Issue 20
June 2006
The Mountain Partnership Newsletter
‘Peak to Peak' is an
opportunity to keep you up-to-date with the latest news, activities and events
related to the Mountain Partnership. This monthly newsletter, prepared by the
Mountain Partnership Secretariat, is sent by e-mail to all members and other
interested partners.
Help us share news, information and features on your
activities with members by sending a message to: info@mountainpartnership.org.
Membership
As of June 2006, there are 136 members of the Mountain Partnership: 47 countries, 14 intergovernmental organizations and 75 major group organizations.
Update on Partnership Activities
Mountain to Mountain Cooperation between the Andes and Himalaya
The Mountain Partnership e-consultation on 'Mountain to Mountain Cooperation: Sustainable Use of Biodiversity, including Genetic Resources in the Andes and Himalaya’ has begun. Running from 12-30 June, the e-consultation aims to generate a valuable exchange of ideas, experiences and lessons learnt in the management of two critical mountain regions of the world, and help to strengthen existing alliances to conserve and manage biodiversity now and in the future. This e-consultation between the Andes and Himalaya in fact builds on the various on-going activities of Mountain Partnership members to learn from other models of development and to enhance dialogue and engage in a process of mutual exchange of experiences between the world’s mountain regions, including the Andes,Carpathians, Balkans, Caucasus, European Alps and the Hindu-Kush Himalaya. It is also in line with the recently adopted work programme on mountain biodiversity of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which aims to establish ‘regional and transboundary collaboration and the establishment of cooperative agreements’ and also recommends strengthening collaboration with the Mountain Partnership and regional conventions on mountains. The Mountain Partnership -- a voluntary alliance of diverse stakeholders from five continents -- is indeed a valuable framework in which to focus and define our joint efforts, and the Secretariat looks forward to a rich and constructive debate over the coming weeks.
The e-consultation is being managed by the Mountain Forum Secretariat, in association with the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, the Himal-Andes Initiative, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Asia-Pacific Mountain Network (the Asia-Pacific regional node of the Mountain Forum) and InfoAndina (the Latin American regional node of the Mountain Forum). To participate and read the postings, go to the dedicated Web site.
Microfinance
Paola Bellotti, who is coordinating the Mountain Partnership activity on microfinance in the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, recently attended two seminars in Costa Rica, which focussed on value chain finance and forest-based community enterprise development.
The first one, ‘Agricultural Value Chain Finance’ (San José, 15-18 May), allowed for the interchange of experiences between institutions involved in delivering or benefiting from financial products and services in various agricultural production chains, and included actors involved in specific financial mechanisms for producers in rural and mountain areas. Many of these mechanisms and systems are benefiting communities that are marginalized and lack access to formal financial services and therefore could be applied and further developed in other mountain regions, and within the framework of the Mountain Products Programme (part of the Sustainable Livelihoods Initiative of the Mountain Partnership). Paola is now compiling relevant models and evaluating their potential for adaptation and application within the Programme.
The second seminar, ‘Small- and medium-enterprise development for poverty reduction: opportunities and challenges in globalising markets’ (Turrialba, 23-25 May), provided a platform for institutions and individuals involved in forest enterprise development to share lessons learnt, particularly about effective methodologies to foster community-based approaches. Discussions were held with conference participants who presented case studies on non-timber forest products in mountain regions ( e.g. mushrooms, pine nuts and Brazilian nuts, ginseng, herbal medicines) to find out how these models for sustainable production could be replicated and shared with Mountain Partnership members, to explore if there were any financial products and services used in these production chains and if so, whether there were challenges accessing them. As a follow-up, relevant case studies on financial products for mountain producers/value chains are being compiled for inclusion in the working paper, ‘Microfinance and Mountains’, for review and debate with Mountain Partnership members. We encourage you to read and comment on this paper in the ‘Microfinance’ area of Discussion on-line.
Read Paola Bellotti’s article, ‘Agricultural Value Chain Finance: reflections on its role in development’ in the June issue of the India-based microbusiness review ‘Small Change’. Once published, this article will also appear on the Rural Finance Learning Centre, which aims to assist organizations in developing countries to build their capacity to deliver improved financial services which meet the needs of rural households.
