CCRDA/Sida joint program project implementing partners (PIPs) conducted a bi-annual program review workshop here at the head office from 29-30 July, 2010.
The workshop was aimed at reviewing the 2010 first six-month project progress, discussing observed challenges and problems, sharing experiences and best practices and arriving at common understanding on the way forward.
During the course of the two-day review workshop 22 PIPs engaged in Environmental Development and Protection as well as HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control projects made presentations on the progress of their respective projects.
Thorough discussions were made on each presentation and participants of the workshop exchanged experiences and best practices in their respective fields of engagement.
Opening the workshop, Ato Kiflemariam G/Wold, Special Advisor to CCRDA’s Executive Director, said such events are quite important venues where project implementing partners could freely exchange experiences and best practices among themselves.
He said PIPs are expected to come up with innovative ideas and strong proposals to sustain collaborations with Sida/CCRDA in the years ahead.
Ato Mesfin Mengistu, CCRDA/Sida HIV/AIDS and Environment Program Coordinator gave briefings on the progress of PIP projects at Head Office level. The coordinator indicated efforts made facilitation for additional funds, capacity building efforts, challenges encountered, lessons learnt and the way forward.
Concerning the progress at the Head Office level, Ato Mesfin indicated that a proposal has been prepared and submitted to Sida for the third time project extension period.
An agreement has been signed for the release of the total secured fund amounting to SEK 6,000,000 (Birr 11,001,600), he said. In consideration of the consent fund 22 PIPs have been requested and mentored to submit proposals for the third time project extension period.
With regard to facilitation for additional budget, Ato Mesfin noted that a proposal has been submitted to Sida office for additional budget of SEK 2,500,000 (Birr 4.6 million).
Speaking on the challenges and problems faced at the Program Office level, Ato Mesfin said lack of long term budget commitment with Sida, staff turnover in some of the PIPs as well as lack of quality and timeliness in reports, account settlement and other project related information were some of the challenges witnessed in the third time project extension period implementation.
The two-day workshop has reached on consensus on several issues as the way forward. In this regard, participants underlined the need to expedite the signing of an agreement with Sida for the additional budget.
