COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PROJECT BIANNUAL REPORT: JANUARY 2017-JUNE 2017
COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (CDP) PROJECT
USAID COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NUMBER: AID-OAA-A-10-00027
Submitted by:
Eric Wallace
Director, Inclusive Market Systems
ACDI/VOCA
E-Mail: ewallace @acdivoca.org Tel: 202-469-6073
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CONTENTS
ACRONYMS ......................................................................................................................................... 3
CDP ETHIOPIA ................................................................................................................................... 4
CDP ETHIOPIA SUMMARY OF IMPLEMENTATION EXPERIENCE ............... 4
CDP ETHIOPIA MAJOR IMPACTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS ..................... 5
CDP ETHIOPIA DESCRIPTION OF NOTABLE PARTNERSHIPS ................... 11
CDP ETHIOPIA MAJOR IMPLEMENTATION PROBLEMS/ DEVIATION
FROM EXPECTATIONS FOR MAJOR PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ......... 11
CDP ETHIOPIA PLANS FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS ................................. 12
CDP LIBERIA .................................................................................................................................... 12
CDP LIBERIA SUMMARY OF IMPLEMENTATION EXPERIENCE ............... 12
CDP LIBERIA MAJOR IMPACTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS ...................... 15
CDP LIBERIA DESCRIPTION OF NOTABLE PARTNERSHIPS...................... 17
CDP LIBERIA MAJOR IMPLEMENTATION PROBLEMS/ DEVIATION FROM
EXPECTATIONS FOR MAJOR PERFORMANCE INDICATORS .................... 18
CDP LIBERIA PLANS FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS .................................... 18
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ACRONYMS
ACDI/VOCA Agricultural Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in
BSD Business Skill Development
CDP Cooperative Development Program
CLIC Cooperative Learning Information Centers
FCA Federation of Production Cooperatives
GALS Gender Action Learning Systems
GAP Good Agricultural Practices
IT Information Technology
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation
OCA Overseas Cooperative Assistance
PMP Performance Monitoring Plan
RUSACO Rural Savings and Credit Cooperative
SNNPR South Nation, Nationality and Peoples Region (Ethiopia)
TOT Training of Trainers
USAID United States Agency for International Development
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CDP ETHIOPIA
CDP Ethiopia Summary of Implementation Experience
Ethiopia’s Cooperative Development Program (CDP) is working with nine unions and 31 primary
cooperatives located in the districts of Benshangul-Gumuz, Oromia, SNNP and Tigray regions of
Ethiopia. The project aims to improve the governance management and advocacy of business-oriented,
professionally managed, farmer-owned and operated organizations to better meet the needs of their
male and female members.
CDP activities include trainings, technical assistance, strategic management and mentorships to
facilitate increased agricultural productivity and marketing, strengthen cooperatives and enhance
knowledge and cooperative development learning. The project has also facilitated experience sharing
visits, events and disseminated the learnings from activities across the project areas, primarily through
established Cooperative Learning Information Centers (CLICs) in collaboration with local partners in
Ethiopia.
Major activities accomplished during this reporting period include:
Conducted ToT training on Business skill development
Conducted ToT training on Postharvest handling and warehouse management
Conducted ToT training on Cooperatives leadership, governance and gender
Conducted ToT training on Gender Action Learning Systems (GALs) Methodology
facilitate Cascade training on GALs tools to cooperatives
Conducted staff training on SCOPE insight assessment tool
Conduct CDP training module review workshop
Conduct baseline and scope insight assessment for new unions and cooperatives
Procure and distribute in-kind grant equipment (laptop computers) to CLICs
Organized a national forum on cooperatives access to finance
Participated in different cooperatives development workshops and events
Recruit additional CDP project staff (M&E specialist)
Compilation of biannual report
CDP is under implementation in 14 districts of four regions, engaging with a total of nine unions and
31 primary cooperatives.
The table below shows the detail on target areas and cooperatives.
