More than 150 tonnes of waste collected in Zambia for World Clean Up Day

This year’s World Clean Up Day, on the 15th September, included several successful clean-up activities in Zambia, which Landell Mills helped to manage in cooperation with our partner, Ku-Atenga Media. Events were organised in Lusaka, Ndola, Choma and Livingstone, whilst a number of smaller activities were staged in other areas of the country. The annual event, which takes place across 158 countries, is organised by the Let’s Do It! Foundation and aims to increase awareness of the importance of waste management and the need to recycle.

In Zambia’s capital city, activities took place across three locations, under the ‘Keep Lusaka Clean’ campaign and more than 1,000 members of the public took part. The clean-up exercises were supported by the EU Delegation to Zambia, Lusaka City Council and recycling organisations Trashback and Manja Pamodzi, as well as various other local partners.

Attendees brought along their own cleaning equipment including wheel barrows, brooms and rakes. All participants were given gloves, whilst the EU Delegation provided branded t-shirts. An estimated 140 tonnes of waste was collected across the sites in Lusaka alone. Trash Back, Lusaka City Council and Manja Pamodzi then provided trucks to collect all of the waste.

The largest of the gatherings was attended by the Head of the EU Delegation to Zambia and included a demonstration on effective waste management and how to make a compost heap by Trashback. The events received coverage across four radio stations, including an interview with the Ambassador to the EU Delegation, three Zambian TV channels and a national newspaper.

Landell Mills develops methodology for monitoring cropping intensity changes in irrigation schemes using remote sensing satellite technology

Landell Mills has developed a methodology to assess the status of vegetation within individual canal command areas of the Panj-Amu River Basin (P-ARB) in Afghanistan and to compare this with other irrigation areas in the basin. The report explores the use of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 250m resolution Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to record vegetation levels in mid-August.

The MODIS NDVI is effective in independently verifying reported increases in irrigated areas and improved water allocation within command areas, and could be used as a tool to prioritize investments in irrigation areas (i.e. for irrigation schemes with low NVDI which could be increased with investment). It is freely available (https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov).

Evolution of Late August NDVI: 2008 - 2016

The average NDVI index for the whole of the P-ARB was compared with the annual Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) calculated by the Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) Water Resources Department. The Mann-Kendall statistical analysis indicates that the P-ARB SWE was stable between 2008 and 2015 with a confidence level of 73%, while the NDVI is probably increasing with a confidence level of 95%.

This supports the hypothesis that crop productivity has improved over the basin, because of better water management within the irrigation areas, and thus supports the P-ARBP final report conclusions, developed by Landell Mills, that EU investment has had a beneficial impact on cropping intensity.

The methodology was developed as part of the EU-funded Panj-Amu River Basin Programme (P-ARBP), which was implemented from 2009-2017.

Landell Mills leads framework consortium for evaluation and impact assessment of the European Commission’s humanitarian aid and civil protection activities

Landell Mills is a consortium leader for the multiple framework contract for services related to evaluation and impact assessment of the European Commission’s humanitarian aid and civil protection activities for the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO).

Our highly competent consortium is made up of: Universalia (Canada), International Alert (UK), Femconsult (the Netherlands) and the American Institutes for Research (USA). The evaluations and impact assessments that come through this framework are complex in nature and cover a geographic region, country, or a horizontal thematic area, such as health projects, of DG ECHO’s activities.

Our consortium is currently implementing two evaluations, the first is the evaluation of DG ECHO-funded interventions relating to transport and logistics from 2013 to 2017. It includes interventions being delivered directly by DG ECHO itself, or via its humanitarian partners, participating states or by other organisations who are receiving support from DG ECHO. These include organisations such as the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Our partner Universalia is leading the second evaluation; the independent evaluation of the European Union’s humanitarian response to the refugee crisis in Turkey during the period of 2016 to 2017. This evaluation will cover all humanitarian aid actions under the EU Facility for Refugees in Turkey, including those that are ongoing. The results will be used to inform future programming and funding. The evaluation is set to be completed in March 2019 when the final report will become publically available.

