The Movement for Cultural Awareness (MCA) is a Culture and Development NGO which has been in existence since 1980. The group originated from the former National Youth Council (NYC) Cultural Committee, but later evolved into one of the premier Development organisations on the island. MCA initially concentrated mainly on developing and strengthening cultural skills among young persons around Dominica - literally from Scott?s Head to Capuchin, and all points between ? and successfully introduced the concept and usage of Popular Theatre to Dominica in the 1990s. The organisation was registered as a Non - Profit Company in 1991.
As indicated above most of MCA?s past work past focused on Popular Theatre, community mobilization and general cultural development activities. However as a result of current funding realities the organisation saw the need to reorganize itself and adopt a market-led operational approach, rather than depending exclusively on financial support from external Development Agencies as applied previously. This also led to the adoption of a new Culture & Development Program under the theme ?Culture for Action?, which reflects the outlook that cultural forms and features should not serves as ?mere decorations and distractions to our existence?. Rather this resource should be recognised as a valuable tool to effect change at the Grass Roots level by providing a uniquely suited and appropriate vehicle for knowledge transfer and solution implementation.
This new outlook also focuses on marketing the strengths and capabilities of individual MCA members in an effort to provide a flexible and multi-dimensional Development Service Package to clients and associates. In this regard the available capabilities in Documentary Production and Development Communication are being applied in this Knowledge Management Project.
2. Project Rationale and Justification
The accomplishments and successes of the GEF-SPG and COMPACT programs in Dominica will be promoted and highlighted through the activities to be undertaken in this project. The project is targeted at grantees the general public on Dominica, as well as regional and international associates of the GEF-SPG.
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This project was developed because it was observed that while the work of GEF-SPG on Dominica has been quite successful to date not enough is known locally, and indeed internationally, about the various projects which have been, and are, being implemented all over the island. Moreover there is also the need to develop a greater amount of awareness, linkage, and networking among grantees, while the invaluable Grass Roots development experiences developed here should be shared more effectively with regional and international colleagues and counterparts.
In addition there is the need to generally enhance the public profile and visibility of the local GEF-SGP in order to increase the outreach and impact, and make GEF SGP a household name on the island.
This Knowledge Management Project aims to address these issues and will utilize various media - including film, an online publication, posters, and a magazine - to target groups and individuals on Dominica and overseas. It is anticipated that this project will also contribute to strengthening existing projects on the ground through increased publicity and reaffirmation, and engender more interest and support for the GEF-SGP programme on Dominica and attract sponsors and partners for the Country Program and individual projects.
In relation to the specific goal of promoting the past and current achievements of the local GEF-SGP and this project will also coordinate activities to commemorate the significant dates related to the programs and special environmental-related Commemorative Dates. Among these are the following:
- 40 Anniversary of World Heritage Commission
- 10 Years of COMPACT Program on Dominica (2001 ? 2011)
- 20 Anniversary of GEF-SPG Global Program
- Official Launch of Phase 5 of SGP
- Official Launch of SIDS-CBA
3. Linkages to national priorities, action plans/programmes and International Conventions
This project is linked to the Environmental Conventions already ratified by Dominica, the UN-designated Environmental Dates, local Protected Areas Legislation, local Environmental Legislation, and related Policies and Actions Plans.
Other linkages include the programs of the Environmental Coordinating Unit (ECU), the World Heritage Convention, and related activities.
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4. Planned Activities (Main), Timeframe, Expected Results & Indicators
Overall Objectives:
Activity
Description
Time frame
Expected results
Indicators
Activity 1
Development of GEF-SPG Website
September 30, 2012
Functional Website with unique Domain Name, Hosting Plan and appropriate information
Online publication of website
Activity 2
Revival of Gum La Newsletter
September 30, 2012
Online availability of Gum La Newsletter
Online availability of Newsletter
Activity 3
Production of Educational Posters related to Focal Areas
November 30, 2012 and January 30, 2012
Distribution of Posters
Availability of posters
Activity 4
Production of 30 minute GEF-SPG Documentary
December 30, 2012
Completed Documentary on GEF-SGP in Dominica
Availability of Documentary
Activity 5
Production of 30 minute COMPACT Documentary
February 20, 2012
Completed Documentary on COMPACT activities on Dominica
Availability of Documentary
Activity 6
Publication of Commemorative Magazine
November 30, 2012
Distribution of Magazine
Availability of Magazine
Activity 7
Production of Calendars
December 15 2012
Distribution of Calendars
Availability of Calendars
Activity 8
Hosting of Knowledge Fair
May 22, 2013
Coordination and execution of activities related to this event
Hosting of Fair
Activity 9
Consultation and Awareness and skills building Sessions
December 31, 2012
March 31, 2012
June 31, 2012
Participation of the stakeholders in delivery of project outputs
Hosting of Awareness Session
Activity 10
Monitoring & Evaluation
June 30, 2013
End of Project Evaluation Report
Completed Report
Activity 11
Knowledge Management:
July 31, 2013
Documentation of the project.
Completed Document
5. Stakeholder Participation
Forums will be held with grantees , NSC members, local communities and other stakeholders to obtain their input in the design and content of the various activities contained in this project. In addition open communication will allow for feedback to be obtained from stakeholders to obtain reactions, observations and suggestions regarding the content of the products developed during this project, and for future activities. Stakeholers will also have opportunity to review the finished products before mass distribution and dissemination.
6. Partnerships with government/non-government and other agencies/organisations
Partnerships will be developed with all relevant Government Departments, NGOs and
other agencies working closely with the GEF SGP or engaged in activities in the field of Conservation and Sustainable Development. This involves utilizing these institutions as sources of
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information, obtaining support including sponsorships where, and as, appropriate
in the delivery of the various products of this project, and obtaining feedback and suggestions for
future activities.
7. Sustainability
It is expected that most activities conducted within this Knowledge Management Project will be internalised and ?owned? by the grantees, and also become part of their individual mobilization and promotion programs in the future. The project is also expected to enhance the skills and interest of grantees & other partners in developing Knowledge Management Products in the future, as well as using the Internet for networking and product promotion. It is also anticipated that support will be obtained from partners to build on products developed during this project. Finally, it is anticipated that an increased level of awareness will be developed within the general public and relevant officials with respect to the output and impact of GEF-SGP projects on Dominica, leading to more support and inputs in future Knowledge Management programs of this organisation.