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Region Zone Woreda /
District Cooperative
Union Primary Cooperative
Oromia
South West Shoa
Becho Becho woliso FCU
Awash buni
Dawo Busahide
Teje Asgori
Jimma
Limukosa Limuinara FCU
Kecho Tertera
Debelo
Limuseka Bufeta Gibe
Jatooseka
Qersa
Jimma FCU
Kitibili
Mana Geruke Mazoria
Seka Chekorsa Waqito Medalo
Benishangul Gumuz
Assosa
Bambasi Dabusafa FCU
Maheber Tsehay
Edegetber/Kesh Meando
Tseahayberhan
Shenda
Assosa Zuria Assosa FCU
Nurjedid
Addis Chora
Sirawutet
SNNPR Sidama
Loka Abaya Sidama Union FCU
Hantate
Wenenata
Salakebado
Gorbe
Hawassa Zuria Sidama Elto FCU
Odona gallo
Shemona
Kere
Tigray Central Tigray
Kolatemben Debreassa
Fire
Kokeb
Lemlem Bega
Wore Leke Wore ie FCU
Ruba gerede
Biherawi
Shewit
Dedebit
Trainings, workshops, and experience sharing visits, use of the CLICs, technical assistance and
coaching are the major approaches that CDP Ethiopia employed to achieve its objective. To make the
capacity building successful, the project identified training needs and developed seven training modules
based on knowledge gaps findings. In addition, the project has started digitalizing the training modules
to be accessible to cooperatives in CDP target and non-target regions of Ethiopia. The project has also
established CLICs and provide learning equipment’s to cooperatives to increase cooperative
information access to cooperative promoters, leaders and members.
CDP Ethiopia Major Impacts and Accomplishments
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In the reporting period various ToT trainings have been conducted in all targeted regions of the project
involving 206 (14% female) cooperative development agents and cooperative union experts. The
thematic areas covered by the training are part of the capacity building scheme designed by CDP in
light of assessed needs. Hence discussed below are the ToTs organized during the reporting period
including objectives, target regions and number of participants.
ToT on cooperative Leadership, Governance and Gender
This ToT was conducted in the four target regions of the project involving 67 (11 female) participants
of CDP targeted regions, zone and woredas, respectively. The training modality involves cascaded
approach in that ToT trained individuals will subsequently conduct similar training to cooperative
leaders and member in their respective working sites. Leadership, good governance, membership
development and gender were the key knowledge components that were covered in the four day ToT
training.
Participants while attending ToT training on cooperative leadership, governance and Gender
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ToT on Business skills development
As anticipated, CDP has provided ToT training on business skills development during the reporting period.
The training focused mainly on marketing and business plan preparation for cooperative extension workers
supporting cooperatives in CDP targeted woredas and technical staff of target unions. This ToT training
was received by 71 (10 female) participants gathered from the CDP target regions. The major session
covered in the four day training were business planning, marketing and record keeping. The trainees of the
ToT upon their return to working sites are expected to cascade similar training to cooperative leaders and
members to equip them with the required skills during the next semester.
Training events in Tigray and SNNPR regions
Training participants while presenting group activities in Tigray region
ToT on Post harvest and Warehouse management
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This ToT that lasts for four days was conducted in each of the four regions of Benishangul, Oromia, Tigray
and SNNP involving 67 (10 female) participants.
In all the above three ToT trainings trainers are experienced senior specialists from the respective
government sector offices in close consultation with the regional cooperative agencies.
To ensure tailored and hands
on learning process, training modules translated into local language of Amharic and Oromifa have been
used. In addition as part of the methodology trainees were supported with modules, Power Point
presentations and other visualized technique including learning visits.
Consultative national workshop on access to finance
As reported in the previous biannual report, CDP Ethiopia has facilitated access to finance workshops with
partners and cooperatives across the project target regions aiming to improve target cooperatives' access to
loan from financial institutes. With the intent of consolidating the discussions held at region's level, a
daylong consultative meeting on access to finance was facilitated during this reporting period at national
level.
PHH and warehouse handling ToT in Benishangul-Gumuz
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The workshop was convened in Addis Ababa and the project organized it jointly with Ethiopian Federal
Cooperative Agency. A total of 57 participants drawn from national and regional cooperative agency, ATA,
federations, cooperative unions, government and private banks (CBE, Dashen, Nib, OCB, Addis
International bank, Abysinia bank, Awash bank), NGO's (Agritera, 2SCALE) and staffs from ACDI/VOCA
were attended the workshop.
