QUARTERLY TECHNICAL REPORT 1. Project Profile Organization name Youth Activists Initiative Organization (YAIO) Contact Address Po Box 2529, Blantyre Email: yai.org2003@yahoo.com Project Title Increasing young people and women Contract number of the project with Tilitonse: participation and voice in Blantyre City TIL-CB2-16-033-G Person(s) preparing this report: / responsible for the contract Reporting Quarter and Year Tony Khanyepa (Executive Director) July 2016 to September 2016
2. Introduction Youth Activists Initiative Organization (YAIO), a Blantyre based youth organization, with funding from Tilitonse Fund is implementing a project called Increasing young people and women participation and voice in Blantyre City. The project is aiming at bridging the gap that exist among the young people, women and the duty bearers by creating a common ground for ward councillors and members of parliament to collaborate in dutifully serving their constituents. This project is also working towards building the capacity of the young people and women in advocacy and policy dialogue, enabling them to responsibly and continually engage duty bearers at various levels within their constituency and ward in a bid to influence much needed change. In addition, the project will increase the young people and women voices towards claiming their rights. Their active participation and inclusion will be achieved through engagement and dialogue thereby ensuring increased transparency and accountability on all wards and constituency affairs. The project will also facilitate the strengthening of accountability structures and other organisations at ward and constituency level in order to promote collaboration hence ensure increase in young people and women s voice for action. Goal of Project To lobby for the inclusion of young people and women to participate in the designing, implementation and monitoring of CDF and LDF projects Purpose of Project To increase young people and women participation and voice in Mbayani, Chilomoni and Blantyre central wards to claim their rights to CDF and LDF projects through dialogue and engagement Implementation Area The project is targeting 6,000 young people and women in 3 wards (Mbayani, Chilomoni and Blantyre Central wards) which are in Kabula and Blantyre City West constituencies, Traditional Authority Machinjiri in Blantyre City to ensure that their views are taken into account. Key/Expected Results/Outputs 1. Young people and women empowered with knowledge and skills to claim and defend their rights to CDF and LDF. 2. Improved dialogue and engagement among young people, women and duty bearers. 2
Project Partners No Name of Partner Role In project 1 Mass Media (Newspaper, radio and Television) Nation publication, Times Radio, houses Times TV, Capital Radio, Nyasatimes, FM 101 Power, Ufulu Radio, MBC TV and MBC Radio One) were involved in information dissemination during project activities. The project activities were featured 15 times in News bulletins and special programs like Youth Roots and Culture on FM 101 power and Ticheze ndi Achinyamata on Times radio. 2 Department of youth 3 Social Welfare Department 4 Duty bearers(blantyre City authorities, Ward Councellors, tradional and opinion leaders): 5 Kabula Zone Youth Network and Zingwangwa Youth Network Involved in identifying young people and youth groups/structures in the targeted wards and encourage their effective involvement and participation on decision making process on issues that affect their day to day lives and the community they live in. Helped in identifying women and other excluded social groups in the targeted areas to enhance their active involvement in the project and active involvement and participation in the development activities in their communities Helped in identifying and mobilizing local resources i.e. local developmental community structures and involvement of community leaders who also provided reassurance for equal participation Involved in mapping of existing groups and their potential and influence to contribute to the achievement of projects goal 3. Summary of Activities implemented and result achived in the quarterly. Project Launch The project was launched on the 29 th July 2016 at Kings Table Garden in Blantyre Central ward. The activity was aimed at raising public awareness about the project in the targeted area and for the general awareness of the project. The launch was attended by 37 people (27 males & 10 females) coming from different sections ranging from youth groups, community based organizations, local development committees, the clergy, traditional leaders, youth officer, city authorities and the guest of honour was the Mayor for the City of Blantyre Mr Noel Chalamanda who is also the counsellor for Blantyre Central ward where the launch took place. The launch was spiced up with speeches by the YAIO representative, the Mayor for Blantyre City, the Blantyre Urban Youth Officer, Women group representative, Group Village Head Magasa representing traditional leaders and some performances. 3
