USAID Funded John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer Program F2F. Request for Technical Assistance Scope of Work Outline

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1 USAID Funded John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer Program F2F Request for Technical Assistance Scope of Work Outline Youth Engagement Organizational Development Executive Summary The rural youth of Colombia have been victims of the profound inequality that characterizes the country. Rural populations have the poorest indicators of health, education, employment and income. As a result, many young people do see rural agriculture and remaining on farms as a viable option. However, some rural youth are beginning to organize and look for opportunities to remain on their farms and develop successful lives in small towns. In the municipalities of Vista Hermosa, Lejanias and Puerto Lopez, young people are beginning to form youth organizations, develop projects and seek resources. These young people have very little information about organizational development processes and planning. They seek support to develop these processes as they build on their agricultural and rural identity. The main problems to be addressed by this assignment are: Lack of experience with organizational development processes Overcoming the persistently pessimistic opinion that there are few viable opportunities in rural agricultural communities How to develop organizational goals and expectations The volunteer should have a background in human sciences and experience working with rural youth in an extension context. The volunteer should have knowledge of rural development, sustainable development and related topics. Background In 2014, 26.8% of the Colombian population was made up of young people (12.5 million). Of that number, 2.8 million youths live in rural areas (DANE, 2014). The forced internal displacement of the last 20 years, a result of social and political turmoil, has meant many young people have left rural areas due to pressure from armed groups and fears of violence. The Colombian peace process provides an opportunity to stem the tide of this emigration. In the Meta Department, the majority of rural youth have either suffered effects of armed conflict or have had a family member affected. This has had a striking effect on the development of the region and its people. Rural areas Colombia is characterized by poor educational systems, few public services, a struggling economy, and more poverty than urban areas. These factors have exacerbated the problem of youths leaving farms for urban slums. Furthermore, ingrained attitudes of rural areas as backward and violent added to the already pessimistic view of many rural youth. In recent years, the Government has recognized the importance of this trend and has developed a series of policies that aim to formalize rural employment and youth entrepreneurship in the agricultural field. Government institutions are encouraging the development of youth organizations to channel resources and projects to support rural youth. In Meta, these youth networks and organizations are very weak and government institutions do not have the capacity to support their development. At present, the municipality of Lejanias is in the process of forming a youth platform supported by the local mayor; in Puerto Lopez, Entre Pueblos (a host of several F2F assignments) is working to build membership from the area s

2 young people; in Villavicencio, a responsible consumers network is being spearheaded by young people. Additionally, with its connection to the F2F project, Unillanos has identified potential leaders in the areas of food politics, sustainable agriculture and other areas. The volunteer on this assignment will work with two youth organizations and one organization primarily composed of adults. In general, the trainings should be directed at building organizational capacity and motivating young people by demonstrating the potential of rural youth and a future in rural agriculture. The volunteer should empower the hosts by realistically addressing rural development challenges and cultural attitudes. Trainings should bear in mind that solutions need to promote a culture of environmental conservation and the local economy and people. With the youth platform in Lejanias, the volunteer will work with young people between the ages of 17 and 22 to organize their ideas into a workable plan. The young people of Corporacion Entre Pueblos are between the ages of 17 and 24 and need assistance with developing leadership skills to promote food policies and sustainable agricultural practices in Puerto Lopez. They will likely need assistance with developing a plan as well. Finally, the Unillanos agronomy students are working on subjects such as local food movements and tropical sustainable production and would like to learn about successful youth engagement activities and exchange ideas with the volunteer about methodologies and tools that promote local food systems. F2F Colombia has had assignments related to young people. The assignment was VP 06 in June 2015 (you can view photos of this assignment through these links: and Host Information Host Organization Name: Lejanias YouthAddress: Lejanias, Meta platform Phone: plataforma_juvenil@lejanias-meta.gov.co Primary Contact Name: Juan CarlosSecondary Contact Name: Esneider Rojas Tovar Phone: Phone: Title: N/A Gender: M Host Type: association Have we worked with this host before? Not esneiderrf@hotmail.com Title: Student Gender: M Host Organization Name: Unillanos -Address: Villavicencio, Meta Alternative Production Systems and Rural Development Group Phone: cyundar@gmail.com Primary Contact Name: ConstanzaSecondary Contact Name: N/A Yunda Phone: Phone: N/A Title: Study group coordinator Title: N/A

