Our Projects | GCT Consulting & Training

2015

Project

Institutionalizing Local Economic Development and Developing Local Economic Development Plans for Selected Municipalities.

Global Communities (Formerly CHF International) is a non-profit international development organization acting as a catalyst for long-lasting positive change in low and moderate-income communities, helping them improve their social, economic, and environmental conditions. With funding provided by the (USAID), Global Communities is implementing a program titled "Local Government and Infrastructure - LGI". The program aims mainly at promoting an enabling environment for good local governance and providing the basic infrastructure necessary for sustainable improvements in the quality of life for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. A key intervention of the program is to strengthen local government capacity to respond effectively and efficiently to community needs by promoting and institutionalizing good democratic governance practices. Within this context, it has developed over the past few years to encompass numerous activities through complementary components as follows:Assistance to develop the capacities, functions, and relations of national actors, particularly of the Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) and its regional directorate offices.Local community development which encompasses a) assistance to local communities and councils to identify needs and priorities, b) supporting the implementation of priority service and basic infrastructure projects, and c) developing strategic development and investment plans for partner Local Government Units (LGUs).Assistance to partner local councils in improving their service delivery and internal structure through training of councils' and staff members, introduction of modern systems, in addition to development of critical planning and development tools (e.g. master physical planning for the target towns and cities, etc.)Enhancement of opportunities for effective public participation and engagement in local governance matters which is pursued.Under the framework of point No.2 and following the successful implementation of the Strategic Development and Investment Plans in 10 partner LGUs under LGI and the official approval and endorsement of the modified SDIP methodology by the Ministry of Local Government (MoLG), LGI decided to continue working on this initiative, guided by the unified SDIP methodology, with Hebron Municipality.The main objective of this project is to provide technical assistance and support Hebron municipality in developing and institutionalizing their Strategic Development and Investment Plan (SDIP) in accordance to the SDIP national methodology and approach adopted by the Ministry of Local Government (MOLG).For that purpose, Global Communities has contracted the association of GCT and NCD to implement this project in an effective manner within the highest possible quality standards.

Funded by VNG International; Municipal Development and Lending Fund (MDLF).

West Bank- Ramallah, Al Bireh, AL- Samou’, BirZeit and Tubas).

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2015

Project

Developing Strategic Development and Investment Plan- SDIP for the benefit of Hebron City.

Global Communities (Formerly CHF International) is a non-profit international development organization acting as a catalyst for long-lasting positive change in low and moderate-income communities, helping them improve their social, economic, and environmental conditions. With funding provided by the (USAID), Global Communities is implementing a program titled "Local Government and Infrastructure - LGI". The program aims mainly at promoting an enabling environment for good local governance and providing the basic infrastructure necessary for sustainable improvements in the quality of life for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. A key intervention of the program is to strengthen local government capacity to respond effectively and efficiently to community needs by promoting and institutionalizing good democratic governance practices. Within this context, it has developed over the past few years to encompass numerous activities through complementary components as follows:Assistance to develop the capacities, functions, and relations of national actors, particularly of the Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) and its regional directorate offices.Local community development which encompasses a) assistance to local communities and councils to identify needs and priorities, b) supporting the implementation of priority service and basic infrastructure projects, and c) developing strategic development and investment plans for partner Local Government Units (LGUs).Assistance to partner local councils in improving their service delivery and internal structure through training of councils' and staff members, introduction of modern systems, in addition to development of critical planning and development tools (e.g. master physical planning for the target towns and cities, etc.)Enhancement of opportunities for effective public participation and engagement in local governance matters which is pursued.Under the framework of point No.2 and following the successful implementation of the Strategic Development and Investment Plans in 10 partner LGUs under LGI and the official approval and endorsement of the modified SDIP methodology by the Ministry of Local Government (MoLG), LGI decided to continue working on this initiative, guided by the unified SDIP methodology, with Hebron Municipality.The main objective of this project is to provide technical assistance and support Hebron municipality in developing and institutionalizing their Strategic Development and Investment Plan (SDIP) in accordance to the SDIP national methodology and approach adopted by the Ministry of Local Government (MOLG).For that purpose, Global Communities has contracted the association of GCT and NCD to implement this project in an effective manner within the highest possible quality standards.

