prefectures or Roma minority political party. Training objectives The Negotiation Skills Training program objectives were to improve the participants’ knowledge and skills regarding: • The personal styles in negotiation and their influence on the negotiation results • The differences between principled negotiation and positional negotiation • The use of principled negotiation steps in the every day work in local governments Trainers: Simona Pascariu and Olivia Baciu, FPDL Training Materials The Training Materials provided to participants were: • The brochure “What is Negotiation” developed in the frame of this project by Nicole Rata • The “Councilor in the Role of Negotiator”, from the series of UN HABITAT Training Manuals for local elected officials. Other materials and handouts were developed by FPDL for this training program (exercises, case studies, role-play situations, etc.) adapted to the real life situations encountered by participants. Training Evaluation Synthesis of evaluation questionnaires shows participants satisfaction and appreciation of the training design (4.9), training materials (4.9) as well as the trainers’ skills (5.0). Participants stressed the importance to bring together in other joint trainings events Romanian / majority representatives with Roma minority representatives, in order to increase common understanding of problems and elaborate strategies and action plans that take into account both parties interests. Conflict and Communication: Training Modules at University of architecture and Urban Planning-Master Degree Date and venue: October 28-29, 2004, November 17-18, 2004, University of Architecture & Urban Planning Bucharest Organizers: Institute of Architecture, Post graduate School of Urban Planning, arch. Florin Machedon and Liviu Ianasi, in partnership with FPDL, (Nicole Rata) Participants: 22 architects, urban planners, economists, philologists, working in public and private institutions, 1st year students at Master in Urban Management and Romanian-French Master in Integrated Urban Planning Trainers: Nicole Rata and Ana Vasilache Training objectives: The training module had the following objectives: • To increase participants understanding about the concept of conflict and alternative strategies for managing constructively conflicts in urban planning activities • To develop participants knowledge and skills in communication in order to identify the risks of misunderstanding and differences and overcome these obstacles • The training module had as objective to develop participants’ knowledge and skills in delivering powerful public speeches Training Materials: FPDL provided as in-kind contribution the series of brochures on “What is Conflict” and “What is Communication” 63 Education and Outreach Campaign In order to continue the effort of educating the potential clients and the general public about the uses and advantages of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, FPDL performed the following activities: Continued to develop printing materials The series of materials is focused to build common understanding on basic concepts and skills necessary for using successfully alternative dispute resolution methods. 4 new brochures were developed in 2004, added to the 1st one “What is Conflict”: o What is Interpersonal Communication o What is Negotiation o What is Ethnic Conflict o What is Facilitation The series was elaborated based on the principle of “30 minutes learning” with the intent to emphasize the clarity and simplicity of concepts description. Gain project visibility through media campaign and marketing events FPDL Trainers and project managers had access to TV 2 as well as to Local Radio talk shows trying to disseminate project objectives and results, after two years of effort. The series of five brochures was launched through a public event attracting newspapers and TV attention. Ana Vasilache and Olivia Baciu, representing FPDL, participated also October 19, 2004 in Radio MIX – a Bucharest local radio - “Civil Romania” talk show, presenting project objectives and results. Change & Conflict Management Center Steering Committee Meetings In 2004, one Steering Committee Meting was organized in October 15, 2004, as a final event organized as a marketing event when the Romanian and English language brochures were launched. The event was organized in the prestigious bookstore “Carturesti” opened in an old, centrally located, Bucharest villa, which is used by writers and artists’ to launch high quality books. An art performance, designed and conducted by the National Art University students and their professors, symbolized through creative dance and costumes the importance of dealing with conflicts in a constructive way. The discussions that followed focused on different aspects of public conflicts in Romania as well as on the importance of increasing knowledge and skills to prevent violence and manage them in a constructive way. Gabriel Giurgiu, Romanian TV journalist, moderated the discussions. 64 PROFESSIONALISM AND EFFICIENCY IN STUDENTS ORGANIZATIONS: CAPACITY BUILDING OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STUDENTS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (ANSSA) Project period: January 1- October 30, 2004 Source of funding: PHARE program, Civil Society Component, initiated and managed by FPDL in partnership with ANSSA Program Objectives: The project had the following main objectives: - To build the capacity of 15 local offices of the National Association of Students in Public Administration (ANSSA) in Romania by improving their management capacity and facilitate the development of ANSSA strategy for programs and projects - To improve the impact and consolidate ANSSA’ relations with potential partners, mainly central and local governments at both national and local levels. - To formulate a strategy for ANSSA organizational development through a participatory process, involving local offices and ANSSA members - To field test FPDL NGO Management training manuals Program activities: Main activities implemented were the following: A need assessment of ANSSA through a survey of membership The questionnaires was distributed to all local offices and directly, to over 160 members from all the cities were ANSSA has members. The 179 questionnaires provided the needed information on the following: o The way ANSSA member perceived their organization: strengths and weaknesses and opportunities for ANSSA future development o Members expectations regarding ANSSA activities and services and evaluation of the degree in which these expectation are fulfilled o Key filed of training in order to improve the organization and its members The questionnaire provided data also on the respondents’ profile, and differences among different roles and positions in the organization. The conclusions of the assessment were presented in the Report, which was presented to ANSSA members in different stages of this program or during ANSSA meetings. Nicole Rata and Ancuta Vamesu coordinated the assessment activity. Innovation and Development-Training modules for Local Coordinators and their teams Date and venue: May 5-13, 2004, Sinaia, Hotel Sinaia 8-day training program was organized for 44 students from10 of the local offices of ANSSA in Bucuresti, Bacau, Iasi, Tirgoviste, Ploiesti, Constanta, Sibiu, Cluj, Oradea, Pitesti and National ANSSA The training was focused, based on the assessment results, on the following: 65 - - To build personal skills: communication, conflict management, team-work and decisionmaking, as well as influence attitudes, motivation and self confidence of ANSSA members To build organizational skills: introduction in management, organizing and organizational structures, human resources management (writing job descriptions and recruitment ads), external communications (message and target); project management; To develop the draft of ANSSA strategic plan for 2004-2007, the skeletons for future projects in key areas for the strategy, as well as action plans for local offices. In order to increase training impact and to facilitate everybody involvement, plenary sessions alternated with working in two parallel workshops. 4 FPDL trainers were involved in conducting this program: Nicole Rata, Ancuta Vamesu, Doru Bularda, Daniela Plugaru All participants received the series of training manuals on NGO management, translated and adapted into Romania by FPDL experts, as well as the brochures on Conflict and Communication. Training of Trainers (1st component) Date and venue: June 29, July 4, 2004, Sinaia, Hotel Sinaia The aim of this TOT was to build a core Team of ANSSA Trainers, able to provide training programs for ANSSA member in each Regional Chapter in order to contribute to the personal development of its members - the future civil servants – as well to the organizational development of ANSSA. 