HARANDE FY17 Annual Result Report
Awardee Name: CARE Country: MALI Award Name: The Harande Program Award Number: AID-FFP-A-15-00013 Start Date: 09 / 30 / 2015 End Date: 09 / 29 / 2020 Reporting Period: FY17 (Oct 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017) Submission Date: November 6th, 2017
Awardee HQ Contact Name and Title: Mara Russell, Director, Food Security, CARE USA Awardee HQ Contact Address: 1899 L Street, NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20036 USA Awardee HQ Contact Telephone Number: +001 202 595 2827 Awardee HQ Contact Email Address: [email protected] Moustapha Gaye, Chief of Party, CARE Mali Host Country Office Contact Name and Title Rue 110, Porte 368 Korofina Nord Host Country Office Contact Address BP 1755, Bamako, Mali
Host Country Office Contact Telephone Number +223 20 24 22 62/20 24 91 37 Host Country Office Contact Email Address [email protected]
Table of Contents
1. Program Overview Table 4
II. Overview & Context 6
III. Performance updates for FY17 7
Purpose 1: The nutritional status of 56 804 women of childbearing age and 52 451 children under 5 is improved in 290 project target communities 7
Purpose 2: Livelihoods among 62,000 Targeted Participants (including 70% women and 40% youth) diversified and improved 14
CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 1
Purpose 3: Climate change resilience among 270,000 producers in the target communities is increased. 19
Purpose 4: Conflicts Limiting Food, Nutrition and Income Security within the 290 targeted communities (270,000 targeted participants) reduced. 22
Purpose 5: Governance around food and nutrition security and income is improved. 26
IV. M&E /Knowledge and Lessons/Learning highlights 27
V. Challenges, Successes, and Lessons Learned 29
List of Acronyms
ARR Annual Results Report ASC Community Health Agent BCC Behavior Change Communication BEO Bureau Environmental Officer CAF Functional Literacy Centers CARE Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere CARE UK Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere United of Kingdom CDC Community Development Committee CED Center for Development Education CFW Cash For Work CLTS Community - Led Total Sanitation CMA Community Mobilization Agent COFO Land Tenure Management Committee CSCOM Community Health Center CSRef Reference Health Center CVC Cereal Value Chain DAO Dossier d’Appels d’Offres (Request for Tenders) DCoP Deputy Chief Of Party DIP Detailed Implementation Plan DRACPN Regional Director of Sanitation and pollution control Regional Direction of Planning, Statistics, Information, Territory DRPSIAP Management and Population DRR Disaster Risk Reduction DTC Technical Director Center EHA Essential Hygiene Actions EMMP Environmental Mitigation & Monitoring Plan EHA Essential Hygiene Actions ENA Essential Nutrition Actions FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 2
FFP Food For Peace FFPMIS Food for Peace Management Information System FY Fiscal Year GBV Gender - Based Violence GIS Geographic Information Systems GoM Government of Mali GPS Global Positioning System GRAD Groupe de Recherche et d’Actions pour le Développement GRAT Groupe de Recherche et d’Applications Techniques HKI Helen Keller International IEE Initial Environmental Examination IGA Income Generating Activity IPTT Indicator Performance Tracking Table KJK Keneya Jemu Kan LogFrame Logical Framework LYEA Local Youth Entrepreneurship Center MAF Master Artisan Trainer MEAL Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MFI Micro-Finance Institution MJT Musow Ka Jigiya Ton MoH Malian Ministry of Health NGO Non-Governmental Organization NRM Natural Resource Management PACEN Programme d'Appui à la Consolidation de l'Education au Nord (Support Program for the Consolidation of Education in the North) PAJE Nieta Projet d'Appui aux Jeunes Entrepreneurs (Youth Entrepreneur Support Program) PDESC Plan de Développement Economique, Social et Culturel (Economic, Social and Cultural Plan) PEA Program Environmental Assessment PIRS Performance Indicator Reference Sheet PSP Participatory Scenario Planning PREP Pipeline and Resource Estimate Proposal SAHEL ECO NGO Sahel Eco SAPQ Standardized Annual Performance Questionnaire SC Save the Children SCAP - RU Community Based Early Warning System SEIDAR Saluer, Ecouter, Identifier, Discuter, Recommander, Accepter and Rendez- vous (Greeting, Listening, Identifying, Discussion, Recommendations, Acceptance and Appointment-setting) SIM Market Information System SPIA Government Livestock Extension service
CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 3
ToC Theory of Change USAID United States Agency for International Development VSLA Village Saving and Loans Associations WASH Water, Sanitation and Hygiene YA-G-TU NGO partner YELI Youth Empowerment and Leadership Initiative YiA Youth in Action
1. Program Overview Table
Geographic Focus: The project operates in 290 communities located in 16 villages in Youwarou, Tenenkou, Bandiagara and Douentza Districts of the Mopti Region of Mali. Project Name: Harande Project Goal: Sustainable food, nutrition and income security improved for 270,000 vulnerable household members in 290 communities of Youwarou, Tenenkou, Bandiagara and Douentza Districts by 2020. Purpose 1: The nutritional status of 58,590 women of childbearing age and 56,592 children under 5 is improved in 290 project target communities. Sub-Purpose 1.1: Household level nutritional practices are improved. Sub-Purpose 1.2: Households use WASH services sustainably. Purpose 2: Livelihoods Among 62,000 Targeted Participants (including 70% women and 40% youth) diversified and improved. Sub-Purpose 2.1: On farm agricultural livelihoods among 55,800 targeted participants (including 70% women and 40% youth) improved and expanded. Sub-Purpose 2.2: Non-farm livelihoods among 6,200 youth (45% female) improved. Sub-Purpose 2.3: Access to suitable financial services for 25,000 targeted participants including 65% women and 15% youth) increased. Sub purpose 2.4. Functional literacy and numeracy enhancing food, nutrition and income security among 20,300 participants in targeted communities improved. Purpose 3: Climate change resilience among 270,000 producers in the target communities is increased. Sub-Purpose 3.1: Livelihood and production decisions are improved using climate, weather, hydrological, and DRR information among 18,850 targeted producers (among which are 30% women and 50% youth) Sub-Purpose 3.2: The climate change resilience of participants in 16 communes that have executed climate change adaptation plans is improved. Purpose 4: Conflicts limiting Food, Nutrition and Income Security within the 290 targeted communities (270,000 targeted participants) reduced. Sub-Purpose 4.1: Understanding about current and potential conflict by target participants improved. Sub-Purpose 4.2: Use of effective conflict and mitigation mechanisms among targeted participants improved.
CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 4
Sub-Purpose 4.3: Use of effective conflict Gender-based violence in all 290 communities reduced. Purpose 5: Governance around food and nutrition security and income is improved. Sub-Purpose 5.1: Use of services essentials to food, nutrition and income security among the 270,000 targeted participants improved. Sub-Purpose 5.2: Governance of natural resources is improved and accountable at the local level for women, men, youth, vulnerable, and marginalized communities. Sub-Purpose 5.3. Communities take increased ownership of project interventions.
