Experience

The Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument (READI) objective is to present policy options and assist in building the foundations for ASEAN community in non-trade areas by sharing knowledge and experience between the different regulatory systems. And to establish greater transparency and understanding between the EU and ASEAN.  The Facility will also support ASEAN in drafting its policy paper, defining its targeted results, elaborating its work plan, and implementing the latest developments ensuring best practice for the region.

Crosscutting issues like good economic governance, gender impact, sustainable development, good governance, human rights and rule of law will be elements that will feature in READI technical dialogue and subsequent activities of the project.

The four specific non-trade related sectors identified for immediate support  under the READI Facility and its aims for each sector are as follows:

1.    Information and Communication Technology (ICT)- Support ASEAN in the development of a transparent and coherent / harmonised ICT regulatory framework, in particular on spectrum management

2.    Energy- Implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action on Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2010-2015, in particular in the areas of energy efficiency and conservation, bio fuel, investment framework, and energy security (including diversification of energy sources and energy infrastructure)

3.    Science and Technology- Implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science and Technology (APAST) and its flagship programmes

4.    Disaster Management- Working towards an ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) monitoring and evaluation system agreed and in place.

PHDP II main tasks are to ensure continuity of the National Collection and enhance support to the nursery industry. In addition, the project is committed to foster positive changes in MAIL policy and structure and to support the development of the Afghanistan National Horticulture Development Organisation (ANHDO).

The overall objective of the new project is: ‘To contribute to the improvement of rural livelihoods (food security and farm incomes) and thus to the overall economic recovery of Afghanistan’.

The project purpose is to enable the horticulture industry to respond profitably to domestic and export market demand.

The project comprises five components as listed below:

• COMPONENT 1 – PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR INSTITUTIONAL AND REGULATORY REFORM

·         Result 1: Public (MAIL) and private (Afghanistan National Horticulture Development Organisation – ANHDO) sectors' institutional capacities are developed to regulate, control and further support an expanding horticulture industry:

·         Result 1.1: Public sector institutional capacity (MAIL) is strengthened;

·         Result 1.2: Private sector institutional and human resources capacity at ANHDO and ANNGO further enhanced;

• COMPONENT 2 – NATIONAL VARIETY COLLECTIONS;

·         Result 2: The full range of Afghanistan’s fruit and nut tree crop varieties is maintained

at PHD Centres, is catalogued and evaluated for the benefit of the Afghanistan horticulture industry;

• COMPONENT 3 – NURSERY INDUSTRY

·         Result 3: The private sector fruit and nut nursery industry is profitable and provides sufficient healthy, true-to-type stocks to meet demands from growers for planting orchards;

• COMPONENT 4 - TRAINING AND EXTENSION

·         Result 4: Extension services and skills training lead to adoption of improved planting

material and best horticultural practices by nursery growers and orchards / vineyards

owners.

• COMPONENT 5 - HORIZONTAL ACTIVITIES AND OTHER TASKS

·         Assistance provided to the Contracting Authority

·         Project management;

·         Liaison, synergies and complementarities. 

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the ESA-IO (Eastern & Southern Africa - Indian Ocean) region's integration process, as defined in the 10th EDF Joint ESA-IO Regional Strategy Paper / Regional Indicative Programme (RSP/RIP) of Eastern and Southern Africa, within the framework of the African Union, NEPAD and the Cotonou Partnership Agreement.

The specific objective of the assignment is to achieve enhanced capacity of the ESA-IO regional organizations to implement timely, effectively and efficiently projects and programmes, in accordance with the regional integration agenda.

The purposes of thecontract are as follows:

• Assist in all stages of Project Cycle Management for the timely,  effective and efficient preparation, formulation, implementation and monitoring of regional projects and the RSP/RIP programmes in the ESA/IO region, in accordance with the provisions of the 10th EDF RSP/RIP, and the implementation and closure of regional 9th EDF (and prior) programmes/projects;
• Strengthen the IRCC role and contribution to the co-ordinated and harmonized regional integration at regional and national level, in respect of the regional integration agenda and taking into consideration, among others, the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite process, the AU-EU strategy, the regional Aid for Trade initiatives, and the Economic partnership Agreement;
• Implement the IRCC action plan on the Aid Effectiveness Agenda and facilitate its implementation at the regional level and to support the work of the IRCC Aid Effectiveness Task Force.