As reported in the April/May issue of ‘Peak to Peak’, Mountain Partnership member Soluciones Prácticas (ITDG) is currently carrying out a financial assessment study for coffee producers in the mountain areas of Cajamarca, Peru. Results are already positive. A first workshop took place in Jaen with 21 delegates from coffee producers' associations, representing about 600 producers. In addition, interviews were carried out with all financial institutions serving the area, with input providers, warehouse holders, and the three major exporters in the area. Currently, the same type of assessment is being carried out for dairy value chain actors in the Tongod area. By THE end of June, a first draft with initial results should be available.
For further information about the Mountain Partnership microfinance activity, please contact Paola Bellotti by e-mail or by phone:
+39 06 5705-5521.
Policy and Law Initiative
An important new Web-based tool for members, the ‘Policy and Law Forum’ has recently been launched. The Forum will serve as a platform to discuss policy and legal instruments that focus on mountain areas, with the specific aim of building a compendium of existing mountain-specific policies and laws at all levels from around the world. It was created by the European Academy of Bolzano (EURAC), one of the leading members of the Policy and Law Initiative of the Mountain Partnership, in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Environment. The Policy and Law Forum lets you as members disseminate information, exchange experiences and share lessons learnt on the actual impact of existing policies and laws on sustainable mountain development. For example, you can not only upload documents on good practices in sustainable management in mountain areas from other members, but you can also post comments, observations and recommendations on their contributions. The Forum already contains materials for down loading, such as international and regional instruments, documents related to Agenda 21, national legislation/policies and economic instruments for local development. Visit the Policy and Law Forum.
Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development in Mountains (SARD-M) Database
In 2005, the SARD-M Project created a database containing documents (policy studies, partners’ experiences, case studies) related to the social, economic, environmental and institutional policies for sustainable agriculture and rural development in mountain regions (SARD-M). Now containing close to 120 documents, the SARD-M database provides a basis for the analysis of existing mountain policies being conducted by the SARD-M Project and complements the ongoing activities of both the SARD-M and Policy and Law Initiatives of the Mountain Partnership. The SARD-M project team is now beginning a second round of document collection to further assist in the analysis that will be conducted in the coming months. The policy assessments being conducted in the field have placed a particular emphasis on examining the roles of different government and civil society institutions at the national and sub-national levels and the processes involved in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of policies. The SARD-M project team would therefore be interested not only in general studies and experiences concerning SARD-M policies, but also in learning more about various practical experiences and approaches used. All Mountain Partnership members should have already received a questionnaire for this second round of SARD-M document collection. However, if you have not received the questionnaire, please contact Takashi Takahatake at: takashi.takahatake@fao.org. Visit the SARD-M database.
Building an Andean Agenda within the Mountain Partnership
A few leading members of the Andean Initiative will shortly meet face-to-face to define a set of collaborative activities to build a concrete Andean Agenda within the Mountain Partnership. The two-day meeting, ‘Desarrollo Sostenible Andino: Contribución de la Iniciativa de los Andes de la Alianza para las Montañas al logro de las Metas del Milenio en los Andes – potencial productivo de las montañas’ (27-28 June) is to be hosted by the Peruvian National Working Group on Mountain Ecosystems (GNTEM) and the Government of Peru in the International Potato Centre (CIP) in Lima, Peru. The results will contribute to shaping and defining the objectives and the agenda of a larger meeting of members of the Andes Initiative, to be organized by the Argentinean Committee on Sustainable Development in Mountain in Argentina probably at the end of 2006. For further information about both these meetings, please contact Rosalaura Romeo, Mountain Partnership Secretariat, at rosalaura.romeo@fao.org.
New on the Mountain Partnership
Web site
Partners in the Mountain Products Programme.
The Mountain Products Programme, part of the Sustainable Livelihoods Initiative of the Mountain Partnership, brings together UN agencies, IGOs, NGOs and the private sector to help provide mountain people with the organization, market links, technology and know-how necessary to participate in markets for high-quality, high-value mountain products in the rapidly expanding urban centres of developing countries and for export to more industrialized countries. Find out more about these partners in the Mountain Products Programme section.
‘Broadband Communication in the Carpathians’
This study by researchers from Rome-based universities looks at both the socio-economic and the technological aspects of the introduction of broadband in one of Europe’s largest mountain regions – the Carpathians. It analyzes variables such as the geo-morphology of the mountain region, its populations (density, migration patterns, local enterprises and digital literacy), as well as existing PC access and use, and the availability of Internet and broadband connections for both enterprises and households. The study concludes with mathematical models that could help decision-makers understand the demand and capacity for broadband and the levels of investment necessary for its introduction and development in mountain areas. Read the study on-line in English.
