Some of the key activities SMIP will be undertaking this year include the following;
Working with MfI Network Members: This year, SMIP will place more emphasis on on-the-job training opportunities. Consequently, allocations have been made to involve MfI network members (particularly the MfI Associates) in field work with pro-poor initiatives. Members will be notified for forthcoming opportunites through ERIL and invited to express their interest in joining the different activities scheduled for both eastern & southern Africa.
Implementing MfI: Much of the focus this year will be on the action learning sites in Lesotho and Tanzania. Detailed implementation plans are almost finalised and activities will begin in April. This will involve working with the two IFAD supported projects to implement MfI on a holistic basis. Additionally, technical support will be provided to a number of other initiatives, including;
- Training of the Department of Social Development (DSD) in the Northern Cape, South Africa as part of the Social Impact Assessment Tool process. If successful, this training could result in the use of MfI by other regions in southern Africa; and
- The use of MfI in the development of M&E systems of the Right-to-Work pilot projects (a component of the Second Economy Strategy of the Presidency, South Africa)
- Working with the Zanzibar Agricultural Sector Development Programme (ASSP and ASDP-L) to develop the Programme monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system.
- Support to project partners of Diakonia Sweden on MfI as part of their two- year capacity enhancement of the monitoring, reflection and learning processes
Documenting Lessons & Experiences: This year, SMIP will be working with the MfI network members, as well as other stakeholders that have been involved in implementing MfI to document lessons & experiences. A key event in this regard will be a "write-shop", scheduled for July
Sharing Knowledge: We've also realised that there's much more we could do with this site, ERIL. We're currently developing a new (and hopefully exciting) way in which we will be using the site and sincerely hope that you will all actively participate!
We're very much looking forward to an exciting new year & working with our network members & other partners to bring about change in the way in which we think about and seek to realize positive impact in the region!