FCA director while leading discussion
The workshop after officially opened by his Excellency Ato Ousman Surur, CEO of Ethiopian Federal
Cooperative Agency deliberated on a set of operational and strategic issues related to access to finance.
Access to finance by farmers' organization have been thoroughly reviewed from perspectives of existing
trends, potentials, constraints and enablers informed by lively experiences. The meeting was facilitated with
proactive moderation of his Excellency Ato Ousman, and deliberated covering the following key sessions:
Background of the overall profile of the Ethiopian agricultural cooperative sector, ACDI/VOCA’s key
lessons on cooperative engagement and access to finance in agriculture.
International Women’s Day (IWD) Celebration in CDP operational Regions
CDP has conducted a learning forum across target regions for cooperatives during the month of March,
2017 in celebration of International Women’s Day. In each region the IWD event was launched after
introducing the international and national IWD 2017 theme, 'Be bold for change' and 'Promote women's
saving culture', and CDP - IWD 2017 celebration objectives respectively.
The IWD event was organized intending to address the following major objectives:
To create an environment where PC members can share their ideas and experiences focusing more on
introducing concepts and roll out experiences of GALS by those PC's that developed their Gender
strategy.
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To ensure meaningful participation of women within the cooperative (% of female membership, % of
women in leadership and female member participation within the cooperative activities like their
participation in meetings, trainings, how much dividend female members are getting etc.. )
To create a common platform for cooperative families at all level and to familiarize the newly revised
cooperative proclamation that entails a minimum of 30% representation of women in cooperative
leadership.
Group photo of IWD participants- Oromia region
WID participants on discussions-Mekelle (Tigray)
Group discussions were facilitated by participants and further explored lesson from cooperative on the
following issues:
1. What have cooperatives done to increase female membership, what were the successes and challenges?
2. What does the cooperative benefit if women become members?
3. Have you tried to bring women in to leadership position? What are the successes and challenges?
4. How does the cooperative benefit from Female leaders within the cooperative?
Eventually each cooperative was asked to clarify participants the number of female and male and the
number of men and female in leadership positions.
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Awash Buni Primary cooperative chairperson presenting notable lessons
Accordingly outlined below are the cooperative data of CDP target PCs of the four regions:
Gender disaggregated members of existing and newly targeted PC's of CDP
No Name of Cooperative CDP Project status M F %f T
Management
committee
members
Other
committee
members M F T M F T
A Oromia Region
1 Awash Buni Existing 976 524 35 1500 5 2 7 3 3 6
2 BusaHidi >> 321 129 29 450 5 2 7 3 3 6
3 Debelo New 632 85 12 717 6 1 7 5 1 6
4 GarukeMazoria Existing 1277 67 5 1344 6 1 7 5 1 6
5 Bufata Gibe New 270 20 7 290 7 0 7 5 1 6
6 Wekitomedalo Existing 612 40 6 652 6 1 7 5 1 6
7 JatoSeka >> 300 105 26 405 6 1 7 5 1 6
8 Kitimbili >> 1000 210 17 1210 6 1 7 5 1 6
9 KechoTirtira New 440 25 25 590 7 0 7 5 1 6
B SNNPR
1 Wenenata New 2474 45 2 2519 9 0 9 3 0 3
2 Gorbe New 1109 52 4.6 1161 9 0 9
3 BerekeAkababi Existing 940 60 6 1000 9 0 9 3 0 3
4 Odo and Galo >> 158 52 25 210 10 3 13 2 1 3
5 ShemanaAkababi >> 207 21 10 218 6 1 7 3 0 3
6 Kera& surrounding >> 87 42 33 129 7 3 10 2 1 3
7 Sala Kebado New 1047 259 20 1306 8 1 9 2 1 3
8 HantateAkababi Existing 612 38 6 650 8 1 9 3 0 3
C Tigray Region
1 Begashaha Existing 98 160 62 258 3 2 5 4 3 7
2 Fere >> 782 751 49 1533 3 2 5 6 4 10
3 Kokebe >> 992 537 35 1529 3 2 5 6 6 12
4 Shewit New 768 152 17 920 4 1 5 6 3 9
5 Beherawi >> 750 110 9 1280 3 2 5 4 2 6
6 Ruba gerede >> 274 86 24 360 3 2 5 6 3 9
7 Dedebit Existing 731 226 24 957 3 2 5 2 1 3
