Cooperative development project on the West Bank and Gaza : a grant proposal

ACDI will implement the project in conjunction with other U.S. cooperative development organizations and the Jordanian Cooperative Organization (JCO). Managers and other employees of the three regional marketing co-ops will be trained via workshops and other courses in a variety of areas; additionally, half of the 1,500 members of cooperative boards of directors, including all officers, will attend at least one week-long course in basic co-op and business and management principles. Those trained will be expected to train others. At least 25 senior officers will receive hands-on training or study tours at U.S. co-ops, and a few junior officers will receive Master"s level training. The creation of a permanent local training facility will be studied. Short-term, U.S. consultants will help give entrepreneurial co-op managers the ability to test and adapt appropriate technologies. The program will focus on increasing the efficiency of agricultural co-ops, as well as their capacity to market their products both at home and abroad. TA will also be provided to expand the employment generation potential of service (e.g., electricity) co-ops, to explore the possibility of providing small construction and materials production centers in conjunction with cooperative housing projects, and, possibly, to convert family savings and education co-ops into credit unions. A credit expert will help expand the c-ops" financial capability, initially by improving the financial skills of the managers of the three large regional marketing co-ops and helping these entities modify existing or establishing new revolving funds. The expert will also try to develop a centralized source of credit and credit supervision. Also, up to 12 extensionists will be trained to, inter alia, introduce improved agricultural practices, provide feedback from co-op members to management, assist in the credit program. Initially funded by the project, these agents will eventually be funded through the cooperative system itself. Finally, project staff will help clarify conflicting claims among West Bank co-ops by developing objective data, e.g., regarding the number of active co-ops, the number of pending registrations and the reasons for the delay in their approval, etc. (Abstract based on grant proposal)