Session 1B - Applying for a New International Program
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Session 1B - Applying for a New International Program - Joe Elsinger
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Session 1B - Applying for a New International Program
- 1. Applying for a New International Community Program with Joe Elsinger, P.E.
- 2. MISSION Engineers Without Borders USA builds a better world through engineering projects that empower communities to meet their basic human needs and equip leaders to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. VISION EWB-USA’s vision is a world in which every community has the capacity to sustainably meet their basic human needs. About EWB-USA Mission & Vision 2002 Year that EWB-USA was founded San Pablo, Belize Location of the first EWB-USA project 2.5 million Lives impacted since 2002
- 3. Learning Outcomes • Understand the project partnerships at the core of community programs • Understand the roles of NGOs, CBOs, and local governments in community programs • Understand the importance of obtaining community input during application process and reflecting it in the program application
- 5. Community-Based Organization (CBO) General Guidelines + Examples • Community- Based Organization = CBO • Must be located in the community and composed of community members • Examples of CBOs include: • water boards, community development committee, women’s committees, village councils, etc. • CBOs should be independent from local NGO partners • CBOs should understand and represent the overall community’s perspective, including their identified priorities and needs
- 6. • Direct involvement in: • Drafting problem statements • Defining program • Identifying & selecting projects • Design involvement • In-kind contributions • Financial contribution - at least 5% in cash for the total project cost • 100% of the project operation and maintenance CBO+ Community Members Roles and Responsibilities
- 7. • Ideally a pre-existing, established organization • Widespread support and respect in the community • Can “get things done” • Support logistics • Reliable points of contact • Help with data collection • Capable of direct and reliable communication with chapter Community-Based Organization (CBO) Identifying a Strong CBO
- 8. Local Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Partner General Guidelines • Non-governmental organization = NGO • “Local NGO” – The NGO must have a permanent presence in-country, including staff on the ground. • U.S.- based NGOs with no permanent presence in-country are not considered a “local NGO.”
- 9. • Capacity building / Train community members/CBO • Monitor project progress • Arrange translation services • Inform chapter about changes to security/safety situation • Visit community regularly • Support site preparations • Accompany travel team in community during visits • Provide logistical support to/from community • Serve as a liaison between chapter and community • Technical data collection Local NGO Partner Roles and Responsibilities
- 10. Local NGO Partner Identifying an NGO Partner • Permanent presence in-country (staff on the ground) • Established relationship with proposed partnering community, including an understanding of the community’s identified needs. • Not typically located within the community. • Should not be using EWB-USA to “enter” into a community. • Ability to guide community through the application and project process. • Capacity to support the chapter’s needs. This will be different for each chapter. • Capacity for direct and reliable communication with the chapter.
- 11. Local NGO Partner Questions to Consider • What is the NGO’s relationship with the community? • Is the NGO’s mission/vision in-line with EWB- USA’s? • What is the NGO’s capacity to support the chapter? • Would they require any payment in return for services provided to chapter? • What are the NGO’s expectations of the partnership?
- 12. Local Government Entity Definition • Represents people living in geographical area, such as a municipality, town, or district Examples • Mayor’s office, district governor Roles and Responsibilities • Similar role as a local NGO • Possible additional roles/responsibilities Reasons to engage local government • Basic infrastructure is an inherent and often explicit role of the government • Project may already be in plans for governmental projects
- 13. Addressing Expectations • Discuss expectations with potential project partners beforehand. • EWB-USA resources for addressing expectations include: • Assigned PE at EWB-USA HQ • Statement of Intent (at the end of the 501 application) • 511 – Roles & Responsibilities guideline • Program Criteria (501 instructions) • Cash Contribution FAQ • 902 – Project Partner Agreement • 903 – Implementation Agreement • 505 – Site Assessment Checklist
- 14. Community Involvement in Application Process How can the chapter and NGO involve the community in the application process and reflect this in the application? • Document interactions with community members. • Be sure that the outreach effort, whether conducted by an NGO or chapter, is broad and inclusive. • Try not to lead public opinion. • Explain the process to the community and share examples of 501s and letters of endorsement. • Help compile the information gathered for an application and translate it, if necessary.