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D Benshagul Gumuz Region
1 NureJedid Existing 159 76 32 237 4 1 5 9 1 10
2 AdisChora >> 240 37 13 277 5 0 5 5 3 8
3 EdegeteBere >> 190 14 7 204 5 0 5 12 0 12
4 Tsehay Birhan New 240 55 19 295 5 0 5 10 2 12
5 SiraWetete Existing 198 50 20 248 4 1 5 14 1 15
6 Mahebere Tsehay New 202 7 3 209 5 0 5 3 0 3
7 Shenda yesetoche wefecho
New 3 112 97 115 0 5 5 0 6 6
The data in the above table shows that those cooperatives who have been supported by CDP have shown
better participation of women within their cooperatives. The new target cooperatives have shared from the
experiences of the previous target cooperatives that have been receiving training on gender mainstreaming
within cooperatives.
In general, CDP International Women’s Day celebration has created an opportunity for new target
cooperatives to learn from the previous cooperatives. Those four cooperatives who were in GALs
methodology and have a gender strategy have proven the tangible changes they have brought about in
attracting more women and how they were able to elect women to leadership positions within their
cooperatives. Competitive environment among cooperatives was instated and consent has been made to
consider gender equality as an imperative criteria to get support from CDP project. The event ensures the
need for continuous training and follow up activities to increase female membership and leadership
Gender Strategy Development in Cooperatives
CDP is promoting the practice of gender equity and building capacity for gender mainstreaming in partner
cooperatives. As reported during the previous biannual report, in April 2016, 48 participants from two
cooperatives (Busa hide and Awashbuni) participated in GALS methodology workshop. This is a
community-led empowerment methodology using specific participatory processes and diagram tools which
aims at giving men and women control over their lives as individual, household, community and
organizational level. During the training they have developed Gender Strategies for their respective
cooperatives. The Gender Strategies were translated in to their local language and distributed to each
cooperative in early June 2016.
In 2017, CDP has extended cooperative gender strategy development practices in four additional
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cooperatives and to realize this conducted the following two trainings.
Training of Trainers (TOT) on GALs Methodology
A four-day Training of Trainers (TOT) on GALs Methodology has been organized from December 26 –
29, 2016 and held in Tokuma Hotel, Adama. A total of nineteen participants (11 male and 8 female) drawn
from Federal cooperative Agency (FCA), Oromia Cooperative Promotional Agency, South West Shewa
Zone Cooperative Agency, two Woreda cooperative staffs and a staff from Jimma farmers Union and Heads
and staffs from SNNPR and Sidama Zone cooperative Agency ,and from two Woreda Cooperative office
have participated in the TOT training. The training is designed to equip the participants with the necessary
knowledge and skills to provide cascaded trainings on GALs methodology for two targeted cooperatives in
each region. Trainers of the GAL methodology will collect baseline data of trained cooperatives to
objectively measures future progresses.
GALs Methodology Cascaded Training
Subsequent to the TOT training, trainees who were trained were able to train cooperative leaders and
members of the four targeted cooperatives of the two regions, SNNP and Oromia. To ensure tailored
training, the manuals have been translated to Amharic and Oromifa languages. As a result, a total of forty
eight participants (24 from two cooperatives in each region) trained on GALs (Gender Action Learning
system) methodology.
Participants of the cascaded training were couples, female headed households, young single men and
women drawn from cooperatives of Sala Kebado and Odo and Galo of SNNPR and Debelo and Garuke
Mazoria of Oromia region. After the training it is expected that they go back to their community and train
others about equal division of labor, shared decision making and gender equality and importance of female
leadership.