17 ANSSA members, students in Public Administration and Political Sciences from 10 Universities Centers (Bucharest, Ploiesti, Targoviste, Pitesti, Cluj, Bacau, Iasi, Sibiu, Oradea and Constanta), participants in the previous series of training, were selected based on their application forms expressing their commitment and plans for future. 22 ANSSA members participated in the Pilot Workshop, conducted by ANSSA team of trainers. The program structure included the following components: 1st component, focused on building knowledge and skills on key concepts and principles related to the trainers role, the training design and trainer’s tools, was conducted by the senior trainers 2nd component, the Pilot Workshop, when participants, working in teams, prepared and conducted training sessions for their colleagues, on the following topics: communication, Facilitation, Negotiation, Using Power 3rd component, when participants developed Action Plans for preparing the series of workshops for their colleagues, planned to be held in October. The program was intensive but very successful. The participants highly appreciated the training: 4.88 for the trainers performances and the perception that their knowledge and skills were improved 4.81 for the overall satisfaction regarding the program 4.75 for the training materials (they received the series of Elected Leadership, a Trainer Tool kit prepared by FPDL and the Brochure on “What is negotiation” developed by FPDL under UNDP Program “Center for Conflict Management” Nicole Rata and Ancuta Vamesu designed and conducted the program 66 Training of Trainers and Pilot Workshops (2nd component) Date and venue: October 7-10, 2004, Busteni, Hotel Silva The program was focused on two main objectives: to support the ANSSA trainers’ further development and to increase ANSSA members’ self-confidence in their skills as future leaders and active member of ANSSA. 15 ANSSA trainers involved in the 1st component, prepared and conducted 5 training sessions for 60 ANSSA members from 9 Universities Centers (Bucharest, Ploiesti, Targoviste, Pitesti, Cluj, Bacau, Iasi, Sibiu, Suceava and Galati). The 3 Pilot workshops were organized and conducted by 3 teams of 5 ANSSA trainers with technical support of 3 FPDL senior trainers: Ancuta Vamesu, Nicole Rata and Doru Bularda. The Pilot workshop objective was to improve participants’ knowledge and skills in communication, decision-making, facilitation of group work and negotiation. One day coaching and technical assistance for ANSSA trainers were followed by 3 parallel workshops, on Introduction in leadership with 20 participants in each. At the end of each day, FPDL trainers conducted feedback sessions to help ANSSA trainers to improve their performances. Plenary sessions were organized and conducted by FPDL trainers, to facilitate networking and experience exchange among ANSSA members. FPDL provided to all participants, excerpts from elected leadership series, (decision making) as well as the brochures on Communication, Negotiation, Facilitation developed under UNDP program “Center for Change and Conflict Management” All participants from all three workshops received very well the program (overall satisfaction regarding the training program: 4.89, 4.76, 4.50). The synthesis of evaluations of each workshop illustrated participants satisfaction related to the innovative approach, (interactive, participatory, well structured, dynamic), the trainers’ qualities (creativity, professionalism, hard work) and the usefulness of the content, as well as the qualities of the training materials. Strategic Planning Session for ANSSA Date and venue: October 10-12, 2004, Busteni, Hotel Silva 2 day strategic planning session was organized to generate a “shared” vision and gain consensus around main strategic objectives and actions – the draft strategic plan produced by 44 ANSSA members, involved in strategic planning workshop conducted in the framework of the May training course. Through this strategic session, 35 ANSSA members, the Associations governing bodies (Executive committee, branch coordinators) and the 15 trainers had the opportunity to revise and develop the ANSSA strategic Plan for 2007. The process followed the following steps: • Review ANSSA strategy for organizational development (draft developed under the same project, in May 2004) • Build consensus on strategic objectives and priority activities • Clarifying roles and responsibilities for the key activities under each strategic objectives • Exchange experience and information regarding the on-going activities Even if the meeting had moments of tension, due to the fact that was the first time when sensitive issues were discussed, the meeting was productive and very successful. As the result of the group work a set of priority programs, projects and services were developed. The final strategy was presented in General Assembly of ANSSA and local offices started the implementation of program and ideas. Nicole Rata and Ancuta Vamesu conducted the plenary sessions. Doru Bularda and Daniela Plugaru facilitated groups’ work. ANSSA Conference: The Access of Graduates to jobs in the public administration Date and venue: October 22, Hotel Continental, Bucharest The event was organized by FPDL (Ancuta Vamesu, Nicole Rata) in partnership with ANSSA (Olivia Buzoianu, Mihai Ailenii, Serban Anghe and Cristian Biteal) The meeting, planned as 1 day top-level conference had as objective to initiate a public debate regarding the access of graduate students in public administration structures, focusing on: 67 • The adequacy of the universities curricula for the labor market of the public sector • Procedures and practices for recruitment and development of the labor force working in public administration institutions 80 participants attended the conference as follows: Representatives of employers in the public administration, of regulating agencies, and public administration reform programs: Ministry of Administration and Interior, National Agency of Public Servants, UCRAP (Central Unit for Public Administration Reform), associations of local and regional governments, public service trade unions Representatives of universities, faculties and colleges of public administration in Romania, of Ministry of Education and Research, National Council of Academic Evaluation and Accreditation, of the Association of Schools and Institutes of Public Administration in Romania (ASIAP); Representatives of students in public administration in faculties and colleges from the 20 university centers around the country offering public administration programs at undergraduate and/or graduate levels, members of the National Association of Students in Administrative Sciences ANSSA; NGOs. In order to provide credible arguments, a preliminary research was conducted by ANSSA members under the guidance of FPDL experts, based on the analysis of the 1718 jobs positions announced during the previous 3 months as vacancies in public institutions from central and local level. The results of the research were presented during the conference in order to initiate the debate: over 10 000 students each year try to find jobs in public institutions, while the statistics from the previous year showed that only 407 were hired as civil servants. Participants worked in groups to develop possible actions, which should be initiated by various stakeholders in order to solve the present issues. Conference conclusions were published and distributed to all those concerned. The event contributed to increase the visibility of ANSSA as possible partner of those interested in public administration reform, as well as to consolidate the relationship with various universities from all over the countries. A media campaign was initiated with the support of FPDL, the event being reflected in 5 national newspapers and magazines. Jonathan Sheele, the Chief of EU Delegation in Romania participated in the event, and showed interest for that initiative and the reform of public administration. Nicole Rata and Ana Vasilache facilitated the group work and discussions. 