The overall objective of the Project is to support the Government of DRC to reform its economy in order to make it more competitive at national, regional and international level, and support the integration of the Congolese economy into the world market within the framework of the Economic Partnership Agreements.

The project has four main components:

1. Improvement of judicial and legal security: modernising trade and accountancy laws through the adhesion to the OHADA treaty; and improving the development of trade courts in the main provincial economic centres
2. Facilitation of trade and customs reforms: improving economic governance and commercial exchanges; fighting against corruption through modernisation of customs procedures and exchanges between the various public services involved
3. Strengthening capacity in trade policy: strengthening economic decision making processes; improving access to tools for analysis
4. Support to quality and exportations: improvement of the competitiveness of non- traditional exportations by facilitating the adoption of international trade standards and by facilitating access to laboratories

Landell Mills has been contracted to design and implement the Afghanistan Business Innovation Challenge Fund (ABIF) from March 2011 to February 2013. ABIF is part of DFID Afghanistan’s Supporting Employment and Enterprise Development (SEED) umbrella programme (2009-2013). ABIF has been being designed using the Making Markets Work for the Poor approach (M4P) and uses a challenge fund cost/risk sharing mechanism to implement the M4P conceptual framework.

The key objective is to enhance competitiveness through stimulating systemic change in markets where large numbers of poor people are present. ABIF focuses on building the capacity of service markets, allowing the private sector to make money out of delivering developmental objectives with an impact at scale. 

Expected results will be:

• An increase in pro-poor investment by the private sector;
• Increased profits of companies, resulting in increased Government revenue;
• Increased competitiveness of Afghan businesses;
• Large scale increases (e.g. through multiplier effects) in jobs and incomes for poor Afghan men and women (tentative targets under SEED are 5000 jobs (of which 1500 are for women) and a 10% increase in monthly incomes for 100,000 people);
• Systemic change in markets;
• Improved market access for the poor as consumers – access to previously inaccessible, cheaper, or better quality goods and services; and
• Improved linkages between businesses and improved value chains, resulting in better inputs and markets for their products.

Grants will be awarded through an open, competitive process to avoid picking winners. Grants will vary in size from $250,000 to $1m and will cover a proportion of the total investment, with the rest of the investment being leveraged by the private sector company. This will include open public solicitation and targeted marketing. Two application stages are anticipated: the submission of concept notes, and, if approved, the submission of a full proposal. Grants will be evaluated by an investment panel against key M4P criteria. BDS support will be provided by Landell Mills and/or will draw on a small seed fund which could pay for services from external providers such as IFC Business Edge provides or ACCI.

Landell Mills has carriedout market analysis of various sectors in Afghanistan, analysing which sectors have the highest proportion of poor people as both consumers and producers, and out of these sectors which have the most potential for pro-poor growth. Major constraints and blockages throughout each value chain are being analysed and will support the development of ‘themes’ for each round of the challenge fund.  

It is likely that challenges within the following sectors will be set as themes for the fund (and the market will respond to these challenges through the submission of innovative ideas to tackle them);

• Horticulture sector (dried fruits, vegetables etc.);
• Livestock sector;
• Carpet sector;
• Small-scale mining;
• Furniture;
• Pharmaceuticals

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to economic growth through strengthening the capacity of the Ministry of Finance for more effective delivery of the EU-funded development programme. Key outputs include design and delivery of formal and on-the job training to the Ministry Finance and other Line Ministries for improved programming, monitoring, financial management and coordination with other donors working in Ethiopia. IN so doing the project builds capacity of government to engage in the development process and efficiently deliver EDF-funded programmes. The purpose of the Technical Assistance contract is to:

• Strengthen capacity in the Ministry of Finance's NAO
• Strengthen the capacities of public agencies in planning, programming and project identification;
  
• Improve the NAO's performance in terms of donor coordination;
• Design and implement a visibility strategy;
• All objectives are to be achieved whilst addressing cross-cutting issues such as governance, environment and gender.

