Our Projects | GCT Consulting & Training

2024

Project

Consultancy for Services Psycho-social and Legal Support

The Psychosocial and Legal Support Consultancy Services project was implemented under the Rural Development Project in Area C – Phase II (RDP II), funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and implemented by the Ministry of Local Government (MoLG). The project targeted 19 marginalized rural communities across the Jericho, Tubas, and Salfeet governorates in the West Bank.The overall objective of the assignment was to strengthen the resilience, social cohesion, and rights awareness of vulnerable communities in Area C, with a particular focus on women, youth, children, and persons with disabilities. The project addressed the compounded psychosocial, legal, and socio-economic challenges faced by these communities due to political instability, movement restrictions, and limited access to services.The assignment was implemented through three integrated phases: Inception and Planning, Implementation, and Internal Evaluation and Reporting. During implementation, the consultancy conducted a comprehensive psychosocial and legal baseline study, established and strengthened Community Development Committees (CDCs) in coordination with Local Councils, and delivered structured psychosocial support sessions, legal awareness workshops, and individual legal consultations.In addition, the project introduced community hackathons and socio-economic development initiatives, enabling youth and community members to design and propose locally driven solutions addressing priority needs in areas such as agriculture, services, social entrepreneurship, and community infrastructure.The consultancy also designed and implemented a robust MEAL framework, produced periodic progress reports, a mid-term report, an internal evaluation report, and a final report documenting results, lessons learned, and actionable recommendations. The project contributed directly to enhancing community resilience, improving access to rights-based services, strengthening citizen engagement with local authorities, and promoting sustainable, community-led development in Area C.

For the benefit of Ministry of Local Government (MoLG); Funded by French Development Agency (AFD)

West Bank

View Project Details

2022

Project

Baseline Study on the Status of Complaints in Palestinian LGUs

This assignment is being conducted under the Local Governance Reform Program of GIZ (GIZ-LGRP) which supports reform measures in the local governance sector in Palestine. The second phase of LGRP II is supporting Local Government Units (LGUs) in improving and enhancing their performance in service delivery, by supporting four main outputs:The local planning in LGUs is enhanced. The relationship and dialogue mechanisms between LGUs and their citizens are enhanced.The fiscal abilities of LGUs are enhanced; andThe cooperation between different tiers of government is enhanced.The programme is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and coordinates closely with other donors active in the sector to achieve maximum sustainable effects. One of the important elements related to the second planned output, is the process of complaints submission and management (i.e., the ability of citizens to submit complaints and the commitment of the LGU to respond and handle the complaint). The right to complain is one of the key rights the guaranteed by the Basic Law, and it is considered/ one of the public accountability tools at the local and national levels.In particular, the study will help GIZ-LGRP in obtaining baseline data on the relevant and specific indicator of LGRDP related to “the proportion of officially filed complaints about poor local service delivery, which are escalated to the next level due to excessive processing times or dissatisfaction of the complainants, de-creases by 30%, with no differences in the processing between male and female complainants”. Within this framework, GIZ-LGRP is supporting the MoLG in scaling up and institutionalizing the complaint guideline that was developed with the support of GIZ-LGRDP to all LGUs in West Bank and Gaza. To do that, and to assess the effectiveness of these measures, GIZ-LGRP needs to secure baseline data on the current status of complaint systems and complaints related to LGU services. The purpose of this assignment is to support GIZ by conducting a baseline study that would produce reliable detailed baseline data to be used by GIZ, MoLG and other stakeholders. In this context, GIZ has contracted General Consulting and Training (GCT), to conduct this assignment according to their requirements and expectations.

GIZ through the Local Governance Reform Program (GIZ-LGRP) in partnership with main stakeholders including: Ministry of Local Government (MoLG), Municipal Development

West Bank , Gaza

View Project Details

2022

Project

Conduct a detailed baseline study on the status of complaints in Palestinian Local Government Units.