Orientation Meeting Three (3) orientation meetings were coducted in Mbayani, Chilomoni and Blantyre Central wards. 67 people (39 males & 28 females) attended the orientation meetings. The meetings were attended by counsellors, Youth Officer for Blantyre Urban, City authorities, Village heads, youth groups, community based organizations and village development committee members. The meetings were aimed at introducing the project and workplan to the relevant stakeholders and solicit their support and trust for the successful implementation of the project. o In Mbayani ward, the orientation meeting was conducted on the 16 th August 2016, and was attended by 16 people (9 males & 7 females). o In Blantyre Central ward, the orientation meeting was conducted on the 19 th August 2016, and was attended by 20 people (11 males & 9 females). o In Chilomoni ward, the orientation meeting was conducted on the 22 nd August 2016, and was attended by 31 people (19 males & 12 females). Capacity building training A total of 87 people (63 males & 24 females) which included young people, women, members of VDCs, ADCs, Ward Counsellors, Village heads and other local governance structures were trained on human rights, democracy and their roles and responsibilities. The aim of the training was to empower and help them understand their leadership roles and responsibilities in their communities. o In Mbayani ward, the Capacity building training was conducted on the 21 th September 2016, and was attended by 26 people (20 males & 6 females). o In Chilomoni ward, the Capacity building training was conducted on the 22 nd September 2016, and was attended by 31 people (24 males & 7 females). o In Blantyre Central ward, the Capacity building training was conducted on the 23 rd September 2016, and was attended by 30 people (19 males & 11 females). Media Advocacy through radio, news print, and Television programs The project activities were featured 13 times in News Bulletins in different media houses such as Nation publications, Times Radio, Times Television, FM 101 Power, Capital Radio, Nyasatimes, MBC TV, MBC Radio One and Ufulu Radio. The activities were also broadcasted 2 times live in special programs like Youth Roots and Culture on FM 101 power and Ticheze ndi Achinyamata on Times radio. Production of IEC materials With the project funds, we managed to produce and purchase a total of 2100 Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials that include; 100 T/Shirts and 2000 leaflets. The produced IEC materials were aimed at raising the profile of the project and further disseminate human rights and governance messages. We planned to produce 1200 leaflets but the Printing House which is Fattani Offset Printers offered us extra 800 leaflets because of the good business relationship YAIO have with them. 4
Monthly supervision and field visits During the quarter, six (6) Monthly Field visits were conducted in targeted wards (Mbayani, Chilomoni and Blantyre Central) with aim to collect and verify the accuracy of information on local governance structures/ committees. The Project Team managed to collect and verify the information on Village Development committees (VDCs), Area Development Committees (ADCs) and Disaster Risk Committees. 5
4. 0 Analysis of Progress in relation to project outputs and indicators Work planned Milestone for the quarter Actual Progress 1 and Result Reasons for Deviation Output 1: Young people and women empowered with knowledge and skills to claim and defend their rights to CDF and LDF Indicator 1.1 Percentage of young people and women participating in community activities on LDF and CDF projects 0 0 To be conducted in the second quarter. Indicator 1.2 Number of people attending capacity building trainings Indicator 1.3 Number of people that access information on their rights and entitlements 90 87 (63 males & 24 females) 90 87 (63 males & 24 females) 3 invited people did not attend the meetings due to other engagements 3 invited people did not attend the meetings due to other engagements Indicator 1.4 Number of IEC materilas distributed 1300 2100 (100 T/Shirts & 2000 leaflets) Output 2: Improved dialogue and engagement among young people, women and duty bearers Indicator 2.1 Number of advocacy and dialogue initiatives undertaken by young people and women We planned to produce 1200 leaflets but the Printing House which is Fattani offered us extra 800 leaflets because of the good besiness relationship YAIO have with them. 0 0 To be conducted in the second quarter. 1 For every activity (where ever not possible please provide estimation) include numbers of people separated into male and female.