The objective of this mission is to provide technical support in terms of capacity building to the Ministry of Finance in the following domains: 

 1. Sector policy planning and budgeting, aiming among other things, at the development of a global Medium Term Expenditure Framework for the Education Sector in close coordination with the Ministry of Finance.

2. National accounts systems and PFM aggregates in close coordination with the Central Administration for Statistics of Lebanon (CAS). Provision of better PFM and Macro date to investors and citizens.

3. Development of a Strategic Management Decision Making Tool. This includes the development of an integrated and comprehensive economic and financial model for the purpose of supporting MoF decisions. 

4. Assessment and upgrading of IT systems at the Ministry of Finance and related ministries concerning notably: budget preparation module, commitment module, budget advances module, budget execution module, income tax and VAT module (SIGTAS), liabilities and deposits module, stamps system, cashier system, accountability system, and debt module (DMFAS). 

Provision of TA to MEW to contribute to better management and sustainable protection of water and land use throughout the Panj-Amu Darya River Basin

LML has been contracted to provide TA to the Ministry of Energy and Water to manage this large EUR26million project. The overall objective of the Project, of which this contract is part, is ‘to contribute to the improvement of rural livelihoods (food security and farm incomes) and thus to the overall economic recovery of Afghanistan, respectfully of the natural resource base.’. The purpose of this TA contract, which will contribute to the overall Project objective, is: ‘Water and land resources are more economically and equitably managed and sustainably protected.’

Results to be achieved through the contract include:

Result 1: Integrated River Basin (RB) and project management capacity at central government, Panj-Amu River Basin and Upper & Lower Kunduz / Taloqan Sub-basin levels is further enhanced:

-         Result 1.1: Basin and sub-basin organisations are in place while project management capacity is enhanced at central government level in relation to river basin;

-         Result 1.2: Capacity for integrated river basin management further enhanced;

-         Result 1.3: Land and water planning tools at basin level are operational;

Result 2: Hydraulic systems are sustainably improved and Water Users' Associations / Groups (WUA/Gs) strengthen the existing Mirab system to allow a more equitable distribution of irrigation water and more efficient Operation & Maintenance (O&M) by the water users:

-         Result 2.1: Irrigation, drainage and water flow control assets and structures in selected hydraulic systems in the Upper & Lower Kunduz and Taloqan sub-basins are rehabilitated and sustainably improved where appropriate;

-         Result 2.2: Targeted communities represented by their WUAs have the technical, business and management skills required to improve the management of irrigation water and enhance its equitable distribution and ensure the application of their agreed O&M plans;

-         Result 2.3: More economic and equitable irrigation water management is promoted across the Khanabad Irrigation Scheme, for increased reliability of water distribution and water use efficiency.

Result 3: Biomass increases and physical and biological erosion control measures are adopted and replicated in selected sub-catchments;

Result 4 (horizontal):

-         Result 4.1: Any necessary administrative assistance is provided to the Contracting Authority in the management of the Programme;

-         Result 4.2: Liaison, synergies and complementarities within the Programme and between the Programme and other similar initiatives are developed and lessons learned through programme implementation serve to improve the relevant sector policy development and programming (incl. institutional replication in other basins);

-         Result 4.3: Local and governmental monitoring capacity is strengthened.

Under Result 1.1 an organisational structure, functional set up and staffing plan for sub-basin and basin agencies was developed and is now being implemented. Three main regulations/procedures under the water law were finalised including for WUAs.

Under Result 1.2 three new sub basin offices were constructed and equipped and staff is being trained. Three additional sub basin offices are being designed and will be constructed and equipped during the final stages of the project. A basin Council and Sub Basin Councils will be developed and function as multi stakeholder platforms for decision making.

Under Result 1.3 climate change assessments were carried out on the basis of snow coverage studies (using experts from the University of Zurich) in order to have better baseline data for water allocation and flood preparedness. This is of significant importance since in Afghanistan there is a 30 years gap in data on water flow and climate. Snow water storage and snow melting processes are field studied and monitored to improve the understanding of the dynamics in the water balance and to enable better forecasting of water flows in the rivers, quantify effects of climate variability and develop adaptive water allocation plans and distribution schedules.

