Sectoral Network:
Members who are interested in a sector may form this type of network. Education, Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources management are sectors that ASE intervenes. Therefore, Sectoral Networking can be formed accordingly.
b) Geographical scope based classification
This classification is based on geographical coverage of the network. Networks can be formed at International, National, Regional, Zonal, Woreda, and Kebele levels. Hence, ASE shall involve at all levels of geographical boundary.
c) Structure based Networking
It is a classification based on the degree of legal assigning of responsibilities among partners.
Informal networking:
This form of networking has no formal structure and secretariat to co-ordinate it. The group forming the network maintains communication and the responsibility of co-ordination lies entirely on the members’ initiatives. Specifically, Informal Networking can be established in Information disseminations, and Experience sharing.
Formal networking:
Networks that require resource sharing and mobilization should have formal structure. The network in this case shall have chair and secretariat to co-ordinate activities. Memorandum of Understanding or terms of reference should be prepared where duties and responsibilities of the network partners are clearly defined.
d) Duration based Networking
Classification of networks can also be made based on the period for which the network is operational.
For sustainability purpose and degree of importance of the concern, Network shall be formed for long period of duration, which is called Permanent Network.However, it is also possible to establish Ad hoc Networks to accomplish a certain mission and will either be extended or phased-out then after. Such networks can be formed to immediate and urgent cases like hunger, war, flood, epidemic diseases etc.
5. PRINCIPLES AND MODALITIES OF NETWORKING
ASE as an organization shall follow the principles and modalities indicated hereunder.
5.1. Principles
I. Clear vision and purpose
Clear vision and purpose of a network are prerequisites for effective and successful networking. A network with well-defined vision and purpose is a binding bond for members to stay and work in close contact. Statement of purpose shall consist of values, the members of the network, reasons for the existence of the network, what is going to be accomplished, the operational environment /opportunities and threats/, the target group, and uniqueness of the network. The vision and purpose of ASE shall also be reflected in the statement of purpose and shall the ASE management at different levels endorse.
II. Commitment
It is an internal decision/dedication to perform the vision to reality. Networking in development works takes time and resources of partners involved for whom in most cases no bill can be offered. Each partner has to be committed to sacrifice what is expected from him or her for sustainable network.
Individuals, who are the members of a network either as a representative of ASE or personal initiative, must discharge all duties and responsibilities expected from them. With approval of the management of the respective offices of ASE, the represented/self-represented personnel have to contribute the necessary time and resources to the network in which s/he is working and the contribution of represented/self-initiated person has to be informed to the immediate supervisor.
III. Effective leadership
Democratic and non-authoritarian leadership is vital for an effective network. Experience confirms that in most networks concerned with development works or activities, the initiative or the initial setting-up is arranged by one or few organizations. In such position, some of the partners might be more active and will have easier access to funding sources than others. Though an initiator is necessary to demonstrate the benefits of networking to potential partners, it should not dominate the others. Therefore, as a representative of our organization, we have to promote effective leadership to establish a structure in which all partners get equal benefit on equal base.
IV. Willingness
Basically, entry into or/and exit from a network shall be on voluntary motives. However, once we are engaged in the name of the organization, we must be willing to take potential risks of a network. Partners are expected to understand and share risks and thereby willing to accept possible decisions made for risk-aversion purposes. As networkers for the organization, try to identify potential risks and possible remedies, consult with the decision-making body/committee and reach at consensus before disclosing views in risk aversion process.
V. Respect
Networking shall create an enabling environment where partners are open to discuss ideas and alternative ways of looking at problems. Respect all members equally, be transparent and consult openly to bring efficient utilization of individual expertise and experience, which in turn re-enforce creativity.
VI. Accountability and transparency
Decision making process and the flow of information should be democratic and transparent among the network members. ASE as a member must be accountable for any action in the course of the network process. It should also have equal status with other partners to deal and discuss in planning, implementing, and monitoring and evaluation of common activities and programs.
VII. Sharing of collective resources
As the strength and viability of a network depends on its members, sharing of resources to partners shall be taken as convention. Specific skills, information and materials owned by ASE shall be made accessible to others and ASE has to get access for the same from others. Efforts shall be geared towards contributing to the strength of our organization in particular and the network in general.
5.2. Modalities
ASE selects five modalities of networking, which are described in detail here under. Hence, when ASE staff builds a network, one or more of these modalities shall be used.
