Objective:
To make action plans for implementing microprojects, with an emphasis on community ownership and management.
Method:
Assist the interest groups to complete a microproject activity plan, using large sheets of paper, preferably one sheet each for columns 1, 2 and 6.
How to facilitate:
1. Explain the objective of preparing a Microproject Activity Plan (MAP).
2. Pin up a copy of the MAP where everyone can see it and review the content by explaining the headings. Organise a note taker who will write down the agreed information.
3. Discuss the Microproject Goal. Ask the participants what concrete benefit they expect from this microproject idea. Remember the goal should be linked to the PAPP matrix, either solving a problem or the cause of a problem and, as much as possible, should build on successful livelihood strategies and potentials.
4. Column 1: MAJOR ACTIVITIES WE MUST UNDERTAKE TO ACHIEVE GOAL It is important to encourage people to think about this in a comprehensive way. Whenever we want do something new, we have to start by finding out how to do it - gathering information. There may be alternative ways to do something - how do we choose? We have to plan what resources we need and whether we already have them or need to buy them. Maybe this is affected by when we decide to start this activity. We may need to talk to people, arrange meetings or negotiate finance. We may need to get training and all these things may need to be done before we start our chosen activity.
Follow this same approach as you get the group to plan the activities they will need to undertake to implement this microproject. Example activities might be:
monitor progress
It may help to brainstorm suggestions on a separate large paper and then sort them into a series of logical steps. As a facilitator you should be familiar with typical steps for different microproject types and you should suggest any important ones that people have missed and explain why. If people are not used to making budgets, for example, they are unlikely to suggest it and you would need to do so. A list of possible steps is provided at the end.
5. Column 2: DETAILED STEPS OF HOW WE WILL DO EACH ACTIVITY This column must be very practical and cover all the small, specific steps that are needed to complete a particular activity. For example, to arrange training will involve contacting the relevant technical office or DA, planning how often they should meet, deciding where they should meet; to obtain information may involve a meeting with an expert or visiting another place to look at an example or reading a leaflet; to apply for a grant involves getting an application form, having a group discussion about the amount to apply for, deciding who will fill the form, organising all the supporting information, etc.
After completing this column for one major activity, it will be simplest to continue across the remaining columns and then come back to the next activity.
6. Column 3: WHICH OF US IN THE COMMUNITY WILL TAKE CHARGE? The important feature here is that a member of the group should be named to make sure that each detailed step is accomplished. This column should not contain the name of a government officer. Dialogue and liaison with government staff is essential throughout but the responsibility for ensuring that an activity is completed should rest with a member of the community. However, it is not enough to write the word “community” here because that means anybody and nobody. A specific person should be identified.
7. Columns 4-5 START AND FINISH DATES These must be realistic. The facilitator must get group members to decide exactly when they think they can do something, taking into account seasonal constraints and other commitments. This is very important for community microprojects which require physical labour - people must decide what it is practical for them to do. For income-generating microprojects, there may be a timetable dictated by the rains. However it will all depend when the planning begins and it may be necessary to take a longer term view and emphasise the importance of enterprise planning, market research and budgeting and the need to learn how to do this.
8. Column 6 WHAT PHYSICAL INPUTS WILL WE NEED This column simply requires a preliminary identification of goods and materials that may be needed. It should not include training which would appear as an activity if appropriate. If materials such as notebooks are required for the training then these are listed as inputs. It is not necessary to cost or quantify the inputs at this stage.
Detailed planning of input requirements will be done using the Time Plan for Input Requirements during the follow-up microproject planning meetings. This form sets the information out according to the weeks or months it will take to implement the microproject and facilitates identification of whether items can be provided locally or must be bought.
Duration: 2 h
Materials needed: Copy of completed PAPP- Matrix, marker, several big sheets of paper with prepared Microproject Activity Planning Format, Documentation Sheet.
EXAMPLE ACTIVITY STEPS FOR DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF MICROPROJECT
Community Microproject:
1. Presenting microproject idea to larger community and electing committee which will be in charge.
2. Obtaining technical advice and selecting system, construction method, varieties, etc.
3. Identifying the best physical location for any proposed development.
4. Determining what inputs are needed and preparing a detailed time plan for input requirements.
5. Deciding if inputs can be supplied in kind by the community or must be bought with cash and whether that cash can be raised locally in each time period.
6. Working out a management or maintenance plans.
7. Applying for a grant if additional funds are required.
8. Organising local materials and starting any physical construction work.
9. Purchasing inputs not available locally.
10. Completing the development work and implementing the management and maintenance plans.
11. Initiating educational programmes to teach people how to use / look after a facility.
12. Conducting monitoring and evaluation of the project.
Type A Household Microproject:
1. Establishing a representative group who can facilitate the selection of vulnerable households to receive support as part of this microproject.
2. Reconfirming the selection of the priority intervention type for a given community group, e.g., fuel saving stoves, mosquito nets, latrines.
3. Selecting the households for whom this intervention is desirable and who need support.
4. Working out the funds necessary to buy items that are needed by each household for this type of intervention.
5. Making an application to the Woreda FSCD for CDF funds if required.
6. Organising awareness-raising and training activities for beneficiary households.
7. Following up to ensure beneficiary households implement the planned interventions.
Type B Household Microproject:
1. Selecting vulnerable households to participate in capacity building workshops to analyse their livelihood options and learn appropriate skills to introduce changes or new enterprises.
2. Arranging learning groups to study enterprise planning and money management or technical production skills.
3. Conducting a survey to identify the input requirements of group members in order to assist the cooperative in calculating and ordering the items that should be stocked.
4. Arranging a meeting with the cooperative committee to discuss a system of deferred share capital payment or group membership so that very poor households are not prevented from using the services of the cooperative society.
5. Arranging a meeting with a microfinance institution to learn about their credit rules and application procedures.
6. Finding out about setting up a savings and credit group to support their enterprise plans.
7. Ensuring that technical support is continually offered to households to implement their plans.
MICROPROJECT ACTIVITY PLAN
Kushet/Gott: ___________ Tabia/Kebelle: ______________ Group: _________________
Date of Meeting: ______ Facilitator: __________ (Please record names of community members participating in this meeting)
Goal for this specific microproject: _______________________________________________
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MAJOR ACTIVITIES WE |
DETAILED STEPS OF HOW WE WILL |
WHICH OF US IN |
START |
FINISH |
WHAT PHYSICAL |
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Documentation Sheet for Preliminary Microproject Plan
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Name of location: kebelle /tabia kushet/gott |
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Date: |
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Name of note-taker: |
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Total number of participants: |
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Name of facilitator/s: |
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Number of men |
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Method used: |
Microproject Activity Plan |
Number of women |
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Group composition (e.g. landless, female headed HH..): |
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What was good? |
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What was difficult? |
Please, do not forget to attach a Copy of the Microproject Activity Plan