Funded by USAID Global Communities, Local Government and Infrastructure program – LGI.

West Bank -Hebron

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2015

Project

Training and Small-scale Income Generating Activities for Marginalized Women and Their Families in Hebron City in the West Bank.

Training and Small-scale Income Generating Activities for Marginalized Women and Their Families in Hebron City in the West Bank. — Funded by Saudi Committee for the Palestinian People Relief ;UN- Habitat.

Funded by Saudi Committee for the Palestinian People Relief ;UN- Habitat.

West Bank- Hebron.

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2014

Project

Final Evaluation of Livelihoods Security and Civil Society Strengthening in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (TATWEER) project.

Livelihood Security and Civil Society Strengthening in the occupied Palestinian territory (TATWEER), is a six – year project funded by the Australian Government, as part of the Australia - Middle East NGO Cooperation Agreement (AMENCA II). The project has been implemented by CARE International (WB&G) during the period between (May 2009- April 2015), in partnership with Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem (ARIJ); Economic and Social Development Center of Palestine (ESDC); and New Farm Company (NFC).The overall objective of this project was to reduce vulnerability among communities in Jenin and Tubas Governorates through improved and sustainable livelihood security and increased capacity of civil society organizations. Its specifics objectives were as follows:Improve food security, livelihoods, and natural resource management;Increase the participation of women and youth in the Palestinian development process; Strengthen the role of community organizations in the development process; and Contribute to efficient and effective management of the AMENCA II program.After 6 years of operation, CARE International (WB&G) has intended to conduct an independent assessment of the performance and achievement of TATWEER project, identify lesson learned and drawing recommendations to improve future programming through: Determining the extent to which the project has achieved its overall goal, specific objectives and expected outcomes;Analyzing the processes, efficacy of piloted models and approaches, as well as the effectiveness of project monitoring and learning processes;Assessing the intended and unintended impacts of the project on the target beneficiaries (farmers, women, youth, CBOs) and vulnerable communities in Jenin and Tubas;Providing recommendations to improve quality and impact to CARE and project’s partners;Identifying and highlighting lessons learned, good practices and strategies to enhance the success of a subsequent phase, related programming, future interventions and opportunities for scale-up or replication.For that purpose, CARE International (WB&G) has contracted GCT to undertake the intended evaluation assignment in a professional, subjective and comprehensive manner.

Funded by Australian Government; for the benefit of CARE International (WB\&G).

West Bank (Jenin and Tubas)

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2014

Project

Development of New Legal Framework (Laws and Bylaws) for governorate offices in the oPt.

UNDP/PAPP issued the Development for Freedom (Empowered Lives Resilient Nation) consolidated plan of assistance for the years 2012-2014. The plan focuses on strengthening particular affected geographic areas and vulnerable populations, Gaza Strip, Jerusalem and Area C, by providing assistance in four main sectors: Democratic governance and the social contract, Promoting productivity and dignity through livelihoods, Natural resources and environment, and Public and social infrastructure.In line with this program and the 13th Palestinian Authority (PA) Government Plan of 2011-2013 which known by “Ending the Occupation, Establishing the State”, UNDP/PAPP governance team in coordination with Palestinian partner institutions developed the "Supporting Governance for Palestinian Statehood" program document (Statehood Program). This program aims at improving development management of state bodies, especially in the areas of planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring, while facilitating civic participation throughout this cycle. it has the following three main outputs: Institutions of governance and public administration able to fulfill responsibilities and undertake administrative/ financial functions; Sustainable platforms inclusive dialogue and accountable interaction between state and citizen established with an emphasis on women and youth; and State and independent bodies empowered and challenges for statehood. UNDP/PAPP has successfully completed a capacity assessment, a capacity development strategy, and a diagnostic report of the existing legal framework for governorates in Palestine in 2012, which is considered as a first step towards achieving that program’s objectives, in cooperation with GCT.As a second step and in accordance with the diagnostic report’s recommendations which prioritized the development of a new legal framework as a top priority, UNDP/Statehood Program was intended to develop a new unified legal framework for Palestinian governorates that would be tackled the weaknesses of existing legal framework and replace or/amend the unclear mandates of governorates and its overlapping responsibilities with other government bodies.The main objective of this assignment is to develop a new legal framework (law and bylaws) that provide a clear mandate of the governors/governorates in line with existing Presidential decrees and the government's cross-sectorial strategy on local government and administrative development, through achieving the following sub-objectives: Develop a draft legal framework (law and bylaws) defining the mandate and functions of governorate administrations; Provide technical assistance to the Office of the President to support its efforts to establish a consensus on the new legal framework. To this end , UNDP/PAPP has contracted GCT to undertake the consultancy service to develop a new legal framework that would clearly regulate the mandate of the governors/governorates, subject to its endorsement by the President.