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GALS cascade training events in Lokabaya and Hawassa zuria Woreda (SNNPR)
Like other CDP activities, GALs trainings were conducted closely with FCA promoters within their own
structures and the agency is now working to institutionalize the tool in its training curriculum seeing the
tool results and practicality in improving gender issues in cooperatives. Currently, the agency has secured
finance to provide the same training to non- CDP target regions. The agency has already requested CDP
Ethiopia to assign our gender specialist to provide the training to cooperative promoters of two non CDP
target regions. CDP Ethiopia believes that once FCA institutionalized the tool, it will be sustained beyond
the life of the project.
Cooperatives Membership Increased
PCs who have taken GALs methodology training in March 2017 were able to increase number of women
and men in their cooperative. The table below shows the number of male and female members who joined
cooperatives after GALs methodology training which is from March to June.
No Name of
Cooperative
Increased no
of Female
Increased no of
male
Remark
1 Garuke Mazoria 204 163 have paid their
registration fee as well as
share but 41 of them paid
half.
2 Debelo 83 37
3 Odo and Galo 27 8
4 Sala Kebado 72 48
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Women while registering for cooperative membership following GALS training in Oromia
Training modules review
During the reporting period CDP has also conducted training module review workshop in collaboration
with the FCA. The objective of this review workshop was to update CDP training modules and make them
in line with cooperatives training curriculum of the federal cooperative agency. It was conducted during the
first week of January in Adama (Oromia).
In the training module review workshop 10 senior experienced federal cooperative agency experts have
participated. CDP Ethiopia the final versions of these training modules will be ready for translation and
digitalization process during the coming quarter.
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FCA and CDP Ethiopia staff on CDP training module review
Organizational Capacity Assessment
As described during the previous report, CDP has expended its activities to 4 cooperative unions and 16
primary cooperatives and planned to conduct cooperatives capacity and gap assessment to set as a bench
mark for the newly targeted cooperatives. To this end, during the reporting period, the project conducted
M4 and SCOPEInsight assessments for 16 cooperatives.
The M4 is a participatory survey instrument developed by ACDI/VOCA for assessing capacity and
determining development priorities for farmer groups, associations and cooperatives. The M4 assessment
is in itself an institutional strengthening activity, described as a participatory survey for assessing capacity
and identifying development priorities for cooperatives.
During the reporting period, in addition to M4 assessment tool, CDP has introduced SCOPEInsight tools
aiming to objectively measure the performance level of the organizations. The tool is managed by
Netherlands based private company called SCOPEInsight which is accredited globally for measuring the
level of professionalism and maturity for producer organizations and small and medium enterprises.
To roll out the SCOPEInsight tool for CDP program three technical staffs of the program have been certified
by the company after receiving on line training on overall techniques of the assessment. Accordingly
capacity of the assessed farmers’ organization are measured against eight major dimensions using SCOPE
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Basic to justify the level of competency of the organizations overtime. The tool enables assessors to measure
the existing performance level of the assessed organizations against similar organizations around the world.
Following the online training, the three CDP staff who became a certified assessor to use a SCOPE tool
were conducted capacity assessment of the newly CDP targets of 4 unions and 12 primary cooperatives that
are found in Oromia, Tigray, SNNPR and Benishangul Gumuz regions. As indicated in the technical
procedures, the assessment was participatory to ensure ownership of the assessment. As a result, scoring
for performance level was rated jointly with representatives in light of the eight dimensions.
Subsequent to the field visit draft report was produced for each assessed organizations by the company after
a thorough back and forth quality check between the assessors and quality review team of SCOPE insight.
The report indicates the scores given for the organizations performance for the overall as well against each
of the eight measurements.
Assessment result of SCOPEInsight basic tool has scoring system from 1-5, 1 being the lowest and 5 being
the highest score. Therefore assessed organization that score B1, B2, B3, B4 and B5 are characterized as
very immature organization, immature organization, maturing organization, professional organization and
very professional organization, respectively.