68 CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM FOR YOUTH SERVING NGO IN ROMANIA Program frame: The program is financed by USAID, and coordinated at regional level by Balkan Children and Youth Foundation/ Macedonia and International Youth Foundation/ USA. Under the coordination of BCYF from Macedonia, the program is implemented with the support of the national capacity building providers from Romania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia & Montenegro, Croatia, Albania and Bosnia – Herzegovina. FPDL was selected to implement the National Program in Romania. Program Objective The program has as aim to enhance the service-delivery capacity and sustainability of youth NGOs in Romania Project period The program has 2 years, as follows: Year 1: November 2003 – October 2004 Year 2: September 2004 – April 2005 Year 1: November 2003 – October 2004 Selecting Organizations 12 youth NGOs from all over the country (Alba-Iulia, Bucharest, Iasi, Buzau, Musetesti, Timisoara, Oradea, Suceava, Vaslui, Cluj-Napoca) were selected for the 1st year to participate in this program. The selection process have balanced the profile of the NGOs as well as the geographical distribution, as follows: 5 student organizations: Students’ League from the University “1st December 1918”- Alba – Iulia; Law Students European Association, Romania – Bucharest; Board of European Students of Technology /Local Group BEST –Iasi; Organization of the Students from Engineering Faculty, OSAFIE – Suceava; Center for Career Development – Timisoara Education, culture, mobility, voluntarism, leadership (4): EURO<26 Association / European Youth Card – Bucharest; Leaders Romania – Bucharest; Youth Foundation – Buzau; Foundation Life Youth – Oradea; International cooperation and local development (2): Youngsters Without Borders – Musetesti; PROTIN / Association for the Support, Promotion and International Cooperation of the Youth – PROTIN Social Integration and Antidiscrimination Policies (1): Center for Social Integration and Antidiscrimination Policies - Vaslui Geographical Coverage: from the 12 NGOs, 11 are coming from medium and small towns and 1 from a rural town, covering geographically the entire Romania. 69 Program activities In order to reach its objective, FPDL designed a consultancy process for organizational development, which combined the expertise of FPDL consultants with the effort, knowledge and high involvement of the local planning teams, formed in each selected organization. The following activities took place: Launching Meeting Date and venue: January 30-31, 2004, Silva Hotel, Busteni Meeting objectives: This meeting had the following objectives: • To present the program objectives and the proposed process • To clarify the task and responsibilities of those involved in the project (trainees and consultants) as well as to agree on the work plan and schedule of the activities Organizers: Olivia Baciu, Ana Vasilache, Nicole Rata, Carmen Marasescu Facilitators and consultants Nicole Rata and Olivia Baciu designed and conducted the meeting.. Participants 23 participants, the representatives of 15 Youth NGOs selected for this program as well as the 7 FPDL consultants assigned to provide consulting and TA, participated in this meeting: Daniela Plugaru, Doru Bularda, Ancuta Vamesu, Ionut Georgescu, and Dorlin Muresan.. BCYF Program manager participated as observer. Meeting description Half day meeting was devoted to participants and consultants presentation, and to clarify the role of FPDL experts as process consultants. Next day were discussed the tasks and responsibilities as well as the work plan schedule. Organizational Assessment (using McKinsey self-assessment tool) Data and venues: February –March, 2004, Alba-Iulia, Bucharest, Iasi, Buzau, Musetesti, Timisoara, Oradea, Suceava, Vaslui, Cluj-Napoca Objective: to assess the development stage of the organizations and to elaborate the organizational diagnosis reports, as the basis for the consultancy process Description: gathering the relevant information on the organization, through visits on site and through analyzing the self-assessment organizational tool McKinsey, completed by the planning teams formed in each organization. 3 organization from the 18 selected were excluded from the process, not being able to fulfill the initial agreement with FPDL as consulting organization. Number of days: 15 days on-site visits in organizations Number of persons involved: 12 planning teams, 78 persons (representing boards, executive level, management teams and employees and/or volunteers) Consultants: Olivia Baciu, Nicoleta Rata, Ancuta Vamesu, Daniela Plugaru, Doru Bularda, Dorlin Muresan and Ion Georgescu Strategic Planning Workshops Data and venue: May 28- June 1, 2004, and July 23-25, Hotel Silva Busteni; Learning Objectives: As a result of this workshop: 70 Participants improved knowledge and skills on strategic planning; Participants improved knowledge and skills in quality performance measurement Participants, within their own planning teams, elaborated the draft of a strategic plan for organizational development; Participants elaborated actions plans in order to put in practice their strategies for organizational development Description: Two series of workshops were organized back to back. Participants were actively involved in the training in problem identification, objectives elaboration, strategies development, force field analysis and action plans elaboration. During the workshop, participants developed strategic planning roads for each organization: mission, vision (up to January 2007), objectives, strategies, actions. Participants developed short-term action plans for each organization, mapping the concrete areas for technical assistance intervention. Participants 36 members of the Planning Teams representing the 12 NGOs. Number of days: 6 days Technical Assistance and Capacity Building trainings on-site A total of 48 days were provided through in-house assistance, involving a total of 65 participants, members of the Planning Teams from the youth organizations. Data, venue and consultants: July 2oo4, Alba Iulia, Oradea, Iasi, and Musetesti, Doru Bulrda, Daniela Plugaru, Ancuta Vamesu and Ion Georgescu August 2004, Alba Iulia, Cluj Napoca, Vaslui, Suceava Doru Bulrda, Daniela Plugaru, Olivia Baciu September 2004, Buzau, Bucharest, and Timisoara, Olivia Baciu and Dorlin Muresan TA Objectives: To discuss and up-date the proposed action plans developed during the Strategic Planning Workshops, held in Busteni, in the month of May, with a part of the Youth NGOs. mapping the areas for concrete organizational intervention Process description: The Technical Assistance process was taylored based on the Organizations needs and specific requests of the Planning Teams. The following topics were covered: Project management and project proposal writing; management of volunteers; fundraising; coordination between functions; board functions; reorganization of the existing departments; teamwork; communication; effective meetings;decisions making process; strategic planning; donors approach; developing networks; developing sustainable partnerships; management of the human resources; budgets. Final Meeting Data, venue: October 30-31, 2004, Busteni, Silva Hotel Participants 17 participants, the representatives of the12 selected YNGOs and FPDL consultants Organizer and Facilitators: FPDL, Olivia Baciu designed and conducted the meeting and was the main organizer. The FPDL consultants participating in this meeting were: Daniela Plugaru, Doru Bularda, Dorlin Muresan and Ionut Georgescu Meeting Objectives The final meeting had the following objectives: To evaluate the program, to share experiences and lessons learned To build a network among the participants Meeting description The first half of the meeting addressed the issue of evaluation of the program. Participants answered a questionnaire, regarding the changes that took place in their organization, as a direct result of the program, recommendations for improving the second year of implementation, and lessons learned. The second part of the meeting addressed the issue of how to build stronger & sustainable relations among the selected NGOs and how value the rich experience of the program 71 Program evaluation: The synthesis of evaluation forms shows that the program was a success and all organizations made significant steps ahead in their organizational development. FPDL team of consultants got a high score for their professionalism, availability and neutrality. As well the design of the process of consultancy was highly appreciated, in the sense the organizations saw visible results and with immediate impact on their activities. The overall level of satisfaction of the NGOs in this program was 93%. Impact The pre- and post-assessment of the 12 Youth NGOs (with McKinsey questionnaire) showed that all the clients of the capacity building program made significant progress in developing their organizational capacity, on different elements: At personal level (knowledge, skills, etc) Improving knowledge in visioning the organization, strategic planning and organizational development (3); Improving skills in team working; A better understanding of the functioning of an NGO and of the responsibilities of the personnel involved in the organization (2); Improved approach in selecting the proper projects for the organization; Improved skills in acknowledging the needs for reaching the objectives; Increased awareness of the need for planning actions, time and necessary resources; Improved knowledge on NGO management (3); Improved capacity