Direct Participants reached during FY2017: 17,688
1. Program Element- Maternal Child Health: 3,741 2. Program Element- Nutrition: 3,7415 3. Program Element- Basic Education: 0 4. Program Element- Agriculture Sector Capacity: 600 5. Program Element- Inclusive Financial Markets: 1,993 6. Program Element- Natural Resources and Biodiversity: 2,633 7. Program Element- Capacity Building and Preparedness: 4,026 8. Program Element- Protection and Solutions: 0 Roles and Responsibilities: Technical Partners: Provide technical leadership and guidance including development of technical tools and guidance, training, supervision, monitoring and quality control. CARE Mali is the lead of the consortium, and will be accountable for overall program coordination and accomplishment of all target objectives. CARE’s role also extends into financial management; management of vouchers and cash transfers; monitoring, evaluation and learning; sub-recipient management; compliance with donor procedures and U.S. Government regulations; and maintenance of the relationships with USAID/FFP. CARE will be the technical lead for Purpose 2: Livelihoods; Purpose 3: Climate Change Resilience; Purpose 4: Conflict Prevention and Purpose 5: Social Accountability and Governance. CARE will also lead WASH interventions of Purpose 1: Human Capital. CARE will also provide leadership in ensuring that gender equity considerations are integrated into all aspects of the program. HKI Mali will serve as the overall technical lead for Purpose 1: Human Capital, where they will be responsible for the technical quality control of all integrated nutrition, MCH, and FP/RH interventions. HKI will leverage their strength in Social and Behavior Change as well as facilitate adoption of practices that enhance participants’ nutrition, livelihoods, and resilient adaptation to changing conditions. SC Mali will lead the education component of Purpose 1: Human Capital and the youth entrepreneurship component of Purpose 2: Livelihoods. Implementing Partners: Conduct field level facilitation of all activities, including: training relays, participant leaders and participants; monitoring activities and progress; facilitating community level activities; and supporting monitoring and learning. YA-G-TU will implement all activities in Bandiagara and Tenenkou. GRAT will implement all activities in Youwarou. Sahel-Eco will implement all activities in Douentza.
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II. Overview & Context In FY17 the Harande program was particularly impacted by significant challenges originating from both internal and external factors. The major internal factor that remains a challenge is the persistent insecure political situation, especially in the Mopti Region. Throughout the first year of program implementation, the presence of several armed groups, often resulting in clashes with the Malian Army and the UN forces in Mali, led to insecurity and further deteriorations of livelihoods with potential consequences for health and nutrition of the most vulnerable members of affected communities and especially those in program areas. The situation has not stabilized during 2017. The Government of Mali (GoM) has reacted by placing restrictions on population mobility, including the installation of a curfew in some parts of the region in addition to major transportation restrictions (i.e. motorbikes are forbidden in certain areas and at certain hours), which has provided challenges to program implementation. To cope with the situation, CARE decided to open offices in Tenenkou and Youwarou and enlarge their existing office in Douentza run by Sahel Eco (one of the Harande implementing partners). The decision to take these actions has been supported by Harande security focal points and by other international NGO’s present in the field. This initiative will also significantly reduce risks for Harande staffs traveling between Cercles (subdivisions of regions in Mali), as most attacks reported occur during travel between Cercles and Communes. While opening these offices will decrease insecurity for Harande field agents, it will also have the added benefit of increasing community participation in the program as well as visibility of the program. To monitor the political and overall security situation in Mali and to assess potential threats to program staffs and assets, Harande has also developed a security contingency plan. This involves a meticulous analysis of the security situation, village-by-village, commune-by- commune, for each Cercle. The plan identifies villages that are not secure enough to host program activities. In addition, the plan pinpoints which sensitive program activities cannot be implemented due to their rejection by Islamist groups in specific communities, including anything related to reproductive health, gender based violence (GBV), formal education, and often women’s empowerment. Out of the 285 villages where Harande conducted a population census, 32 villages are deemed inaccessible by the program due to high levels of insecurity. Ten (10) villages in Douentza, 18 in Tenenkou, and four (4) in Youwarou Cercles have been classified as “very insecure” by Harande security specialists. Harande is currently working in 253 villages, which represents 89% of the total intervention zone.
The major external factors that have remained as program challenges and that have delayed implementation are the Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) and the late approval of FY17 PREP. Late approval of the PREP delayed those field activities that require the largest amounts of funding. Most activities related to livelihood and climate change Purposes1 were delayed because their implementation requires the procurement of specific equipment or materials. On June 29th 2017 Harande received approval from FFP for the use of carryover funds to begin field activity implementation. Crop harvests had already started at that time, but Harande was prepared to initiate preliminary program activities such as the identification of beneficiaries, group preparations, and site identification.
Delays in the initiation and results reporting of the PEA prevented the program from implementing field activities that have potentially "negative determination with conditions" according to
1 Primarily purposes 2 and 3. CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 6
Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) standards. All activities listed in the EMMP of the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) have been implemented in the semi-arid Cercles of Bandiagara and Douentza. Because of the positive determination in the Niger Delta, Harande continues to wait until final determination is reached by the Bureau of Environmental Officer (BEO). This final determination is projected to be reached in the next two to three months. Harande is also preparing to adapt its implementation plan when the PEA findings and recommendations are officially announced.
In FY17, the Harande program played a significant role in the Mission Resilience agenda through participation in Resilience workshops, meetings, and joint planning sessions across all Mali USAID Mission funded initiatives in the Mopti Region. Part of the Resilience investment portfolio is also included in the Harande budget. Many of these investments have been implemented in FY17 in Purpose 3 covering "Climate Change and Resilience".
Despite the delays in implementation, Harande has been able to complete the following activities: a) Establishment of community structures such as VSLAs, Community Development Committees (CDCs), Community Based Early Warning Systems (SCAP-RUs), Care Groups, Care Group promoters, and community Relays in all 16 target Communes; b) Successful identification of infrastructure sites during FY17Q2; c) Building of infrastructure (water sources, storage warehouses, irrigated fields and vegetable gardens, fishponds, and animal vaccination enclosures) started in FY17Q2 and of which several have already been completed. Due to road access problems, remaining infrastructure projects have been postponed to first quarter of the coming fiscal year (FY18Q1); d) Harande has been very active in MAM and SAM mass screenings in all program intervention areas. While Purposes 2 and 3 have limited their activities to Bandiagara and Douentza, Purposes 1, 4 and 5 were able to cover all four Cercles as most of their activities are classified as "categorical exclusions" in the standard IEE. Care group establishment and activities, as well as community development committee activities, have been implemented in all Cercles.
III. Performance updates for FY17
Purpose 1: The nutritional status of 56 804 women of childbearing age and 52 451 children under 5 is improved in 290 project target communities
Sub Purpose 1.1. Household level nutritional practices are improved In FY17, nutrition activities were focused on strengthening the capacity of staff and health service providers at the community level. Harande staff were trained in the Care Group approach, essential nutrition and hygiene actions (nutrition for women, exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and WASH), and negotiation techniques for social behavior change. The objective of the training sessions was to organize communities into groups of mothers who support one another and to train certain community members (Promoters and Mother Leaders)
CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 7 on best nutrition practices for mothers and children in the 1,000 day window (pregnancy through two years of age). 827 Care groups have been established in 266 villages out of a target of 285 villages, representing an overall coverage rate of 93%. This slight underachievement is due to the remaining villages existing in insecure locations.
The project also supported the celebration of World Breastfeeding Week through radio messages and broadcasts on exclusive breastfeeding practices and through a ceremony to launch the event in Bandiagara. Harande also organized two distributions of Misola, an enriched flour blend, in two communes (one each in the Bandiagara and Douentza health districts) reaching 1,890 beneficiaries (out of 1,590 beneficiaries initially planned –119%) comprised of 149 pregnant women, and a total of 1,741 women nursing children under six months of age and children from six to 23 months of age.
In addition, Harande collaborated with the USAID/KJK project for the development of a communication plan for nutrition and WASH messages, and collaborated with the L4G project for the training of farmer’s association leaders in essential nutrition and hygiene practices.
Intermediate Outcome 1.1.1: Pregnant women, mothers of children from 0-59 months, and adolescent girls use their knowledge to improve nutrition in the household
1. Training on the Care Group approach: Training sessions on the Care Group approach were implemented using a cascade training method. Harande staff first received training and then in turn passed this training to community mobilization agents (CMAs). The objective of this training was to enable the program staff to train Care Group Promoters and to organize local women in project communities into Care Groups2. This training of trainers (ToT) reached 26 (3 women or 12%) Harande staff, including 12 from local NGO partners. YAGTU, Grat and Sahel-Eco Community Mobilization Agents (CMAs) were trained on the process of setting up Care Groups and then monitoring and facilitating them. HKI staff supported the training of 47 [(8 women (17%); 39 men (83%)] CMA of implementing partners.