CDP Ethiopia Description of Notable Partnerships
During the reporting period, CDP Ethiopia project has continued its ongoing collaboration with Federal and
Regional cooperative agencies, project target unions and cooperatives and other stakeholders. Both the
federal and regional cooperatives agencies actively collaborated with CDP through assigned trainees,
trainers and focal contact persons to all CDP-related activities.
CDP Ethiopia participated actively in the Fourth National Cooperatives Exhibition, Bazaar and Symposium
in February 2017, the National Stakeholder Validation Workshop on Rural Savings and Credit Cooperatives
(RuSACCO) Sector Capacity Building Roadmap Development held in March 2017, National Cooperatives
Day in June 2017,
CDP Ethiopia Major Implementation Problems/ Deviation from Expectations for Major
Performance Indicators
None noted during the reporting period.
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CDP Ethiopia Plans for the Next Six Months
In the coming six month project period, CDP will focus on the following major issues:
Conduct ToT training on financial management
Facilitate cooperative auditing training FCA auditors in project areas
Conduct Peace tree Accounting Software training for selected cooperatives and unions
Conduct CLICs training workshop
CLICs Maintenance Service Grant
Link the FCA- CLIC systems with reginal CLICS and target unions through the installment of
network switches at the union level (10 established connections for information sharing between
5 regional CLICs and the FCA)
Enrich CLICS with soft and hard copy reading materials
Procure and distribute in-kind grant equipment (laptop computers) to CLICs
Conduct annual survey
Compilation of biannual report
Prepare annual plan-( Sept.2017-sept. 2018)
CDP LIBERIA
CDP Liberia Summary of Implementation Experience
The Cooperative Development Program (CDP) in Liberia, implemented by ACDI/VOCA, aims to
build the capacity and strengthen Cooperatives in Liberia in collaboration with the Cooperative
Development Agency (CDA) and the Liberian National Federation of Cooperative Societies (LNFCS).
The project’s target and objective are to improve the performance of Cooperatives in areas of business
development, marketing, financial management, access to finance, women and youth empowerment,
and good leadership and governance. The end goal is to enable the Coops and their members to raise
their standard of living by increasing their incomes and level of food security. The objectives are to be
achieved by the setting up training and resource centers at three Cooperatives in Bong, Lofa, and
Nimba counties. Training Cooperative leaders and members in effective and efficient Cooperative
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management may increase production, and facilitate trade and investment opportunities in their areas.
The CDP in Liberia commenced in December 2016. Initial activities and approaches include:
Conducting assessments to develop a baseline against which cooperative can measure
improvements in their operations and performances
Provide institutional capacity building and commodity-specific technical assistance through
training
Establish in-country Cooperative Learning and Information Centers (CLIC) where
cooperatives can access learning tools to improve their operations and performance
Conduct assessments to inform enabling environment interventions
Assist male and female cooperative members in building awareness and developing strategies
and policies that encourage and facilitate women and youth’s participation and leadership
Build capacity of Cooperative members in areas such as leadership training, governance and
membership development.
During the period December 1st, 2016, through January 6, 2017, the following activities were carried
out, results and impacts made:
Identified three multi-purpose Farmers’ Cooperatives in Lofa (Sebehill), Nimba (Tarpeleseh),
and Bong (Kwapaigeh). The three Cooperatives and their membership are depicted in Table 1.
The Coops agreed to make available properties/buildings to house the training and resource
centers, and the CDP agreed to perform minor repairs on the buildings provided. Subsequently,
the buildings were assessed, repaired and modified.
Table 1
No Name of
Cooperative
District Town/Location Shareholder
Membership
Contact
person Name
Contact person
#
Male Female Total
1. Sebehill Kolahun Massabolahun 106 51 157 Fofi Nyei/
Matetee Sesay
0886755889
2. Kwapaigeh Sanoyea Gbonota 105 50 155 Mohammed 0886078761
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Sirleaf
3. Tarpeleseh Mainpea
Mah
Bunadin 123 33 156 Saye G.
