FINAL REPORT: DEMOCRACY SMALL GRANT FOR Al-ZAHRA

UNCLAS SANAA 000097 SIPDIS FOR NEA/PPD: DMACINNES AND JDAVIES, NEA/RA:BKEARY, NEA/ARP: MMILLER, NEA/PPD: TROBERTS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM KPAO AFIN KWMN PHUM YM DEMOCRATIC REFORM SUBJECT: FINAL REPORT: DEMOCRACY SMALL GRANT FOR Al-ZAHRA ASSOCIATION REF: A) STATE 187026 B) SANAA 5295 ¶1. Al-Zahara Association, Dhamr governorate, has concluded its project titled "Training and Capacity Building for NOGs". The duration of the project was from 23-31 August 03. Thirty-two participants from Dhamar and Albaida governorates attended the workshop and learned about NGO management, administration, planning, writing projects and budgeting. ¶2. PAO and PAS attended the opening ceremony in Dhamar governorate on August 12, 03. The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Secretary of Dhamar governorate, representatives from the Ministry of Social Affairs and civil society NGOs in Dhamar. ¶3. PAS attended three sessions of the training. The selected trainers were capable in engaging the trainees using participatory approaches. The trainees were enthusiastic, willing to learn and apply what they have learned in their practical experience. During the break, PAS talked to trainees who expressed their thanks for being included in this training as it increases their knowledge and shows them best practices to insure quality work in NGOs. ¶4. The training was especially useful to those participants coming from Al-Baida governorate, a very tribal area where NGO work is very limited and inexperienced. These participants learned the most as this was the first training they ever attend which helped them to identify weakness areas within their NGO's and work on improving plans based on what they have learned at the workshop. ¶5. At the end of the workshop, an evaluation was distributed to the participants to evaluate the program as a whole. ¶6. Outcome: Strengths Workshop facilities, administration, and management were very efficient. Trainers were good communicators and knowledgeable about the subject. Training used participatory methods to maximize learning benefits. ¶7. Weaknesses: Follow up of participants' progress after the completion of the workshop to measure the improvement was not consistent. Female participants were coy and needed to be encouraged consistently to speak out. HUll