Indicator 2.2 Number of people taking part in advocacy/interface meetings Indicator 2.3 Number of issues raised by young people and women and brought to the attention of the duty bearers 0 0 To be conducted in the second quarter. 0 0 To be conducted in the second quarter. 7
5. Capacity Development and Learning The following Capacity Development activities took place during the Quarter. 1. Financial Clinic workshop organised by Tilitonse Fund held at Malawi Sun Hotel on 1 st July 2016. The organization was represented by the the Project Manager, Finance Officer and one member of the Board. 2. Another Finance and Mentorship meeting was conducted at YAIO offices in Kanabar House on the 6 th September 2016. This meeting was aimed at following up on issues to do with financial management The Capacity Development meetings has empowered and improved the project team s understanding on different issues concerning finances and management. 6. Networking and Collaboration The project received a good reception from the youth office, Kabula Youth Network, city council, ward counselors, Community Based Organizations, Youth groups, village Heads and local governance structures such as Village Development Committees (VDCs). This was due to the buy in meetings the organization conducted before the start of the project with the City Authorities, Youth Office, Targeted Counselors, Village Heads and Social Welfare Office with the aim of making them understand the project goal and purpose. In all the activities implemented so far, there has been a representation from the City Council, youth office, youth groups, community based organizations and community & opimion leaders. During the quarter, YAIO has also participated in other project activities funded by Tilitonse Fund organized by Umodzi CBO, Genesis Manja Othandiza (GEMO) and Concerned Youth Organization (CYO) 7. Lesson Learnt 1. Though there are local governance structures such as the Village Development Committees, Area Development Committees and Disaster Risk Management Committees in the targed wards, most members in these committees do not know their roles and responsibilities as a result they are not able to exercise their duties and tasks rightfully. 2. In Mbayani ward where there are four Village Development Committees, the two Village Development Committees which are under Village headman Mbayani are too much controlled by the ward counsellor. And from our observation it shows that there is no good relationship between the village headman and the ward Counsellor up to the point that the village headman in most cases do not go to community development meetings if the ward counsellor is also going to be at that meeting. 8. Challenges 1. The absence of Village Head Mbayani in our meetings is a challenge. Though we had a buy in meeting with him, when he is invited he do not show up. But we are still working out on ways on how he can be conviced to start showing up in these developmental meetings and activities.
2. The lower number of community groups targeting women in the targeted wards (there are less specific groups targeting women) 3. Poor working relationship between the ward counsellor and the village head in Mbayani ward is affecting the operations of local governance structures as the ward counsellor is the only contact person for the local governance structures. But with time, from the people that comes to our meetings, we will be able to contact these committee members through activity registration forms and other members participating in our gatherings. 9. Recommendations Observing and learning from the activities implemented so far, there is need to empower members of local governance structures and community members in the targeted wards on their roles and responsibilities towards development projects. 9
Annex 1: Case studies and/or Pictures evidence to achievement of results Reporting in pictures YAIO representative making a speech during the launch Group Photo during the launch Group photos (Orientation meetings- Left is Chilomoni and Right is Mbayani) (Left) Group discussion in Namiwawa (Right) Group presentation in Chilomoni during Orientation 10
Section of participants during Capacity building training in Chilomoni A participant making a presentation A facilitator interacting with the media Counsellor for Chilomoni ward during the training GVH Magasa speeking in Mbayani during the training 11
Annex 2: Indictive Work plan for the Next quarter Work planned for next quarter under each output Month 1 Month 2 Month3 Coordinating person Output 1: Young people and women empowered with knowledge and skills to claim and defend their rights to CDF and LDF Community sensitization campaigns Project Management Team Output 2: Improved dialogue and engagement among young people, women and duty bearers Follow up on LDF and CDF Project Management Team Advocacy/ Interface meetings Project Management Team Media Advocacy through radio, news print, Project Management Team and Television programs Quarterly meetings Project Management Team 12
Annex 3: Contribution to Tilitonse Results Framework Tilitonse Indicator Reported Progress Verifiable source of progress Number of organizations collaborating in funded projects 29 Participant registration Number of documented cases of influence at national and decentralized levels of government and on nongovernmental actors, for instance in the private sector. Quantity of information products developed in the 2100 (100 T/Shirts Cash receipts and Delivery projects and 2000) note % of funded partners that are able to access information on key issues from public agencies and private sector actors Number of people informed through funded projects Participant register for about their rights to public services orientation meetings and Capacity building trainings Number of instances of media coverage of issues related 15 times Some programs documented to funded projects in Audio CD Number of monitoring initiatives undertaken that address services and policy commitments to excluded groups Number of people consulted on the quality of public services in funded projects Number of representations based on monitoring initiatives made to traditional leaders, officials responsible for public service delivery, MPs Number of advocacy initiatives that promote rights and access to services for poor and excluded groups Number of practices and issues promoted by CSO grant partners that are adopted by other CSOs and development actors Total Number of people that are empowered to hold duty bearers to account (by gender and district) 1 Participants registration 13