United Nations development program/ Program of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP).

West Bank

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2014

Project

Capacity development of Palestinian banking sector in using the sign language and dealing with people with hearing disabilities (Basic Level).

Proceeding from the social responsibility as active institutions and players in the Palestinian business sector from one hand, and their right to access to services provided by these institutions in various sizes and forms as an integral part of Palestinian society , General Consulting and Training(GCT) in collaboration with the Charitable Society for the Deaf in Ramallah city has worked on designing and implementing a professional training program on skills of using the sign language and dealing with people with hearing disabilities (Basic Level), in favour of Palestinian banking sector.The program was designed and developed based on the results of the needs assessment survey which conducted at the first training day with an active participation from Arab Bank staff (24 trainees).The program was aimed mainly to facilitate the process of communication between bank employees and the persons with hearing disabilities by enhancing their knowledge about the used signs in social relations and related terminologies to break the barriers between the trainees and this category of customers, and thereby being able to deal with them directly and meet their needs for banking services, by acquiring the most common used signs related to different provided services in the bank environment. One of the main expected output from this training, is to adopt the necessary actions towards providing the sign language translation service in the bank’s branches across the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Arab Bank

Ramallah -West Bank

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2014

Project

Final Evaluation of Promotion and Development of Tourism in Jenin Area (PDTJ) Project.

Promotion and Development of Tourism in Jenin Area (PDTJ) was an initiative by the Jenin Governorate (JG) to enhance the tourism in Jenin as a new opportunity for economic and cultural development, funded by Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). The project proposal was submitted by JG and approved by AECID end of 2010, with a total value 500,000 Euro over the period of 18 months. The overall aim of this project was to promote and develop the tourism sector in Jenin area by improving the position of Jenin as a tourist destination, focusing on quality, diversification and sustainability, within the context of the PNA and Ministry of Tourism larger strategy.Based on the diagnosis report, PDTJ established Jenin Visitors Center (JVC) as a key pilot project located in Jenin city, Nablus Street, Mahmoud Darwish Building, 2nd floor. By approaching the end of project and according to the stated activities in the approved work plan, JG planned to conduct an external evaluation to assess the impact of PDTJ in the tourism sector in Jenin area, by contracting an eligible consulting firm. In this context, JG contracted GCT to undertake this assignment in objective manner and achieve the following sub- objectives:Clarifying the degree of fulfillment of the specific aim of the action taken and the results achieved;Assessing the results of the implemented activities of the project in relation to its short- and mid-term impact;Drawing key lessons learnt in order to develop and improve the design of future projects in the same fields;Developing recommendations to enable Jenin governorate and its partners to take decisions on the course of implementation of current project (PDTJ).

Funded by Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID); for the benefit of Jenin Governorate

West Bank- Jenin

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2013

Project

Context Analysis about the Situation of Youngsters and Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in Ramallah area 2013.