Study Tour to Japan enhances knowledge in effective river basin management for Bhutan and Nepal

Executive members from the Wangchhu Basin Committee in Bhutan, and the High Powered Committee for Integrated Development of the Bagmati Civilization and the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat in Nepal, recently took part in a study tour to Japan. They learnt about sustainable management of water resources in river basins from Japanese projects.

Landell Mills arranged for the executives to visit a functional river basin organisation and find out about the required governance and institutional structures for integrated water resources management, as well as planning, implementation and monitoring mechanisms. Together they travelled to Osaka from Tokyo visiting offices en route to learn from river basin organisations, basin water plants and integrated dam management offices. Prior to the study tour, the executives lacked experience in river basin management so the trip was an excellent opportunity for them to enhance their knowledge and transfer it to river basins in Nepal and Bhutan.

The tour forms part of the Strengthening Integrated Water Resources Management in Mountainous River Technical Assistance project administered by ADB, funded by the Japanese Fund for Poverty Reduction and managed by Landell Mills. It is providing technical assistance to river basin organisations in Afghanistan, Nepal and Bhutan. By strengthening water resources management it will help each of the three countries to cope with expected changes in water availability due to climate change and increases in water demand to support economic and population growth.

Find out more about the project here:

Mid-project workshop in Kathmandu discusses way forward for Strengthening Integrated Water Resource Management in Mountainous River Basins project

The first Zarafshon River Basin Dialogue in Tajikistan is a great success

The first River Basin Dialogue under The Zarafshon Integrated Basin Project recently took place at the Dilkusho Tea House in Panjaken Town in Tajikistan. It was organised by the Zarafshon Basin Work Group and Landell Mills, who is providing technical assistance to the project. Through River Basin Dialogues, the Work Group is able to collect feedback and organise discussions among various stakeholders to incorporate into a new River Basin Plan. The plan is being developed by the Zarafshon Basin Work Group and the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR) to guide the development and management of water resources in the Zarafshon Basin. 130 stakeholders attended the inaugural dialogue including the First Deputy of MoEWR, the Head of Operations and the Rural Development Task Manager from the EU Delegation to Tajikistan, and representatives from the Academy of Science of Tajikistan.

As well as helping to develop the River Basin Plan, the first River Basin Dialogue also promoted the work of the European Union’s Rural Development Programme, which focusses on integrated water resources management in river basins. During the event, several presentations were given on water sector reforms and plans for the development of the Zarafshon Basin. Other Integrated Water Resource Management programmes working in river basins in Tajikistan also presented and highlighted their progress. Lastly, a working session gave participants the chance to discuss major water related issues in the basin to discuss feedback from questionnaires distributed before the meeting. The dialogue was featured on regional TV as well as in the national media.

The Zarafshon Basin Work Group is a group of professionals who are currently being trained under the Zarafshon Integrated Sub Basin Project to become a River Basin Agency. The project is funded by the European Union and is contributing the sustainable management and protection of water and land resources in the country.

Find out more about the project here:

Zarafshon Integrated Sub Basin Project Working Group holds inauguration meeting

Zarafshon Integrated Sub-basin Project attends regional pre-consultations of the Citizens Forum of the 8th World Water Forum

Landell Mills organises Jucar River Basin study visit for the Tajikistan Ministry of Energy and Water Resources

The Zarahshon Integrated Sub-basin Project visits Switzerland and Spain

Landell Mills to deliver variety of high quality projects as lead partner on EU SIEA Lot 1 Framework Contract

Landell Mills is pleased to announce it is a lead partner on the EU Framework Contract Services for the Implementation of External Aid for Lot 1 Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and Resilience (FWC SIEA Lot 1). We are leading a consortium of nine partners including Adam Smith International, Danish Forestry Extension, Danish Management, Ecologic Institute, Frankfurt School, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Linpico, Natural Resources Institute (University of Greenwich), and Teagasc (the Agriculture and Food Development Authority).