Zawolo
0886415425
Total 234 134 468
Initial Training & Responses
The first training with the three cooperatives in Bong, Lofa, and Nimba focused on cooperate
governance and leadership. The Training of Trainers (ToT) brought together 135 Coop member farmers
from the various clusters in the CDP’s three counties of operation. The participants or trainees included
90 males (67.7%), and 45 females (33.3%). Topics covered in training were:
Overview of Liberian Cooperatives
o Principles and values
Cooperative Leadership
o Leadership Style
o Communication Skills
o Conducting Meetings
o Problem Solving and Decision Making
One of the problems identified in the cooperatives was the lack of communication between the
leadership and members. It was discovered that most cooperative members were inactive and reluctant to
buy coop shares because of the lack the basic knowledge and understanding of the operations and
financial activities of the cooperatives. The members complained in the presence of their leadership of
their lack of awareness of the inner workings of the cooperatives. With the completion of the training in
cooperative leadership and governance, coop leaders and members became aware that successful and
viable coops depend on open communication, transparency, honesty, and teamwork. The leaders
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promised and agreed to be transparent and keep members informed and acquainted with all operations of
the coops. The members registered their willingness to cooperate and work along with the leadership in
all activities of the cooperative including the purchase of shares.
The training was interactive and open. The cooperative leaders and members indicated that the training
was detailed, simple and insightful. They admitted that things would have been different in the
cooperatives if they had previously had such training. The expressed their desire to have similar training
in the future.
CDP Liberia Major Impacts and Accomplishments
As the result of the initial training in Cooperate Leadership and Governance, leaders and members are
now aware that successful cooperatives are comprised of participation, transparency, accountability, and
anticipation. The cooperative members have become aware that cooperatives are member driven and
should be responsive to their needs. The Leadership and Governance training taught coop members the
significance of women and youth participation in the cooperatives. The cooperatives have agreed to
launch recruitment campaigns that will seek to elevate more women in leadership and encourage youth
participation.
CDP Liberia’s activities including technical assistance in the form of training have resulted in a slight
increase in the general membership and shareholders in two (Tarpeleseh in Nimba and Sebehill in Lofa)
of the three Coops as depicted in Tables 2 and 3 below.
Table 2
Total General Membership and Total Shareholders of the three Cooperatives before the CDP
Project
No Name of
Cooperative
District Town/Location General Membership
Male Female Total
1. Sebehill Kolahun Massabolahun 1,405 468 1873
2. Kwapaigeh Sanoyea Gbonota 165 80 245
3. Tarpeleseh Mainpea Bunadin 442 58 500
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Mah
Total 2,012 606 2,618
Table 3
Total General Membership and Total Shareholders of the Cooperatives after the Launching of the
CDP
No Name of
Cooperative
District Town/Location General Membership
Male Female Total
1. Sebehill Kolahun Massabolahun 1,415 482 1897
2. Kwapaigeh Sanoyea Gbonota 165 80 245
3. Tarpeleseh Mainpea
Mah
Bunadin 522 63 585
Total 2,165 625 2,827
No Name of
Cooperative
District Town/Location Shareholder
Membership
Male Female Total
1. Sebehill Kolahun Massabolahun 106 51 157
2. Kwapaigeh Sanoyea Gbonota 105 50 155
3. Tarpeleseh Meinpea
Mah
Bunadin 123 33 156
Total 234 134 468
No Name of
Cooperative
District Town/Loc
ation
Shareholder
Membership
M F Total
1. Sebehill Kolahun Massabola 109 55 164
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CDP Liberia Description of Notable Partnerships
CDP Liberia started out partnering with the cooperatives, local and international non-governmental
organizations, and government institution by attending collaborative meetings and working together. We
attended meetings with:
December 2016 – Work with the LIFE 3 (USDA funded) Project to set up the CDP Liberia office.
LIFE 3 donated office equipment (2 Laptops), a gently used Toyota Land Cruiser and one (1)
used motorcycle to the CDP. LIFE 3 COP also took the CDP staff in the field to introduce them
to the Coops and their leadership.
January 2017 - The Cooperative Development Agency (CDA) of Liberia to introduce the project,
forged partnership and explored collaborations in implementing the project.
February 2017 – Liberia Credit Union National Association (LCUNA) and Village Loan Savings
Association (VLSA) to discuss how to help Coops have access to finance and collaborate on
financial management training for the Coops.