Under result 2.3 infrastructure adjustments are carried out on the basis of participatory reviews with WUAs, which have resulted in versatile structures that allow to adapt to the rapidly changing and highly dynamic flows in the river. On farm water saving techniques are also being developed through participatory technology development techniques. The most promising and successful approach the System for Rice Intensification (SRI). SRI has been widely adopted. It reduces water consumption by 50% while significantly increasing yields and forms a major factor in adapting to seasonal variations in water availability.  

Under Result 3 various participatory projects are carried out with village natural resources committee and catchment management associations. The projects aim at protection against flash floods, decrease of soil erosion and better drought resilience for the population in the often remote and vulnerable upper catchments. Lessons learned are systematically documented and WOCAT (World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies) is being promoted as a platform for sharing experiences.

In terms of procurement, Landell Mills TA staff have been responsible for:

• Preparing tender dossiers (including designs and BoQs) for works contracts (for irrigation system rehabilitation and buildings to be undertaken by private contractors), as well as assistance in tender evaluation;
• Preparing tender dossiers (including TORs) for grants contracts (for social water management and upper catchment conservation work to be undertaken mainly by NGOs), as well as assistance in tender evaluation;
• Preparing tender dossiers (including specifications and BoQs) for additional equipment (under supply contracts) to be procured for the river basin agencies

This contract is a follow-on from the successful  Kunduz River Basin programme which Landell Mills provided support to from 2004 to 2009, and for which we received a commendation from  British Expertise (see http://www.britishexpertise.org/bx/upload/Awards/09_Awards_Finalists.pdf) as well as our team leader (now an in-house consultant) being  awarded the Individual Consultant of the Year award (see http://www.britishexpertise.org/bx/upload/Awards/09_Awards_Winners.pdf)

The objective of the assignment is to support the Contracting Authority (National Authorising Officer of the EDF) and the Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Cooperatives to design the guidelines for applicants (Restricted Call for Proposals) and evaluate the concept notes as well as the full proposals for the Horticulture component of the Trade and Agriculture Support Programme. 

The assignment requires two experts who will act as assessors. 

Phase 1: Design of the Guidelines. 

After consulting with all the relevant stakeholders including the Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Cooperatives, the Civil Society Organisations, NGOs acting in the field of Agriculture / Horticulture, in order to seek complementarities and prioritise the EDF intervention, the Guidelines for the Call for proposals will be formulated. 

A workshop organised and facilitated by the experts will also take place to consult with stakeholders and allow them to give guidance to the team of experts. 

Phase 2: Evaluation of Concept Notes.

The team will provide administrative support to the opening session and carrying out administrative checks of applications. 

Further to this the experts will each carry out independent written technical assessments of each concept note on the basis of the evaluation grid. Following the evaluation a final recommendation will be submitted to the Evaluation Committee along with the overall evaluation grid and a draft evaluation report. 

Phase 3: Evaluation of the Full Applications (including opening session and administrative checks, verification of eligibility, contract negotiations and drafting of letters to applicants)

 At this stage administrative support will be provided again in the capacity of checking applications and registering and classifying full applications.

The experts will also conduct independent evaluations of each full application and submit their final evaluation grid to the Evaluation Committee. The experts are expected to facilitate the contract negotiations and to conduct the selected applicants and make sure that all remarks and comments made during the evaluation are taken into account in the grant contracts. 

Landell Mills is working closely with the fisheries administrations of Samoa and Tonga to sustainably manage the deepwater snapper fisheries within their maritime zones.

The five month project aims to enhance awareness on pertinent issues related to the management of deepwater snapper fisheries; update and make available stock information; devise a deep water snapper fisheries management plan for Samoa; review and update a deep water snapper fisheries management plan for Tonga, and; develop a simple and robust set of indicators that are appropriate, acceptable and effective in both countries that can be used by the fisheries administration to monitor the sustainable and equitable management of deepwater snapper.

Our team comprises expertise in fisheries management, policy, guidelines and stock assessments.

