Project Detail

Building the local communities’ capacity to combat land degradation in Kazakhstan by implementing and assessing the methodology of collective video. (The main goal of the project is to build the local communities’ and NGO’s capacity to combat land degradation in Kazakhstan by implementing and assessing the methodology of participatory video as the means of raising public awareness, influencing decision-making enabling conditions for direct sharing of experiences and interaction between communiti

While developing projects as well as realizing them, NGO and local communities often face with a number of problems which couldn?t be solved traditional ways. For example, how to show an integrated approach in the area of land degradation which applicants collide every day with if they have lack of experience in writing projects? How to identify root problems and to reach understanding in methods of how they could be solved at the level of community? How to adjust a system of adequate monitoring to have objective information to accept correct administrative decisions? How to hang over the knowledge and experience gained to neighbors, partners?

Participatory video could be a mechanism in this case. In many remote areas of Kazakhstan documentary shooting with participatory video usage will help to develop projects to be further submitted to the SGP, and it will give more clear observation of the baseline for the moment of the project initiation. Collective Video is a good tool of public consultation, protection and political dialogue, and could also be used for intermediary in the resolution of conflicts.

The project is the joint strategic initiative of the SGP in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

The project tasks
1. Creation of a command of amongst of professional national experts in participatory video for introduction of the technology in activity of donor society and public organizations of Kazakhstan (including GEF SGP)
2. Approbation of methodology of participatory video for development, estimations, exchange of experience, received knowledge and the best practices into land degradation projects
3. Carrying out of information campaign to popularize PV technique in Kazakhstan.

Expected results:
? Working command including 3-4 groups of national experts in PV from various areas of Kazakhstan is created;
? Practical approbation of PV in SGP projects in land degradation, including both projects in development, implemented and completed ones (from 3 up to 5 projects in different areas of the country) is lead
? The partner network united experts in PV of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan is created. Preconditions for exchange of experience and increases of professional skill are created;
? PV is included in a grant process of SGP Kazakhstan, at such stages as development and estimation of projects, sharing of the experience gained, etc.
? PV has found a recognition and it is applied both among the organizations of civil society and donor community.
? Quality of the projects submitted to the SGP on land degradation has improved

Loading map...

Project Snapshot

Grantee:

ANGEL NGO

Country:

Kazakhstan

Area Of Work:

Land Degradation
Land Degradation

Operational Phase:

OP3 - Y2 (Mar 06 - Feb 07)

Grant Amount:

US$ 50,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 24,300.00

Project Number:

kaz/06/37

Start Date:

8/2007

End Date:

1/2009

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Project sustainability

All PV teams fully equipped and well trained by leading PV experts. Taking into account perspective of this technology in Kazakhstan there is the chance that projects results will be sustainable in the future.

Gender Focus

Men and women will participate in project realization on eqial base

Capacity - Building Component

PV is at its best as a collective exercise, so that through an ongoing cycle of filming and reviewing as a group, the participants make all decisions together about what is included and what is left out. Through forming consensus a truer, more balanced picture emerges. Unlike the written report, which many are unable to read; local people can verify or alter their video messages. We have learned from the experience of foreign countries that where possible it is best to edit the film (draft version) with the community on location using a laptop. We will try to ensure some participants get hands-on expertise of capturing shots onto the computer, cutting them and building a film on the timeline. It can be easy to edit a simple sequence from activity in this way, working in pairs. The aim is to demystify the process as much as possible. Just like taking control of making a video film, GEF/SGP tend to actively encourage groups and communities we will work to develop a fuller control of their own lives and of their local environment. We will try to work as agents of change. People will react differently when given the opportunity to have a voice. Sometimes people will complain, or simply give a list of problems. We believe that the facillitator?s role is to shift the way a situation is regarded as a problem, by introducing tools that develop both self-esteem and the combined power of the group whilst providing fresh perspectives. Through a new way of seeing, local solutions are found. Simple, no-cost/low-cost initiatives are usually available to communities to improve the quality of life. Many of the ideas and much of the needed know-how lies within the community rather than outside. PV is one way to bring these ideas out into the open. Experience of foreign countries shows that PV processes can lead to impressive transformations at a community level, inspiring positive social action and unity where previously there had been a sense of marginalization and hopelessness.