for analysis of the services and of the organization in general; Improved knowledge and skills in writing Phare proposals, evaluating and monitoring the projects; Improved knowledge and skills in the management of the human resources (2); Improved communication skills; Improved knowledge in fund raising, lobby; Improved knowledge and skills in working with governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as with the beneficiaries; At organizational level: Becoming aware of the need for on-going training of the personnel; Designing organization chart (2); Writing/designing job descriptions (3); Making volunteers accountable (2); Applying for new projects; Increased awareness over the importance of motivating the human resources, and forming a professional team; Establishing the job position for Executive Director and Secretary General; The purchase of a new office on the town of Targu-Jiu, the second one after the existing one in the village Musetesti; Establishing new and separate tasks for the executive and management; Better understanding of the strong and weak points of the organization (2) Identifying methods for solving problems of the organization; A better understanding of the organizational culture; More frequent use of the planning process in the organization; Reorganization of the foundation accordingly to the new legislation; Creating a new interior procedures regulation; Building working relationships between different levels of functioning of the organization; Building the relationships/network between the branches of the organization; Moving in a new office and buying equipment for the office; Establishment of a department for coordinating volunteers (working now with 25 volunteers, from no volunteers in the beginning of the program); Developing an organizational strategy on long term; A new Executive Director for the organization; Better planning, weekly meetings with the staff; Establishing rules and procedures for inter-departmental work. 72 Year 2: September 2004 – April 2005 (The present report cover the activities performed till December 2004) Upon the successful implementation of the program in the first year, FPDL continues the capacity building program, addressing in the second year 18 Youth NGOs. Selecting Organizations In the 2nd year of activity, FPDL selected 18 organizations, based on the same criteria: NGOs profile and geographical areas. Profile of the 18 Client Youth NGOs was the following: Fields of Activity: 2 Roma NGOs: Community Association for the Social Integration of Roma People in Sebes – ASCIR, Sebes; Association “ Roma People from Roman”/Roman 1 center for volunteers: Center for Volunteering/Zalau 2 NGOs dealing with young people with disabilities and their social integration: Association for the Support of Children with Physical Disabilities - Romania, Constanta Branch; the Foundation „Angels of Hope”/Lugoj 1 NGO run by and for the young people coming from fostering homes: Youth Association for Building a Better Future – ATCV, Piatra-Neamt 1 NGO dealing with ecology and tourism issues: Foundation for Ecology and Tourism “POTAISSA”/ Turda 1 NGO facilitating young people integration on the labor market: OCUP Center for Information, Counseling and Professional Training/Bucharest 10 NGOs dealing with education: Association for Development and Innovation (ADI)/ Brasov; Foundation ALBIN/ Oradea; National Association „Louis Pasteur”, Braila Branch; Romanian Association of Debate, Oratory and Rhetoric – ARDOR/ Bucharest; Association Youth for Terra Arges/ ATTA, Pitesti; EuroDEMOS/ Iaşi; Junior Chamber International Timisoara/ Timişoara; Foundation „Harghita Alliance”/Miercurea-Ciuc; Foundation „New Horizons” / Lupeni; Association Millennium Center, Arad Geographical Coverage The 18 NGOs are coming from big, medium and small towns, from remote areas of the country, covering geographically the entire Romania. Program activities FPDL followed the same steps in implementing the consultancy process for organizational development, steps which proved to be very successful (organizational assessment, strategic planning workshops, and technical assistance and capacity building activities). This consultancy process combines the expertise of FPDL consultants with the effort, knowledge and highly involvement of the planning teams, formed in each selected organization. Until December 2004, the following activity took place: Launching Meeting Date, venue: October 23-24, 2004, Silva, Busteni Meeting objectives: This meeting had the following objectives: This meeting had the following objectives: • To present the program objectives and the proposed consultancy process • To clarify the task and responsibilities of those involved in the project (trainees and consultants) as well as to agree on the work plan and schedule of the activities Organizers: Olivia Baciu, Facilitators and consultants Olivia Baciu designed and conducted the meeting. The FPDL consultants participating in this meeting were: Daniela Plugaru, Doru Bularda, Dorlin Muresan.and Simona Pascariu . Participants 73 23 participants, the representatives of 18 Youth NGOs selected to participate in this program and FPDL consultants Meeting description Half day meeting was devoted to participants and consultants presentation, and to clarify the role of FPDL experts as process consultants. Next day were discussed the tasks and responsibilities as well as the work plan schedule. Organizational Assessment (using McKinsey self-assessment tool) Date and venues: October 25- December 20, 2004, Bucharest, Iasi, Timisoara, Oradea, Arad, Lugoj, Lupeni, Zalau, Pitesti, Brasov, Piatra-Neamt, Roman, Sebes, Constanta, Braila, Turda, Miercurea-Ciuc Objectives This component was focused to assess the development stage of the organizations and to elaborate the organizational diagnosis reports, as the basis for the consultancy process Description In this stage the activity consisted in gathering the relevant information on the organization, through visits on site and through analyzing the self-assessment organizational tool McKinsey, completed by the planning teams formed in each organization No of days 18 days on-site visits in organizations Number of persons involved: 76 participants, representatives of the 18 planning teams, (boards members, executive level, management teams and employees and/or volunteers) Consultants: Olivia Baciu, Ancuta Vamesu, Daniela Plugaru, Doru Bularda, Simona Pascariu, Dorlin Muresan 74 SUPPORT TO THE NATIONAL STRATEGY TO IMPROVE ROMA CONDITIONS IN ROMANIA Project Period: September 2003- March 1005 The activities described in this Report contains the activities performed in 2004 Program frame: Phare Project RO 2002/000, Support to the National Strategy To Improve Roma Conditions – Training Component. FPDL, as a member of a consortium formed by Hulla & Co. Human Dynamics KG, (Austria), European Roma Rights Centre – ERRC (Hungary) and the European Academy of Bozen / Bolzano – EURAC, (Italy) is involved in training materials development, training design and delivery, as well as in providing technical assistance. Program activities The program’ activities are organized in 3 main components: • The training component • Support for community development component • Technical assistance component The training component The training component included preparation of the training materials and training events, a series of 8 training programs on Community Development, Legislation and Health, and 4 Training of Trainers programs, as follows: Preparatory Workshop for Trainers Date and venue: Bucharest, 21-22 January 2004, Program Implementation Unit Office Organizer & facilitators Simona Pascariu, FPDL Program manager was the organizer in partnership with Human Dynamic representatives; Doru Bularda and Daniela Plugaru, who have prepared the design and the program agenda for the Capacity Building Course to be delivered in the following months, facilitated the meeting, together with Nigel Shakespear and the Trainer Coordinator, Stephan Mueller from Human Dynamics. Workshop objectives The workshop objectives were the following: • Build a common understanding on the objectives of the Capacity Building course in order to achieve a similar output • Understanding the methodology and the training materials to be distributed during the training • Define the tasks and responsibilities of each member of the training team • Discuss and clarify logistic and technical obstacles related with the series of training courses 75 Participants 12 trainers involved in Capacity Building Component, from FPDL, ARDC, as well as Roma NGOs. The trainers from FPDL involved in the CBC program were: Olivia Baciu, Doru Bularda, Simona Pascariu and Doru Bularda. The Team Leader, Nigel Shakespear attended the workshop. Series of training for Local Capacity Building Date and venue 8 training events, 