The work is being commissioned by the ACP FISH II Programme Management Unit in Brussels. It aims to contribute to the sustainable and equitable management of fisheries in ACP regions, thus leading to poverty alleviation and improving food security in ACP States.

The objectives of the project are to abate climate change (carbon sequestration through reforestation and forest prevention) and to mitigate its effects (sea defence, biodiversity).

The purpose of this contract is:

• To support Guyana’s policy on sea defence, climate change and mangrove management
• To provide technical assistance to the Mangrove Action Committee

There are two specific results to be achieved, namely:

• Facilitation of the implementation of the National Mangrove Management Action Plan
• Strengthening of the Mangrove Action Committee and Project Unit

Landell Mills provides a mangrove specialist and a coastal engineer to support the project office in the National Agriculture Research & Extension Institute (NAREI). The role of the TA is to facilitate the objectives of the National Mangrove Management Action Plan:

      i.        Establish administrative capacity for mangrove management in Guyana

     ii.        Promote sustainable management of the mangrove forest.

    iii.        Establish and complete a legal framework for mangrove ecosystem management which encourages community-based participation.

    iv.        Support research and development of Guyana’s mangrove forest

     v.        Develop effective protection and/or rehabilitation of mangrove ecosystems

    vi.        Increase public awareness and education on the benefits of the mangrove forests

The main goal of the project is to contribute to poverty alleviation and socio-economic development in poorer rural areas of Timor-Leste.

RDPIII is contributing to the formulation of key national policies and development strategies whilst implementing associated activities in Manufahi District, including: agriculture and extension support; agribusiness promotion; rural roads and irrigation rehabilitation, and; institutional strengthening & capacity building of line agencies and key stakeholders. 

The RDPIII approach involves reinforcing local capacity for improved management administration and M&E, both at the national and district level whilst providing assistance in the process of decentralisation for integrated agricultural development and infrastructure improvement. This approach aims to reduce rural poverty through targeted interventions, i.e. improvement of trade in agricultural products; providing support to the development of road systems; assisting with the development of efficient irrigation systems; providing support to entrepreneurs who wish to start trading, agro-processing or other small-scale economic investment through micro credit, etc.

LML has been contracted to assist the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) to implement the programme through:

• Project Management: assistance in the design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation of programme initiatives; preparation of programme estimates under EDF; development of visibility and communication campaigns; submission of progress and financial reports;  
• Technical Assistance: TA in the field of agricultural production (coffee, rice, cashew, maize, livestock, aquaculture, training of extension staff, etc); support to private sector rural services (e.g. agribusiness, extension, construction, business development services, etc using a co-financing approach); agroforestry activities; rural road infrastructure development (including using a local labour-intensive/community development approach); capacity building of government staff at national and district level.

The following are the Expected Results from the programme:

• Result 1:  Sustainable agricultural production increased and quantity, quality and value of products passing along the marketing chains increased; 
• Result 2:  Private sector and local communities’ rural services improved (market and community-based agricultural development); 
• Result 3:  Selected rural roads / irrigation schemes rehabilitated and maintenance regimes introduced; 
• Result 4: Government capacity to plan, implement and monitor through decentralised activities improved. 

The global objective is to identify and develop long term mechanisms for increasing revenue and investment in the forestry sector for the development of a stronger coherence between financial resources and Sustainable Forest Management (SFM).

The Climate Change Impact and Adaptation Study in the Mekong Delta supports the Government's National Target Plan for responding to climate change, as well as Vietnam's commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It complements the Government's national socioeconomic development plan and Comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy. The study promotes increased climate change resilience in the region and contributes to poverty reduction through:

(i) climate proofed socioeconomic development planning at provincial level (e.g., urban land use planning to avoid flooding of sensitive areas, adjusting agricultural patterns to adapt to changing drought or salinity conditions, providing such protective infrastructure as dikes, or enhancing natural protective ecosystems);

(ii) adoption of regional adaptation measures to protect agricultural production and thus the livelihoods of poor, near poor, and rural households through structural and non-structural measures; and

(iii) development of climate- resilient infrastructure in the transport and energy sectors that will aid in protecting the livelihoods of vulnerable groups, as well as in supporting overall economic development.