The Swedish Organization for Individual Relief (SOIR) is one of the key civil organization that plays a big role in the field of disability , it started its work in Jerusalem in 1966 to target the persons with intellectual disabilities. In 1981-1982 it established the Day Center which is currently located in Al Bireh for the purpose of training teenagers and young adults. It aims at enabling boys and girls/young men and women to enjoy their right to develop their personality, talents and creativity, as well as their mental and physical abilities. Now it has 15 participants whose age ranged between 14 – 34 years old from the area of Ramallah, Al Bireh, Bethounia, and Hizme. They receive training in daily life skills, physiotherapy, speech therapy, suitable educational training, and pre-vocational training. The Day has during 2012 started to introduce self-advocacy in the work to help parents became more involved and received training in self-advocacy and how to advocate the rights of their sons and daughters in the society and towards decision-makers.SOIR Strategic Platform for 2011 –2020 emphasizes on working in partnership with civil society organizations and to phase out service delivery commitments or strengthen these with relevant components supporting a right based approach. SOIR needs to define its future work in alignment with that platform by conducting a context analysis study about the situation of youngsters and adults with intellectual disabilities in Ramallah area.To this end , SOIR has contracted GCT to undertake this assignment in effective and professional manner. The main objective of the context analysis study was to tackle the whole relevant parties and key items toward enhancing the collaboration in providing the expected services to youngsters and adults with intellectual disabilities, and defining SOIR’s future work in alignment with the Strategic Platform for 2011 –2020. The expected outcomes of this study were to serve as a point of departure for the planning of the next strategic period 2015 -2017.

Swedish Organization for Individual Relief (SOIR)

West Bank –Ramallah

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2013

Project

Evaluation of SOIR’s Day Centre in Al Bireh 2013.

The Swedish Organization for Individual Relief (SOIR) is one of the key civil organization that plays a big role in the field of disability , it started its work in Jerusalem in 1966 to target the persons with intellectual disabilities. In 1981-1982 it established the Day Center which is currently located in Al Bireh for the purpose of training teenagers and young adults. It aims at enabling boys and girls/young men and women to enjoy their right to develop their personality, talents and creativity, as well as their mental and physical abilities. Now it has 15 participants whose age ranged between 14 – 34 years old from the area of Ramallah, Al Bireh, Bethounia, and Hizme. They receive training in daily life skills, physiotherapy, speech therapy, suitable educational training, and pre-vocational training. The Day has during 2012 started to introduce self-advocacy in the work to help parents became more involved and received training in self-advocacy and how to advocate the rights of their sons and daughters in the society and towards decision-makers. The historic focus of the training at the Day Centre has been on special education, but nowadays the mainly occupational therapy methods are used for work with and training of youth and adults with intellectual disabilities. This led SOIR to an important question which if a special education approach is suitable to continue or if training methods should change to be in alignment with an occupational therapy approach. To this end SOIR need to conduct an evaluation to the current used training methods in comparison with occupational therapy methods. SOIR has contracted GCT to undertake this assignment in effective and professional manner. The main objective of this evaluation study was to determine the quality of current working methods at the Day Center and to find possibilities for developing the work and training methods on one hand. The expected outcomes of this study were to serve as a guiding document for future developments which will guide the implementation of the recommendations and future work at SOIR’s Day Centre.

Swedish Organization for Individual Relief (SOIR)

West Bank –Ramallah

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2012

Project

Provision of Capacity Assessment, Development of Capacity Development Strategy and a Diagnostic Report of the Existing Legal Framework for Governorates Offices in the oPt.