2. Establishing Care Groups: The Care Group approach is designed to promote behavior change at the community level. Behavior change is also facilitated at the household level through the training of groups of ten Lead Mothers, who in turn share what they have learned with ten of their neighbors using a cascade approach. In order to gain the support of men for the adoption of best nutrition practices for women and children, and by extension increase the effectiveness of behavior change initiatives, Harande engages men through structures such as Community Development Committees (CDCs)
2 A Care group is made up of ten women who meet every two weeks with a Lead Mother to share lessons on health and nutrition, either as a group or through home visits. The various Care groups in a community are trained and supported by a CG Promoter.
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CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 8 and Men’s Engagement Groups. These strategies are designed to lead to improvements in the overall nutrition of the households in Harande target areas.
Table 1: Number of villages with Care Groups created in 2017
Cercle Number of Number of villages Number of villages Total number of Care Group Harande villages with Care Groups with Care Groups villages with Care geographic created in FY17Q2 created in FY17Q3 Groups created coverage (FY17) Bandiagara 83 82 1 83 100% Douentza 54 41 3 44 81% Youwarou 83 8 71 79 95% Tenenkou 65 51 9 60 92% Total 285 182 84 266 93%
Following the training of CMAs in January 2017, these CMAs immediately started putting Care Groups into place in project communities. The above table shows the number of Care Groups established each quarter from January through September.
3. Training of Care Group Promoters: CMAs trained Care Group Promoters in Bandiagara during FY17Q2 with support from nutrition technical assistants. All remaining Promoters were trained during FY17Q3 and FY17Q4. In total, 413 Care Group (CG) Promoters were trained, 130 (31%) of which were women. These CG Promoters were trained on essential nutrition and hygiene themes (women’s nutrition, exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and WASH) and will in turn cascade this training to the Lead Mothers.
4. Training in ENA, EHA and SBCC: A ToT workshop on ENA, EHA, and SBCC was held in December 2016 for 14 trainers including two representatives from the Mopti regional health directorate and two from each health District and four Harande staff. Topics included women’s Launching of SMAM in Bandiagara. @ CARE nutrition, optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding Mali 2017 practices, hand-washing, and WASH, as well as techniques for negotiating behavior change. Following the ToT, nutrition technical agents trained the three Harande WASH agents and 59 local NGO staff, [8 women (14%); 51 men (86%)] including CMA and supervisors, in the above essential themes as well as in the process of screening for malnutrition.
5. Training of Program Staff and Field Agents on the “Make Me a Change Agent” Approach: With the support of HKI's nutrition coordinator, all 12 Harande specialists [2 women (17%); 10 men (83%)] participated in the "Make Me a Change Agent" training during FY17. This training reinforced the capacity of staff (as agents of change) to facilitate
CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 9 behavior change processes at the community level. After witnessing the advantages of this training approach, the BCC coordinator took the opportunity to present the tools and techniques of “Make Me a Change Agent” during ENA/EHA/BCC training of the CMA and supervisors of local NGO partners. 62 participants [8 women (13%); 54 men (87%) had the opportunity to interact with and discuss this presentation of the approach during the afore-mentioned training sessions.
6. Training of Misola producers in Sévaré and Bandiagara: After Misola production unit assessments in Bandiagara and Mopti districts in July 2017, the HKI regional fortification advisor organized training sessions to address the needs identified during the assessments. Synchronizing the sessions with production periods, local workers were trained on hygiene techniques, optimization of the production chain, and the implementation of a rigorous quality assurance system. This practical training included observing the producers at work and discussing with them how to improve their practices. 34 people [33 women (97%); 1 man (3%)] were trained in the two Misola production units.
7. Mass screening for acute malnutrition: Harande supported a mass screening campaign for acute malnutrition in September 2017 in the four communes of Youwarou Cercle that are targeted by Harande. A total of 7,184 children from 6-59 months of age were reached through this activity; 214 (3%) were found to have moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) and 83 (1%) were found to have severe acute malnutrition (SAM). These cases of MAM and SAM were referred for treatment to appropriate health facilities using referral forms. Community volunteers and Care Group Promoters monitored both the referrals and resulting treatments, while the local NGO GRAT supervised activities at the community level. 557 women were also screened during the campaign; three were found to have MAM.
Intermediate Outcome 1.1.2: Access to nutrient-rich foods among PLW improved and diversified. 1. Distribution of Misola to children and pregnant and lactating women: As part of efforts to prevent malnutrition among the most vulnerable target groups (children from 6-23 months of age and women who are pregnant or nursing a child under six months) Harande purchased and distributed Misola, an enriched flour blend used for porridge, which is locally produced in the Mopti region. The program has already carried out two distributions wherein a ration of 30 Misola packages (15 kg) to use for 30 days (200g two times per day) was distributed per each beneficiary in the 18 villages targeted (11 in Bandiagara Cercle and 7 in Douentza). A total of 55 tons of Misola was distributed. A total of 1,890 [1,453 female (77%)] individual beneficiaries were reached through the distributions.
Harande recovered all of the bags from the first distribution by making the second distribution to beneficiaries contingent on individuals turning in their bags from the first round. The Environment Unit is also planning to work with Young Entrepreneurs (P2), the “Chambre des Métiers” (Artisans’ Association), and the Mopti Regional Directorate of Sanitation and Control of Pollution and Harmful Things to upcycle used Misola bags into new objects such as baskets, necklaces, and bricks.
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Distribution of kits to model mothers by the Deputy Misola Nutrition Cooking Demonstration @ CARE Mali 2017 Prefect, Bandiagara @ CARE Mali 2017
At the end of FY16, SC conducted an assessment 3of the capacity of the Misola Association in Mali. The assessment continued into FY17 with further review of aspects of the various Misola Units in the program area, and the Misola Association headquarters in Bamako, in addition to other follow- up. 2. Celebration of World Breastfeeding Week: Harande supported the promotion of optimal breastfeeding behaviors in all project Cercles with the objective of informing the general public on optimal breastfeeding practices for good growth and health status of children. 3. Collaboration-synergy with other programs: Joint training sessions with L4G: In collaboration with the USAID Livestock for Growth (L4G) project, Harande trained 78 farmer association leaders (including 28% women) on best nutrition practices. Farmer’s associations are supported by the L4G project in two intervention communes, Dandoli and Dourou of Bandiagara Cercle. The training was held in August 2017 and provided a good opportunity to educate a large number of producers and leaders on best practices for nutrition and hygiene behaviors for the prevention of malnutrition in their communities. The farmer’s association leaders were given a training manual to help facilitate their sharing of information that they learned with other community members. The goal of the Photo 5: Formation des leaders des organisations activity was to improve and diversify the diets of paysannes de L4G appuyée par Harande, Bandiagara pregnant and nursing women as well as young @2017 © HKI children.
Development of a Communication Plan with support from KJK: In collaboration with the USAID-KJK project, CNIECS (the MOH communications center), and the DN (nutrition division of the MOH),
3 The assessment is attached in annex. CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 11
Harande worked on the development of a communication plan for Nutrition and WASH messages that will facilitate social behavior change. To develop the plan, three workshops were held with the participation of staffs from all project components.
Intermediate Outcome 1.1.3: Access to and utilization of essential health services among 56,804 WRA increased Specific Family Planning (FP) activities have not yet started. The entry points for FP will be the Care Group nutrition activities and community health centers.
Intermediate Outcome 1.1.4 Capacity of 139 health workers and 580 community relays to prevent, treat and promote maternal child health and nutrition improved. 1. Assessment of nutrition activities in health facilities: Three joint missions were carried out by Harande and district health staffs in Douentza, Bandiagara, and Youwarou health districts to assess the prevention and treatment of malnutrition in several CSCOM and the URENI (treatment center for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition with complications) and to determine needs for quality treatment.