Landell Mills has been managing EU Framework Contracts for over 10 years, implementing more than 150 short-term assignments in excess of 50 countries. We hosted our first consortium meeting in June in the Pump Rooms in the city of Bath. The meeting highlighted the consortium’s abilities to supply the best quality services at very short notice through extensive framework experience and excellent networks and systems which have been established and proven over time.

Our consortium looks forward to successfully delivering a wide variety of high quality projects under FWC SIEA Lot 1.

Landell Mills wins GIZ contract to improve water resource management in Afghanistan

Landell Mills has recently won a four-year GIZ contract funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. We are implementing Component 1: Strengthening the Planning and Management Capacity of the River Basin Agencies, which forms part of the GIZ Water Supply Improvement Programme (WSIP) Afghanistan.

The Afghan population face a lack of accessible safe drinking water, sanitation and sewerage infrastructure, which causes pollution and leads to water-borne diseases. Under this contract, Landell Mills will be helping River Basin Agencies monitor and plan water investments and manage water resources in a coordinated manner while addressing the needs of different water users. River Basin Agencies are decentralised entities who develop a river basin management strategy and a water allocation or distribution plan. They also make the rules about the allocation of the water and regulate the use of water within the basin.

WSIP has been providing assistance to the Afghan water sector since 2008 to improve the water supply, sanitation and sustainable protection of water resources, particularly for the urban poor. In addition, the project seeks to balance the need to provide drinking water with water requirements for industry, hydroelectricity and agriculture.

Landell Mills and Schlumberger train project and government staff in groundwater management in Afghanistan

Landell Mills organised a recent training and water features tour in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The team from the Kabul Managed Aquifer Recharge Project and 15 government staff from the Afghanistan Ministry of Energy and Water and other government agencies attended. The training enhanced participants’ knowledge of groundwater as an important part of water supply.

The training was delivered from 22nd to 31st July by three members of staff from Schlumberger who are specialists in delivering world-leading technology in water services. Participants learned about groundwater studies, surveys and management. In addition, the firm shared its expertise in using groundwater telemetry equipment which measures water levels by collecting data that can then be visualised on a computer.

The water features tour took participants to the Nurek hydro power plant dam, which is the second tallest dam in the world, and included studies of hydrogeology, field exercises, software analysis and equipment configuration.

The project team and government staff will apply the knowledge and resources from the training to the Kabul Managed Aquifer Recharge Project which is investigating various methods to improve groundwater levels and quality in Kabul, one of the most water-stressed cities in the world.

Find out more about KMARP here:

Drilling begins for the new monitoring network to analyse groundwater levels in Kabul
Landell Mills shares knowledge of international urban water management at national meeting of Irrigation and Water Forum and British Hydrological Society
World Water Day Conference casts a spotlight on the Kabul Managed Aquifer Recharge Project

Landell Mills is participating in the contract ‘Preparatory Analysis and Investment Packaging of Government of Ghana’s Industrial Development Strategy’

Landell Mills is pleased to announce our participation on the contract ‘Preparatory Analysis and Investment Packaging of Government of Ghana’s Industrial Development Strategy’, behind our lead partner IMC Worldwide. The assignment’s objective is to assist the Government of Ghana in identifying anchor investment sectors and support transformation, support required skills development of these initiatives to maximise job creation as well as ensure domestic industry linkages and involvement with the initiatives. Landell Mills is responsible for providing insights into the Industrial Starch Sector. This builds on our successes and lessons learned from the DFID-funded project ‘Working in Partnership to Promote Agricultural Technology Transfer (AgriTT)’.

Landell Mills is implementing the contract ‘Project Completion Review of the Assisting Institutions and Markets for Resilience Programme’

Landell Mills is pleased to announce our implementation of the DFID-funded contract ‘Project Completion Review of the Assisting Institutions and Markets for Resilience Programme’, behind our lead partner IMC Worldwide. The assignment’s objective is to produce a Project Completion Report that analyses the overall results achieved during the life of the programme against intended outcomes and impact, capture and report on the key lessons from the programme, and identify and recommend priorities and options for how Tanzania can build better climate change resilience.