1. Exchange of knowledge, information and experience
A network can be established for sharing of knowledge, information and experiences. There are many organizations with common vision and wide spectra of expertise, experience and information. ASE is an organization with much experience, knowledge, and information in the development field that it can share to others and also has gaps to be filled through networks. When networks are to be initiated, it should be to link together these elements to build the capacity of ASE towards accomplishing its goals expressed in programs and their components. Networks shall provide knowledge, information and experiences, which were not there before and should help us bring positive change in our integrated food security interventions and give us new insights in designing strategies and frameworks.
2. Resource Mobilization
A Network creates an enabling environment for optimum utilization of existing capabilities and facilities among all stakeholders. Services like training, communication, Documentation, workshops, meetings and conferences may be costly for ASE alone. In addition, if the provision of such services is limited to its scope only, resources will not be utilized at their optimum level. In order to use such resources at optimal level, ASE has to agree with its partners to share resources through the networks. The decision making unit/the management committee of ASE must approve resources allocated and mobilized.
3. Community Mobilizations, Policy Advocacy and Lobbing
These refer to activities performed to promote the position and views of grassroots through ASE in the development process. Hence, Networks shall strengthen the participation of ASE in the formulation of development policies and strategies. In this connection, networks help to organize conferences, prepare publications and communicate decision makers to contribute their part in the development endeavors. ASE shall provide an essentially local knowledge input to policy formulation and implementation.
Moreover, since we are working with grassroots, we may some time need to urge government to take the pathway ahead in promoting fair practices. In this case, networking shall be formed to assist mobilization of grassroot communities to build alliances and develop issue-based solidarity over issues. Hence, Networking shall be formed to provide capacity and autonomy to them for exercising their roles and struggle for the task of emancipation.
4. Research Coordination
ASE undertakes research on different topics, which could also be related to topics dealt by other organizations. This is costly and duplication for the nation. Therefore, network can be established to coordinate research works in order to avoid duplication of efforts, minimize cost and improve the quality of research by executing related research works together. The priority research agendas shall be land tenure, food security, gender, and natural resources management.
5. Marketing and Technical Support
Recall that integrating into the global economy calls for producing competitive products in terms of quality, prices and availability. Marketing networks, therefore, shall be established to provide a platform for farmers to get information about the kind of product that they have to produce, to assess markets for their products, to enable them to sell their produce in markets that fetch them the best returns. In addition it can help them get technical support.
6. BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF NETWORKING
6.1 Benefits
Engagement in networking shall be for the benefit of the organization in achieving its pre-determined development goals. Hence, we have to be clear to what benefits shall we join a network. The following list shows some of the benefits that ASE shall gain.
a) Knowledge, experience and Information: ASE shall benefit from sharing recent information on trends, challenges, opportunities, and best practices in poverty reduction in general and improving the livelihood of rural poor in particular.
b) Participation in formulation and implementation of Policies: ASE shall strengthen its status to participate in formulating and implementing policies, strategies, procedures, and frameworks related to rural development.
c) Professional Development/capacity building: ASE staff shall build their capacities through attending seminars, conferences, trainings and workshops. The technical capacity and competency of staff and hence organizational performance and strength shall be improved by sharing documents and other publications from database of the networks and individual members.
d) Resource Sharing: Networking shall be used as an effective means of using resources at their optimal scale to resources operating at sub-optimal level due to limited scale of operation.
6.2 Challenges
The following are some of the potential challenges that we have to predict from Network engagement:
Biased attitudes of management members and dominant partners
Unbalanced commitment towards Networks
Lack of experience in Networking
Lack of attention in coordinating due to heavy duties for top leaders of Networks
Dictatorial conduct of top-coordinators of Networks
Lack of accountability, respectfulness, and transparency
High staff turnover and irregularities of attendance of network representatives
Lack of reliable source of finance
Lack of enabling environment for Networking formation and operation
Inadequate means of communication and information
Lack of enforcement mechanism on members to execute commitment
Mismatched expectations from members Conflict of interest from other networks
Hence, tolerance and valuing the principles are desirable. Moreover, appropriate solutions shall be opted and recommended to avoid fragmentation and to sustain the network.
7. STEPS IN NETWORK ESTABLISHMENT
Establishment of networks could be commenced by initiative of donors, individuals, or organizations. Regarding the steps, adopt the following.
Step 1. Assessment and selection of partners
Search for organizations that have similar vision with ASE and get exhaustive information about them.
Create contacts through advertisement, letters, e-mail and/or direct contact and get detail information and screen
Based on the information gathered, prepare a comprehensive report on potential partners and submit to screening committee, which is expected to be formed by ASE.
The screening committee shall select partner organizations and report to the management, which the committee is accounted for.
The criteria for eligibility of an organization for partnership may vary depending on the interest of the organization and nature and purpose of the task as well. However, the following elements shall be considered as some of the qualities as criteria to choose partner organizations.