The study is split into two parts: Part A and Part B. This TA (Part B) deals with climate change adaptation and planning and follows directly from Part A which dealt with climate change prediction and impact assessment. This TA will include follow on outputs which will include:

1. Identification of appropriate climate change adaptation measures for target provinces and targeted regional sectors;

2. . Design of pre-feasibility level analysis of proposed pilot projects for scaling up and replication of the TA outcomes and support to collaborative mechanisms for information sharing and coordinated action on climate change.

3. Awareness raising and institutional capacity building

As part of Bhutan's second Multi-Annual Indicative Programme of the Country Strategy Paper, approx. €2.8 million has been allocated for support to the RNR sector. An appropriate intervention is currently being identified and a final decision on the approach in support of the RNR sector is expected to be taken before the end of 2012. The preferred intervention by the EU and Royal Government of Bhutan is the provision of support to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests under a Technical Cooperation Project, covering Technical Cooperation for Capacity Building and Technical Cooperation for Policy/Expert Advice. The Technical Cooperation will also be aimed at the facilitation of future EU cooperation in the sector.

The overall objective of this assignment is to carry out the formulation phase for the funds allocated to support the RNR sector under the second Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (2011-2013) of the Country Strategy Paper 2007-2013. Specifically, the assignment aims to support the Royal Government of Bhutan in designing the details of the proposed intervention in support of the sector and to reflect the design in the Action Fiche and its annexes for approval at the Quality Support Group meeting 2, envisaged to take place in March 2013.

Landell Mills mobilised an exploratory mission (ExM) to Madagascar between 29/01/2013 and 18/02/2013 to evaluate whether it would be useful, advisable and feasible to deploy an EU Election Observation Mission during the Presidential and Legislative elections scheduled to take place on 8th May - 3rd July. 

The assessment included:

• the legislative framework governing the election process, including complaints and appeals
• the composition, structure, performance and preparedness of the election administration
• the respect of fundamental freedoms necessary for the conduct of democratic elections (freedom of association, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression)
• the general political and human rights situations
• the media situations
• voter registration
• party and candidate registration
• partecipation of women in the election process
• partecipation of ethnic and religious minorities
• partecipation of civil society in the election process
• EU and other international support to the election process

Global Objective:

The specific objectives are:

1)    Provide some support to the MoLRWR in finalizing legislative aspects of the reforms, including some practical assistance in the implementation of the irrigation and drainage sub-sector reforms;

2) Provide some support to the MoLRWR to further develop investment planning tools and

thereby detail the investment plan (including its WSS component) and develop a financing

plan;

3) Further support the MoLRWR and the IWRM Working Group to propose improvements to the IWRM strategy and its implementation;

4) Support the revision of the legal framework (water code, water users association law, thinking water law, other related laws, decrees resolutions and regulations) by the MoLRWR and the IWRM Working Group, in conjunction with the Committee on Natural Resources of the Tajik Parliament.

Capacity Building for Regional Integration - Technical Assistance to Support Policy Development, Planning, M&E. Statistics and International Cooperation, SADC Secretariat

The specific project purposes are as follows:

The technical assistance provides support to the Directorate for Planning, Policy and Resource Mobilisation (PPRM) in order to develop and consolidate the capacities of the Directorate to support cross-cutting and technical departments in the Secretariats.

• To establish in the SADC Secretariat a capacity for the effective allocation and use of resources in support of the regional integration agenda as implemented through the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) and the Strategic Indicative Plans for the Organ (SIPO)
• To establish in the Secretariat a capacity for monitoring and evaluating the process of regional integration at both regional and national levels.
  • Signature of the EU-SADC Contribution Agreement
  • Enhanced capacity of the PPRM Directorate to coordinate policy analysis
  • Consolidated planning, M&E and resource mobilisation frameworks
  • Strengthened capacity to manage 10th EDF Regional Indicative Programme (RIP) implementation and European Programme for Reconstruction Development (EPRD) programming
  • Strengthened capacity of the SADC Statistics Unit

Landell Mills completed this strategic assessment of the potential for developing the fisheries of the major dams in Botswana, working closely with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) through the Fisheries Division (FD), with the financial support of The EU funded ACP Fish II Programme.  The overall objectives of the study were:

• To assist the FD of the DWNP in undertaking a fish stock assessment in the selected dams in order to determine the status of fish stocks; and
• To strengthen FD capacity for continued monitoring to ensure sustainable utilisation of the resources.

