Archive for: Ongoing

Training and support services to the DG ECHO staff and partners


Supply of training and support Services to the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO)

For over 15 years we have been supporting The Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) so as to facilitate a proper and transparent management of humanitarian interventions and an efficient and effective collaboration between the donor (EU) and the funding recipients (NGOs, International Organisations and Member States’ Specialised Agencies)



This service contract has been requested by the Directorate General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) to provide training and support services to its staff and to its Partners’ Organisations staff.
PuntoSud is acting as HumaniTrain consortium leader and as main expert the EU Humanitarian Partnership Certificate 2021-2027, the FFPAs, the FAFA and other relevant DG ECHO rules and procedures. Instituto de estudios sobre Conflictos y Accion Humanitaria (IECAH) and Groupe Urgence Rehabilitation Developpement (Groupe URD) add their specific knowledge and expertise on thematic policies related to the Humanitarian Aid Sector. Lattanzio KIBS (Lattanzio KIBS) is specialized in management of digital learning programmes and Learning Management System, including the EU Academy platform.

Thanks to their different experiences and skills, this group of organisation is providing a wide spectrum of support services, in English, French and Spanish, through a variety of tools, which include:

  1. Classroom training: designed and delivered for DG ECHO Partners and staff in an online virtual modality and when requested, face-to-face, in Europe and the field. They focus on EU Humanitarian Partnerships with regard of partnership rules, project cycle and procedures and on DG ECHO thematic policies. Objective of these courses is that participants (DG ECHO and implementing agencies staff) acquire a good knowledge of the policies and procedures, know how to apply them correctly in their daily work and have a better mutual knowledge of each other’s roles and responsibilities. All the classroom training material is constantly reviewed and updated, taking into account eventual new rules or guidelines issued by DG ECHO, the evaluation reports provided by trainers and participants, the latest developments in the adult training methodologies.
  2. eLearning modules: designed and accessible online (in English, French and Spanish), to provide information and insights on specific topics at participants’ pace. They are designed using a variety of tools and methods that allow engaging lectures (videos, interviews, checklists, etc.) and more interactive sessions (knowledge tests, scenarios, discussion panels, etc.). eLearning modules are constantly reviewed and updated, taking into account eventual new rules or guidelines issued by DG ECHO, the evaluation reports provided by participants
  3. Webinars: provide swift information and updates to the target audience about novelties and specific requirements.
  4. Workshops and seminars: designed and delivered face-to-face, for experienced practitioners of DG ECHO Partners and staff, in Europe and in the field, to allow deeper interaction and exchange of ideas.
  5. Helpdesk website: a dedicated website for self-learning targeting ECHO’s partners has been developed to explain the main rules and procedures of project management. The added value of the helpdesk website is its organisation per topic, regardless the source of the information provided (legal framework, guidelines, fact sheets, FAQ, policy documents, etc.), to allow complete understanding of a specific issue without the need to browse all available documentation. The content of the Helpdesk website is constantly enriched with new documentation and supporting tools, as soon as they become available.
  6. Helpdesk mail service: through this email, PuntoSud provides day-to-day support to DG ECHO Partners’ staff, replying to questions related to administrative, legal, financial and procedural aspects in the management of DG ECHO-funded projects.



Mondo


World Wide


WEBSITE






BENEFICIARIES

  • DG ECHO staff, working in Brussels or at field level
  • Staff belonging to Partner Organisations (including NGOs,
  • International Organisations, Member State Specialised Agencies, United Nations Agencies)
  • Other stakeholders (Auditors, Staff from Humanitarian Procurement Centers or Implementing Partners, etc.)


PROJECT BUDGET
12.722.170 EUR



YEARS
2003 – 2027



SECTORS OF INTERVENTION  

Capacity building and professional training, Civil society, Humanitarian aid/Emergency



SDGs
4 Quality Education


THE HISTORY OF THE PROJECT



SHORT DESCRIPTION

In 2003 PuntoSud starts its long-lasting cooperation with DG ECHO participating into two capacity development projects financed by DG ECHO and promoted by Solint Forum, a consortium of Italian NGOs (CISP, COOPI, COSV, Intersos and Movimondo). Both grants aimed to support DG ECHO partners in preparing and implementing humanitarian projects and programmes by facilitating the correct and timely application of the Framework Partnership Agreement financial and contractual rules and procedures, as well accountability principles and best practices in Humanitarian Aid.