3 Gender: F Host Type: Association Have we worked with this host before? No Gender: N/A Host Organization Name: Corporacion Address: vereda las Leonas Puerto López, Meta Entre Pueblos Phone: Primary Contact Name: Ninfa Daza Secondary Contact Name: Ramon Bona Phone: Phone: Title: N/A Gender: Female Title: N/A Gender: Male Host Type: associations Have we worked with this host before? Yes If yes, please include to recent assignment number: VP-25 Lejanías Youth Platform. This organization was created in the month of September 2016 by 14 young people from the municipality of Lejanias. With its recent creation, the membership of the group is likely to grow in the coming months. Unsurprisingly, without a long history, the group does not have defined plans (though they are interested in developing formals plans). The group has expressed interest in working on issues of education, youth leadership and healthy habits. It is a non-profit and nondue paying organization. Their main weaknesses are their lack of experience and lack of resources. Some of the strengths of the organization include the support of the mayor s office, the education (including university students) of the group s members, and the ability of the group to use technology in innovative ways (including social media). 43% of the members are women. The group currently occupies an office in the town hall (only suitable for small groups). They have access to the internet, water and other basic services. More information about the group can be found on their Facebook page Unillanos - Alternative Production Systems and Rural Development Group This group has been working since 2013 and is currently composed of eight students (seven men and one woman) between the ages of 21 and 25. They are all agronomy students at Unillanos. The group is led by Professor Constanza Yunda who has significant experience in rural development issues. Its long-term objective is to promote the study and use of local food and native species as a contribution to a sustainable production system. The study group has access to the internet and other basic services. As they are a group within the university, they have access to meeting rooms and classrooms. They do not have any links with the private sector or any external institution. Corporacion Entre Pueblos A complex process with many challenges posed by INCODER (Colombian Institute of Rural Development) is that landless campesinos have faced legal conflicts with the government during the process of land restitution. As a result, campesinos organized and formed organizations such as the Corporacion Entre Pueblos. Founded in 2012 after its leaders undertook academic training, gender issues, and transitional justice; Corporacion Entre Pueblos is a non-profit, non-due collecting organization focused in and around Puerto Lopez. Led by and serving exclusively women, the organization has a president, vice president, secretary, fiscal and treasurer. Its longterm objectives include: integrating the diverse rural communities of Meta, improving the

4 economy of small-holder farms, and ensuring sustainable agricultural production. It currently supports these objectives through training in sustainable agricultural production (organic techniques, appropriate technologies, etc.). The strengths of Corporacion Entre Pueblos include the spirit of trust and friendship shared by its members and the good relationship it has with other organizations. Corporacion Entre Pueblos faces several institutional weaknesses including: lack of an official staff, the absence of a formal market analysis or strategic plan, and the lack of leadership training for the leaders of the association. Operationally, the host does not have office space; instead they work at member farms and the local school. Though they have access to electricity, water and fuel, they do not have a regular connection to stable internet. Assignment Information Number of Volunteer Experts Requested: 1 Expertise of Volunteer Experts Requested: Background in human/social sciences or related field Knowledge of rural development, sustainable development and related topics Experience working with youth in an extension context Experience with rural extension preferred Objectives of the Assignment Promote host organizational and leadership development Improve host capacity to develop workable plans Support hosts to create plans for agriculture related projects Duration and dates of assignment: 15 days (dates are TBD) Expected beneficiaries: Estimated number of assignment participants: 30 Estimated % of women: 40% Average skill and education level: Basic education and university students English-language capability: None (interpretation provided) Any prior training on similar topic: Yes Task to be performed: Meet with the F2F Field Team: In this meeting the volunteer will discuss the details of the assignment, address any last minute suggestions for the assignment, and review the upcoming assignment. Farm visits: The volunteer will visit some of the farms of the hosts to better understand the local context and experience of the local rural youth. Train hosts: The volunteer will work with hosts and develop training aimed at youth empowerment, campaign development, food production skills and creative expression. Field practice: The volunteer and young people will practically apply the information from the trainings with assistance from the volunteer. Assignment Evaluation: The Field Team, Purdue Team and volunteer will assess the training sessions and the goals and challenges of the assignment. Together they will discuss the recommendations. Assignment Report: The volunteer will complete an End of Assignment (EoA) Report, including the recommendations discussed with the F2F team Activities Location Dates