This assignment is being conducted under the Local Governance Reform Program of GIZ (GIZ-LGRP) which supports reform measures in the local governance sector in Palestine. The second phase of LGRP II is supporting Local Government Units (LGUs) in improving and enhancing their performance in service delivery, by supporting four main outputs:The local planning in LGUs is enhanced. The relationship and dialogue mechanisms between LGUs and their citizens are enhanced.The fiscal abilities of LGUs are enhanced; andThe cooperation between different tiers of government is enhanced.The programme is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and coordinates closely with other donors active in the sector to achieve maximum sustainable effects. One of the important elements related to the second planned output, is the process of complaints submission and management (i.e., the ability of citizens to submit complaints and the commitment of the LGU to respond and handle the complaint). The right to complain is one of the key rights the guaranteed by the Basic Law, and it is considered/ one of the public accountability tools at the local and national levels.In particular, the study will help GIZ-LGRP in obtaining baseline data on the relevant and specific indicator of LGRDP related to “the proportion of officially filed complaints about poor local service delivery, which are escalated to the next level due to excessive processing times or dissatisfaction of the complainants, de-creases by 30%, with no differences in the processing between male and female complainants”. Within this framework, GIZ-LGRP is supporting the MoLG in scaling up and institutionalizing the complaint guideline that was developed with the support of GIZ-LGRDP to all LGUs in West Bank and Gaza. To do that, and to assess the effectiveness of these measures, GIZ-LGRP needs to secure baseline data on the current status of complaint systems and complaints related to LGU services. The purpose of this assignment is to support GIZ by conducting a baseline study that would produce reliable detailed baseline data to be used by GIZ, MoLG and other stakeholders. In this context, GIZ has contracted General Consulting and Training (GCT), to conduct this assignment according to their requirements and expectations.

The program is financed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of the Federal Republic of Germany (BMZ) and co-financed by the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) implemented by GIZ .

West Bank

View Project Details

2020

Project

Final Evaluation for the “Transboundary Wastewater Pollution Control” Project

The Project “Transboundary Wastewater Pollution Control Project” is a UNDP/PAPP initiative that aims to strengthen the wastewater infrastructure in critical locations and support the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) in improving its transboundary wastewater management. The Project is funded by the Netherlands with a total budget of USD 6,708,488.Palestinian Water Authority (PWA), Ministry of Local Government (MOLG), and the Municipalities of Baqa Al-Sharqia, Nazlet Issa and An-Nazleh Asharqia were the key implementing partners of this Project. With approaching the end of project, a final evaluation was necessary to provide a comprehensive and sufficient analysis of the project for the years of operation by conducting an independent external assessment of the level of achievement, performance and impacts of the set objectives and expected results/outputs/outcomes/activities listed in the project documents, determine the successes and/or shortcomings, as well as the factors that have hindered or facilitated the success of the project, identify lessons learned and best practices, in addition to provide recommendations to be considered in future programming.Based on the foregoing, UNDP/PAPP is seeking an eligible firm to conduct the final evaluation for the “Transboundary Wastewater Pollution Control” Project“. To this end, UNDP has contracted General Consulting and Training (GCT), to implement this assignment according to their requirements and expectations.

Funded by United Nation Development Program (UNDP/PAPP), for the benefit of PWA and 6 targeted municipalities in Baqa Asharqia, Zeita and Nazlat

West Bank (Jenin and Tubas).

View Project Details

2019

Project

Review of ICT Legal Framework and assessment of ICT for agricultural innovation in the State of Palestine

Innovation and ICT Sector Development as a Tool for Peace and Prosperity in State of Palestine project was implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Telecom and Information Technology (MTIT) and Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), it aimed to contribute to innovation development and ICT for the economic development of Palestine.Under this project, as it is well- known that development and investment in any sector requires a solid legal and legislative ground in order to succeed and sustain, by understanding whether recent developments in these sectors exposed anomalies in the legal and regulatory environment have; to identify where the current policy objectives have and have not been achieved, and to understand policy goals may need to be set in response to the changed and foreseeable environment both locally and globally, UNDP contracted GCT to conduct review of ICT Legal Framework and assessment of ICT for agricultural innovation in the State of Palestine. The general main purpose of this assignment was to enhance the enabling environment for ICT developments and entrepreneurship through achieving the following sub-objectives:Reviewing the national ICT legal and policy framework with special focus on ICT for agricultural sector (Argo-Tech).Identifying structural anomalies in the governance model and any shortfalls identified in the legal and institutional framework that may presently inhibit the normal development of the sector.Identifying policies and seek to ensure the efficient operation and development of ICT sector and related areas of activity, such as that of the Agricultural Sector as a source of economic growth and prosperity to the state of Palestine.

Funded by UNDP / PAPP; for the benefit of Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Telecom and Information Technology of the State of Palestine.

West Bank

View Project Details

2019

Project

Capacity Building Workshops on Local Economic Development to build key personnel ‘s capacity.

Capacity Building Workshops on Local Economic Development to build key personnel ‘s capacity. — Funded by AFD; MoLG linking with Local Governments Units (LGUs).

Funded by AFD; MoLG linking with Local Governments Units (LGUs).

