Our Projects | GCT Consulting & Training

2016

Project

Support in Human Capacity Development for the Palestinian Water Sector.

In Palestine, numerous water and wastewater service providers struggle with high water losses, inefficiency in the operation of existing facilities, partly also critical revenue collection rates and lack of professional staff (in particular for wastewater management). The Palestinian Water Authority still does not have the necessary capacities, instruments and processes for an effective monitoring and steering of sector development. The newly established regulatory institution is not yet operational and doesn’t have effective instruments and processes to support service providers regarding performance improvements. With the adoption of the new Water Law in 2014, the establishment of the regulator and numerous bylaws (among which is the wastewater premises connection bylaw), the framework conditions for a far-reaching reform of the sector have been improved. However, institutions on the national level as well as WSP do not have the required capacities for efficient planning, management and regulation of water supply services and wastewater management (core problem). Therefore, the GIZ Water Program Palestine (WPP) aims to improve the capacities of the Palestinian water sector institutions with regard to planning, steering and regulation of water supply and wastewater management services. The WPP concentrates on two fields of action: (1) Support national institutions in the implementation of reform processes and (2) Improve the management capacities of the water and wastewater supply providers. Beneficiaries of the project are people including public and private institutions connected to water supply and wastewater network. Support to Human Capacity Development (HCD) of the Palestinian Water Sector is the largest of four components of the WPP. The main objective of this project is to contribute to the enhancement of the human capacities in the Palestinian water sector and to the achievement of the National HCD targets.

Funded by GIZ; for the benifit of the Union of Palestinian Water Service Providers (UPWSP)

West Bank

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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

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2015

Project

Launching the Fourth phase of the Youth local Councils (YLCs) in the West Bank for the benefit of 18 partner LGUs.

Youth constitute an overwhelming majority of population in the West Bank & Gaza and despite of this, there have been few opportunities for them to engage in community affairs and local governance. In response to this unbalanced situation, Global Communities (Formerly CHF) piloted the Youth Shadow Local Council initiative in four communities in 2008 with funding from USAID. By the beginning of 2015, Global Communities has intended to launch the fourth phase of Youth Local Councils (YLCs) in the 18 partner LGUs (Beit Jala, Beit Sahour, Bethlehem, Beit Fajjar, Halhoul, Beit Ommar, Anabta, Qalqilya, Tubas, Aqaba, Salfeet, Bedia,Qabalan, BirZeit,Tibeh, Abu Dis,Al-Ram and Jericho).The overall objective of this project was to enhance the youth participation in the local governance sector and enable them to have a say and play a role in bringing about positive change and initiating community mobilization process for local sustainable development.Its specific objectives were to:1.Encourage local community to support youth participation in public and local discourse and decision- making;2.Promote democratic practices within youth sector 3.Enrich and building the capacities of youth to play an effective role in bringing about a positive change in the community towards fulfilling their actual needs and priorities ;4.Enable elected youth to practice a leadership experience with municipalities, institutions, ministries and decision makers, and take a part in the development activities and initiatives at the local level.Within this context and for achieving these specific and general objectives, Global Communities has contracted GCT to implement this project in an effective manner within the highest possible quality standards.

Funded by USAID; for the benefit of Global Communities, Local Government and Infrastructure program – LGI.

West Bank (Northern, Middle and Southern areas)

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2015

Project

Feasibility Study for Establishment of Al-Dahrieh International Football Stadium.

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.The French Development Agency (AFD) has contributed to the 1st cycle of Phase II of the Municipal Development Program (MDP) with a 1M€ grant. This grant mainly serves to finance technical assistance and capacity building services to a few pilot municipalities across West Bank and Gaza to enhance their capacities to design and manage Local Economic Development (LED) approaches/projects. In that matter, MDLF shall support the packaging and emergence of pilot LED projects, as well preparing to play the role of a mediator/facilitator between the private stakeholders and qualified municipalities. Within the frame work of AFD grant and windows 4 of MDP, MDLF is intend to use part of the grant to contract with consulting firm to undertake an assignment entitled “Feasibility Study for Establishment of - Al-Dahrieh - International Football Stadium”, for the benefit of Al-Dahrieh municipality. The main objective of this assignment was to conduct feasibility study for establishment of -Al-Dahrieh - International Football Stadium, to help the municipality to decide whether to proceed with this LED project or not, and if this project will be feasible to catalyze economic activities not just in its surroundings but also throughout the city.Within this context, the study will focus on the project impacts on the different key aspects of local development (economic, financial, urban and social) at the individual, local and national level. As a result of the study, the municipality will be provided with logical justifications enriched with evidence - based research to proceed with the project or not. Furthermore, this study will examine the expected impacts on the mid and long term of the project to assess the degree of project success be a viable and sustainable financial, urban, economic model.

Funded by AFD ; MDLF, for the benefit of Al- Dahrieh Municipality.

West Bank-Hebron

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2015

Project

Assessment Study of Ramallah Trademark Clothes Market .