Landell Mills delivers Training of Trainers Workshop to continue the positive impact of Producer Associations in Sudan

Landell Mills recently delivered a Training of Trainers workshop on how to establish, register and successfully operate Producers Associations. The training marks a landmark stage in the Sudan Food Security Programme – Rural Smallholders Component (SFSP-RSC) as the point at which farmers will begin to take over control from the programme’s NGO implementing partners in each state. The NGOs include Zenab and ZOA in Gedaref; WHH in Kassala; World Vision and Charity Organisation for Rehabilitation & Development (CORD) in Blue Nile; and SOS Sahel in Red Sea. Landell Mills is providing Technical Assistance to SFSP-RSC, which is a four-year programme funded by the EU. We are currently entering the final six months of the programme.

Workshop participants at the closing ceremony

The workshop was a week-long retreat from 14th-20th April 2018 in the city of Wad Medani, which is on the west bank of the Blue Nile and 85 miles southeast of Khartoum. 31 prospective trainers attended from government, and international and national NGOs in Sudan. It was inaugurated by the Programme Manager of the European Union.  The workshop equipped the trainers with knowledge and skills to pass on to the Producers Associations in their respective states. It also helped to strengthen the Associations’ capacity to operate effectively and efficiently.

Training facilitator, Mustafa Abukasawi, supervising a group exercise

Producers Associations are local, officially-registered groups of farmers or fishermen with a common interest in working together to improve production and marketing of their produce. The trainers gained knowledge and skills in how to use the specially-developed Producers Associations Establishment and Operations Manual towards setting up and strengthening Producers Associations in their respective states – and how to train others to do the same.

As a result of the workshop and the manual, a ‘training cascade’ has been put in place which will support the sustainability of the Producers Associations beyond the end of the programme. It will also ensure that the technical practices and market-based approaches introduced to them during the programme are continued.

The training venue and training participants at the opening ceremony

Producers Associations cluster the resources of small-scale farmers and fisheries into groups to achieve the necessary economics of scale to engage with suppliers, sell their products in larger quantities and gain access to better marketing and credit opportunities. By assisting small-scale farmers and fishermen with their legal registration under the 2011 Farmers and Livestock Producers’ Associations Act, the SFSP-RSC has also made the Associations more attractive to the private sector. The Training of Trainers workshop is a key step to strengthening the capacity of existing and future Producers Associations.

Staff enjoy an action-packed day in Bristol for Landell Mills 2018 company day out

This year our staff enjoyed an action-packed day away from the office in Bristol on 3rd August. The day began at Laser Fusion where we competed in ‘all against all’ and team battles of laser tag. We then made our way to a unique and challenging escape game experience, ‘Locked in a Room’. We worked in teams to solve puzzles related to time travel and unlock the key to escape. Next, we saw Bristol from the water on a river cruise. Kobe Karaoke was the final destination of the day for those wanting to practice their singing skills.

Drilling begins for the new monitoring network to analyse groundwater levels in Kabul

As part of the Kabul Managed Aquifer Recharge Project (KMARP) funded by the Asian Development Bank, Landell Mills has commenced the drilling of a new monitoring network across the city. The drilling of 20 piezometer wells, which will monitor the groundwater levels, commenced on 6th July and is expected to be completed within four months.

Landell Mills’ consultants are supervising the drilling contractors, Diamond Geo Engineering, and overseeing the installation of monitoring equipment in the wells. It is expected that a further 20 wells will be drilled in the near future. 

Kabul is reliant on groundwater, but it is one of the most water-stressed cities in the world and its residents suffer from a lack of accessible drinking water. Due to issues such as contamination from pit latrines and waste disposal, as well as continued population growth, groundwater levels are stressed and of poor quality.

KMARP is investigating the use of Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) techniques in order to improve groundwater levels and quality, as well as access to drinking water for Kabul. Managed Aquifer Recharge is the intentional recharge of water to aquifers (underground layers of water-bearing permeable rock) under controlled conditions. Some of the MAR techniques used on the project include a spreading basin and injection wells. The former involves a flat enclosed basin located on a permeable surface overlying an aquifer, then recharge water is placed in the basin area and allowed to infiltrate. Injection wells consist of a tube well that goes deep into the ground and water is pumped down into the aquifer below. 