Credibility: acceptance to many stakeholders;
Competence: relevant skills and experience, proven track record and acknowledged past experience; local knowledge;
Representation: community ties, accountability to beneficiaries;
Governance: sound and empowering internal management, transparency, financial accountability, and efficiency;
Legal status: the organization must have legal status Institutional capacity: sufficient scale of operations, facilities, and equipment.
Step 2: Conduct consultations, prepare concept notes and signing Memorandum of Understanding
Conduct meetings, seminars, and workshops for consultation and discuss all matters among the network stakeholders to reach at a consensus.
The concept note is one that clearly explains the concept or the core idea of the network motive.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) shall consist of:
Vision, Mission, Mandate, Values, Strategies, Objectives and Goals of the network,
Membership
Duties and responsibilities of each partner,
Sources of budget, and budget imbursement rules and regulations, and
Resource contribution, allocation and utilization procedures and regulations.
The following are some of the envisaged sources of budget:
a) External Donors
b) Membership fees
c) Agencies that have similar programmes
Appointed personnel can prepare the draft document of the memorandum of understanding and the document can be further reviewed through conducting further consultations among partners.
If in case partners are not willing to sign MOU, it is possible to proceed with TOR. In that case, ensure organizational commitment by obtaining a letter of commitment from each participating organization written on organization’s letterhead and signed by highest authority possible.
Step 3. Prepare action plan
The Action plan shall consist of the following contents:
Activities to accomplish objectives, Targeted groups,
Resource Requirements
Time frame
Locations where the activities are performed,
Executive bodies and accountability
Expected outcomes and impacts, and
Possible verifications for the completion of tasks
Attach the action plan to the MOU
8. ELIGIBLE NETWORK AGENDAS OF ASE
The following, among others, are list of network agendas:
Food security
Agriculture
Agricultural biodiversity
Gender
HIV/AIDS
Natural Resources Management (including land, and Water)
Participatory Research
Microfinance
Agricultural Marketing
Organic Agriculture
Poverty
Conflict management
Rural development
Family planning
Energy
Institution building
Community Training/Extension
9. POSSIBLE NETWORK PARTNERS OF ASE
Line Ministries,
Woreda offices,
Local government institutions,
Bilateral Agencies,
Private Sector,
The Research Community,
Other NGOs (national and international),
Institutions of higher learning (Universities, colleges, ATVET)
Farmers’ training centers
Community based organizations/institutions
10. ASE STRATEGIES OF NETWORKING
The following are suggested as implementation strategies to networking:
10.1 Establishment of committee
An internal committee shall be established at the head office as well as the PO levels. The committee shall review and present recommendations for higher decision-making units. The organization monitors and evaluates the network operation through this committee and representatives shall report the status of the network (s) on a quarterly basis. This is important for the sustainability, success and deepening of networking in ASE.
10.2 Capacity Building
This helps strengthening and upgrading the capacity of partner organizations in operating with networks. Hence, adopt the following:
Organize workshops, seminars, meetings, exchange visits, and short-term trainings to stakeholders
Prepare relevant materials
Support the development of other forums that facilitate the free exchange of ideas and information, as well as the sharing of resources.
10.3 Starting at pilot projects
Adopt the following to materialize this:
Design community-led pilot projects or programmes for the core agenda of the network at initial phase.
Support community driven initiatives
Generate successful experiences for diffusion
10.4 Encourage community participation
Targeted groups for whom the network is formed shall be encouraged to participate in planning, implementing, and evaluating the programmes performed for the benefit of them. The community at large or the representative (s) shall involve in the networks. To encourage participation, execute the following:
Conduct consultation meetings and invite them to participate
Respect their views and orient the network agenda and purposes in accordance to their needs and problems
Pass on roles and responsibilities
10.5 Awareness Raising
Disseminate information, activities, innovations, and best practices of the network (s) to enhance awareness. To put this in effect;
Create forums and invite more SHs from GO, NGOs, policy delegates, and media personnel.
Prepare annual and progress reports
Prepare publications such as magazines, manuals, leaflet, brochures, etc. within a certain time interval
10.6 Monitoring and evaluation
Networks shall be monitored, evaluated, and revised on a regular basis, which is determined by SHs in a participatory manner. Periodic review shall be set to review operational procedures, progresses made, lessons learnt, challenges faced, the status and benefits gained from the networks.
- For the purpose of monitoring and evaluation,
- Establish baseline data
- Develop and promote indicators and best practices
Provide feedback to policy makers;
- Establish an evaluation framework for outputs and key processes