2. Assessment of potential communication partners: Harande staff organized an assessment visit to Bandiagara and Douentza to identify potential radio, theatre, and musical partners able to support program implementation of the communication plan. Staff met with five local radio stations in Bandiagara and one in Douentza, as well as a theatre troupe in each location, and a music group in Bandiagara.
Sub-purpose 1.2: Households use WASH services sustainably In FY17 Harande WASH interventions focused primarily on capacity building of stakeholders (NGO partners, locally elected community members, Technical Services agents and WASH and Nutrition staff) in the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach and in the Post-EODF (End of Open Defecation Free) strategy at the community level. These capacity reinforcements ensure quality community support for WASH best practices. Harande also focused on improving community access to WASH infrastructures; a total of 25 water points and 9 improved latrines were planned for construction in FY17 (additional details below).
Intermediate Outcome 1.2.1. Knowledge of WASH practices improved in WRA households 1. Implementation of Post-EODF in 43 communities of Cercle of Bandiagara: Training on the Post-EODF strategy: The training on Post-EODF activities held in Bandiagara involved 30 participants (4 (13%) of these were women) including technical service agents, municipal councilors, and Harande staff. The capacity-strengthening training will enable participants to be able to better support communities already certified as ODF in order to maintain their status through adoption of best WASH practices.
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Participatory community evaluation in Gologou, commune Dandoli @ CARE Mali Environmental field observation walk in 2017 Gologou, Commune in Dandoli @ CARE Mali
2017
2. Implementation of CLTS in 10 communities in the Cercle of Douentza: Training of stakeholders on the CLTS approach: Harande trained 62 participants (including 11 (18%) women) on the CLTS approach in the Cercles of Bandiagara and Douentza.
General sanitation status in the Cercle of Douentza: A survey of sanitation status was carried out in 20 communities of the three communes of the Cercle of Douentza to collect data related to hygiene and sanitation (see table below).
Results of survey on WASH status in Cercle of Douentza N° Commune # Village # Households # latrines % latrines 1 Dangol Bore 10 1,614 375 23.2% 2 Douentza 2 946 45 4.8% 3 Koubewel Koundia 8 406 10 2.5%
Total 20 2,966 430 14.5%
Intermediate Outcome 1.2.2.: Households have access to WASH services 1. Improving access to potable water: Identification of WASH infrastructure needs: The selection of WASH infrastructure sites was conducted in a participatory manner in program sponsored communities. In 2017, 25 new water points were planned for construction in 7 communes, including 4 in the Cercles of Bandiagara (Dandoli, Dourou, Lowol Gueou, and Pignari) and 3 in the Cercles of Douentza (Dangol Boré, Douentza, and Koubewel Koundia). There are 6 sites where existing water points need to be rehabilitated across two Communes in Douentza and one Commune in Bandiagara.
Follow-up on water point construction: Of the planned 25 water points, 13 are in the construction phase and 12 have been postponed until the end of the rainy season due to difficulties in accessing these sites. Of the 25 new infrastructures, 14 are intended for supplying safe drinking water for community use and the remaining 11 are divided between market gardening, CSCom, and animal watering (pastoral wells) uses. In 2017, construction began on 13 of these planned water points (7 drinking water and 6 market gardening/CSCom). Of the 7 water points under construction, 4 CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 13
boreholes have been completed (3 in Bandiagara Cercle and 1 in Douentza) covering 2,008 beneficiaries [including 1,010 women (50%)] in 419 households. For the 9 blocks of latrines, 6 are in schools and 3 are in CSComs. The work contracting process is underway. The latrines at the school level are expected to be used by 900 students4.
2. Improving access to sanitation infrastructures in health centers and schools: The selection process of service providers for the construction of 9 latrine blocks, across 4 communes of Bandiagara and 3 communes of Douentza, is underway.
Purpose 2: Livelihoods among 62,000 Targeted Participants (including 70% women and 40% youth) diversified and improved
Sub Purpose 2.1. On farm agricultural livelihoods among 55,800 targeted participants (including 70% women and 40% youth) improved Intermediate Outcome 2.1.1.: Agricultural (crop), animal & fish production is diversified and increased
1. Training of VSLA women on composting: To support communities in the adoption of improved production techniques, Harande and the GOM Agricultural Service organized a training session in Bandiagara on composting for 625 participants [including 580 (93%) women] in March 2017. In Douentza, 100 women were also trained. For this campaign, the trained women produced organic fertilizer (approximately 36 MT) that was used in demonstration plots of the FFBS.
2. Dissemination of seed varieties adapted to climate change: To increase the resilience of Green manure production by vulnerable households, Harande Noukoumagna women @ Care Mali distributed improved seeds of 2017 millet (21,762 kg), sorghum (2,418 kg), and cowpea (27,180 kg) in Bandiagara and Douentza Cercles in July 2017. 4,345 participants [including 2,103 (49%) women] selected from 127 villages benefited from these seed distributions. Beneficiaries received 5kg of millet or sorghum and 5 kg of cowpea. The seeds they received are improved local varieties Seed distribution to farmers promoted by the Institute of Rural Economy (IER) for their @Care 2017 production cycles that have been adapted to the local climate. Through these seed distributions, Harande estimates that about 4,805 ha of millet/sorghum and 1,087 ha of cowpea in both Cercles for the 2017 crop season may be cropped.
4 This is an estimate. CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 14
3. The establishment of Farmer Field and Business Schools (FFBS): VSLA groups have been the entry point for the mobilization of community members in the establishment of FFBS. IER trained the groups of producers involved in FFBS. Fifty-one technical agents [7 (14%) women] were trained to provide guidance to the community members involved in FFBS. Taking into account the EMMP mitigation measures, all activities were subject to both USAID procedures and national regulations. In the FFBS sessions, participants are trained on the safe handling, application, storage, and disposal of pesticides and chemical fertilizers and their containers.
In conjunction with the 2017 rainy season, Harande set up producer training sites in 35 villages out of 40 pre- selected sites These sites were selected for their high agricultural potential, accessibility, group consensus, centrality to producers’ localities, security (from litigation and stray animals), plot history (all previous crops must be known), and proximity to road used by producers. Unstable security situations prevented the installation of the five (5) remaining FFBS. The area under the FFBS in the 35 participating villages is 3.8 ha. In these villages, 815 Direct sowing in a FFBS FFBS plot at Kolontaga Village @CARE Mali July 2017 producers [including 530 (65%) women] participated in the training sessions. 4. Promoting vegetable gardening: During FY17Q2, Harande conducted community surveys to identify existing market gardening perimeters in the Bandiagara and Douentza Cercles. Harande selected 37 of the existing gardens to start vegetable production activities with the participation of women from VSLA and Care Groups in collaboration with the nutrition component of the program. Harande will also create 10 new standard-type perimeters to accelerate FFBS plot Sincarma Village, Field Coordinat. the production process of local micronutrient-rich Bandiagara@ Care septembre 2017 foods to improve balanced diets of children and WRA primarily linking this purpose with the health and nutrition program component. All environmental mitigation measures contained in the EMMP will be taken into account during the implementation and use of these perimeters.
5. Support to the cowpea sector; distribution of 3 tons of seeds: Cowpea is one of the value chains promoted by Harande. To support production of this crop in the program intervention area, Harande provided improved cowpea seeds to 300 producers who are already producing and selling cowpea in the market [including 116 (39%) women]. Each beneficiary received 10 kg of seeds, corresponding to an area of 0.5 ha. The improved seeds were grown on individual plots. The production of cowpea crops will increase income and nutrition status in these communities.
CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 15
“I sowed the variety received from Harande on August 8. Despite the delay in sowing, I find that it is growing fast. It gives fruits that can already be harvested. I will keep this variety for the next cropping season." – Mr. Missiri on use of improved seeds Quarantined chicks in Bandiagara @ Parcelle Niébé Missiri Karambé a Koe- CARE Mali 2017 Lye, AMC Yagtu @Care 2017
6. Promoting improved poultry production Introducing 300 Wassachie cockerels into women’s poultry farms: To support the diversification and improvement of nutrition and sources of income, in September 2017 Harande obtained an improved breed of poultry called "Wassachiè" for 300 women (150 in Douentza and 150 in Bandiagara) beneficiaries, who are also members of VSLA and Care groups.