The monitoring network will capture the changes in water level in great detail and analyse how MAR sites alter groundwater levels. The results of the project will be used to evaluate the feasibility of MAR in the city.

Visit the KMARP website and find out more here:
Landell Mills shares knowledge of international urban water management at national meeting of Irrigation and Water Forum and British Hydrological Society

World Water Day Conference casts a spotlight on the Kabul Managed Aquifer Recharge Project

Women’s peace-making event proves popular at European Development Days

A lab-debate which was organised by Landell Mills as part of the European Development Days in Brussels was a successful and engaging event. ‘African women in the prevention, management and resolution of African conflicts’ took place on Wednesday the 6th of June and more than 80 people attended.

The session was moderated by Modi Ntambwe (pictured below), Chair of RVDAGE-SVAV Federation of African Associations of Flanders, and discussions focussed on gender mainstreaming within the peace operations and mediation efforts supported by the African Peace Facility (APF).

The APF is the main tool for implementing the Africa-EU Peace and Security Cooperation and has supported more than 14 Peace Support Operations (PSOs) since its creation in 2004. The lab-debate explored the promotion of a gender component in PSOs, such as the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) in South Sudan and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

Speakers included (pictured below, left to right) Sara Formisano, Gender Advisor at CTSAMM; Isabelle Arradon, Director of Research, Leading on Gender, Peace and Security at International Crisis Group; and Stella Maranga, Gender Officer at AMISOM.

The event was organised by Landell Mills as part of the ‘EU – Africa actions on peace and security through the African Peace Facility Communication Plan’ contract that we manage on behalf of the European Commission.

Find out more about the Lab Debate and the 2018 European Development Days.

Mid-project workshop in Kathmandu discusses way forward for Strengthening Integrated Water Resource Management in Mountainous River Basins project

On May 8-9th 2018 Landell Mills’ experts facilitated a mid-project regional workshop in Kathmandu as part of the Strengthening Integrated Water Resource Management in Mountainous River Basins project. The workshop brought together participants of the three countries involved in the Technical Assistance project administered by ADB, funded by the Japanese Fund for Poverty Reduction and managed by Landell Mills.

The participating countries are Afghanistan, Nepal and Bhutan. Attendees included members of the Ministry of Energy and Water and the Panj-Amu River Basin Agency in Afghanistan; the Wangchhu River Basin Committee in Bhutan; the High-Powered Committee for Integrated Development of the Bagmati Civilization and Water and Energy Commission Secretariat in Nepal, as well as ADB Officers from Manila and Kathmandu and a number of supporting consultants from Landell Mills.

The two-day workshop enabled participants to report on the project’s outcomes, exchange lessons learned and apply them to the next phase of the project in all three countries. The workshop was very informative and applicable to other ADB projects in the Asia and Pacific Region. A report is currently being produced to promote knowledge sharing.

The Strengthening Integrated Water Resource Management in Mountainous River Basins project is providing technical assistance to river basin organisations in each of the three countries. It is strengthening water resources management to cope with expected changes in water availability due to climate change and increases in water demand to support economic and population growth.

Find out more here.

Landell Mills produces radio programme to raise awareness of gender equality issues in Nigeria

Landell Mills’ expert team in Abuja has produced a radio programme focussed on gender issues. The show, called ‘Voice of Women (Muryar Mata)’ is currently being broadcast in Borno State in both Hausa and Kanuri languages. It discusses the following:

• Gender based violence
• Maternal and child health
• Respect for women’s rights
• Political participation and the role of women in politics

The programme includes trigger pieces, a vox pop; studio discussion and listener engagement through phone-ins; text messages, emails and social media. Dandal Kura Radio International is currently airing the programme which is expected to reach a large audience. According to a 2015 survey funded by USAID, the station has an audience of about 10 million Kanuri speaking people across the Lake Chad region. 

The production of the radio programme is the final activity under the EU-funded contract Communication and Visibility Actions for Gender Equality Awareness and Advocacy in Nigeria. A number of events, including award ceremonies and seminars, have been delivered to raise awareness of these important issues.