This is an important initiative as the sector has the potential to create and enhance rural livelihoods and income-earning opportunities, whilst improving national food security and reducing Botswana’s reliance on fish imports. 

The study was completed under the guidance of a leading expert in inland fisheries management, who supporting training needs and capacity development required within the FD in order to complete the study. Together, they completed a field-survey reporting on the current status of fisheries activities in the major dams, exploitation patterns and an analysis of other activities on the dams.

The study suggests there are healthy stocks of fish in all reservoirs and opportunities to provide fish to local markets as well as widen the scope for recreational fishing, especially for large mouthed bass are being explored. The main problem encountered is the low water levels in some dams because of the prolonged drought period in the country. The final report includes detailed analysis of the status of the stocks in the dams as well as potential for fisheries development.  

Landell Mills mobilised an exploratory mission (ExM) to Paraguay between 09/11/2012 and 03/12/12 to evaluate whether it would be useful, appropriate and feasible to deploy an EU Electoral Observation Mission during the General election planned for 21/04/2013. 

The assessment included:

• the legislative framework governing the election process, including complaints and appeals
• the composition, structure, performance and preparedness of the election administration
• the respect of fundamental freedoms necessary for the conduct of democratic elections (freedom of association, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression)
• the general political and human rights situations
• the media situations
• voter registration
• party and candidate registration
• partecipation of women in the election process
• partecipation of ethnic and religious minorities
• partecipation of civil society in the election process
• EU and other international support to the election process

To contribute to settling outstanding refugee issues, to further improve the climate for the social and economic reintegration of returnees and to facilitate the acceptance of returnees by receiving communities.

• To develop a communication strategy with the purpose of improving the management and implementation of the housing care programme for refugees and returnees.
• To develop an action plan for implementation of the communication strategy for management and implementation of the housing care programme for refugees and returnees.
• To develop and conduct a survey among the minority citizens of Croatia and refugees in Serbia on issues related to the return of refugees.

Landell Mills is working closely with the Government of Haiti and the private sector on this seven month project to make recommendations on aquaculture planning and development in the country.  This is an important initiative as the sector has the potential to create and enhance rural livelihoods and income-earning opportunities, whilst improving national food security and reducing Haiti’s reliance on fish imports.  However, there are a number of development challenges to overcome to make the sector sustainable.  These include the lack of infrastructure and reliable public utilities that are a barrier to investment and the vast competition for resources following the January 2010 earthquake.

Our team comprises expertise in aquaculture, socio-economics and GIS/mapping. They will support the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in completing a field-survey reporting on current aquaculture activities and conduct an institutional analysis of potential for aquaculture production.  The final analytical report will include spatial analysis with potential zoning for aquaculture development. The team will also organise and lead a stakeholder feedback workshop in September in order to validate our analysis and recommendations.

The work is being commissioned by the ACP FISH II Programme Management Unit in Brussels. It aims to strengthen fisheries management in ACP countries, thus leading to poverty alleviation and improving food security.

 Development of an M&E System to support the management and implementation of the Partnership for African Fisheries (PAF)

Landell Mills was charged to design an M&E system which assisted in the overall management and delivery of The Partnership for African Fisheries project. This project started in April 2009 with UK£7 million of start-up funding from DfID with the purpose to undertake policy research to advise policy and to create a framework in which information and lessons learnt could be shared and disseminated. The project strengthened Africa’s ability to devise and implement policies for growth in the fishery sector through facilitating participative research, training and information sharing in selected technical areas.

The M&E system was designed to evaluate the performance of implementation and to evaluate impact of programme activities and the programme as a whole in the short, medium and long term in accordance with procedures and processes already in use in NEPAD and DfID