From 2005 onwards PuntoSud continues its support to the DG ECHO implementing other consecutive capacity development grants  with the creation of the famous ‘Trenino’, a manual providing Humanitarian Organizations with clear procedural and operative information for the management of DG ECHO funded projects under the FPA 2003-2007. Moreover a Training package was developed for internal training. PuntoSud also cooperated for the preparation of a ‘project compiler, a prototype of the eSingle form for the the preparation of narrative and financial reports. Several FPA trainings targeting Humanitarian Operators were delivered. In 2006 a permanent Helpdesk was set up together with the helpdesk website (the “Track”)

PARTNERS & PROJECTS

Capacity building grants:

  • Monitoring and Evaluation in Humanitarian Aid: Quality Procedures (with Solint forum)
  • Development of integrated project and financial management tools in conformity with the 2003 FPA (with Solint Forum)
  • Supporting the quality approach in humanitarian aid: creation of an helpdesk and development of PCM based tools relating to the application of the FPA
  • Quality partnership in humanitarian aid:provision and consolidation of the PuntoSud-helpdesk website and supporting activities
  • Building capacity of DG-ECHO Partners through the PuntoSud helpdesk website – phase out FPA 2003-2007

PROJECT BUDGET

653.665 EUR

SHORT DESCRIPTION

The aim of this Framework Contract was to support DG-ECHO partners in preparing and implementing projects and programmes by facilitating the correct and timely application of the Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) 2008 financial and contractual rules and procedures, as well accountability principles and best practices in Humanitarian Aid.

The action enabled PuntoSud to develop a comprehensive set of tools which virtually cover all the phases of the project cycle, from the inception period (planning & design) to the end of the project (reporting, monitoring and evaluation). At the same time the project gave the opportunity to set up a permanent helpdesk: a working group at disposal of partners, to deliver support, via email, on humanitarian issues.

PARTNERS

MDF Training & Consultancy Brussels

Istituto Studi Politica Internazionale – ISPI

Particip GmbH

PROJECT BUDGET

3.668.505 EUR

SHORT DESCRIPTION

Continuation of activities implemented in the previous contract to support DG-ECHO partners in preparing and implementing projects and programmes by facilitating the correct and timely application of the FPA 2014 contractual rules and procedures.

PARTNERS 

MDF Training & Consultancy Brussels

Istituto Studi Politica Internazionale – ISPI

Particip GmbH

PROJECT BUDGET

3.551.493,00 EUR

SHORT DESCRIPTION

Continuation of the activities implemented in the previous contract to support DG-ECHO partners in the preparation and implementation of projects and programs by facilitating the correct and timely application of contractual rules and procedures.

PARTNERS 

Particip GmbH

MDF Training and Consultancy

Instituto de estudios sobre Conflictos y Accion Humanitaria – IECAH

Groupe Urgence Rehabilitation Developpement – Groupe URD 

PROJECT BUDGET

2.800.000,00 EUR

SHORT DESCRIPTION

Continuation of the activities implemented in the previous contract to support DG-ECHO partners in the preparation and implementation of projects and programmes by facilitating the correct and timely application of contractual rules and procedures.

PARTNERS 

Instituto de estudios sobre Conflictos y Accion Humanitaria – IECAH

Groupe Urgence Rehabilitation Developpement – Groupe URD 

Lattanzio KIBS 

PROJECT BUDGET

2.048.507  EUR


  • €2.800.000

    project budget

CONNECTING: OTHER PROJECTS

NOPLANETB: Bridging science and society to foster inclusive transition strategies

NOPLANETB is a project funded by the European Commission under the DEAR program, in which PuntoSud is the lead organization. The other EU countries involved are: Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Estonia. 210 selected small sized CSOs in these 8 countries will receive financial and capacity building support, involving local authorities, to promote science-based solutions and just transition practices and policies. Final beneficiaries of the action will be disengaged citizens, including marginalised and vulnerable groups

Read more

Capacity building and follow up services for the empowerment of the beneficiaries awarded through the call “Reazioni” promoted by Compagnia di San Paolo

As part of the “Reactions” call to action launched by the Compagnia di San Paolo, PuntoSud was contracted to accompany a capacity building and follow-up program for the empowerment of the beneficiaries of the grant and to provide them with support in the implementation and reporting of supported projects.

