Monetization Working Group
Proposed Collaborative Activities for the ISA

Background & Introduction

The Monetization Working Group, initiated at the FAM annual meeting in Coolfont, has been productive and remains committed to continuing the initial Coolfont discussions on collaboration in monetization among ISG Cooperating Sponsors. The working group is composed of staff from the 14 FAM members and FAM. The working group will continue to exist and function during the life of the five year ISA grant. In addition, the working group will invite outside specialists to share their monetization expertise.

From the outset, the working group has sought to improve both individual agency and collective institutional capacities to implement monetizations under Title II. The importance of collaboration to program efficiency and cost effectiveness cannot be overstated. Although collaboration has many complexities, a number of existing monetization consortia are functioning successfully. Bellmon analyses have been produced jointly in a number of countries and there is a clear history of collaborative training in monetization through FAM workshops and sharing of manuals and publications. Clearly, a solid platform exists for strengthening collaboration and establishing common monetization "best practices" in the next five years of the ISA.

 Purpose of the Working Group

The purpose statement of the working group is as follows:

to identify areas of collaborative action for the purposes of strengthening capacity of cooperating sponsors to design and carry out monetization activities. Specifically, the working group will collaborate in the development of clear objectives for the five year ISA period and the implementation of activities (in cooperation with FAM) to achieve those objectives over the next five years. The outputs of this working group will upgrade the skills and abilities of field staff and home office personnel to design, manage, and implement monetization programs. The results will be demonstrated in improved country programs and improvements in the quality of Bellmon and other analyses. At the end of five years, this continued work will have an impact in the combined and individual institutional capacity to conduct quality Title II monetizations worldwide.

Proposed Points of Collaboration

There are many possible areas for collaboration on monetization. The group spent a number of sessions brainstorming on collaboration and capacity building possibilities. The group then narrowed and prioritized the list to the following:

I. Development of a Cooperating Sponsor Monetization Manual

The working group identified the development of a joint Cooperating Sponsor manual as one of the most critical elements of successful collaboration. The manual would serve the dual purpose of providing the Cooperating Sponsors with a common reference guide on monetization practices and act as an agreed-upon framework for the development of training workshops.

The process of developing the manual will take one year to complete. The end product will take the Food for Peace manual to the next level of detail and assist field personnel to employ "best practices" in their monetization activities.

It is envisioned that the monetization manual will:

 The development of the manual would be spearheaded by a FAM Monetization Manual consultant (see job description attached) with information and staff resource people contributed from both Cooperating Sponsors and private/public sectors. The Monetization Manual consultant will work in cooperation with the Monetization Working Group and will report to the FAM Director. Development of the manual is expected to begin in May of FY98. The working group will meet at scheduled intervals during the year to review the progress on the manual, in order to meet the estimated timeline.

II. Monetization Workshops

As part of the ISA, the working group proposes to hold a series of monetization workshops over the next five years. The workshops would focus on imparting skills and knowledge about monetization to both national and international staff around the world. The monetization manual, which is proposed above, will be used as the basis for the training curriculum, thereby providing a common platform for the training sessions and enhancing the distance learning potential for field staff from many organizations who may not be able to attend the workshops.

Topics for the workshops would include:

 Modifications to the workshop agendas would be made on the regional context of the workshop and on the expertise of the cooperating sponsor hosting the workshop. The monetization workshops would draw on the expertise of the other organizations working in the geographic area. The working group strongly encourages the participation of the private sector. The Food Security Resource Center (FSRC) at FAM will provide bibliographies for the workshops and will seek new and relevant monetization materials to assist in the development of the workshops. These workshops would not duplicate FFP workshops on monetizations (which would focus more on AID monetization regulations and policies), but rather would center on Cooperating Sponsor experience, shared learning, and collaboration.

Proposed Workshops
 
Year
Location
Hosting org.(s)
FY 1999 West & Central Africa Africare, ACDI/VOCA
  East & Southern Africa Save the Children, ACDI/VOCA, WV
FY 2000 Asia CARE
FY 2001 Latin America CRS
FY 2002 Africa (all continent) SC, ACDI/VOCA, Africare, WV
FY 2003 Washington, DC FAM Monetization working group

All of the workshops would be for approximately 30 participants and proceedings (developed by a rapporteur) will be produced to benefit a broader audience. Each workshop sponsor would budget ISA funds to prepare the training materials. Materials from each workshop would be circulated among all Cooperating Sponsors to increase the flow of information and ongoing learning. FAM will house the materials in the FSRC and will ensure the dissemination of this information to individuals and organizations who request them.