- 15. Community Involvement in Application Process What role do the chapter and NGO have in filling out the 501 application for the community? • Successful projects mean happy chapters, NGOs, and communities. • Project success is ultimately dependent on the willingness of community members to participate in, and provide financial and logistical support for the selected project. • A 501 demonstrates the beginning of a relationship between the parties. • Chapters or NGOs can assist with preparing the 501, but they should document community opinion rather than projecting or interpreting. • The 501 should be the voice of the community.
- 16. Community Involvement in Application Process What is the purpose of the Community Letter of Endorsement and the Statement of Intent? • The Statement of Intent sets out the expectations that EWB-USA has of its potential partners. • The Statement of Intent must be signed by a community member; an NGO representative’s signature is not valid. • Provide examples of community letters for partners to review. • Community Letter of Endorsement should be sought from the CBO or other community representatives to indicate, in their own words, what they are seeking from a partnership and why.
- 17. ARC/501 Application Review General Information • The ARC (Application Review Committee) reviews program proposals submitted by communities. • A three-person ARC team reviews each new program application. • ARC team assignments are coordinated by Gretchen Smithwick, International Community Programs Manager. • ARC reviews of the 501 community program applications occur on a monthly basis.
- 18. ARC/501 Application Review Potential Red Flags • Unproven & inappropriate technologies. • Final design has already been determined. • Project not focused primarily on the needs of the community. • Weak or non-existent project partners, particularly CBOs. • Chapter and/or NGO clearly filling-out the 501 for the community. • Community “voice” or perspective not reflected in application. • Any other indicators that the community may not be driving the effort.
- 19. Appendix A – NGO-Owned Facilities Most EWB-USA projects are community-driven and community owned. However, we also support projects that focus on NGO-owned facilities, such as schools, clinics and orphanages. NGO-owned projects pose unique challenges: • Implementation, operations and maintenance are typically funded by a local or international NGO. • The applicant NGO is often the mouthpiece for primary beneficiaries. • Project ownership is with the NGO. • Host community engagement & support may be limited. • Special consideration for project viability and sustainability.
- 20. Appendix A – NGO-Owned Facilities Accordingly, applicants seeking assistance with NGO-owned facilities must complete Appendix A, and any application for an NGO-owned facility will not be considered complete without it. The issues include: • NGO’s past and future commitment to the facility • Monitoring by governmental agency • O&M costs and logistics • How will skilled and/or unskilled labor for project implementation be provided? • Participation in project design, implementation and upkeep by surrounding community. • 5% cash contribution • Identification of community linkages
- 21. GET IN TOUCH MAKE A DIFFERENCE Engineers Without Borders USA 1031 33rd Street, Suite 210 Denver, CO 80205 303-772-2723 www.ewb-usa.org info@ewb-usa.org facebook.com/ewbusa @EWBUSA youtube.com/ewbusa Photo: EWB-USA University of Colorado Boulder Chapter
Editor's Notes
- Introduction: Joe Elsinger, member of EWB since 2006 first as student and since 2009 as professional member. On ARC (Applic………..) since 2010, student chapter mentor, various other roles over the years.
- NOTES: EWB-USA’s mission is based on more than blueprints and measurements; it is based on real relationships and five-year partnerships with communities. EWB-USA does more than build latrines for communities -- they equip them to build and maintain latrines themselves, which ensures that the community will have sanitation solutions long after our five-year commitment is fulfilled.
- NOTES:
- NOTES: This is the partnership structure of EWB-USA programs. We form three-way or four-way partnerships, including: Community-Based Organization (CBO) and Community Members Local Partnership Organization(s) NGOs with LOCAL presence and LONG TERM in-country commitment. Local governmental authorities (municipal or district governments) EWB-USA Working with both a local NGO and the local government is encouraged. While chapters typically partner with a local NGO instead of the local government, we strongly encourage chapters to at least contact and communicate with the local government throughout the project process.
- NOTES:
- NOTES: Design responsibilities - handle permissions/permits/property rights, provide feedback, help select preferred design Provide in-kind contributions such as skilled and unskilled labor, borrowed equipment, transportation, translation, lodging and food, local materials Responsible for 100% of the financial and logistical aspects of O&M component of the project (NOTE: This may be fulfilled by the local government in some circumstances).