5 days each, were designed and conduct by FPDL trainers as follows: o February 1-6, Bucharest o February 7-12, Bucharest o February 1-6, Brasov o February 7-12, Brasov o February 29- March 5, Sinaia o February 29 - March 5, 2004, Iasi o March 7-12, Iasi o March 7-12, Cluj Napoca Training Objectives Building awareness and improve knowledge and skills on community participation in community development process Participants A total of 174 participants, Roma experts at County level, Roma NGOs representatives, staff from County Health Directorate and member of Project Implementation Unit and Office for Roma Issues, were involved in this training events. Trainers Two teams of FPDL trainers, have worked in team with one trainer working in Roma NGOs: o Simona Pascariu and Olivia Baciu, conducted the training events in Bucharest and Iasi Doru Bularda and Daniel Pluaru, conducted the training in Brasov, Cluj and Sinaia Series of Training of Trainers 4 series of TOT (back to back, 4 days each) were organized for the trainers selected by National Roma Office. Date and venue The TOT were held in Mamaia, Constanta County and were conducted by FPDL trainers as follows: September 11-15, Daniela Plugaru and Doru Bularda September 15-19, Daniela Plugaru and Doru Bularda September 19-23, Nicole Rata and Simona Pascariu September 23- 27, Nicole Rata /Olivia Baciu/Simona Pascariu Participants 62 participants, around 15 / TOT, representing Roma NGOs as well as public institutions dealing with Roma community issues, such as Prefectura Counties Office for Roma, National Office for Roma, City Halls. TOTs Objectives The main goal of the TOT component was to build a team of trainers able to design and conduct training programs focused on the real needs of local communities. The specific objectives of each TOT were the following: 76 Develop basic knowledge and skills for designing interactive, client-centered training programs for adult people Improve participants knowledge and skills in conducting training sessions on key topics useful in community development programs: communication, conflict resolution, team work and negotiation Facilitate action plan development for implementing future training program for community development Training Materials A Trainer Manual (Adult Learning Concepts, Training Cycle and Design, Trainer Tool Kit) was developed by Doru Bularda and Daniela Plugaru, and a Hand book on Communication, Conflicts and Negotiation exercises developed by Simona Pascariu, were provided to participants together with FPDL Brochures on Communication, Conflict and Negotiation. Program evaluation The TOTs were short but intensive. The program was a very successful one, based on the following arguments: o The result of the evaluation form at the end of the TOT o The participants high commitment during the group work (they have worked more than the working hours, some of the teams even till two o’clock in the night) o The rich and diverse lessons learned collected at the end of the program One of the biggest successes was the increase of confidence and commitment proved during the on-going TOT. The result of the synthesis of evaluation demonstrate the high quality and the professionalism of the FPDL trainers, (from 4.92- 5.00) as well as the impact of the program (4.50-4.98) Support for community development component Date and venue This component included a series of 5 workshops, 3 days each, for the experts in Community Development as well as Regional trainings for developing local capacity of Roma Communities: March 24-26, Cluj Napoca March 24-26, Tulcea March 24-26, Bucuresti March 28 – April 1, Iasi March 30-April 1, Sinaia Training Objectives Building awareness and improve knowledge and skills on community participation for community development Participants 124 participants, Roma experts at County level, Roma NGOs representatives, Roma local experts, staff from the municipalities, County Councils and Prefectura representatives participated in these workshops. Trainers Two teams of FPDL Trainers, have worked in team with one trainer working in Roma NGOs: Doru Bularda and Claudia Covacs, (independent consultant from Cluj Napoca) in Cluj Daniela Plugaru and Anemarie Gasser in Tulcea Simona Pascariu and Olivia Baciu in Bucharest and Iasi Doru Bularda and Daniela Plugaru, in Sinaia 77 Technical assistance component Period: April 20- June 30, 2004 In this period FPDL trainers and consultants succeed to provide 74 days of Technical assistance to over 100 villages, communes and towns where are living Roma communities. TA Objectives The Technical Assistance component was delivered during projects development and implementation, having as main goal building & enhancing partnership among Local Administration, Roma NGOs and Roma Local Initiative Groups, involved in the previous component of the program. The specific task was to organize and facilitate a series of meetings in Roma communities and provide technical assistance: • To identify and select priority issues / problems • To form local partnership group to develop project proposal in order to solve these problems Consultants 4 FPDL trainers and consultants were involved, in TA component as follows: Simona Pascariu, 20 days of working with Local Initiative Groups representing Bucharest and neighboring communities, Telelorman and Giurgiu Counties, through 35 Working meetings Olivia Baciu, 21 days working with Local Initiative Groups representing Roma community in Iasi, Botosani, Suceava, Neamt, Bacau and Vaslui Counties, through 49 Working Meetings Daniela Plugaru, 12 days, working with Local Initiative Groups representing Galati, Braila and Buzau County, through 16 Working Meetings Doru Bularda, 20 days working with Local Initiative Groups representing Brasov, Sibiu and Covasna Counties, through 45 Working meetings. Impact: 65 projects succeed to obtain funds, which was considered as a great success and recognition of the good quality work of FPDL team. The trained trainers are included in the list of training providers/experts of the National Agency for Roma Issues 78 GRASP, USAID PROGRAM Project Period: April- December 30, 2004 Program Frame: Governance Reform and Sustainable Partnerships (GRASP), is a USAID-funded program, and was implemented by Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI) Program Objectives: GRASP program was designed to strengthen Romanian local governance and civil society capacity, and enhance the administrative, financial and political dimensions of the national governance environment impacting on local government. Program activities FPDL, as a resource partner, delivered in 2004 capacity building programs under Cooperative Agreement framework, two assignments: one on Financial Management for Local authorities and the other on Civil Society Organizations Capacity Building, as follows: Project Management and Proposals Writing TOT Improving Romanian NGOs Managerial Capacity –Training and technical Assistance Project Management and Proposals Writing TOT Date and venue: April 15-18, Tulcea Organizer: Association of Economic Directors from Counties (ADECJR) TOT Objectives: The aim of the TOT was to improve the knowledge and skills of a core team of trainers able to design and conduct training programs in key area of interest for local governments. The specific objectives of the TOT were the following: Improve Knowledge and skills on training principles, training design and conduct Develop Knowledge and skills in designing and conducting training programs on Project Management and Project Proposal Writing. Develop action plans to apply the knowledge and skills acquired through this program Participants 17 participants, members of the Association of Economic Directors from Counties (ADECJR), County Councils Executive Directors from 16 counties, GRASP representatives, Democracy Capacity Building Director, Team Leader Budgets & Financial Mgt. participated as observers. Trainers Daniela Plugaru and Doru Bularda The TOT had the following structure: 1st module, the TOT component was focused on training process for adult people and training tools, the role of the trainer and the facilitator, working with difficult people, problem solving process 2nd Module Preparing and conducting training sessions focused on problem identification and analysis, defining goals and objectives and stakeholders analysis, force fields analysis and strategies elaboration, and developing project proposals 3rd Module Action Plan elaboration, was devoted to share the lessons learned and to build action plans at personal level as well as for developing the network of trainers from National Association of Economic Directors working at County Level 79 Program evaluation The program was highly appreciated by both participants and GRASP representatives. The participants appreciated the training program achieved its objectives (4.81) and improved their knowledge and skills (4.69). They highly appreciated the trainers’ professionalism (4.81), as well as the training materials (4.81). FPDL received at the end of the program a letter from the Democracy Capacity Building Director to congratulate the team of trainers for the good results: “Daniela and Doru had a great contribution to the success of the training, and I highly appreciated their professionalism, flexibility and results oriented approach. As reflected in the evaluations as well, all participants have been impressed with their performance and with the quality of the training materials. Moreover, they managed to create and maintain a friendly and empathic atmosphere among participants that was very positive for meeting the overall goal of the training” Improving Romanian NGOs Managerial Capacity –Training and Technical Assistance Project Period: July 15- December 30 2004 Project Objectives: Improving Management Capacity of 20 NGOs, through training and technical assistance in Organizational Development strategy implementation. Program Activities: Need assessment for training and technical assistance for 20 NGOs Series of trainings Technical Assistance Needs Assessment For Training And Technical Assistance For 20 NGOs Period: July 19-29, 2004 Consultants: Simona Pascariu, Doru Bularda, Olivia Baciu, Daniela Plugaru Description: A total of 20 days need assessment was organized involving 30 representatives of 20 NGOs from 15 locations (Braila, Mahmudia, Crisan, Tulcea, Sibiu, Tg. Mures, Cristuru Secuiesc, Odorheiu Secuiesc, Miercurea Ciuc, Iasi, Roman, Piatra Neamt, Tg. Neamt, Oradea and Arad) Needs Assessment Objectives: To assess the real needs for training and technical assistance for better improvement of the management capacity of these NGOs To up-date the Organizational Development Plan realized previously under GRASP supervision. As a result of the need assessment process, a series of trainings and technical assistance programs will be organized during the months of October – December 2004. • Series Of Trainings Strategic Planning for Organizational Development Date and venue: October 13-19, 2004, Sinaia Participants 39 participants from 19 localities, representing NGOs Board representatives (14), executive management representatives (4) and staff (21). 80 Training Objectives The training had the following objectives: o Participants will develop their knowledge and skills on strategic planning, teambuilding and organizations performances measurement systems; o Participants, within their teams, will elaborate a draft of organizational development strategic plan; o Participants will elaborate action plans in order to concretize the organizational development strategies. Trainers: Daniela Plugaru and Doru Bularda Program description The overall approach for the 6 days training programs consisted of 3 Stages back-to-back of 2 days each, on the topic of “Organizational Strategic Planning”. Originally have been invited to participate 2 persons (key decision makers) from each of the 23 NGOs, based on the NGOs profile: community development, social assistance and entrepreneurship initiatives. The NGO teams came to the training programs with the “Organization Data Collection Questionnaire” filled in as required as pre-workshop assessment. During the trainings, the NGOs teams have drafted a 2-year organizational strategy and also they elaborated an Action Plan with activities to be achieved by the end of the year 2004, activities that were also included in the Technical Assistance component of the project. Program evaluation According to the synthesis of evaluations at the programs end, the participants appreciated the logical structure of the program components (97.2 % success indicator) and the trainers’ professional manner to deliver and conduct the programs (93.5 %). They also appreciated with high level of satisfaction the following: a) The usefulness of the training materials (Participant Workbook, different handouts and forms- 94.9 %; b) The usefulness of the programs results for the NGO -94.9 %; c) The usefulness of the knowledge and skills acquired during the -95.8 %. The overall satisfaction about attending the training programs was about an average of 93.5 %. NGO Management Date and venue: November 1-4, 2004, Targu Mures Training objectives The training had the following learning objectives: • Participants will develop their knowledge and skills on nongovernmental organizations management • Participants will develop their knowledge and skills on organizations’ culture and development • Participants will develop their knowledge and skills on organization’s human resources management and outreach capacity • Participants will elaborate action plans in order to concretize the organizational development strategies and improve the organization management capacity. 81 Participants: 18 participants from 13 localities, representing NGOs Board representatives (2), executive management representatives (4) and staff (12). Trainers: Daniela Plugaru and Doru Bularda Program description The overall approach for the training programs consisted of 3 days intensive program on the topic of “Nongovernmental Organizations Management”, in which originally have been invited to participate 1 person from each of the 23 NGOs, but the actual number of NGOs attending the program was 18. During the training, the participants elaborated an Action Plan per each organization with activities to be achieved by the end of the year 2004 that were also included in the Technical Assistance component of the project. Program Evaluation The overall satisfaction of participants about this training programs was very high: 97.8 %. They also highly appreciated: the usefulness of the knowledge and skills acquired during the - 100 %. the usefulness of the training materials - Participant Workbook, handouts and forms – 100% the trainers’ professional manner to deliver and conduct the programs -100 % the logical structure of the program components - 98.9 % Technical Assistance Period: November 1-30, 2004 A total of 46 days of technical assistance was provided in the field, during working meetings with 84 representatives of the selected NGOs. Consultants The technical assistance was provided by the same consultants, which were involved in Need assessment component: Simona Pascariu, Doru Bularda, Olivia Baciu, Daniela Plugaru TA Objectives: FPDL trainers had provided support to the Romanian NGOs to build in an effective and coherent manner their organizational strategies. As methodology, FPDL provided tailored Technical Assistance for following the NGOs in achieving the commitments for change proposed in the Action Plans filled in as a result of attending the training programs but also based on the results of the Institutional Development Assessment Form created and applied by GRASP and originally Organizational Development Plans. The new Action Plans, elaborated by each organization at the end of each training program corroborated with the ODPs had given a consistency and orientation for the Technical Assistance provided by each FPDL trainer to the NGOs assigned. 82 WORLD BANK RURAL EDUCATION PROGRAM Program Frame: Rural Education Program, Component for Improving Partnership between School and Community, a 4 year program funded by World Bank and implemented by the Consortium Education 200)+, Bucharest – (CEDU), Center for Rural Assistance, Timisoara, Cambridge Education Consultants Ltd, Great Britain. FPDL, through Ana Vasilache and Nicole Rata, was involved in developing training modules and design and conduct the training for facilitators, as consultants for Education 2000+. Program period: July – December 2004 Program activities Developing Training Module for Facilitators Pilot Training for Facilitators Developing Training Manual For Facilitators Period: July – August 2004 Description of activity A series of working meeting, were organized by CEDU with trainers and experts from Education 2004, and FPDL experts, Nicole Rata and Ana Vasilache, in order to define the structure for all manuals to be used in the training programs for facilitators. Nicole Rata elaborated the first draft of the Module I Facilitators Guide, in August 2004. Pilot Training for Facilitators Date and venue: September 6-9, 2004 Sinaia TOT objectives: The Training had the following objectives: • To train the selected facilitators involved in the REP program • To field test the training manuals developed by the team of consultants to be used by the facilitators when working in rural areas Trainers CEDU trainers, experts and consultants, have worked together with Ana Vasilache to design and conduct the 4 days TOT. The sessions conducted by Ana Vasilache were focused on deepening understanding and improving facilitation skills in the design and conduct of participatory planning processes at local level, involving the Rural School leaders and managers together with the members of the Local Consultative Groups, formed by the most important local stakeholders Participants 20 participants, selected as facilitators, professors and NGOs representatives involved in educational process in rural areas and in community development programs, from 5 Pilot counties Program description The sessions conducted by the trainers’ consultant alternated with group work and simulations through which the future facilitators, in turn, designed and conducted one stage of the participatory planning process to elaborate the Program for School Development and specific projects for the World Bank Grant Fund Program evaluation Participants very well received the program; they perceived their knowledge and skills increased due to this training. They appreciated especially the simulations, as well as the clarity and structure of the training manual developed by FPDL. Based on the feedback received from the facilitators in the pilot stages when working in communities, the final form of the manual will be improved in 2005, before the series of the training at National level. 