Read more

Zero in conduct: in-formative actions driven by young people, teachers and citizens to reduce environmental impact

Aim of the project is to provide tools and new spaces of dialogue in order to help the actors of the formal and informal field activate themselves through educational and training activities to fight climate change, after deeply understanding its mechanisms

Read more

Civil society and human rights in Eswatini


Civil Society Platform for Inclusiveness

In Eswatini we support human rights associations through the promotion of knowledge and participatory methods, thus facilitating the work of local networks and the interaction between different public and private entities operating in the African country.



Civil Society Platform for Social Inclusiveness’ recognises that while the Kingdom of Eswatini has ratified all international human rights conventions, including ICCP and MESKP, as well as recognized several of these rights in the Constitution, the actual implementation of the provisions contained in the documents is lagging behind. This has been recognized by several international human Rights (HR) monitoring systems, such as UPR, CEDAW and ICRC.
The project recognized the need for coordinated and joint action of concerned CSOs to demand necessary reforms, and builds on the position of CANGO as NGO umbrella organisation, with existing active structures especially the Governance & Human Rights Consortium under CANGO. The project also recognises the technical competency of punto.sud in strengthening CSOs in Eswatini. The proposed project proposal stems from the contacts and the joint effort of the lead applicant, CANGO, and the co-applicant Fondazione punto.sud. Even if this is the first time the two organisations collaborate in the submission of a project proposal, its rationale is however consistently based on the previous collaboration in the frame of the EU funded project ‘Fostering Collaboration and Communication for the benefit of Swazi civil society’ ended in April 2017. The design of learning programmes for civil society organisations in Eswatini, together with CANGO, allowed punto.sud to better understand the civil society in the country as well as the difficulties they face in promoting and defending human rights and in consolidating the democratic governance and accountable principles. This also facilitated the organisation of a tailored learning programme based on their interests and needs with the aim to enhance their capacities to access and manage funding, as well as their strategic planning skills. On the other hand, the focus on accountability and transparency in the learning programme led to highlight other areas where the two organisations could collaborate.

Fully in line with the EU-EIDHR objectives, the main change the proposed project aims at achieving is the consolidation of a culture of inclusivity and tolerance in the country, which is able to facilitate the discussions and the exchanges among various stakeholders, including civil society organisations, government institutions, traditional leaders and others. This is meant to engage on the key relevant issues related to the enforcement of the democratic governance in the country, and in particular of the freedom of expression and of assembly, bridging the existing gaps in the communication among the stakeholders and reducing the differences among the interests at stake. This is believed to contribute concretely to set the basis for a more conducive environment, where human rights are protected, promoted and enjoyed, as well as gender equality and empowerment of women is fostered.


Africa


Eswatini


WEBSITE




DONOR
European Commission – Directorate-General for Internal Cooperation & Development (EIDHR)



BENEFICIARIES

  • CANGO Consortia members, governmental institutions, traditional authorities, citizens and communities in Eswatini, and their families particularly the most vulnerable to human rights violations such as women.


PROJECT BUDGET
485.922 EUR



YEARS
2020 – 2023



SECTORS OF INTERVENTION  

Advocacy/Awareness raising/Comunication, Capacity building and professional training, Civil society, Gender equality, Human rights and Governance/Accountability



SDGs
SDGs Reduced Inequalities


SHARING: OTHER PROJECTS



  • €100.000

    project budget

  • 125

    primary school students

  • 250

    parents

  • 20

    teachers

SHARING: OTHER PROJECTS

Engaging young rural European citizens in a gender responsive approach to soil protection

The ‘Rural voices’ project, involving 12 organizations across 14 European countries, operates in rural communities by experimenting with a new learning-centered approach for non-formal education in rural areas. It will engage 21 million young European rural citizens, locally and globally, in sustainable development efforts within their communities. PuntoSud will handle the financial support management.

Read more

Training of candidate volunteers of the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps

The European Solidarity Corps programme aims to provide young people, including those with fewer opportunities, with easily accessible opportunities for engagement in solidarity activities, while improving and validating their competences.

Read more