Sub-Purpose 2.2: Non-farm livelihoods among 6,200 youth (45% female) improved Intermediate Objective 2.2.1: Youth (boys and girls) have qualified jobs
1. Youth Entrepreneurship: During FY17, SC used the results of the Youth Livelihoods Needs Assessment and Labor Market Assessment, along with the Value Chain Analysis (VCA), to identify opportunities that can be developed for youth in program areas at the village level.
In all sixteen communes of the program intervention area, Harande, along with local partners, identified and catalogued a range of non-farming job opportunities for young men and women. Further information and communication materials related to these opportunities will be piloted and developed in FY18 in the targeted areas and subsequently shared with local youth associations (LYEAs).
During FY17, SC also focused on developing a census of master apprentice trainers (MATs) and youth with qualified skills (vocational and other) in the target area. By the end of FY17, the team identified 582 youths with professional skills (TVET and/or learning by doing) and 81 MATs (64 led by men and 17 led by women). 265 youth were selected for apprenticeships in Tenenkou, Bandiagara, and Douentza.
In addition to promoting youth enterprises, the program designed and purchased 300 youth business startup toolkits. 140 were procured for female youth representing 47% of the target. The youth group is focusing on the following skills: tailoring [60 (20%) female youth], tire vulcanization [20 (14%) male youth], motorbike mechanics [50 (36%) male youth], women’s hairstyling [60 (20%) female youth, men’s hairstyling [10 (7%) male youth], wood carpentry [10 (7%) male youth], indigo painting [20 (14%) female youth], masonry [40 (29%) male youth], cellphone repair and CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 16 maintenance [10 (7%) male youth] and stone sizing and design [20 (14%) male youth]. These activities were identified using the results of the job opportunity workshop and the availability of the youth with these skills.
In addition, a plan was designed to: 1) assess the TVETs and provide them support through trainings, if needed in order to strengthen them for a qualified delivery on youth training and support; and, (2) identify and support MAFs through trainings. Partnership is in development with SwissContact to provide training to MAF of apprentice engineering in order to reduce the duration of youth training through apprentice.
2. Youth employability During FY17Q3, SC organized a one-week exchange visit to Sikasso in Southern Mali to observe the SC-implemented Program Supporting Children and Young Migrants Workers (PRAEJEM) to learn from and share experiences and approaches related to youth skills development and employability. The PRAEJEM procurement approach and various management tools and training methodologies were major takeaways from the mission.
During FY17, Harande continued with the process of adapting the “My Business” curriculum to the Malian context by organizing a three-day workshop on the curriculum during FY17Q2. This workshop was conducted in order to establish a foundation for and familiarize Harande staffs with the curriculum, relevant tools, and gender-sensitive and youth-friendly methodologies as a preparatory step towards full adaptation of ToT workshops in the field.
This will also feed into the Youth Empowerment and Leadership Initiative (YELI) package, which will contribute to strengthening the entrepreneurial capacities of young people. SC also worked on the development of draft Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Regional Directorate of Employment and Vocational Training, the regional trade chamber, and SwissContact. The aim of these MoUs is to put our effort together in a clear language in order to better support youth to build a better living condition and improve their employability in our target area.
Sub Purpose 2.3. Access to suitable financial services for 25,000 targeted participants (including 60% women and 10% youth) Intermediate Outcome 2.3.1: Access to community basic financial services increased (VSLA) The program identified 230 functional VSLA groups comprised of 8,111 members [7,798 (96%) women] in the Cercles of Bandiagara and Douentza. These groups were established prior to Harande intervention to mobilize and manage community financial resources. In January 2017, in order to promote VSLA activities, Harande trained 34 agents (including 8 women) from NGO partners on the VSLA approach known as MJT (Musow Ka Jigiya Ton meaning “Women's Hope Group”).
CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 17
After the training sessions, the agents set up 47 VSLA new groups (13 in Bandiagara and 34 in Douentza) against a target of 116 groups, representing 40.5% achievement. This underachievement is due to the difficulty of reaching some Douentza villages due to insecurity and also to the lack of information necessary to validate a formed VSLA 5in the database. The 47 VSLA groups consist of 1,393 participants [1,341 (96%) women]. The women in these VSLAs have begun initiating savings and credit activities. They have already Kologou Mgmt. Committee @ mobilized 4,497 USD, and 686 USD out of this total were offered as AMC, YAGTU, Care, Mali 2017 loans to 74 members of the group.
Sub Purpose 2.4. Functional literacy and numeracy enhancing food, nutrition and income security among 20,300 participants in targeted communities improved Intermediate Objective 2.4.1.: Trainers are skilled in functional literacy The YELI approach combines literacy training and the adapted “My Business” curriculum. Tapping into the PAJE Nyeta6 curriculum on literacy and numeracy, and the SC literacy Boost approach, a workshop to adapt the literacy/numeracy curriculum was also organized based on the PAJE Nyeta methodology and designed to include themes on life skills, nutrition, climate sensitivity, gender sensitization, and conflict mitigation. The adaptation of the YELI approach will be completed through the integration of the literacy/numeracy adapted curriculum, the My Business curriculum, gender sensitization, all Harande program topics, life skills, and skills for women entrepreneurs. During the reporting period, through numerous meetings, SC has conducted (with the support of local partner NGOs) an inventory and assessment of all relevant stakeholders including AE, CAP, and CED in order to determine their operational status and their capacity to train and/or support youth apprenticeships. SC has collected much data and information including (i) the number of villages that are not covered in terms of literacy and numeracy; (ii) identification of 256 villages out of 290 assessed that are in need of literacy and numeracy capacity building; (iii) identification of 22 functional CED in Bandiagara and Douentza with a combined total of 349 students (183 /52% girls).
80 local trainers/facilitators (20 women -25%) have been identified and will be trained by the AE on literacy and numeracy pedagogy, methodology, and approach in order to form a pool of trainers at the community level. This is intended to fill the gap of ToT on literacy and numeracy within the region and to facilitate the organic spread of knowledge and capacity building throughout program areas and beyond.
Intermediate Objective 2.4.2 Koranic School teachers deliver effective literacy, numeracy and life skills In order to conduct literacy and numeracy training within Koranic schools (local non-formal education along with religious instruction), SC held meetings with community organizations and
5 While 71 VSLA were established, only 47 were correctly entered into the database. This problem is being corrected and future reports will provide the correct number 6 PAJE Nyeta is a project that provides support to young entrepreneurs in Kayes, Koulikoro, Sikasso and Tombouctou
CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 18 identified 10 qualified Koranic school teachers (all men) out of 20 assessed. These selected teachers will be trained on literacy and numeracy methodologies and approaches that they will then be able to cascade to their own students.
Purpose 3: Climate change resilience among 270,000 producers in the target communities is increased.
Subpurpose 3.1. Livelihood and production decisions are improved using climate, weather, hydrological, and DRR information among 18,750 targeted producers (30% women and 50% youth). Intermediate Outcome 3.1.1.: Put in place an agro-meteorological information system The information system was initiated through the identification of 80 Relays [including 24 women (30%)], who will be provided with the training on meteorological tools and on early warning systems (EWS), the equipping of communities with rain gauges, limnographs (water gauges), and agrometeorological stations, and the diffusion of climate information. Harande and MCCAA signed a protocol for a joint implementation of these activities. In FY17, the community climate information system did not reach the operational phase, despite the availability of climate information at the producers’ level through broadcasts on 5 radio station partners to MCCAA. In FY17, 237 weather Relays [(including 48 women (20%)] were identified in 119 villages of Bandiagara and Douentza.
