Cooperative training and education (635-0208) : project completion report

(CLUSA), to improve local management of rural co-ops and co-op thrift and credit societies (CTCS) in Gambia through increased and upgraded training at village and primary society levels. The project has established a comprehensive Member Education Program (MEP) which has increased farmer members' involvement in the affairs of their co-ops and has in general created more awareness of the Gambian Cooperative Union (GCU) and of the advantages of joining co-ops. The project has trained MEP, GCU, CTCS, and Department of Cooperatives (DOC) staff and, at the village level, provided literacy/numeracy training (the most successful and demanded activity) to more then 2,600 persons. Over 2,000 persons have been involved in discussion group activities and more than 500 joined radio learning groups; the vast majority of beneficiaries have been farmer co-op members. In addition, workbooks, manuals, and promotional materials have been produced in quantity; 3 U.S. scholarships were provided to DOC personnel; and DOC-CLUSA staff have participated in overseas workshops. Thirty DOC staff now work full-time on the MEP, and it appears that the DOC has gained the capacity to support and maintain MEP activities. Lessons learned are: (1) MEP numeracy/literacy training should be used as a base on which to build other educational programs; (2) although MEP fieldworkers were well-trained and a structured job set up for them, some would have benefited from more field supervision and support; (3) high salary deductions and slow allowance payments reduced field staff motivation; (4) village acceptance of the MEP cannot be ensured unless close working relationships are developed with village elders; (5) many geographic areas could not be covered by the MEP due to the limited number of co-op inspectors assigned to education; and (6) collaboration with other government agencies is necessary for an integrated approach to rural development.