Find out more here:

Landell Mills organises awards ceremony for gender equality comic competition in Nigeria

How Do Women Win Elections in 2019? A one day seminar in Abuja, Nigeria

Landell Mills organises awards ceremony for EU gender equality essay competition in Nigeria

Landell Mills wins communications projects in Nigeria and Central Asia

Landell Mills shortlisted for South West International Trade Award

We are pleased to announce that Landell Mills has been shortlisted for a 2018 South West International Trade Award in the Company of the Year (over £10m) category. The Awards celebrate international trade achievements by companies based in the South West of England.

The annual celebration, which will be held at the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel on June 28th, will also be an opportunity to recognise companies in the South West that are innovating and exploring new markets as the UK embarks on a new global future outside of the EU.

We are proud of this achievement which reflects our long history of successfully providing UK services to clients overseas, working in some of the most challenging, yet interesting, markets in the world, including, for example, Afghanistan, Sudan and Tajikistan.

This award nomination follows recent successes for Landell Mills at the British Expertise International Awards including winning the 2017 International Collaborative Project and the 2017 and 2018 International Development Project Awards.

Find out more about the South West International Trade Awards and shortlists here.

Results of the ‘Evaluation of EU support for Security Sector Reform in Enlargement and Neighbourhood countries (2010-2016)’ shared at Brussels event

The dissemination of the ‘Evaluation of EU support for Security Sector Reform in Enlargement and Neighbourhood countries (2010-2016)’ took place at the Berlaymont in Brussels on May 23rd. Participants discussed the evaluation’s results and recommendations. Approximately 50 people attended, including EEAS staff, Permanent Representations, NATO, academia, think-tanks, and other stakeholders involved in Security Sector Reform in European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) and Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) beneficiary countries.

The evaluation ran from February 2017 to May 2018 and was commissioned by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR). Landell Mills led the evaluation, in partnership with Linpico. The evaluation identifies key lessons and best practices and produced 16 recommendations to improve current and future EU strategies, policies and actions in the sector. The final evaluation report can be downloaded on the DG NEAR website in the ‘key documents’ section.

Film produced under the EU-ACP TradeCom II programme showcases entrepreneurs in Mauritius

A film produced under the EU-ACP Tradecom II project was screened at a recent Europe Week event organised by the EU Delegation to the Republic of Mauritius.

The film, called Reaping the benefits of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Mauritius, features a selection of enterprises we worked with under the project Strengthening Export Competitiveness for Inclusive Growth in Mauritius, especially in the context of the implementation of the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (i-EPA), which concluded in early March 2018.

©Acuitas

Throughout the project, 32 participating Mauritian enterprises, often led by women or young entrepreneurs, received one-to-one business coaching. This included guidance on product quality requirements, rules of origin, marketing and business development. The businesses we worked with include jewellery and clothing producers, tech companies and agri-businesses, among others. Their products have vast potential to access European markets. The support provided helped participating enterprises to sell their products abroad, including in the EU.

The project was managed by Landell Mills and funded by the EU-ACP TradeCom II programme. It was delivered in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade.

Watch the film below.

Internal knowledge sharing continues at Landell Mills with agricultural value-chains

Another ‘lunch and learn’ internal-knowledge session has taken place at Landell Mills with a training on agricultural value chains conducted by Director, Simon Foxwell. Simon used a horticultural value-chain project in Afghanistan being designed by Landell Mills as an example of the different stages involved in a value-chain project and the session was attended by colleagues from across Landell Mills’ divisional teams.

Simon began by discussing the common actors in a value chain, from the upstream to the downstream. The session then examined in detail the various factors that should be considered when designing a value-chain project, including: selection of the product; selection of a geographical area; and identifying the potential challenges and opportunities at each stage of the chain, which can be determined by carrying out a value-chain analysis. Simon concluded by looking at the various interventions that can support value chains, opening a debate as to whether donors such as ADB should only finance public goods (e.g. agricultural research facilities), or whether incentives are valid to increase uptake of private goods (e.g. better quality seeds and saplings).