Intermediate Outcome 3.1.2.: Set up a Community early warning system (CEWS) 1. Training of Harande staff on CEWS- ER establishment and follow-up In January 2017, Harande trained 70 agents (including 10 women -14%) from YAGTU, Sahel ECO, and GRAT in Bandiagara and Sévaré. The CEWS training is designed to strengthen the capacities of CMAs and supervisors to establish and support the SCAP-RU in their roles and responsibilities.
2. Setting up SCAP-RU In February 2017, the Program established 253 SCAP-RU in the 16 municipalities of the Harande intervention area comprised of 2,633 members (including 619 women – 23%). Security constraints did not allow coverage for all villages. To make the SCAP-RU operational, the program will train SCAP-RU members in FY18 and provide them with the necessary equipment (one desktop, a printer and a solar panel for energy).
Sub purpose 3.2. The climate change resilience of participants in 16 communes that have executed climate change adaptation plans is improved Intermediate Outcome 3.2.1.: Improved resilience to climate change in the 16 communes that have implemented Climate Change Adaptation Plans. Harande planned to train all 115 staffs of Harande and 440 community members in DRR, PSP, and NRM and to develop community and commune climate change adaptation plans. Only 57 of Harande staff and Technical Services agents were trained because of the delay PREP approval. The community members will be trained in FY18.
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1. Training on Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change Effects : Participatory scenario planning (PSP): Harande organized the PSP training that was by facilitated by the CARE ALP. The training took place in April 2017 in Bamako, and included 40 participants with 8 women (20%) from the CARE West African countries participants, along with Harande and partners staff in Mali. After the training, participants were knowledgeable enough to be able to help communities make their plan. Harande will use this approach to develop integrated community adaptation plans for all program components.
2. Orientation of NGO staff on PSP: This orientation was carried out in two phases in Bandiagara and Douentza with 47 participants (6 women -13%) from YAGTU, Sahel Eco, Chamber of Agriculture, local radio presenters and technical services. The modules developed are on PSP, EWS, Community Action Plan (CAP) and the use of rain gauges by farmers.
3. Watershed management approach: In order to sustainably strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities, Harande will favor a watershed management approach, which seeks integration and complementarity in project development within communities sharing the same hydrological watershed system. This approach will integrate asset development, agricultural and agroforestry production, common management of natural resources, and community organizational capacity building. Harande signed a collaboration agreement with WFP in FY17 to learn from their successful experiences in Niger and Mali (Nossombougou) to streamline and improve implementation of the watershed approach in Bandiagara and Douentza. To achieve this, a team from Harande visited WFP's activities in the town of Nossombougou.
4. Watershed Identification : In FY17 Harande carried out the following actions related to the watershed approach: a) Identification of the watersheds of Douentza and Bandiagara, and b) Mapping 7of the watersheds in each the seven (7) communes in Douentza and Bandiagara.
Strengthen the production capacity of vulnerable households Harande distributed improved seed varieties adapted to the local climate, as well as agricultural equipment to producers. 4,385 participants (including 2,103 women - 48%) benefited from the seeds, corresponding to an estimated area of 4,805ha of millet/sorghum and 1,087ha of cowpea.
Promote sustainable management of natural resources The implementation of these activities has been postponed to FY18 due to the late approval of the PREP.
7 A sample of three maps of watershed are attached in annex. CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 20
Develop agroforestry actions and restoration of agricultural lands and ecosystems. Harande signed a protocol with ICRAF to implement activities to promote live fencing using multi- purpose species, promote forage banks, and work on restoration of pastures using forage trees, shrubs, and herbaceous legumes. For FY17, 10 villages were targeted; only Sincarma village in Dandoli Commune received support, while the remaining 9 will be taken into account in FY18 due to the late completion of the collaboration protocol with ICRAF.
1. Introduction of agroforestry activity at community level: This activity consisted of informing and sensitizing the communities and communal authorities of Sincarma on the agroforestry activities promoted by Harande. In the village, ICRAF held a meeting with the participation of 24 people to identify demonstration sites for 0.5 ha for fodder banks.
2. Establishment of demonstration sites in Sincarma Village: The program supported community action that recovered 11ha of land using “half-moon” and earthen bund techniques. The area was seeded with 6 species of herbaceous forage and a total of 5,984 plants from the 6 species were planted along the bunds, Land recuperation for fodder ensuring environmental sustainability. The realization of these production, Sincarma, Climate Change activities in CFW involved 97 participants including 8 (8%) Specialist, @ CARE 2017 women.
Achieve community resilience assets in 100 villages 1. Identification of sites for infrastructure development and degraded land recuperation: A prospective study conducted by Harande and technical services agents in March 2017 covered 29 sites in Douentza and 23 sites in Bandiagara. The data was then analyzed by technical service agents to produce a technical feasibility document that enabled the works to be started.
2. Cash for Work (CFW) activities: Targeting of CFW participants was conducted in May 2017 by the MEAL unit in Harande. This targeting included 67 villages (45 in Bandiagara and 22 in Douentza). 2,441 total participants [including 751 (31%) women] were targeted (1,444 in Bandiagara and 997 in Douentza). The program has also established 67 committees comprised of 5 people per village, which are responsible for community mobilization, project monitoring, and scoring. Qualified masons from the communities were also selected as participants in CFW.
3. Results and achievements of CFW: Project works began in July 2017 in Douentza and Bandiagara. The assets planned for FY17 planned for FY17 included the recovery of 300ha of land, the creation of 10 vegetable gardens, 2 vaccination parks, 2 storage facilities, 4 pastoral wells, the rehabilitation of 2 rural roads, the marking of a transhumance trail, and development of 2 rice plains. During FY17, out of a planned target of 67 sites, 42 were under construction for 30 days between July and August. The works involved 1,894 people including 548 women (29%). Participants recovered 238ha against a target of 300ha. Total compensation paid for all activities to the beneficiaries was 103,940 USD. The village of Wendeguélé also built two dikes of 76m and 73m lengths respectively. The villagers
CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 21 purchased cement with their own funds to reinforce these dikes (see the success story accompanying this report.
Duigue filter, Wendéguélé @CARE Mali, 2017 Duigue filer, Wendéguélé @ CARE Mali, 2017 Works are ongoing for the construction of 2 storage facilities of 60 metric tons each, the development of 10 vegetable production perimeters of 2 ha each, and the rehabilitation of 2 rural roads of 30km length each. The work of CFW was carried out in accordance with the requirements of environmental mitigation measures listed in the EMMP. The CFW committees and the CMAs also carried out sensitizations on safety, hygiene, and sanitation measures. For each infrastructure, reforestation is planned at the end of the works. In FY17, 1,894 participants (548 women (29%) were reached against a target of 5,000. This gap is due to the failure to obtain all necessary infrastructure assets. The remaining participants will be reached in FY18.
Improve the animal production system These activities, to be carried out with ILRI, were not initiated in FY17. The delay in carrying out these activities was due to the late formalization of the collaboration between Harande and ILRI. Priority needs for the startup of field activities have been identified and field activities will start in October 82017.
Purpose 4: Conflicts Limiting Food, Nutrition and Income Security within the 290 targeted communities (270,000 targeted participants) reduced. The Conflict Prevention and Governance components focused on the establishment of community structures and mechanisms for conflict management along with civic engagement structures such as Community Development Committees (CDC).
Sub-Purpose 4.1: Understanding about current and potential conflicts by target participants improved
8 This is included in FY18 PREP
CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 22
Intermediate Outcome 4.1.1.: Anticipation and adaptation of project interventions to potential conflicts improved The objective of the training was to strengthen the capacity of field staff in conflict prevention and management systems in the project area. The trainees also received guidance on the objectives and implementation approach of the land tenure commission (COFO9). 70 program staff [including 9 (13%) women] attended the courses. The Conflict Mitigation/Governance Specialist facilitated the training supported by the sub-prefects of Kendié commune (Bandiagara Circle) and Ségué (Bankass Circle).