5 Depart US/Arrive to Colombia Day 1 Bogota (Sunday) Work with UNILLANOS team to review work plan and Finalize assignment details Villavicencio Day 2 Visit to Local farms (morning) Lejanias Day 3 Train host (A) (afternoon, 4 hours) Lejanias Day 3 Train host (A) (afternoon, 4 hours) Lejanias Day 4 Train host (A) (afternoon, 4 hours) Lejanias Day 5 Practical application Lejanias Days6 Break Villavicencio Days 7-8 Visit to local farms (morning) Puerto Lopez Day 9 Train host (C) (afternoon, 4 hours) Puerto Lopez Day 9 Train host (C) (afternoon, 4 hours) Puerto Lopez Day 10 Practical application Puerto Lopez Day 11 Train host (B) (afternoon, 4 hours) Villavicencio Day 12 Train host (B) (morning, 4 hours) Villavicencio Day 13 Assignment evaluation and EoA report (afternoon) Villavicencio Day 13 Travel to Bogota Bogota Day 14 Travel to USA Bogota Day 15 Total number of days 15 days Delivery date of the mission report Day 13 End of assignment report and other required deliverables: PowerPoint presentations or others files used in the training. EoA report with the volunteer and the information required to implement recommendations all recommendations Document with useful links/contact information that may be useful for F2F Colombia Host Plans for dissemination or replication of F2F training: The hosts have periodic meetings where the information about the training and methods will be transmitted to other members. F2F Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan (PERSUAP): Type 3(the assignment will probably not have any pesticide issues) The volunteer shall review the F2F Environmental Brochure and be aware of F2F complete legal requirements regarding the provision of assistance for the procurement or use of pesticides. The volunteer shall not recommend or provide advice on specific pesticides. Follow-up Impact Survey: How many campaigns has been developed Has the host completed development of an organizational plan or campaign plan How many new institutions or partner organizations are working or supporting the hosts. Working / living Conditions and Materials Needed for Assignment This assignment will take place in Puerto López and Vista Hermosa. Puerto Lopez is 365 meters above sea level with a hot climate (average of 30 degrees Celsius). Vista Hermosa is 460 meters above sea level with a hot climate (average of 30 degrees Celsius). Please send all materials that require translation to the F2F Colombia team (aocampo@unillanos.edu.co and jclavijo@unillanos.edu.co) two weeks before to start date of the assignment. Volunteer Outreach

6 USAID and Purdue University encourage all F2F volunteers to participate in public outreach. An important objective of the program is to increase awareness of Americans' good work in developing countries. Volunteers should select at least one outreach activity from the list below, to be completed within two months of return to the US: Write an entry for the Colombia F2F Facebook page Post a photo, video, or text related to the F2F assignment on a personal website, blog, Facebook page, Twitter, or other social media site. - And send link to F2F Program Manager (charlebois@purdue.edu) Send a press release to local newspaper (s) in the volunteer's home town.(purdue University can provide a template) Write something for alumni or professional association newsletter, or other publication.(purdue University can help as needed) Give a presentation about the F2F assignment to students, colleagues, church/temple/mosque group, rotary club, etc. Send an about F2F to friends, family, or colleagues Other