GCI participates in US embassy workshop on project management
Global Conscience Initiative February 9 joined representatives of over a hundred NGOs from across the country for a one day workshop at the multi-purpose conference hall of the US embassy in Yaounde to discuss “NGO Project Management”. GCI's new Programme Director, Rafeena Bacchus represented the organisation.
The workshopshop organised by the US Embassy in Yaounde featured presentations from Kim Ahanda, Amadou Toukour, and Sylvie Ngoube of the US Peacecorps and focused on project design. The workshop focused on how to effectively design and manage community projects and the basis of writing effective project proposals and identified various social, political, economical and environmental problems affecting the civil society in Cameroon.
Global Conscience was paired with the World Wildlife Foundation and the duo tried to identify a problem, its causes and find probable solutions to the problem. The team then, using the guidelines from the workshop, defined a goal for the workshop project and then reviewed the basic characteristics of a good objective, reminded that good objectives must follow logically from the goal, and must describe the benefits of the project in specific, measurable terms.
Very importantly, workshop participants were informed that a good objective need (must) answer the following five questions:
- Who will benefit from the change? For whom is the change targeted?
- What needs to change?
- How much change is needed?
- Where will the change occur?
- When will the change occur?
Additionally, participants were informed that all good objectives must be “SMART”:
Specific : is you project objective clear and easy to conceptualize in operational terms?
Measurable - Can you evaluate, measure your project outputs against your objective?
Achievable - Can you achieve your stated objective within the project's timeframe, and available budget and resources?
Realistic - Can your objective be realistically tackled?
Timely (time bound) - Have you stated clearly when you want to complete your activities?
Thw workshop featured very lively discussions regarding what constitutes a proper objective; one that is specific and not to general. Participants also discussed the task to be accomplished in the project, the timeline and the resources required to meet up with the project goal. They were also informed that once the project is implemented, it must be monitored and evaluated. Projects are usually evaluated under five criteria: 1. Relevance 2. Efficiency 3. Effectiveness 4. Impact 5. Sustainability.
Lastly, participants were advised that an NGO requesting funding from the US Embassy ought to present its project in the terms discussed in the workshop. The workshop was over by 1.00 pm and the group has an opportunity to meet and greet with the various presenters. Overall, it was an informative session and GCI was happy to be in attendance.