News highlights from around the world
ACF wins Stockholm Challenge Award
We congratulate Mountain Partnership member, African Conservation Foundation (ACF), in winning the ‘Environment’ category of the prestigious Stockholm Challenge Award. This prize recognizes the most innovative information and communication technology (ICT) projects for development that demonstrate clear benefits to people and their communities, wide impact and sustainable business models. ACF’s winning project, ‘African Conservation Network’ has set up an African information network that utilizes ICTs to preserve Africa's wild heritage by supporting and linking conservation initiatives throughout the continent and building local capacity for conservation. The project, a partnership between ACF and local partner organizations in Kenya, Cameroon, Somalia and Zambia, provides a methodology for an innovative Web-based environmental information system which could be implemented elsewhere in the world with low set-up and maintenance costs.
As the Stockholm jury stated: "The artificial limits of country and culture and lack of awareness hinder effective collaboration and knowledge sharing between peer organizations. A major building block for sustainable and effective execution of development projects, networking independent organizations and knowledge management can greatly increase the effectiveness and reduce resource requirements of partner projects. This project is an excellent practical example of a common networking point, as well as a growing database of information, for dealing with Environmental issues at every level, from the local to the continental."
Arend de Haas, ACF President, has informed the Mountain Partnership Secretariat that next steps include a consultative meeting of stakeholders and partners in the African Conservation Network to set goals and develop working plans. ACF has also been in contact with fellow Mountain Partnership member, the Mountain Forum -- a finalist in the ‘Public Administration’ category of the Stockholm Challenge Award -- to explore future potential areas of collaboration between their electronic networks. For further information on the African Conservation Network, contact Arend de Haas at: arend@africanconservation.org. Visit the Stockholm Challenge Web site.
Mountain Forum celebrates its 10th anniversary
Mountain Forum -- an electronic network of individuals, professionals and organisations from over 130 countries on five continents -- promotes sustainable mountain development through information exchange and advocacy and plays an important role in our collective efforts to raise mountain issues high on political agendas. It has been a key member of the Mountain Partnership since its launch at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in 2002. This year is the tenth anniversary of the Mountain Forum and to mark the occasion, its Secretariat in Nepal and regional nodes in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America recently held a commemorative e-consultation, ‘Mountain Forum: The Next Ten Years’. Running from 20-31 March, the e-consultation allowed the Mountain Forum’s wide membership to discuss the Forum’s progress and constraints, assess its impact at the decision-making and grassroots and to map its future directions. This e-consultation, the first in a series of 10th anniversary events planned for 2006, was moderated by Mr. M. Ismail Khan, who is the elected Mountain Forum board member representing the Asia-Pacific node of Mountain Forum. Read the Proceedings of the e-conference Mountain Forum: The Next Ten Years. Read more about the Forum and the benefits of membership, by visiting the Mountain Forum Web site.
CAREC reviews water ecosystems in Central Asia
Mountain Partnership member, the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), based in Kazakhstan, promotes the protection of mountains and sustainable development in the Central Asian sub-region. Its activities include developing water projects and preparing a regional strategy for the development of mountain areas. Its recent report ‘Implementing the UN Millenium Development Goals in Central Asia and the South Caucasus. Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability. Conserving Ecosystems of Inland Water Bodies in Central Asia and the South Caucasus’ considers the current challenges of preserving ecosystems in the area, within the framework of the specific programme of the Global Water Partnership. The report analyses the current conditions of inland water ecosystems and develops proposals on their preservation and protection against increasing degradation in the sub-regions. The report highlights that one of the basic causes of this degradation is inefficient management and lack of public awareness about the roles and benefits of aquatic ecosystems to the health of people and the environment. For more details on the work of CAREC and to obtain a copy of the report (in English and Russian), please contact Elena Kreuzberg, Manager of Ecosystem Management Programme, CAREC, at: EKreuzberg@carec.kz.
ICOMOD shares geographic information and knowledge on Himalaya
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), a Mountain Partnership member, is promoting the use of geospatial science, technology and applications for sustainable mountain development in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region. On World Environment Day, 5 June 2006, ICIMOD launched the updated version of the ‘Mountain GIS Portal’ -- a platform aimed at sharing and exchanging geographic information and knowledge resources of mountain ecosystems and its services from the HKH region.