March 2017 – Met with the three cooperatives in Lofa, Bong and Nimba to strategize on how to
increase women and youth membership and participation in leadership, operations in the
Cooperatives
hun
2. Kwapaigeh Sanoyea Gbonota 105 50 155
3. Tarpeleseh Mainpea
Mah
Bunadin 132 33 165
Total 346 138 484
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April 2017 – German Technical Cooperation (GIZ) to collaborate on installing solar energy at the
training and resource centers
May 2017 – Provided technical support and collaborated with the LIFE III project, installing 32
Cocoa (and other crops) solar dryers at Coops sites including the three CDP Coops.
May 2017 – Collaborated with LIFE III in the negotiation and acquiring of a ton truck donated to
the Sebehill Cooperative in Lofa County. CDP Liberia is tasked with monitoring the truck to
ensure that it is being used for its intended purposes.
May 2017 – Attended a workshop on cocoa certification sponsored by the SIDA-funded GROW
Liberia activity that benefits cooperative members who grow cocoa.
May 2017 – LIFE 3 during their asset disposition donated filing cabinets, chairs and desks to be
used by the cooperatives.
CDP Liberia Major Implementation Problems/ Deviation from Expectations for Major
Performance Indicators
Liberia is a challenging environment for cooperative development activities. The CDP project sites are
in rural Liberian villages where modern infrastructure barely exist. Hence the first problem encountered
was identifying suitable buildings that would safely house the training centers and the training equipment
and materials. Conducting a baseline survey was another issue we encountered in the project. A baseline
survey was inadvertently left out of the CDP’s initial work plan and not in project’s budget.
Installing solar power at the training centers was not part of the original CDP work plan. The idea of solar
power emanated after series of assessment and observation of the disadvantages of the use of gasoline
generators. Investment in solar power will have long-term benefits, which includes maintenance and
purchase of gasoline or fuel for generators.
CDP Liberia Plans for the Next Six Months
CDP Liberia from the onset has enjoyed a good working relationship and cooperation with the three
Cooperatives and other stakeholders including the Cooperative Development Agency. With this level of
corporation and teamwork, the following training and activities will be conducted or implemented in the
next six months:
Complete the setup of the training and resource centers
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Conduct training on the following topics:
o Financial Management, Cooperative Accounting, and Audit
o Business Skill Development
o Women’s Empowerment and Gender Mainstreaming
o Savings and Credit
The following activities will be implemented:
o Produce a documentary film of best-performing coops to be kept at the Training and
Resource Centers for use in experience sharing to educate weaker cooperatives.
o Launch Award Scheme to encourage the increase in female and youth membership and
leadership in the Coops.
o Celebration of International Women’s Day
o Conduct annual workshop on cooperative performance with the Coops, CDA, and
LCUNA
o Conduct technical assistance (TA) to Coops to prepare bankable business plans
o Conduct annual project data collection
Appendix
Renovation of Designated Buildings to House Training Centers
Sabehill Cooperative – Massabolahun, Lofa County
Before Renovation after Renovation
Tarpeleseh Cooperative – Bunadin, Nimba County
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Before Renovation After Renovation
Kwapaigeh Cooperative Training & Resource Center – Gbonota, Bong County
Before Renovation After Renovation
Training in Pictures
Kwapaigeh Coop, Gbonota Town, Sanoyea District, Bong County (Training photographs)
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Trainer-Steven G. Goe presenting in Gbonota, Bong County Kwapaigeh Cooperative,
Gbonota, Sanoyea District, Bong County
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Participants having lunch Brainstorming, what makes some leaders effective
than others
Group photo-Bong County
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Sebehill Coop, Massabohun, Kolahun District, Lofa County (Training photographs)
Above: Trainer present in Massabolahun, Lofa County
Below: Participant Fofie Nyei demonstrating leadership behavior in Lofa
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Above: Sebehill Cooperative, Massabolahun, Lofa County
Below: Sebehill Coop Board Chairlady, Matee-Jay Sesay expressing her ideas
Tarpeleseh Coops, Bunadin, Mainpea Mah District, Nimba County (Training photographs)