83 NATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS - FOLLOW UP OF THE TOTs “STRENGTHENING LOCAL DEMOCRACY IN THE STABILITY PACT REGION” Program frame Small Grants for National Training Programs, FPDL National activity under the Regional Program Working Together “Strengthening Local Democracy in the Stability Pact Region” / Special component for SEE countries/provinces. The programs implemented in 2004, are the follow-up of the Conflict Management Skills TOT held in Bulgaria and ITALG held in Romania in 2003. Founder This series of programs were developed with the financial support of US Department of State and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through Partners for Democratic Change. Additional support was provided by FPDL and Post Graduate Training Center for Medical Doctors and Pharmacists in program implementation. 4 training and workshops were organized in 2004, involving 63 participants, working in public institutions, universities and private companies in the field of public administration, health care, urban planning as follows: Conflict Management In Health Care Services Date and venue: 23-24 January, 2004, Bucharest Organizer and trainers FPDL, Simona Pascariu, project manager have worked in partnership with two co-trainers, Eugenia Nica, Medical Doctor and Ioana Olteanu, trainer from CENTRAS, participants in CMS TOT in Bulgaria, in September 2003. Training Objectives The training was targeted towards improving the healthcare services management by identifying existing and potential conflicts between health institutions and patients, as well as possible solutions to overcome or diminish these conflicts. The training had the following objectives: To develop and improve the participants abilities on the conflict management, To deepen participants knowledge and skills on practical approach to manage conflicts in the healthcare sector in the capital city of Romania, Bucharest. Participants 12 participants, working in key institution of health sector in Bucharest, such as senior medical doctors practicing in private cabinets (family doctors, homoeopathists), professors /trainers at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, National Post Graduated Center for Professional Education for Medical Doctors Pharmacists and Medical Assistants, experts at the Collegium’s of Medical Doctors in Romania, Managers from the Health Directorate and the Municipality Health Insurances House Training Manuals Participants received the manual “Building Bridges through Managing Conflict and Differences” translated and adapted into Romanian by FPDL and the brochure “What is Conflict?” developed by Ana Vasilache and Nicole Rata Program evaluation Participants appreciated this program as a very interesting and useful one for their professional activity. They specially appreciated the trainers’ work (knowledge of the topic, stimulating thinking and discussions, and interested in helping participants – 4.9), as well as the quality of the training materials (4.8) and the entire approach for adult learning. Opportunities In Conflict Resolution Date and venue: February 19-20, Sibiu, 2004, Hotel Bulevard Organizer and trainers: Daniela Pavel, Labor Office Sibiu, participant in CSM TOT organized the training in partnership with FPDL, Simona Pascariu. 84 Simona Pascariu, training coordinator worked with two co-trainers Daniela Pavel and Cornelia Predoiu, Foundation Princess Margareta of Romania to prepare and conduct the training event. Both co-trainers were the participants from Romania in CSM TOT held in Bulgaria Training objectives o To develop and improve the participants’ skills in the conflict management, focusing on communication and negotiation as strategies for conflict management. o To deepen participants’ knowledge and skills for practical approach in dealing with conflicts in public administration Participants 18 participants, representing key public institutions of Sibiu, such as the Local Council, the County Council, the County Prefecture, the Romanian – German University the Law Department and Bar and the Bar association. The participants were in their majority young civil servants and lawyers. Training Manuals Participants received the manual “Building Bridges through Managing Conflict and Differences” translated and adapted into Romanian by FPDL and the brochure “What is Conflict?” developed by Ana Vasilache and Nicole Rata. Program evaluation Participants appreciated this program as a very interesting and useful one for their professional activity. The overall satisfaction with the training was very high (4.9). They specially appreciated the trainers’ work (interested in helping participants (5), trainers’ knowledge of the topic, stimulating thinking and discussions, (4.9), as well as the quality of the training materials ( 4.9). They appreciated the program structure and the process, as well as the practical exercises. Communication And Negotiation For Medical Doctors Date and venue: April 23-25, Bucharest, FPDL Office Organizer and trainers: Program requested as a follow-up of the training for Medical Doctors, was co-funded by Post Graduate Training Center for Medical Doctors and Pharmacists. Simona Pascariu designed and conducted the training. Participants: 7 participants, medical doctors working in private or public institutions Training Objectives: Improve participants knowledge and skills in communication, negotiation when working with their clients (individuals and organizations) Preparatory Workshop On Code Of Ethics For Urban Planners Date and venue: June 29, 2004, Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning, Bucharest Organizers and trainers: Simona Pascariu, in partnership with Monica Radulescu and Liviu Ianasi, faculty staff, University of Architecture and Urban Planning Bucharest Participants: 26 participants, chief architects, urban planners, faculty staff working in urban planning field Workshop objectives: o Disseminate the Guide for civil servants and technical staff working in public sector for Elaborating a Code of Ethics o Identification of the necessary steps to create the Code of ethics for Urban Planners Materials: FDPL provided the Romania Version of the Guide for Developing Code of Ethics, translated and adapted into Romania through FPDL effort, by Olivia Baciu. Workshop evaluation: The topic raised huge interest and participants appreciated FPDL initiative as a very useful one. A draft list of actions was identified in order to develop and implement the Urban Planners Code of Ethics. 