West Bank

View Project Details

2018

Project

Conducting an International Field Visit to Learn about the Experience of Local Authorities in Crisis Management and Local Development (Bosnia Study Tour)

The Ministry of local Government has decided to fund a project targeting communities in Area C of the Jordan Valley. The general objective of this project is building the resilience of Palestinian communities in Area C. This is defined as the ability of Palestinian communities to cope with a host of socioeconomic, political, and natural shocks that threaten their assets, way of life, and their continued presence on their land.Through the project’s activities, the project aimed to enhance the Capacity Building for both the Ministry of Local government and the LGU’s for planning and Development in order to support the Palestinian communities in Area C,The RDP project aimed to organize a study tour and conduct successful experiences for sharing knowledge and project management by reviewing project management methodologies and experiences in the public sector in Bosnia.The project included visits to some municipalities (Gorazde Municipality, Opcina Municipality, Chan Municipality, Kanji Municipality, and Sirilink Municipality) To get insights into how local integrated development has Provided a more responsive framework to the overall socio-economic situation. And the role of municipalities in attracting private sector investments and building partnerships between them in what is known as local economic development and the role of municipalities in facilitating the work of industrial zones and attracting international private investment to work in the concession areas of these municipalities, and role in the economic prosperity of these municipalities and the employment of workers And increased income.To this end, MOLG has contracted GCT to implement this assignment according to their requirements and expectations. The main objectives of this assignment were as follows:Training and tour objectives:Provide required exposure to international experiences on infrastructure development projects.To learn on Local Integrated Development approaches and sample projects in the municipalities.Discuss crisis management practices used by the municipalities.Discuss their strategies on handling wastewater and rainwater To be introduced with successful example of Local Integrated Development approaches.Get insights on experience of both recipients and implementers of development projects, through site visits, meetings and in class lecture.To learn on Local Integrated Development approaches and sample projects in the cities

MOLG- Ministry of Local Government

Bosnia

View Project Details

2017

Project

Feasibility Study for Establishment of a Recreational City in Bethlehem Governorate.

The MDP is a multi-phase national program which is implemented by the Municipal Development and Lending Fund (MDLF). Its first phase was spanned over a three years period from 2010 to 2013 targeting all 134 municipalities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and has provided municipalities with a combination of technical assistance and annual performance-based grants for priority sub-projects to improve municipal finance and municipal planning. The second phase of MDP (Phase II) is planned to support municipalities - over the short-term- in improving their municipal management practices for better municipal transparency and service delivery. It is designed to address the core issues in municipal service delivery, including: poor management practices that compound an already severe budgetary crisis, lack of local budgets for capital investments, and low revenue generation. Accordingly, it will emphasize on mechanisms to improve service delivery, citizen engagement, revenue generation and municipal responsiveness.Within the frame work of windows 4 of MDP and as a delegated implementation agency, MDLF was intended to use part of the Grant to hire a consulting firm to perform Feasibility Study for Establishment of Multi-Story Shopping Mall in City of Ramallah.The overall objective of this assignments was to collect and analyze information to provide insight into market demand and available opportunities on Shopping Malls Sector in Palestinian Territories, in addition to inform the respective municipality with a better understanding of this sector, as well as identify the viability of the Mall by studying and documenting the available opportunities, and the lessons learned from similar projects at the national and international level.

Al-Hajjeh Real Estate and Investment

West Bank- Bethlehem

View Project Details

2016

Project

Feasibility Study for Establishment of Food Processing/Manufacturing Factory in Village of Kufr Ra’ee.

The MDP is a multi-phase national program which is implemented by the Municipal Development and Lending Fund (MDLF). Its first phase was spanned over a three years period from 2010 to 2013 targeting all 134 municipalities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and has provided municipalities with a combination of technical assistance and annual performance-based grants for priority sub-projects to improve municipal finance and municipal planning. The second phase of MDP (Phase II) is planned to support municipalities - over the short-term- in improving their municipal management practices for better municipal transparency and service delivery. It is designed to address the core issues in municipal service delivery, including: poor management practices that compound an already severe budgetary crisis, lack of local budgets for capital investments, and low revenue generation. Accordingly, it will emphasize on mechanisms to improve service delivery, citizen engagement, revenue generation and municipal responsiveness.Within the frame work of windows 4 of MDP and as a delegated implementation agency, MDLF was intended to use part of the Grant to hire a consulting firm to perform establishment of Food Processing/Manufacturing Factory in Village of Kufr Ra’ee)”.The overall objective of this assignment was to collect and analyze information to provide insight into market demand and available opportunities on food processing/manufacturing Sector in Palestinian Territories, in addition to inform the respective municipality with a better understanding of this sector, as well as identify the viability of the Factory by studying and documenting the available opportunities, and the lessons learned from similar projects at the national and international level.

Funded by VNG International; Municipal Development and Lending Fund (MDLF), for the benefit of Kufr Ra'ee Municipality.