Intermediate Outcome 4.1.2.: Communities have a better understanding of rights over use of productive natural assets
Bandiagara prefecture opening and NRM workshop group work © CARE Mali, 2017
Harande organized a workshop to validate training modules in April 2017. The workshop was attended by 23 participants (including 9% women) from technical services, producer organizations, and civil societies. 53 participants (including 21% women) attended the training sessions in Bandiagara and Douentza in September 2017
Sub Purpose 4.2. Use of effective conflict and mitigation mechanisms among targeted participants improved Intermediate Outcome 4.2.1.: Conflict management mechanisms for resources owned around community
In total, 11 Communal COFOs have been revitalized or set up, with 4 in the Cercle of Bandiagara (Communes of Dourou, Dandoli, Pignari and Lowel Gueou), 3 in the Douentza district (Communes of Douentza, Dangol Bore, and Koubewel Koundia) and 4 in Youwarou (Communes of Youwarou, Dongo, Dirma and Deboye). The establishment of COFOs responds to a need expressed by the local authorities and communities. COFOs will contribute to the management of recurrent conflicts over natural resources. 388 participants in total attended the meetings (8%
9 COFO stands for Commission Foncière. This is the French acronym of the Land Tenure Commission
CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 23
10of these were women). Women participants have committed to sharing information on COFO in terms of their opportunities for access to land. In addition to the communal COFOs that manage conflicts involving two or more villages, 70 Village COFOs (for the management of conflicts within the same village) have been set up in the Cercle de Bandiagara. The creation of village COFOs will continue in the other Cercles of intervention.
Land Tenure meeting in Lowel Gueou © CARE Mali NRM planning in Nombori, Bandiagara @ CARE Mali, 2017
Summary of Village COFOs Established Location # COFOs created # Men # Women Total Dandoly 14 83 52 (39%) 135 Dourou 21 187 50 (21%) 237 Pignari 15 138 29 (17%) 167 Lowel Gueou 20 180 50 (22%) 230
Intermediate Outcome 4.2.2.: Bylaws and local convention agreements are enforced In April/May 2017, The Action Research Group for Development (GRAD) carried out an identification study of best practices on Natural Resource Management (NRM) and warning signs of recurrent conflicts related to management of natural resources under the supervision of Harande in the four Cercles of program focus. The study (focus groups, interviews) was oriented towards stakeholders and socio-professional groups (farmers, pastoralists, fishermen, and forest users) along with women and young people involved in NRM. The study report was submitted to CARE in June 2017.
Sub-Purpose 4.3: Gender-based violence in all 285 communities reduced
10 The low number of women participation is due to factors: a) the legal structuring rule that allows only one women representative for each women organization, and b) most of the technical services and locally elected commune and community structures do not have women.
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Intermediate Outcome 4.3.1.: Traditional harmful practices are mitigated (Early/Forced Marriage, FGM) For this intermediate outcome, Harande planned a series of training and awareness raising sessions for VSLA groups, Men’s Engagement Groups, and village opinion leaders to facilitate the integration of gender issues and discussions of harmful traditional practices into program areas and implementation. The gender action plan 11of the program is also being integrated across all program components.
1. Training of Harande staff on gender integration into program activities: The objective of gender integration training is to build the capacity of all consortium staff in the design and implementation of gender-transformative activities. The workshop allowed participants to master the different steps and tools needed to integrate gender into all program activities. The training was conducted in 3 sessions and involved 89 participants (including 12 women, 13%) including coordinators, CMAs, and supervisors. 2. Gender analysis debriefing in 9 communities in Bandiagara and Douentza Cercles: Harande carried out 2 missions of restitution of the results of the Gender Analysis report in February and in May 2017 in the Cercles of Bandiagara and Douentza. A total of 511 participants (including 91% women, 9% men) from 9 villages were involved, 6 from Bandiagara and 3 from Douentza. During the awareness-raising meetings, women formulated recommendations and solutions to present to the Training community leaders on gender and GBV Bandiagara, @CARE 2017 village authorities on the allocation of cultivated land and increased access to inputs for women. They also discussed increased access to decision-making in the household on health issues, the presence of insecurity that discourages mothers from accessing health centers which leads to a risk of aggravating malnutrition, and the provision of equipment to reduce women's household Meeting of women leaders of VSLA group in Sibi Sibi and in Sokolo @ CARE Mali, 2017 workloads. 3. Training of community leaders in Gender and GBV: The training of community leaders on gender sensitization and gender-based violence took place in May 2017 in Bandiagara. 29 people participated in the workshop (with 15 women (52%), and included members of Men’s Engagement Groups. The modules were designed to
11 The Gender Action Plan is attached in annex. CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 25
integrate the gender dimension into village development actions and highlight the importance of the role of women in households and in community development.
Purpose 5: Governance around food and nutrition security and income is improved.
Sub Purpose 5.1. Utilization of services essential to food nutrition and income security among 270,000 targeted participants improved Intermediate Outcome 5.1.1.: Access and Availability of essential services (Health, Food and Nutrition Security, Natural Resources, etc.) are improved This year no activities were carried out for this intermediate result because it is dependent on a Community Score Card approach. Intermediate Outcome 5.1.2.: Citizen Demand for quality on FN&S, WASH, IGA services improved 1. Staff and partners training in setting up CDC: The objective of the CDC training is to guide program staff on the concepts of decentralization and local development as well as to address the objectives, roles and responsibilities, and approach for setting up CDCs. 70 program staff (including 10 women) were trained in Bandiagara and Sévaré in January 2017 for this purpose. A guide was also made available to CMAs for the establishment of CDCs in their respective areas.
2. CDC establishment and Revitalization: CDCs have been set up as entry points for the drafting of Community Action Plans (CAP) and community monitoring of development activities. CDCs are composed of members from other functional groups supported by all program purposes (Care groups, VSLA, FFBS, SCAP-RU, and Men’s Engagement Groups). Women and youth have greatly appreciated this participatory initiative, which includes them equitably in the decision-making processes of their communities. The table below provides a summary of CDCs established by Harande for each Quarter of FY17:
Summary of CDCs established in Harande program areas Period Q 2 Q3 Q4 # Participants Total Coverage Locality # Villages # # # Women Men Total
Bandiagara 82 83 0 0 82 100% 205 23% 703 77% 908 Douentza 47 0 38 4 42 86% 131 27% 353 73% 484 Youwarou 82 76 3 0 79 96% 202 24% 639 76% 841 Tenenkou 77 1 43 0 47 61% 81 24% 319 76% 400 Total 290 160 84 7 250 86% 619 2014 2633
Sub Purpose 5.2Governance of natural resources is improved and accountable at the local level for women, men, youth, vulnerable, nomadic populations
CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 26
Intermediate Outcome 5.2.1: Citizens informed on Food and Nutrition Security (FNS), income generating activities (IGA), and other development plans increased. 1. Support development of Community Action Plans:
Training session in Douentza, @ CARE Mali Training sessions on the Community Action Plan approach 2017 were organized in Bandiagara and Douentza in May 2017. These sessions were organized in conjunction with the Climate Change program component for PSP and the Livelihood component for FFBS. The training sessions were attended by 48 participants [including 6 (13%) women]. After these sessions, Harande partners also trained 2,888 participants [including 953 (33%) women] in the various functional groups on CDC roles, responsibilities, and participatory planning in 207 villages (83 villages in Bandiagara, 79 in Youwarou, and 45 in Douentza). These groups will support the implementation of development plans within their communities. Harande in collaboration with ADR supported the training of 8 staff (0 women), including 4 from the DRPSIAP services and 7 locally elected persons on a simplified guide for the preparation of PDSEC.