85 IMPROVING LOCAL GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE INTEGRITY- TRAINING AND Project Period: March 1- December 2004 Program frame: MATRA funded program proposed by TransFORMA Romania (tF) and implemented in partnership with Transparency International – Romania (TI-Ro) Pro Democracy Association (APD) and Partners Foundation for Local Development (FPDL) Program objectives: A two-year program was approved by MATRA having the as main theme combating corruption at local level. Project goal is improving public quality and integrity standards and practices and developing anti-corruption capacity at local government level, focusing on conflict of interest and service conduct. The project will work with 10 selected cities, taking advantage of the local election campaign period, introducing public integrity issues on local public agenda and elaborate strategies, programs and procedures to reduce corruption and to make structural changes in the public service provision. Program activities: FPDL was involved in needs assessment, TOT (training for facilitators) and technical assistance in delivering training of trainers, as follows: Training Needs Assessment For Facilitators Period: March 2004 Description: After the selection of the facilitators, a Training Needs Assessment questionnaire was developed by Nicole Rata in order to define the learning objectives of the first training. A series of working meetings and interviews with the representatives of partner organizations (specially Pro Democratia, who provided the facilitators) were organized in order to assess the existing knowledge and skills and participants experience in the field of facilitation. Based on the synthesis of the questionnaires FPDL decided in partnership with the representatives of TransForma the learning objectives for the Facilitation component Training For Local Facilitators Date and venue: March 24-28, Sinaia Organizer Pro Democracy Association (APD), Transparency International –Romania (TO-Ro) FPDL, TransFORMa (tF) Bestuursacademie, Maarssen Holland Participants 16 participants, local coordinator of the Local Integrity Groups and their assistants for research (assessing the integrity situation at local level, based on the proposed indicators) Trainers Nicole Rata designed the training program and was in charge to conduct 3 of the fourth training days. Mr. Ger de Graaff, Bestuursacademie, Maarssen, Holland and Codru Vrabie and Oana Zabava, were in charge with the rest of the program. Training Objectives The first training event organized for the Coordinators of the Local Integrity Groups had the following objectives: o Clarifying roles and responsibilities of Local coordinators and their assistants o Sharing Dutch experience in promoting integrity at local level o Improve participants knowledge on the legislative and institutional framework in Romania and indicators used in evaluation integrity and transparency in Romania Improved participants knowledge and skills in facilitating team work and public meeting, focusing on group communication, group decision-making and strategies to influence individual and group behaviors when working in team Training evaluation The participants appreciated the specially the component on facilitation skills, the simulation of the public meetings, the practical approach and the structured way of delivering the information. 86 Training And Technical Assistance For Trainers Date and venue: Octomber 14-16, 2004 Trainers and consultants: Olivia Baciu, FPDL and Silvia Marton, TransForma. Olivia Baciu provided technical assistance for training process design and delivery. Participants 15 representatives of local public administration, media, business and civil society, members of Local Integrity Groups from Sibiu and Brasov. The groups were coordinated at local level by Pro Democracy Association, and the facilitators trained in the first TOT. Training objectives: o To improve participants knowledge and skills in strategic planning o To design short term action plans for implementing concrete steps to tackle corruption at local level and increase transparency and integrity in public administration, in a common effort civil society – public administration Program description After creating a common theoretical ground on a strategic planning process, participants, in their county teams: Built consensus on strategic objectives and priority activities Clarified roles and responsibilities for the key activities under each strategic objective Exchanged experience and information regarding the on-going activities 87 PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS WITH AIDROM Program Frame Partnership agreement between FPDL and AIDROM (Ecumenical Association of Churches from Romania) Peace and Reconciliation Department, Training for Transformation Program, in order to extend FPDL capacity building activity in the filed of conflict management toward representatives of various churches and social assistant working with religious organizations. Under this agreement, in 2004, 2 training programs were organized as follows: The need to find common ways: conflict management and ethnic groups Date and venue: April, 17-23, AIDROM Conference Room, Bucharest Organizer: Mihail Branzea, AIDROM Department Coordinator Participants 14 participants, representatives of ethnic and Church communities (Romanian, Hungarian and Roma, as well as representatives of various churches, NGOs, and Parliament Office). The representative of European Delegation Commission, Doina Serban, Coordinator of the Information Departments participated as observer in the training. Training Objectives The training was organized as a first event from a series of training devoted to build the capacity of ethnic and church communities to professionally analyze conflict and differences, to establish structures to be involved in participatory process for solving community issues. The specific objectives of this training were the following: • Deepen participants understanding on the aspect of ethnicity and ethnic groups • Improve participants knowledge and skills on conflict dynamic and resolution strategies • Improve participants’ knowledge and skills in interpersonal communication, as effective strategy for conflict resolution Trainers: Ana Vasilache and Nicole Rata Program description The training started with an introductory module on conflict (conflict components, dynamics, strategies) followed two other modules, one on communication and and the other on ethnic identity. Exercises, case study and simulation alternate with short presentations of concepts and group debates. The participants received as training materials, the two brochures developed by FPDL under the UNDP program, What Is Interpersonal Communication and What is Conflict, as well as a workbook on “What is Ethnic Identity” Program evaluation The program was very well received by all participants, the trainers performances (4.91), the training materials (4.75) and they perceived that the knowledge and skills received in this program are applicable and useful for their work (4.66) 88 Project Management and Communication Date and venue: November 15-17, 2004, AIDROM training room Bucharest Organizer: Mihail Branzea, AIDROM Department Coordinator Participants 18 persons representing ecumenical NGOs and institutions from Romania and Republic of Moldova. Learning Objectives 1) Participants will improve knowledge, aptitudes, attitude and experience on projects elaboration and management; 2) Participants will elaborate concrete action plans for developing projects of common interest of their communities. Trainers: Daniela Plugaru and Doru Bularda Training Materials Participants have received a manual elaborated by the FPDL trainers Daniela Plugaru and Doru Bularda on “Projects Management” Program evaluation According to the synthesis of evaluations at the programs end, the participants appreciated the logical structure of the program components (96.7 % success indicator) and the trainers’ professional manner to deliver and conduct the programs (93.3 %). The programs impact can be appreciated as high, i.e. a) the usefulness of the training materials (Participant Workbook, different handouts and forms) reflected in the success indicators of 97.8 %; b) the usefulness of the programs results for the NGO was appreciated with the satisfaction of 96.7 %; the usefulness of the knowledge and skills acquired during the programs being appreciated with a level of satisfaction of 93.3 %. The overall satisfaction expressed by the group participants about attending the training programs was about an average of 92.2 %. 89 SOCIAL SUPPORT CENTER FOR ROMA COMMUNITIES, UNDP ROMANIA Program frame: Agreement with UNDP Romania under the project Social Support Center for Roma Communities. Date and venue: October 5-7, 2004, Marasesti, Vrancea County Trainers and organizers Simona Pascariu and Carmen Marasescu conduct the training. UNDP program manager of the project Social Support Center for Roma Communities organized the training event. Participants 15 participants, Experts / professionals / civil servants, representatives of Roma community from Marasesti, and representatives of key public institutions from central, local and county level (Prefectura, County Agency for Employment and Labor Force, Health Directorate, the Education institutions, the Police and the Local Agency for Employment and Vrancea County Council. Training Objectives The program was focused to support the activities of the Social Center for Roma Community, through capacity building of their staff: • Improve participants’ knowledge and skills in problem solving and participatory planning Processes • Developing the draft strategy of the Center through participatory process, involving the key stakeholder Program evaluation The program was very successful: participants appreciated with the highest mark the trainers’ performances, overall program, (5.00) as well as the quality of the training materials they received (4.93) 90