UNDP/PAPP issued the Development for Freedom (Empowered lives. Resilient Rations) consolidate plan of assistance for the years 2012- 2014, which focus on strengthening particular affected geographic areas and vulnerable populations (Gaza Strip, Jerusalem and Area C), by providing assistance in four main sectors: democratic governance and the social contract, promoting productivity and dignity through livelihoods, natural resources and environment, public and social infrastructure.In line with this program and the 13th Palestinian authority (PA) Government plan of 2011-2013 which called ending the occupation, establishing the state, UNDP/PAPP governance team in coordination with Palestinian partner institutions developed the "supporting governance for Palestinian statehood" program document (statehood program) which aims to achieve three main outputs: 1. Institutions of governance and public administration able to fulfill responsibilities and undertake administrative/ financial functions, 2. Sustainable platforms inclusive dialogue and accountable interaction between state and citizen established with an emphasis on women and youth, and 3. State and independent bodies empowered and challenges for statehood. In line with above three outputs mainly the first output, there was a key activity included in the statehood program aiming at developing a comprehensive intervention at the governorates level entitled "support APLA (Association of Palestinian Local Authority) and local governorates to improve decentralized service delivery to local constituencies". Within this context, UNDP/PAPP has planned for conducting a capacity assessment for the governorate offices, development of capacity development strategy, and a diagnostic report of the existing legal framework for Governorate Office in the oPt and provide recommendations on the way forward. In order to these activities be implemented, UNDP/PAPP was contracted GCT to undertake this assignment toward achieving the main objectives. The main objectives of this study were to:Conduct a capacity assessment of all governorate offices.Formulate capacity development strategy to address capacity gaps and capacity development action plan for governorate, based on the results of the capacity assessment.Develop a diagnostic report of the existing legal framework for governorate offices in the oPt (both in Gaza and the West Bank), provide recommendations for improvements and highlights of a suggested new legal framework that clearly defines responsibilities and authorities of governors, with special emphasis on the relation with local government units, PA line ministries at the governorate level, and regional (governorate) planning.

United Nations development program/ Program of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP).

West Bank

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2012

Project

Post Assessment of the Capacity Building Program.

The Secretariat/NDC administers a separate “Sector Development” budget provided by the donors to facilitate and support institutional capacity development targeting the partner NGOs. And as part of its mandate as the Secretariat for HR/GG organizations, NDC has developed a three-pronged capacity building program for partner organizations. The program focuses on three major areas of intervention: financial issues, advocacy and new media. The overall goal of the program was to provide the partner Human Rights and Good Governance NGO’s operating in oPt the assistance and support for strengthening the skills, competencies, and abilities of their staff and organizations, so they can better deliver their outputs, reach their objectives, and achieve their goals in accordance with their mission. Within this context, NDC provided (48) partner NGOs with tailored technical assistance based on their identified needs and initial development plans. With approaching of the end of this capacity building program, NDC planned to conduct post assessment study which will cover the progress from August 2011 till the expected completion date of the program in December 2012, by contracting an eligible consulting firm with specific expertise in evaluation field of capacity building interventions. The main objective of the post assessment was to assess the progress towards achieving the capacity building program intended outputs and goals, as well as to examine the effectiveness of the program approach and methodology. This assessment was developed to be a reflective and forward-looking exercise that will reflect on what results have been achieved through the implementation of the program, analyzed lessons learned and documented all aspects of the program’s progress, in order to enable NDC and other stakeholders to evaluate the program and sustain a cumulative learning process for the future intervention.

NGO Development Center (NDC)

West Bank, Gaza Strip \&lands of 48

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2012

Project

Capacity Development workshops in Customer Relationship for Palestinian Courts Staff.

The Palestinian Justice Enhancement Program (PJEP) is a three years project 2011-2014 that seeks to support the Palestinian Authority in developing the capacity of the justice sector in the West Bank and Gaza; it is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Chemonics International. main goal is to strengthen public confidence in and respect for justice sector institutions and rule of law in the West Bank and Gaza, through targeted assistance to justice institutions, legal professionals, civil society and the public. And focusing on the four objectives: Enhance accessibility and efficiency of targeted justice sector institutions; strengthen capacity and credibility of justice sector professionals, broaden public awareness of rule of law and engagement with justice sector institutions and effectively utilize windows of opportunity mechanism to promote the above. Based on this obvious need, Chemonics through PJEP program and in cooperation with high judicial council contracted GCT in order to develop and delivered customized training programs on customer relationship to the court staff to support a more citizen-centered transformation process. The main objective of these capacity building programs was to develop the customer service skills for HJC-court staff frontline officers to be consistent with the unified court procedures by providing them with the knowledge and skills-base needed to reform their current service delivery approach and guide them to understand and accept the unified procedures within the courts.

Funded by USAID; Chemonics International, Palestinian Justice Enhancement Program (PJEP) in cooperation with high judicial council.

West Bank- Ramallah

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