Policy Influence

PV metodoloigy was tested and included into GEF SGP grant process.

Replication of project activities

PV teams created and trained within SGP project are invited by different donors for participation in their projects implementation.

Linkages gef projects

Pv teams will be invited by Full scale GEF projects for conducting of diffirent joint works

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

The GEF/SGP inKazakhstan pursue several goals in this project: to apply in real life one of the newest and successful method such as PV. After all? awareness about PV-methodology among main stakeholders and donors. When information is to be presented to a wide range of communities, participatory video tools could be used to engage the community in the project and give them an opportunity to share their insights and local experiences. These short films can be accumulated as the workshop moves to new communities. The video films about GEF/SGP working project can give the ideas for engaging policy/decision-makers. Produced films will show to main stakeholders and donors and used as a tool to inspire and initiate same process of analysis and local action. Spreading impacts of the work and awareness rising, but also a chance to bring new participants, highlight differences as well as similarities. PV as a tool for wider sharing, equitable exchange and team building. The project is going to use video films to inspire and influence other researches, decision-makers. Building bridges between different worlds that rarely hear each other. The project is going to facilitate multi-stakeholder workshops using PV: a means of getting different groups together on a more equal footing, empowering people who feel uncomfortable in a workshop setting, or are illiterate. GEF/SGP working projects present their films and these become the starting point for discussion and group work which is all documented using PV tools rather than written notes. This allows the workshop outcomes to be shared widely among stakeholders and donors, personal and professional networks of the workshop participants and the general public. Our video films that will be result from PV process can also be used to communicate the situation and ideas of local people to development workers and formal researchers and to decision-makers and policymakers. Participatory Video films or video messages can be used to strengthen both horizontal communication (e.g. communicating with other communities) and vertical communication (e.g. communicating with decision-makers).

Notable Community Participation

The NGO which will receive the permission to train and equip Participatory Video?groups should demonstrate the following qualities/skills/abilities. NGOs will be able to train up to 4 staff members. Small NGOs are also welcome to apply. They should be able to provide at least 2 people for training one man and one woman. This gender balance is essential when working with PV in communities and ensuring that women are fully involved and able to share their ideas, concerns and views. Selected individuals should speak fairly good English and have a good use of their local language (Kazak) in addition to Russian. The organizations should demonstrate the commitment to a participatory way of working with local communities. Previous experience of working with PRA (participatory Rural Appraisal) and other participatory tools will be highly valued in the selection process. Good communication and facilitation skills are essential in the selected individuals. They should be good listeners and should be able to communicate with all types of people on an equal level. Experience of facilitating workshops or community meetings in a local rural context is essential. We will be looking for organizations and individuals who encourage local ownership and participation and whose work focuses on action not simply on research. Organizations should have experience in working with rural population on issues related to the natural resource use, environmental issues, poverty reduction initiatives etc. They are focused on a single narrow theme/area of interest and open to working on a number of different themes, issues and in a variety of contexts (eg rural or urban).The organization has an previous experience of conducting trainings, or working in partnership with other NGO?s, institutes and organizations.

Policy Impact

The introduction of this methodology into GEF SGP work will strengthen program work with local communities

Project Results

The population of tested zone was widely informed about the reasons and the ways to decrease the land degradation.
PV gave illustrative examples of irrational use of land resources will increase public awareness on the problems of land degradation.
The 7 trained groups were created to cover the problems of land degradation by PV methodology.
The GEF/SGP Programme in included a new methodology of project monitoring through PV.
Dozens of PV films produced in GEF/SGP project villages or areas
PV- methodology became usual tool of GEF/SGP project management cycle in Kazakhstan
Increased awareness about PV-methodology among main stakeholders and donors

+ View more

Indicators

Empowerment

Number of CBOs / NGOs participated / involved in SGP project 7

Empowerment

Number of women participated / involved in SGP project 7

Biophysical

Number of innovations or new technologies developed / applied 1

Back to search results

Countries

Regions

Project Snapshot

SGP Country office contact

Address