Created by ICIMOD’s Mountain Environment and Natural Resources Information System (MENRIS) Division, the portal includes such features as a geo-network metadata system (in collaboration with FAO and UNEP), a space technology application for mountain areas (in collaboration with the European Space Agency -ESA), the Google Earth application, a Geographic Information System (GIS) e-learning system and thematic portals (on biodiversity, water quality, glacier and glacial lakes outburst floods (GLOF), socio-economic indicators and land use and land cover). The portal is part of UNEP's Environment Knowledge Hub (eKH) initiative, which according to Gabriel Campbell, Director General of ICIMOD, represents ‘an important step towards providing open access to the geo-information services and realizing the vision of establishing a regional and national geographic information infrastructure in the region’. Visit the Mountain GIS Portal.
IDRC helps the poorest adapt to climate change in Africa
Extremes of climate are becoming more and more common in mountain areas. As the world heats up, mountain glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates, while rare plants and animals struggle to survive over ever diminishing areas, and mountain people, already among the world’s poorest citizens, face greater hardships. Now a multimillion dollar research programme that will help the poorest in Africa cope with the increasing impact of climate change has been launched by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) and Mountain Partnership member, Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Many in Africa already face the effects of climate extremes, and are vulnerable to flooding, soil erosion, drought, and crop failure. If these extreme conditions continue to occur more frequently as predicted, the burden will fall heavily on those least able to cope. Maureen O’Neil, President of IDRC, emphasized that the programme will be led by Africans for Africans, building on expert capacity.“It is critical that Africans shape the research that can best respond to the continent’s real needs in the area of climate change adaptation. IDRC’s regional presence in Africa will help make African leadership of this programme a practical reality, with staff to be based in Nairobi, Dakar, and Cairo.” In practical terms, the programme is expected to strengthen adaptation in a range of ways, such as helping communities plan and take water conservation measures to make them less vulnerable to drought and improving agricultural production and food distribution practices to ensure secure food supplies during extremes of climate. For more information, visit the IDRC Web site.
The Mountain Areas Conservancy Project (MACP) - Pakistan: A success story
The Karakorum, Western Himalayan and Hindu Kush mountain ranges are globally known for their great diversity of species and the wide variety of fragile ecosystems. The region is also recognized for the rich cultural diversity of its peoples which over centuries have adapted their lives to steep terrain and harsh conditions and are highly dependent on the available natural resources for maintaining their livelihoods. In the past, natural resources of the area have been exploited for various reasons, leading to severe degradation of pasture land, depletion of medicinal and aromatic herbs, fragmented habitat, forest loss and unsustainable hunting practices.
In 1999, the Government of Pakistan, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme/Global Environment Facility (UNDP/GEF), and in collaboration with the World Conservation Union (IUCN), launched the Mountain Areas Conservancy Project (MACP). This community-based project, which is now in its sixth and final year of implementation, is focusing on seven geographically distinct conservancy areas in the Karakorum, Western Himalayan and Hindu Kush mountain ranges in northern Pakistan. Its efforts have resulted in significant changes in peoples attitudes and practices, from the implementation of grazing management practices, to the conservation of medicinal and aromatic plants through in- and ex-situ conservation practices and the development of joint forest management plans and activities.
Another unique feature of MACP is the involvement of religious leaders in its environmental campaigns, in order to boost the acceptance of the Project, especially in more conservative areas. Religious leaders in Islam are highly respected in communities. Their key role in explaining the linkages between all aspects of the natural world and gaining their support for project activities has been a major contributory factor to the success of the MACP. This approach was supported by WWF Pakistan and led to the publication of the book, ‘Conservation and Islam’ (2003), whichhelps Islamic scholars brief communities on the importance and necessity of the sensible use of natural resources, as set out by Islamic teachings.In addition to the work being done through MACP, IUCN Pakistan is undertaking similar successful initiatives with religious leaders in the province of Balochistan.
Work is currently underway to develop a second phase of the MACP in order to build on the success achieved during phase one (1999-2006). For further information, visit the MACP Web site.
(This article was contributed to ‘Peak by Peak’ by Mirjam Macchi, Centre for Mountain Studies/IUCN)
Past Events
Partnerships Fair, Commission on Sustainable Development – CSD-14 (UN Headquarters, New York, 1-9 May 2006)
The Mountain Partnership, launched at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in September 2002, is a CSD registered partnership for sustainable development. As such, the CSD is the political and institutional home of the Mountain Partnership and this year's CSD Partnerships Fair was an important opportunity to highlight the advances and constraints facing the Mountain Partnership, to share experiences with other CSD Partnerships and to explore ways to improve the impact and effectiveness of the Mountain Partnership and other such CSD Partnerships at all levels, particularly through communication and networking activities.