Sub Purpose 5.3. Communities take increased ownership of project interventions 1. Training in community complaint mechanisms: An orientation on community compliant mechanisms for Harande staff and partners was organized in Sévaré and Bandiagara in June 2017. 86 participants [9 (10%) women] were involved. The session included a guide for the establishment and operation of Village Complaints Committees and program complaint forms. After the training, the partners set up Complaint Committees in 253 villages for a total of 1,265 members [253 (20%) women; 1012 (80%) men). IV. M&E /Knowledge and Lessons/Learning highlights
1. Refine and implement process: From late September to October 2016, the USAID M&E Workshop, organized by USAID/FFP with the support of TOPS and FANTA, took place in Ouagadougou. Harande’s Theory of Change (ToC) and logframe approaches were refined according to findings from baseline studies conducted by the program. The Harande consortium members along with USAID and FANTA III staff (Mali Mission, FFP Dakar, the Resilience Center, the BEO and FFP and FANTA III USA) attended the session. This workshop highlighted all FFP requirements for the MEAL system.
2. Routine monitoring: As part of routine monitoring of activities carried out by the program, the Harande MEAL unit supported Community Mobilizers in gathering data through the ONA system. The following key M&E relevant activities have been conducted: Census Results sharing with partners: A workshop to share and highlight the results of the household census was organized in May 2017. The census counted 261,491 people in 53,173 households across 285 villages. Census results allowed for the re-establishment of targets for all program elements and re-defined a more realistic target of 270,000 participants (instead of
CARE Mali Harande: AID-FFP- Award Agreement Number A-15-00013 FY 2017 – Annual Result Report; 2017.11.6 27
the previous 310,000) as suggested by baseline findings. USAID partners were also able get a clearer picture of the populations in the shared communes and villages. After Action Review (AAR) session: In September 2017, the MEAL unit undertook an AAR with staff involved in Cash for Work (CFW), and conducted food and seed distribution interventions with the aim of unearthing lessons learned and best practices. Development of Harande ICT4Ds system: The MEAL unit developed an Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) system as well as a Web-based system. The ICT4D system provides beneficiaries with cards with barcodes that are readable by tablets, while the Web system allows users to extract and utilize routine data.
3. Program staff capacity building on MEAL system: Training on Harande MEAL system and tools: After designing the routine monitoring system, in early December 2016 the Harande MEAL unit organized two workshops to train 71 Community Mobilizers and field supervisors. Provision of tablets and charging tools to NGO partners and Operationalization of the MEAL data collection system on ONA: A package of 49 Alcatel One-touch Android tablets with SIM Cards and solar recharge systems have been transferred to participating NGOs for use in routine data collection. The program's MEAL system is based on the use of Android tablets onto which electronic forms are loaded according to forms used to input indicator results. Currently, information is entered in the database via the tablets by supervisors, community mobilisers, or MEAL staff for all activities. Internal MEAL workshop on the operationalization of the MEAL system: Two training sessions were organized for MEAL staff from late January to early February 2017. Senior MEAL attended the FFP/TOPS workshop MEAL workshop, © CARE Feb 2017 on Beneficiary Based Surveys in September 2017 in Washington DC.
4. Support to program components: The MEAL unit supported the program components and Harande partners during the FY17 in carrying out certain activities including: Providing support for the methodology, data collection, analysis, and writing of Cowpea, Poultry, and Vegetable Gardening Value Chain Analysis Studies during February 2017; Collecting data from a Community Analysis Study to obtain information on the existing level nutrition, WASH, gender, climate change, conflict, and governance of all the villages of program intervention areas; Targeting beneficiaries for Cash for Work (CFW), seed distributions (Millet, Sorghum, and Cowpea), Misola flour distributions (for pregnant and lactating women and children under 2 years of age), small ruminants (Guerra goats), Poultry (cockerels), as well as identifying participants in FFBS and beneficiaries for fodder crops. The MEAL unit
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ensured the production of the beneficiary lists and provision of vouchers for all mentioned activities in close collaboration with the technical teams; Development of WASH and Youth Entrepreneurship Forms for the collection of data for diagnosis and targeting purposes; MEAL participation in the monthly meetings of participating NGOs to share challenges related to routine data entry, to share the findings of the DQAs, and to provide ongoing and proximity support to field staff on the use of routine monitoring forms.
5. Data Quality Assessment (DQA): In order to ensure optimal flow of data into the M&E system and to address any shortcomings, Harande carried out an Internal DQA to enable MEAL staff to assess the degree to which the M&E system incorporates the seven required data quality standards: validity, integrity, reliability, precision, completeness, timeliness, and confidentiality. Corrective action plans have been designed and implemented to address the key issues identified.
6. Post Distribution Monitoring; Cash for Work: In order to assess accountability, immediate changes in targeted beneficiaries and household’s livelihoods, and conformity of cash and voucher distribution operations in the Bandiagara and Douentza Cercles, the MEAL unit carried out a post-distribution monitoring survey (PDM) during September 2017 in 15 randomly sampled villages. Photo: PDM Survey, © CARE September 2017 Preliminary results showed that CFW activities are relevant and closely match the needs and expectations of communities. This was confirmed by 99.3% of respondents who declared that the CFW approach was in line with their desired expectations and needs.
7. Annual Beneficiary Based Survey (BBS): Annual beneficiary based surveys have been conducted to improve the program operational planning and decision-making (assessing the progress against program targets) The MEAL Unit submitted a SOW to USAID/FFP in June 2017. After discussion and approval, the field work took place in 2017 between August (training of enumerators) and September (data collection). Gathered from 4 sampling frames, 64 villages were surveyed in Bandiagara and Douentza Cercles for data collection from beneficiaries involved in value chains (cowpea, goats, poultry), young people involved in the non-agricultural sector, agricultural livelihoods, and financial services. The results will be submitted with the SAPQ.
V. Challenges, Successes, and Lessons Learned
Successes Implementing projects through local partners has been able to facilitate program implementation even in the face of insecurity; Acceptance of program approaches by the target communities;
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In spite of the challenges involved in accessing water points during the rainy season, work has started at 13 sites out of the 25 planned; Due to Harande intervention in the region, the existing MAF’s which were initially resistant have accepted, for the first time, to take on youths (including young women) as apprentices who were either non-family members or were unable to pay apprentice fees. If these placements are successful in the long term, this practice will open up a wide range of new opportunities for youths without the family connections or financial resources traditionally needed to obtain apprenticeships in their communities. Harande will carefully monitor the safety of the young women apprentices to ensure that they are not subject to sexual harassment or other forms of gender-based violence on the job.
Challenges Challenges Solutions Status
Unstable security situation in Northern and Central Conducted regular security Resolved Mali monitoring and updated the security plan; Staff training in HEAT Limits to working on GBV topic in certain program Delayed these activities in the Pending areas community
Availability of a good Internet connection for field The Internet connection has been made available to the agents. agents and supervisors in order to: However, the instability of the Pending • send the routine data connections negatively affects their • edit/validate data in the system field work.
Delay in approval of FY17 PREP and full funding for Adapted implementation activities and timelines in conjunction with Resolved FY17 and FY18. FFP personnel. Delayed implementation of some Delay in the finalization of the PEA. Pending interventions.
Lessons Learned Given the way Misola flour distributions bring people together, they would be a great platform for reaching mothers of young children with messages on good nutrition practices and also to screen women and children under five for acute malnutrition; Based on experiences learned through similar programs in the region, Save the Children was hesitant to move forward with the registration and equipping of youth as part of the program’s activities without building in assurances for retention and commitment to program objectives. In other programs, youth have been registered and given equipment and then expected to maintain their businesses without making any major commitments to the program; VSLAs are a very good and effective approach that can contribute to supporting women’s empowerment and resilience in their communities;
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CFW activities can be implemented even in the rainy season, and the cash earned has been consistently used by participants to support their work in household farming and to buy needed medicine and other supplies; It is important to ensure that approaches involving engagement with government to ensure accountable service provision in a context where conflict is a significant problem that approaches used are sensitive to government constraints and weaknesses in these conditions; and Implementation of some approaches around women’s empowerment (reduction of GBV, girls’ education and healthy timing and spacing of births) may not be possible in some communities due to violence that could result from community discussion on these activities. However, it will still be possible to conduct some gender-sensitive approaches – such as organizing Engagement of Men groups around support of nutrition and health practices, and organization of VSLAs. Approaches such as these may be promoted to the extent possible.
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