Findings and Observations After the Training Component of the Program

GEORGIA 15 organizations visited

New project partners:The British CouncilCSRDG

Contacts established with:US AID People in Need UN Global Compact IOM and others.

ARMENIA14 organizations visited. We

Contacts established with:Armenian Relief FundMinistry of Social Affairs The State Employment Service Agency VivacellHSBC and others

33 participants

17 organizations

Half from regions

3 trainers

2 EPF representatives

1 interpreter

58 pages of manual

Snow, but melted 

ARMENIA

28 participants

Half from regions

15 organizations

3 trainers

1 EPF representatives

2 interpreters

61 pages of manual

Snow on the horizon

GEORGIA

Major international donors are exitingNGOs are aware of itLocal philanthropic resources are scarce Philanthropic tradition poorNGOs are generally well trusted by the publicNGOs are eager to engage in income generating actionTheir planning is inadequate and so is their management

MAJOR FINDINGS AND OBSERVATIONS

Major findings and observationsMajor findings and observations

Many NGOs in the region have been through dozens of training.

Most trainings, however, focused on knowledge and information.

Few on developing skills of how to apply knowledge in practice.

This is apparent in all areas touched during the training:

marketing, public relations,fundraising, management, communications,

and even more importantly networking and advocacy.

MAJOR FINDINGS AND OBSERVATIONS

Most NGOs in both countries were not sure about the legislation governing their income generating activities.

Some participants were distrustful to share their SE ideas .

NGOs are not used to working together, building coalitions etc.

Vast majority of NGOs recognizes the need to advocate some legislative changes to support SE.

MAJOR FINDINGS AND OBSERVATIONS

Both trainings were followed by a day of individualized consultations to participants.

The “grant-driven” mindset is still strongly predominant.

Switching to more “entrepreneurial” mindset will require some time and targeted effort.

It was quite apparent that participants are not aware of how to use consultants and how to contract with them.

MAJOR FINDINGS AND OBSERVATIONS

“When I came, I was not sure whether there is the legal entity social enterprise. I did not know any. Now I know there is no such legal entity, but still, many NGOs are starting to do social enterprise or are planning to do it.”

“Most useful was business planning, marketing and testing products.”

“To me, practical group work was most useful.”

“I really appreciated interactive activities, analytical tools and all practical skills.”

“SE will become more common. This will make business more civilized and it will introduce more layers into society.”

Organic food distribution network for local farmersArt pieces and souvenirsMilk products from Kacheti regionCleaning streeets by people with mental disability in TbilisiBakery and food production by IDP women in GoriPotato storageWeb designingGolden souvenirs made by youth and tourists together in LataliPress stop in Telavi

GEORGIA

KindergardenWedding/birthday/funeral servicesPotato chipsAccounting and legal servicesGlowes productionTraditional linen in GorisTaxi service capable of serving people in wheelchairs in JerevanWooden souvernirs in ChambarakE-shop for people with disability who work at homeBed and breakfast u Alaverdi

ARMENIA

All training participants can use on-line consultation.Participants will submit business plans for their SE for seed-grant support.Four winning SE plans will be selected for seed support of up to USD 8,000 each in each country.Eight wining project representatives will come to Czech Republic for a week study tour.Seven to ten days of follow-up in-country intervention will take place. CCF and RA will continue ongoing discussions with all partners.

2010