On the opening day of CSD-14 (1 May), Jane Ross, the Communications Officer of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, presented the introductory remarks for the mountains report, ‘The Mountain Partnership: Activities and Achievements’, prepared by the Secretariat prior to CSD-14 the request of the UN General Assembly. This report provides an overview of progress made by the Mountain Partnership since its launch in 2002, discusses some of the key challenges facing the Partnership today and provides lessons learned and proposals on how to strengthen its impact and effectiveness. As the report demonstrates, the Mountain Partnership has become increasingly operational as a multi-stakeholder alliance. However, the report was not intended as an exhaustive review of what has been undertaken by the Mountain Partnership over the last four years. Rather, it highlights some significant advances, while focussing on key issues and challenges that many consider critical to the long-term success of the Mountain Partnership. These challenges include the uneven level of involvement of members; Communication and networking over geographic and linguistic borders; Greater participation of the private sector; And mobilizing increased levels of funding.
The report, ‘The Mountain Partnership: Activities and Achievements’ was made available to delegates in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish (E/CN.17/2006/12) and was subsequently posted on the CSD Web site at www.un.org/esa/sustdev/documents/, along with the introductory statement at: www.un.org/esa/sustdev/csd/csd14/.
The Mountain Partnership Secretariat hopes that this report contributes to the process of knowledge sharing amongst CSD Partnerships. Indeed, all seven of the ‘Partnerships in Practice’ interactive sessions during the CSD-14 Partnerships Fair underlined the urgent need for CSD Partnerships to communicate their successes and shortcomings, and to exchange their experiences and models of partnership building. This was considered vital to maximize understanding of partnership processes and bolster momentum. Participants also highlighted the need for effective communication and outreach in the context of capacity-building, scaling-up, creating an enabling ‘learning environment’, advocacy, and effecting change on the policy-level. Communication and outreach was also considered a means for partnerships to answer concerns raised over issues such as transparency, accountability, monitoring and measuring. The CSD Partnerships Team based in the UN Division for Sustainable Development, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) is currently developing an online e-Forum to enhance existing CSD Partnership communication and foster strategic alliances. It is hoped that this information service will provide a medium through which registered CSD partnerships, such as the Mountain Partnership, can not only exchange information and follow up on meetings, conferences, and publications but can also explore ways of improving the scope and results of their alliances.
Jane Ross also acted as a lead discussant in the “Partnerships in Practice” interactive session entitled ‘Working in Collaboration: Partnership networking and relationship building’. She discussed the role of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat as a central reference point for information exchange, networking and liaison for members but stressed that the Secretariat aims to encourage dialogue, debate and relationship building amongst members themselves. She summarized the types of tools, services and products used by the Partnership to network (from face-to-face meetings to the newsletter ‘Peak to Peak’, collaborative workspaces and e-consultations) and underlined that there was not one communication strategy or model for networking and relationship building in the Partnership. This was because of the unique challenges and constraints faced by its membership, ranging from geographic distances and linguistic differences to an uneven capacity of members to communicate effectively and often inadequate connectivity.
The Partnership is networking at the global, regional, national and local levels -- tapping into existing networks and aiming to help build new networks for specific areas of work and focus. Jane provided examples of how and when the Secretariat has used existing member networks to promote Partnership activities (e.g. the Mountain Forum’s role in the Mountain Products Programme start-up phase of collecting and developing case studies at the regional and global level), as well as creating new member networks to initiate action (e.g. Web-based and e-mail discussion tools for the Mountain Partnership’s microfinance activities), and in bringing some existing networks together to forge new relationships and cooperation across regions (e.g. face-to-meetings for the exchange of experiences and capacity-building between the Alps and Central Asia).
Key points from this particular ‘Partnership in Practice’ interactive discussion will also be included in the CSD Secretariat team’s summary report of the CSD-14 Partnerships Fair to be posted shortly on the dedicated Web site.
During the CSD-14 Partnerships Fair, Jane Ross also organized and attended an all-day information desk on the Mountain Partnership in the neck area of the CSD-14. It was publicized during the CSD-14 Partnerships Fair and was featured in the on-line ‘Partnerships Wire’.
To read about CSD Partnerships, visit the CSD Partnerships Database.