- NOTES: Ideally, community should not be starting a CBO (for example a water committee) as a result of a partnership with EWB-USA. The community should already be organized and this should already be in place. A good CBO partner should be able to make things happen: support logistics, reliable points of contact, aid in data collection While CBOs may be composed of a specific demographic, they should have widespread community support and respect that is broadly representative of the community, includes all ages, ethnicities, religions, women Chapter must be able to communicate with CBO contacts directly, not just through NGO. Communication plan involving direct contact with community members should be outlined in the 501.
- NOTES: U.S.-based NGOs can be the primary NGO partner only if they have a permanent presence in-country as well. The chapter should be able to communicate directly with staff in-country and not only U.S.-based staff.
- NOTES:
- NOTES:
- NOTES: 1) Mission-vision: Is the NGO "targeted" (water, bridges, schools, etc.) and does that impede its ability to ascertain and represent the community's interests? 2) Does the NGO (particularly a US-based NGO with a local presence) have a means or history of operating that could be a troubling precedent for an EWB chapter (such as direct financial support to families or individuals)
- NOTES: Roles and Responsibilities - Additional roles and responsibilities may include: partial or full financing of project, support from municipal engineer, knowledge of local laws/regulations, operation and maintenance support
- NOTES:
- NOTES: Community needs to own application just like they own project. Application process should reflect respect for the community rather than pity. The 501 should be an expression of a consultative process that might include minutes of community meetings, results of household surveys, emails or notes from phone conversations. Seek and consider the views of women, youth, elders and community leaders. Ask open-ended questions rather than offering a particular kind of expertise (“We’re here to build you a school”.) It is okay for NGOs and chapters to edit and clarify, but such efforts should always be in the service of clarity and accuracy.
- NOTES: 501 must accurately reflect the desires, resources, and limitations of the community and its NGO and governmental partners. It should establish a foundation of trust and respect between the participants. The 501 should not be written from the perspective of the chapter or the NGO nor should it reflect the preferences of outside parties. In the discussion of potential challenges or negative impacts, remember that this refers to the community’s situation and not the chapter’s logistics.
- NOTES: A community must be willing to make a written commitment to logistical, financial and material support of a project to attract the interest of chapters. It is understood that the “signature” may take alternative forms where communications are limited. An NGO representative’s signature is not valid unless the NGO will be the project owner and beneficiary (such as a school, clinic or orphanage). Community Letter of Endorsement may be typed or handwritten and translations should be provided where necessary. Letters may be provided from multiple groups or individuals within the community.
- NOTES: 1) Each ARC team has three members: An ARC Lead (volunteer) with experience reviewing program and project proposals An ARC Member (volunteer) An EWB-USA Staff Member 2) ARC reviews 501 to verify that the previously discussed expectations and EWB-USA’s established criteria for programs are met. The ARC team provides a thorough review with all comments to the applicant with the final decision whether the program is approved or declined (document 803).
- NOTES: ARC pays close attention to the big picture sustainable aspects of proposed projects – operation & maintenance and community ownership Primary beneficiary of projects should be the community partner and not others (NGO).
- NOTES: The applicant NGO is typically advocating on behalf of a group of people who would benefit from the facility, such as children; but the target group may not able to participate in the decision-making process or in project implementation or upkeep. Ownership of the project is not with a community, but with the partner NGO. There may be limited engagement by the host community with the proposed project, and limited local support for an EWB-USA chapter’s efforts. Long-term project viability and sustainability may be at risk if changes in security, NGO priorities or other circumstances affect outside donor funding.
- NOTES: NGO’s commitment includes financial support. The facility must be, or will be, legally registered and under monitoring by a government agency. The NGO and the facility staff must demonstrate support & take responsibility for all O&M costs and logistics. The NGO must contribute a minimum of 5% cash towards the construction costs of the proposed project as with all other EWB-USA projects. Any existing community linkages, such as Parent-Teacher Association or community support organizations, should be identified in the application. If possible, endorsements from these organizations should be provided.