Planning for Regional Monetizations

The development of workshops, manuals and information sharing mechanisms build the institutional capacity of individual organizations to implement monetization programs. However, one objective is to implement monetization programs collaboratively. Through initial attempts to develop collaborative proposals and programs, it is evident that there are a number of philosophical and programmatic hurdles that need to be surmounted. To facilitate this process, the working group proposes two organizational meetings to bring together monetization technical experts to discuss "best practices" and to share information in preparation for the development of collaborative monetization procedures. These meetings would most likely occur for an additional day immediately following the monetization workshops, and would include USAID personnel, and other relevant resources.

III. Ongoing Collaboration Mechanisms

Interactive collaboration in a relevant, useful time-frame is difficult. However, there are a number of innovative and cost-effective technologies and methodologies that could help facilitate regular, productive meetings, information sharing, and distance learning among Cooperating Sponsors and with FFP. Recognizing that time and resources are required to create a strong structure for collaboration, the working group proposes to establish communications links to share "best practices," and learning "opportunities" related to ongoing programs.

One activity proposed by the working group will be to explore the option of developing a real-time electronic system which would allow for interactive communication among Cooperating Sponsors implementing monetization programs, utilizing the "chat room" concept.

Given that the "chat room" concept requires changes in individual Cooperating Sponsors MIS systems, the working group proposes to start with a monetization listserve to whom reports would be sent out on a quarterly basis. Each of the FAM working group members would take turns at managing and running the listserve sessions. For example, a country office would prepare a brief summary report according to a format that would be developed by the working group. The report would include all aspects of the program. This report would be forwarded to all of the participants on the listserve. Participants could then provide comments or ask questions by e-mail.

In the longer term, the "chat room" would allow Cooperating Sponsor personnel to have quarterly "conversations" on programmatic issues. The working group believes that the two-way communication with the field will increase the distance learning of all participants and improve the dissemination of new trends and best practices. It is anticipated that one of the working group member organizations will take on the implementation of the "chat room" once the technical aspects are more thoroughly researched and understood.

Another collaboration mechanism that the working group would like to develop is a formal "Monetization Working Group" to the FACG. Regular meetings of this group, in coordination with the Coalition for Food Aid, would serve would serve as an ongoing forum for representation at the policy level on all monetization issues including regional and collaborative monetizations and would assure regular meetings with FFP representatives on these topics.

While workshops and electronic communication will be effective tools for collaboration and capacity building, the working group also recognizes the need to further strengthen technical skills through a longer term mechanism. In this regard, the working group will explore the development of modules on monetization topics and skills areas, using a distance learning delivery system. Limited in-residence learning periods at selected sites for field staff, followed by independent learning, could be a useful tool to facilitate sustainability in the implementation of quality monetization programs.

IV. Budgetary Implications for Participating Cooperating Sponsors

Each Cooperating Sponsor which chooses to collaborate in the area of monetization in the five-year period of the ISA will include in their budget request the following items:

For workshop hosts: Cost of the meeting space, facilitator/s, training materials and miscellaneous costs of the workshop/s for which the Cooperating Sponsor is taking responsibility (note: costs will be shared between Cooperating Sponsors who are jointly hosting workshops).

For all workshops participants: Cost of the attendance of 3 representatives of each organization, to include travel, room and board, and miscellaneous costs.

For working group participants: Cost of the staff time devoted to attending meetings (at least one meeting per quarter), reviewing progress on monetization manual, workshop planning/participation/attendance, and other associated time requirements.

 FAM Budget for Monetization Manual project:

Consultant fees: $60,000

Travel, computer, and related costs: $15,000

Total: $75,000

Number of person months: 12

Cost per month: $6250

Contingent upon Food for Peace approval, FAM plans to hire this consultant in FY98 to complete 5 months of the 12-month position. Under this scenario, the FAM budget for this position during FY98 would be $31,250. The FY99 budget would include the remaining $43,750.