Future Events
2nd International Congress “ ‘Water in Mountains’. Integrated Management of High Watersheds.” (Megève, France, 20-22 September 2006)
The International Congress “ ‘Water in Mountains’ - Integrated Management of High Watersheds” aims to provide support to mountain areas in implementing integrated sustainable water resources management (IWRM) policies, notably through the exchange of current experiences, actions and policies, and input on updated knowledge and research outcomes. The ‘Water in Mountains’ Congress will deal particularly with the following main areas of focus: i) water-related habitats (including forests, grasslands, and wetlands); ii) governance, stakeholders, approaches and measures (including participation, involvement, co-management, responsibilities, benefits, valuations, payments for ecosystem services, contracts); and iii) uses and conflicts (including hydroelectricity, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, tourism and sporting). The Congress is being co-organized by local groups and administrations, the International Office for Water, the European Observatory of Mountain Forests (EOMF), a Mountain Partnership member, and the UNESCO-IHP HELP Programme.
In coming weeks, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat and EOMF will open up an area on Discussion on-line to help prepare for the ‘Water in Mountains’ Congress. This informal discussion area will allow people who will not be able to attend the Congress (and as well those who will) to contribute to the overall objective and, more specifically, tackle the Congress’ focus areas, through sharing local or national concrete experiences, case studies, measures and mechanisms, and identifying replicable winning solutions to reinforce and empower mountain people and regions in water and watershed policies. Further information on the discussion area and the Congress itself will be forwarded to members as details become available over the following weeks. In the meantime, visit the official Web site of the ‘Water in Mountains’ Congress.
Publications
WOCAN newsletter – call for contributions
Mountain Partnership member, Women Organizing for Change Agriculture and NRM (WOCAN), is a network of women engaged in the agriculture and natural resource management (NRM) professions who are committed to organizational change for gender equality and environmentally sustainable development. WOCAN invites members and interested parties to share relevant information about their current work and/or regional activity, as well as information concerning upcoming events, funding or training opportunities and publications, to its second newsletter of 2006. Please forward contributions to jeannettegurung@wocan.org by 7July 2006. Visit the WOCAN Web site.
Developing Nations Initiatives : A Compilation of Free On-line Educational Resources
The Developing Nations Initiatives site, hosted by Yale University, lists a number of partners bringing high quality, peer-reviewed sciences journals for free, or very cheaply, to developing nations. The site also provides links to institutions, journals and resources on such topics as HIV/AIDS, ICT for Development, Knowledge Economy and Capacity Development for MDGs. Visit Developing Nations Initiatives .
EPOPA - Export Promotion of Organic Products from Africa
Export Promotion of Organic Products from Africa (EPOPA) programme aims to give African smallholder farmers a better livelihood through developing local and international organic markets. Created by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), EPOPA works with farmers and exporters in Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia and is setting up domestic certification bodies, providing training to a wider public, and linking up with national networks so as to provide a solid basis for the organic sectors in these countries. Read the first issue of the EPOPA newsletter for features on its projects, partners and forthcoming activities
Directory of Development Organizations 2006
The Directory of Development Organizations, listing 47,500 development organizations, has been prepared to facilitate international cooperation and knowledge sharing in development work, both among civil society organizations, research institutions, governments and the private sector. Now in its seventh Edition, the Directory can be used in a variety of ways: by researchers, consultants and other development practitioners searching for up-to-date institutional information for a particular country; by trainers using the directories as a reference tool for their training programmes; by organizations trying to identify possible project partners; by individuals looking to identify possible employers; by funders seeking grantees; by grantees in search of funders; or by organizations aiming at identifying those institutions, agencies and programmes which are dedicated to providing resources, products and services to their members. Go to the Directory of Development Organizations.
Insight. Handbook on Participatory Video
Insight is a UK/France-based organization pioneering the use of participatory video (PV) as a tool for empowering individuals and communities. The organization’s new booklet, ‘Insights into Participatory Video: a handbook for the field’ is a practical guide to setting up and running PV projects, drawing on practical experience from Central Asia, the Himalayan region and Europe. The booklet contains useful tips for the facilitator on how to use video to encourage a lively, democratic process, along with case studies, games and exercises. A selection of video films made by local people and a training film are included in the accompanying CD-ROM. To obtain the Insight booklet and CD-ROM (GBP £12 including post and packaging), contact Nick Lunch at: nlunch@insightshare.org. Visit the Insight Web site.