Coordination Platform for Sustainable Pasture Management
A Pasture Coordination Platform was organized in Armenia as a horizontal management network among relevant stakeholders on national and sub-national level. Each party is represented by a spokesperson, who coordinates the functions of the party within the Platform and ensures information flow. A secretariat ensures the operation of the Platform. The rationale for creation of the Platform was the need to promote effective cooperation, exchange of information, as well as coordination of activities among the projects implemented in Armenia, focusing on sustainable management of natural fodder areas.
Since 2018 the Platform has evolved and now more than 10 organizations, institutions, projects and public administration bodies are involved in the Platform’s activities, aiming to ensure viability of programs and investments in the area of animal farming, increase economic opportunities of communities and support income growth of rural residents in Armenia. Key objectives of the Coordination Platform are:
Coordination, exchange of information exchange and experience, identification of potential cooperation areas
Implementation of joint projects, activities
Advocating and supporting development of relevant state policy and legislation promoting sustainable use and management of natural fodder areas
The platform has a clear aim: "to improve the situation/ livelihood of the rural population which depends on natural fodder areas while sustainably using and conserving these natural ecosystems”.
The need for coordination, cooperation and exchange was felt by parties both from government as well as non-government organizations.
A memorandum was officially signed to establish the platform.
All members have clearly distinguished functions.
Active participation of the community stakeholders in decision making and coordination of the local projects was crucial. Placing the local working groups in charge of the local implementation not only generated a high level of ownership of the project and ensured the engagement of the community.
The coordination with other development organizations on the local scale was a key factor. The harmonization of these different local interventions resulted in a comprehensive, positive change for the communities. Each intervention was complimented by the others and would not have achieved the same results as an isolated activity.
Based on the memorandum of understanding, the common interest and need of all stakeholders in the platform to cooperate increased their commitment and ensured the continuity of the process.
Multi stakeholder advisory bodies face high risks from unforeseen changes in governmental institutions or even within their own parties. The meticulous documentation of agreements and activities has proven to be an important measure for dealing with this risk.
Sample Structure of a WinS MOOC for school implementers
GIZ Fit for School
Large-scale capacity development embedded in the education system.
WinS Massive Open Online Courses are conducted to build management and leadership capacities of staff at the school and division levels. Between 2019 and 2021 a number of 22,500 educators have enrolled in the course.
Knowledge products such as manuals and videos are produced to provide practical implementation guidelines.
Seven International Learning Exchanges serve as capacity building through exchange of ideas and best practices to trigger action and improve implementation.
Training roll-out should consider long-term feasibility: by utilizing existing Ministry meeting structures (e.g. the district education advisor´s regular technical meetings with school principals) can keep costs at a minimum and help to focus the content into digestible chunks
When designing larger scale capacity measures, such as online courses for education sector personnel, best utilize existing Ministry platforms for training delivery and seek accreditation for the course as part of the development process to create in-system incentives for personnel to complete the course
Links between the Fit for School Concept and the SDGs
GIZ Fit for School
Alignment of relevant sectors (health & WASH) under the leadership of the education sector.
The program works on strengthening intersectoral working groups, setting clear roles and coordination mechanisms at all levels, integration of public health topics in education sector policies and structures, and provides platforms for international learning exchange.
A school health or WASH in schools policy serves as a solid basis for clarifying roles with other sectors and to coordinate collaboration.
A policy framework supports alignment and harmonization of development partner support.
Regular exchange and joint decision-making through e.g. a technical working group facilitates moving the topic foward and keeping all relevant actors involved.
Taking samples from a carcass in the forest - fully protected
Ilka Herbinger
Through a fully functioning integrated health monitoring system for people, habitat and habituated apes and other wildlife, an early warning system was created. The aim is to detect prevalent diseases early and prevent its spreading within wildlife or human population through improved collaboration with public health and civil society actors. The Health monitoring system comprises:
Health condition of habituated gorillas are monitored daily. The Primate Habituation Programme was started by WWF back in 1997 and is one of the main pillars of the conservation work in Dzanga-Sangha ever since. Habituation has started in Campo Ma'an since 4 years.
A variety of methods are used to investigate the spread of zoonotic pathogens in the natural habitat, such as collecting monthly faecal and urine samples from the gorillas and, less frequently, from mangabeys, collecting vectors such as carrion flies, and regularly taking swab and necropsy samples from carcasses. These are then analysed in the field laboratory.
Conservation and ecotourism employees and their families receive annual health checkups and vaccinations, and are closely monitored in suspected cases.
an operational field laboratory for the collection and analysis of samples from wildlife,
continous health monitoring of the habituated gorillas;
regular health monitoring of conservation and ecotourism staff and their families.
The long-term cooperation with RKI/HIOH has contributed to the professionalisation of the field laboratories through equipment, training and knowledge exchange.
Preventive health surveillance and the consideration of human, wildlife and habitat health within a One Health concept proved to be very effective in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. Quick and targeted intervention was possible.
Peer-to-peer training and knowledge exchange between the two sites has substantially improved performance in Campo Ma'an.
