Australia Marks Mine Action Day with Funding for Further Landmine Clearance in Afghanistan

Australia will mark International Mine Action Day on 4 April with an expanded contribution to landmine and unexploded ordnance clearance in Afghanistan. More information...

AusAID Development Research Strategy 2008-2010

A new strategy outlines AusAID's approach to practical, social science research intended to increase the effectiveness of Australia's aid program.

AusAID Research Strategy [PDF 746KB]

$500K Milestone Reached in Communities 1st Giving Program
With the recent donation to the Youth Challenge Rural Outreach Program in Vanuatu, the Communities 1st fund reached the milestone donation of AUD 500,000 (over USD 400K, over ₤200K). This represents donations to a variety of more than 30 community development initiatives around the world. GRM would like to thank everyone involved in sourcing ideas, implementing and administering the progams. More information...

OPTO International conducts a Reality Check in Bangladesh on behalf of Sida.
October 2007
The Reality Check is an initiative of the Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh and Sida. The overall goal of the initiative is to listen to and try to understand poor people’s perspectives on the national health and education programmes in Bangladesh, which are supported through multi-donor sector approaches. More information...

Worldwide Governance Indicators Released
September 24 2007
The Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) project reports aggregate and individual governance indicators for 212 countries and territories over the period 1996–2006, for six dimensions of governance:

• Voice and Accountability
• Political Stability and Absence of Violence
• Government Effectiveness
• Regulatory Quality
• Rule of Law
• Control of Corruption

The aggregate indicators combine the views of a large number of enterprise, citizen and expert survey respondents in industrial and developing countries. The individual data sources underlying the aggregate indicators are drawn from a diverse variety of survey institutes, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations.

More information: World Bank Governance Matters 2007

Mid-term Evaluation Medicinal Plants (Phase II) - Bhutan
GRM International BV will provide five experts to perform a mid-term review of the Medicinal Plants Project (Phase II) in Bhutan. This project was set up with the aim of conserving natural resources, alleviating poverty, improving health and creating economic opportunity through the sustainable development of the medicinal plants sector. The aim of the mid-term review will be to assess the efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability and impact of the project to date. In particular, the team will review the strategies adopted to achieve project objectives and provide specific recommendations on future project strategy. The five member review team includes a Team Leader and specialists in horticulture and farmer associations. The mid-term review will be performed during July/August 2007.

Introduction of Participative Approaches to Epidemiological Surveillance - Madagascar
GRM International - Netherlands is part of a consortium led by TRANSTEC BV of Belgium supplying services to the EC in the field of Rural Development and Food Security.

Commencing July 2007, GRM International BV will provide an expert in the monitoring and control of infectious animal diseases in pastoral zones for the assignment "Introduction des approaches participatives de surveillance épidémiologique à Madagascar".

The expert will be employed to introduce participatory approaches to epidemiological surveillance and deliver a train-the-trainer's programme in participatory epidemiology amongst other objectives.

The assignment will involve two phases totalling 60 days.

End of Project Evaluation of Micro-projects through Development of Local Communities – Lao PDR
GRM International - Netherlands is part of a consortium led by TRANSTEC BV of Belgium supplying services to the EC in the field of Rural Development and Food Security.

The overall objective of the “Micro-projects through Development of Local Communities” project is to provide priority small-scale socio-economic development to the residents of poor upland villages in four rural districts of Luang Prabang and Luang Namtha through an interactive participation of villagers, local authorities and private sector organisations. This is intended to strengthen their ability to foster rural based development in an efficient and effective manner.

GRM International BV will provide a team of four multi-disciplinary experts to perform an end of project evaluation of this project. The team includes a Rural Development Specialist/Team Leader and specialists in agriculture, the social sector and rural infrastructure.

Entitled ‘Security for Development: Confronting Threats to Survival and Safety', the conference will bring together nearly 600 researchers, policymakers and development practitioners from across the world to discuss the role of physical security as a precondition of human development.

The conference will focus on pervasive threats, whose potential to cause physical or material damage shortens the planning horizons of individuals, communities and enterprises and challenges their survival. Threats to be addressed include violence (domestic abuse, violent crime and civil conflict), and major calamities including pandemics and natural disasters (such as earthquakes, drought and floods).

For more information on GDN, see their website: http://www.gdnet.org

External Evaluation Mission of the Food Security Support Programme - BOLIVIA
GRM International - Netherlands is part of a consortium led by TRANSTEC BV of Belgium supplying services to the EC in the field of Rural Development and Food Security.

In April - May 2007, GRM International BV will provide the team leader for a six-week external evaluation mission of the Food Security Support Programme (Programa de Apoyo a la Seguridad Alimentaria - PASA ) in Bolivia, implemented by the Bolivian Ministry of Rural Development, Agribusiness and Environment. The three main components of the programme are institutional assistance, public investments and micro-finance.

The team leader will be responsible for the overall coordination of the evaluation mission and the team of four experts which includes a public finance expert, agronomist/sociologist and an economist.

Development of Donor Coordination Framework, Kano State, Nigeria (DFID Phase 1: 15 Jan 07 - 15 Mar 07)
GRM has been contracted by DFID to support the Kano State Government in its efforts to better identify and coordinate donor and aid agency interventions in all sectors. This is important to secure the most efficient and effective use of donor funds for the benefit of the people of Kano State, many of whom experience some of the worst conditions of poverty in the world. The project aims to put the determination of development programming firmly in to the hands of the elected representatives of the people, enabling the state government to set priorities and implement a more cohesive Kano State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy to reduce poverty. Working with the Ministry of Planning and Budget, GRM has undertaken a situation analysis of current donor activities and coordination mechanisms and recommended practical steps to be taken to maximise the impact of donor assistance working within a new institutional framework based on the establishment of a donor coordination unit. Efforts are continuing to promote the new initiative with Government and NGO stakeholders, to bring about the recommended organisational changes and to collect the necessary management information on donor activities.

Vulnerable Group Development for Ultra-Poor Programme in Bangladesh:
New Framework Contract Assignment for GRM The Netherlands.

Solomon Islands Artists Support Program: Exhibition
23 January 2007
The first photos are available from an exhibition held by Solomon Island Artists Association, funded by GRM's Communities 1st programme. The program aims to contribute to the national cultural heritage, foster cultural and artistic development and facilitate economic development and employment growth.

Josephine will be providing technical community development advice to the Community Development Fund Project Implementation Unit with regard to the provision of health, education, water supply and other basic social and economic services and infrastructure and working to build the institutional capacity of local non-government and civil society organisations. This is in the context of seriously neglected and underdeveloped areas of North Sudan where Social service delivery is a means to facilitate conflict resolution and ensure peace dividends to the war-affected populations.