US21 is a leading supplier of integrated products, services and logistics to the DoD, national security agencies, federal civilian agencies, prime contractors, and non-profits worldwide. Focused on supply, sustainment and logistics, we design and develop solutions that support a broad range of mission critical programs, national security programs, foreign assistance and aid programs. In 2015, it has contracted GCT in order to implement an assessment study .The main objective of this assessment study was to conduct an assessment study of trademarked clothes/apparel Market within Ramallah area covering (men, women, children, and those specialized for Lingerie), by assessing the opportunity which the market has, and the viability of such opportunities. Based on the results the market assessment reveals, US 21 decided on further steps to study the technical and financial feasibility of possible investments in the market.

US 21 Company

West Bank- Ramallah

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2015

Project

Evaluation of Welfare Association's projects and programs in Jerusalem (2010-2014).

Welfare Association (WA) is an independent non-profit organization established in 1983 to provide humanitarian and development assistance for Palestinians in the West Bank including Jerusalem, Gaza Strip, 1948 Areas, and the Palestinian communities in Lebanon. Its works focused on 4 main sectors that are considered the cornerstone for achieving local development which are Education,Culture, Community Development, Emergency and Humanitarian Assistance. Since its establishment, it has implemented several development and pilot programs and projects of development that were aimed at promoting these sectors and improving the level of services provided in accordance with the actual development needs and expectations of those targeted beneficiaries.During its long work history , WA has given special attention and distinctive position to Jerusalem city at the forefront of its agenda and a top priority among its development interventions. In 2010, WA has developed a Jerusalem Document entitled ( O Jerusalem we crossing your walls ). A set of development projects have been implemented under this document during the period between (2010-2014) , particularly in the sectors of Education, Cultural and Community Development.These projects have focused on the whole on empowering and strengthening the steadfastness of Jerusalemites as a result of their bad situation due to the Israeli racism policies.Within this context, WA has intended to evaluate the implemented interventions under Jerusalem document during the period between 2010- 2014, in order to identify and assess the direct and indirect impacts , and come up with a set of recommendations to improve the designing and implementation mechanisms of such projects, as well as to enhance the services provided to target beneficiaries towards achieving the planned impacts, in the light of the change theory that put forward for WA's development interventions in Jerusalem city.The main objective of this assignment was to examine the effectiveness - efficiency - relevance - and impacts of the implemented projects in a participatory manner with all relevant parties, evaluate WA‟s achievements in comparison with other donors / key actors in the targeted area, as well as provide recommendations for scale up and future interventions in line with the development priorities of Jerusalem city.For that purpose, WA has contracted GCT to implement this evaluation study in an effective manner in line with their requirements and expectations to develop the future programming and implementation mechanisms of development interventions.

Welfare Association (WA)

Jerusalem

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2015

Project

Market Review for a Spectacle Retail Shop in West Bank.

St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group (SJEHG) is a charitable provider of expert eye care in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. It is providing the sight-saving work to the highest international standards, and is often delivered against very challenging and difficult odds. The severe system of movement restrictions imposed on the West Bank due to the Separation Wall, settler-only roads, and the many checkpoints have had a disastrous effect upon the health of the Palestinian residents; both directly by preventing people from accessing health care, and indirectly by adversely affecting the economy, resulting in a decrease in living standards and in people’s ability to afford health care. As an attempt to contribute in mitigating this situation, SJEHG have established various means of treating Palestinians in the West Bank such as establishment of Anabta Clinic in Nablus where number amongst the poorest in the oPt live, and establishment of Hebron Hospital for eye care. Accordingly, it has planned to conduct a market review and assessment for Spectacle Retail Shop in the West Bank, and get a professional opinion on whether it can use these markets as a tool to create a very useful income stream to support its charitable work.The specific objectives of this study were to a) identify the various barriers to enter these markets if any, and the available opportunities, from a retail mindset, and b) provide a comprehensive market data, particularly from financial aspect.To this end, SJEHG has contracted GCT to implement the market study in an effective manner in line with their requirements and expectations.

St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group (SJEHG)

West Bank

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2015

Project

Baseline Survey /Study for “Improved Access to Markets for Female and Male Small Scale Farmers in the West Bank “Project

Oxfam is an international confederation of 17 organizations working together with partners and local communities in more than 90 countries in order to find practical and innovative ways for protecting people from poverty.One of Oxfam’s development interventions in the OPT is a three-year pro-poor market development Program entitled “Improved Access to Markets for Female and Male Fresh Fruits and Vegetable (FFV) Small Scale Producers in the West Bank”. This project merges two existing projects in the West Bank which are a) Access to markets project and b) Its overall objective is to enhance productivity of women and men farmers and improve relations with the market and service providers, thus contributing to better connect the supply side with the demand side. This will be achieved by facilitating a process which should enhance the capacities and abilities of key actors to play their role along the selected Fresh Fruit and Vegetable (FFV) value chains.Specifically, the main objectives of the assignment are to: Document pre-intervention levels of the project indicators as defined in the log frame;Document pre-intervention levels of the project assumption and risks as identified in the log frame;Review and sharpen Program performance indicators through an evidence- based, participatory research and facilitation process, based on the baseline findings;Provide a broad assessment of the Program’s relevance and outline the project M&E steer on the basis of analysis of baseline data;Provide Recommendations for improvement of project log frame and MEAL system;Provide Recommendations for possible strategies / actions for greater impact.The final results of this baseline study will serve as the pre-intervention status description against which the follow-up assessments (Midterm, and End - line survey) will be compared during and after the end of project’s operation years.

Oxfam GB, Occupied Palestinian Territory

West Bank

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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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