West Bank- Jenin

View Project Details

2016

Project

Feasibility Study for Establishment of Multi-Story Shopping Mall in City of Ramallah.

The MDP is a multi-phase national program which is implemented by the Municipal Development and Lending Fund (MDLF). Its first phase was spanned over a three years period from 2010 to 2013 targeting all 134 municipalities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and has provided municipalities with a combination of technical assistance and annual performance-based grants for priority sub-projects to improve municipal finance and municipal planning. The second phase of MDP (Phase II) is planned to support municipalities - over the short-term- in improving their municipal management practices for better municipal transparency and service delivery. It is designed to address the core issues in municipal service delivery, including: poor management practices that compound an already severe budgetary crisis, lack of local budgets for capital investments, and low revenue generation. Accordingly, it will emphasize on mechanisms to improve service delivery, citizen engagement, revenue generation and municipal responsiveness.Within the frame work of windows 4 of MDP and as a delegated implementation agency, MDLF was intended to use part of the Grant to hire a consulting firm to perform Feasibility Study for Establishment of Multi-Story Shopping Mall in City of Ramallah.The overall objective of this assignments was to collect and analyze information to provide insight into market demand and available opportunities on Shopping Malls Sector in Palestinian Territories, in addition to inform the respective municipality with a better understanding of this sector, as well as identify the viability of the Mall by studying and documenting the available opportunities, and the lessons learned from similar projects at the national and international level.

Funded by VNG International; for the benefit of Municipal Development and Lending Fund (MDLF), for the benefit of Ramallah Municipality

West Bank- Ramallah

View Project Details

2016

Project

Survey on Governance and Popular Committees in the Palestinian Refugee Camps in the West Bank.

The Government of Japan is formulating a technical cooperation project on improvement of living conditions at the Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank through strengthening capacities of the DoRA and popular committees concerning participatory and inclusive community activities.For preparation of the above technical cooperation, it is necessary to understand current conditions and needs for improvement of living conditions of the Palestinian refugee camps as well as decision making mechanism of the popular committees. Also, it is important to understand problem and challenges of the Department of Refugee Affairs (DoRA) and the popular committees concerning improvement of living conditions at the camps and involvement of various kinds of Palestinian refugees living in the camps.Within this context, the Oriental Consultants Global Company was intended to conduct a Survey on Governance and Popular Committees in the Palestinian Refugee Camps in the West Bank. The key objective of this Survey was to collect information and opinions at the Palestinian Refugees Camps at the target areas (Aqbat Jabir camp in Jericho governorate and Al-Ama’ari camp in Ramallah governorate) as well as the government authorities which are responsible for Palestinian refugee affairs, for the purpose of understanding needs of Palestinian refugees to improve their daily life and decision making mechanism at the camps.

Oriental Consultants Global Company- Japan

West Bank- Ramallah \& Jericho

View Project Details

2015

Project

Business Plan for Baby Herbs (Micro Herbs) Production Project for Daraghmeh Company.

The Compete project is a five years project launched in mid-2012, funded by USAID and implemented by DAI. This project aims mainly to strengthen the competitiveness and export potential of key sectors in Palestinian economy by building on the work of previous private-sector USAID projects in the West Bank and Gaza, with a particular focus on accelerated growth in the Agriculture, Tourism, ICT, Stone & Marble industries. One of the key economic sectors targeted by Compete project is Agriculture sector. In Palestinian economy Agricultural remains a dominant sector representing a major component of the economy’s GDP and employing a large percentage of the population. Besides it is considered as a major earner of foreign exchange and supplies the basic needs of the majority of the local population.Under this sector, the project is focused on transforming the Palestinian agribusiness into a globally competitive industry by working closely with local partners and agribusiness team to implement a range of activities to support this sector. Additionally, the project contributes to providing technical assistance and support to Palestinian agricultural companies, including the fresh herbs and vegetables companies, to strengthen their capacities and the used techniques to increase productivity and their market share.One of these companies is Daraghmeh for Agricultural Products & Medical Herbs based in Tubas governorate. It was established in 2013 in Al- Fara – Tubas as a part of Al- Khirasan Farms for producing herbs, agricultural products and exporting them abroad. Nowadays it produces normal fresh herbs, and is planning to start producing baby herbs (Micro Herbs), as a new business line. Within this context and to support the company in moving with this new line to increase its productivity and market share, a new full business plan is needed with clear recommendations for improvements and potential strategies for effective implementation of the intended new business. .

Funded by USAID Compete Project; implemented by Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) ; for the benefit of Daraghmeh Company for Agricultural Products \& Medical Herbs.

West Bank- Tubas Governorate

View Project Details