Translations into Russian Language

Welcome to our first newsletter in 2007.

We have been very active in developing MethodFinder in the past months, having worked on programming MethodFinder to be more efficient and effective. This has meant that we have not been able to work as hard as usual on formulating new methods. Nevertheless, we have managed to develop a few new methods and have also translated a number of methods and applications examples into Russian language.

New methods and application examples:

1. Method: Development Funds:

Development & social funds have become increasingly popular instruments for many donor organisations to deliver safety nets. Funds originated as a response to the shocks that accompanied structural adjustment programmes and economic crisis in the 1990's.

Since then, the instrument has grown and evolved rapidly. Over time, emphasis has shifted from emergency relief to more general development-oriented programmes and projects, and objectives have shifted from short term to longer term, focusing on facilitating "community driven development". At present, social funds exist in over 50 countries world wide: in Latin America and the Caribbean, in at least 24 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and about a dozen in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Social Funds are typically created as new agencies, often outside the realm of a ministry. Even in cases where they are set up within a ministry, they are still granted a relatively high degree of independence with regard to normal bureaucratic procedures. Social Funds can be viewed along a spectrum with varying degrees of being demand-driven, autonomy, execution responsibility, community participation, financing mechanism (loans or grants) and varying sectors and activities. A Social Fund is not a substitute for fundamental financial or institutional reforms in the economy.

The Russian translation includes 4 different application examples:
Development funds, Development Funds in South Caucasus, South Armenia and North Armenia.

Link:
http://www.methodfinder.net/index.php?page=methoddetail&methodID=68&cat=download

2. Capacity building for democratic local governance

Democratic governance is a multi-faceted concept encompassing all aspects of the exercise of authority through formal and informal institutions in the management of the resource endowment of a state. Sustainable development requires professionals with adequate knowledge and competence, well functioning organisations and a conducive legal and institutional framework. Capacity building is a core method to achieve the overall goal of sustainable development. The method provides practical approaches how capacity can be generated at the local (village) and sub-national levels (district or province). The method highlights how a capacity building programme intends to improve upon local democracy, accountability, inclusiveness and responsiveness and thereby on the improved delivery of services. The method depicts an approach how to enable and qualify the local population and their organisations, local self-governments and government administrations to perform their rights and responsibilities with increasing quality, ultimately improving upon their co-operation and co-ordination in development management and governance.

Link:
http://www.methodfinder.net/index.php?page=methoddetail&methodID=73&cat=download

3. Business Consultancy Fund:

New market economies often offer few business development services and are poorly equipped to support the needs of emerging micro and small enterprises. To assist micro and small enterprises (MSEs) succeed in these environments, business centers and other advisory mechanisms must provide appropriate, targeted services. These services should fit the unique needs of MSE owners and strengthen entrepreneurial, managerial and technical skills. Despite the clear need for business advisory mechanisms, in most nascent market economies, MSE-targeted advisory services are not in high demand because: (i) entrepreneurs have no experience accessing expert advice and thus do not understand its benefits; or (ii) MSE owners cannot afford to pay for business consultancy services.

Though a variety of institutional models can be used, in countries transitioning to market economies, BCFs are most often established separate and apart from governmental departments. In this case, the BCF does not hold the same legal status as a governmental entity and does not hold state registration, but is rather a voluntary instrument established by development organizations. The Fund is regulated by a set of bylaws or “BCF Regulations” and other documents approved by the relevant parties.

Link:
http://www.methodfinder.net/index.php?page=methoddetail&methodID=74&cat=download

4. Strengthening Civil Society Organizations in Good Governance Processes

A critical focus of development projects in countries transitioning to democracy has become the strengthening of civil society. Civil society organizations are viewed as both an important check on, and complement to, the exercise of government power. Depending on the political and social realities of the country civil society organizations (CSOs) may play myriad roles, including watchdog, advocate, agitator, educator, and social service provider. Given the range of CSO activities, it is not surprising that the overall civil society sector does not have a uniform relationship with state bodies. The interests advanced by individual CSOs may correspond or clash with those of the State, depending on the individual organization's agenda

Providing an effective capacity building training necessarily begins with a thorough and reliable identification of the potentials, weaknesses and needs of local civil society entities. Following the initial identification of all CSOs in the project area, a comprehensive needs assessment will identify both organizations which would benefit from capacity building training and appropriate training topics. Trained professional facilitators will then be able to provide targeted training to CSO representatives which will meet their specific needs and empower CSOs to engage civil society more fully in community affairs. The method proposes a process that strengthens the role of civil society in good governance processes. Compared to many other civil society programs, it takes a wide view of civil society, working with more than just formally registered NGOs. It focuses on certain functions that civil society groups can perform in a good governance system rather than their legal forms.

Link:
http://www.methodfinder.net/index.php?page=methoddetail&methodID=77&cat=download

5. Establishment of a credit programme

In countries in transition, many micro-entrepreneurs lack access to working capital. Without adequate working capital, entrepreneurs’ abilities to expand their businesses, create an inventory, and overcome short-term cash flow problems are severely restricted. Field studies have shown that most entrepreneurs believe that money alone will solve all their problems. They are often unaware of other important success factors. Few entrepreneurs trust commercial banks and most are reluctant to seek bank assistance. Even if bank lending was readily available and in demand, most new small businesses cannot post the collateral necessary to obtain a loan. Although credit is often available from moneylenders, the interest rates are prohibitive, ranging from ten to twenty percent per month.

In rural areas a significant portion of the population in transition countries derive their livelihoods from rural income-generating activities: these may include animal husbandry, market gardening, and crop production, etc. Newly privatized land is often under-utilized as farmer's lack the resources to procure the necessary inputs. For most of the rural population, it is difficult to obtain financing to expand rural businesses. The expansion of rural production is also limited by the lack of market outlets for produce. Processing facilities for primary products to add-value are few and far between.

Under such circumstances, the implementation of a tailor-made credit programme as an (integral) part of regional economic and rural development projects can be particularly beneficial as it disburses capital directly to needy target groups.

Link:
http://www.methodfinder.net/index.php?page=methoddetail&methodID=79&cat=download