Training in Environmental Impact Assessment: Government and Local NGOs

Client – USAID – Sun Mountain
Location – Manica and Nampula – Mozambique
Year – 2005
Time – 4 months

Verde Azul trained government officials and local NGOs in the field of National Environment regulations.

The literature used involved MICOA’s EIA Guidelines, as well as case studies to improve international practice.

The project was implemented over three months and included field visits to the districts of Manica and Nampula, with interviews and meetings with stakeholders.

HIV prevention in Gaza Province

Client – European Union
Location – Gaza Province – Mozambique
Year – 2003 – 2008
Time – 6 years

Verde Azul implemented several HIV / AIDS prevention activities in schools and communities in the district of Chókwè, Guijá, Chibuto, Manjacaze, Bilene and Macia.

This project was developed in phases, over a period of six years.

Policies to prevent and combat HIV / AIDS were implemented through training of activists in schools, home care for AIDS patients in 48 communities in the districts of Chókwè, Guijá, Chibuto, Manjacaze, Bilene and Macia.

Maputo Corridor Baseline Study

Client – USAID
Location – Maputo Province
Year – 2004
Time – 4 months

Verde Azul implemented a baseline study on subsistence and use of natural resources, as well as the needs of local communities as part of a strategic environmental assessment in the Maputo Corridor.

The study provided information for decision making and project support for the USAID office in Mozambique.

Socio-Economic Study on Development in the Province of Niassa

Client – Ernst & Young for the Government of Niassa / ASDI / IRISH AID
Location – Niassa – Mozambique
Year – 2006 – 2007
Time – 7 months

The aim of Verde Azul’s involvement in this project was to help Ernst & Young develop a baseline study on poverty and the socio-economic situation in the province of Niassa.

Based on the information collected, Verde Azul facilitated provincial governance to develop policies, strategies and best practices for poverty reduction in the areas of Education, Health and HIV / AIDS.

The main activities involved:

• identification, information collection, analysis of existing maps and reports, primary and secondary, to give an idea of the additional information needed;
• elaboration of a situational report, where it identified the existing gaps and an action plan to obtain the necessary information to fill the gaps.

The organization of field meetings, with the visit with government representatives including field visits to Marrupa and the surrounding area of Lichinga.

A report was submitted to the province for comment.

Ernst & Young was responsible for compiling all the information collected by the consultants assigned to this project.

Rehabilitation of a Beach Area in the City of Inhambane

Client – Inhambane City Council
Location – Inhambane – Mozambique
Year – 2006 – 2007
Time – 3 months

Verde Azul was responsible for carrying out the social and environmental components of a study that aimed to rehabilitate an area in front of the beach, in the city of Inhambane, in association with Consulmar / CONSENG.

The city of Inhambane has a complex urban plan that involves ancient architecture from the late 1800s, and adding new developments that were not properly planned, could lead to complicated situations in several areas.

The city of Inhambane is located in a large area of ​​the bay that is exposed to extreme weather conditions. It is often eroded by tides and rainwater, and there is also a lack of maintenance, which has caused breaches in the 2 km retaining wall.

Verde Azul participated in the development of a civil construction project to repair the infrastructure, as well as in a master plan for future investments to contain and stop erosion, in order to conserve and protect the existing architecture.

The environmental and social assessment report (ESA or AES) was prepared, and an action plan was proposed to the Municipality with work methodologies and use of the material, to minimize impacts.

MONASO – Five-Year Strategic Plan: Mid-Term Evaluation of the Mozambican HIV Network

Client – MONASO
Location – Mozambique
Year – 2006 – 2007
Time – 6 months

MONASO (Mozambican Network of Organizations working on AIDS) was created in 1993 with the aim of coordinating the actions of member organizations working in the area of HIV / AIDS.

This study was an evaluation of MONASO’s 2005-2009 strategic program.

The main objective of the mid-term evaluation was to assess the impact of strategic actions, and to what extent were the results successful and to identify lessons learned.

Then, propose changes to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation system. The assessment also considered the need to change or revise current strategies in order to make the plan more up-to-date and effective.

The evaluation reported a need for change in relation to:

a) MONASO coordination and management;
b) Institutional capacity building and training activities;
c) Communication and Research;
d) Advocacy and lobbying;
e) Monitoring and Evaluation;
f) Institutional development and financial management.

The implementation of changes proved to be a success. The number of members grew from 500 members to 1421, as members found MONASO’s services to be attractive and justified the payment of their membership fees.

East African Coastal Zone Management – SEACAM

Client – World Bank
Location – Mozambique
Year – 2000 – 2001
Time – 7 months

Verde Azul trained more than 90 government leaders and decision-makers involved in the management of the southern African coastal zone.

The countries involved in the training were Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Angola, Lesotho and South Africa.

Participatory training and coaching methodologies were used in the seminars.

The project resulted in cross-border agreements and coherent project models, as well as the adoption of a platform of common planning methodologies.

It also resulted in the elaboration of a Manual “A good idea for a good project”, which was published in Portuguese, English and French.

Training for the Provincial Directorate for Women and Social Action in Sofala, Manica and Tete

Client – UNICEF / INAS
Location – Manica, Sofala and Tete – Mozambique
Year – 2006 – 2007
Time – 6 months

Verde Azul carried out consultancy services in the area of training for civil servants who manage the provincial social security services in Tete, Manica and Sofala (DPMAS), and in supporting the less favored citizens in these provinces.

Assistance focused on participatory activities that could improve the management capacity of each DPMAS, and its respective district services.

Verde Azul prepared basic training materials, did a document review and held several workshops focused on the themes of leadership, strategic and operational planning.

During the first phase, it consisted of creating a training workshop oriented towards actions with children, and for VOC issues for staff related to this activity, in a second phase.

This second phase involved some of the colleagues from other provincial DPMAS directorates.

Reports were produced for each phase, and a final report was structured as a working document that can be used for refresher training as well as assessments. A total of 60 civil servants benefited from this training.

HIV and AIDS in the Workplace – Preventive Health Care for Employees of the National Road Authority of Mozambique (ANE)

Client – ANE
Location – Maputo – Mozambique
Year – 2006 – 2007
Time – 12 months

The aim of this project was to develop an HIV / AIDS program in the workplace, based on the needs of the worker.

The project aimed to understand the needs faced by ANE employees, and then to develop and implement an intervention program to raise the awareness of employees of the National Road Administration (ANE) on HIV and AIDS issues.

Verde Azul carried out the following activities:

Data collection through:

i) survey of ANE officials;
ii) small focus group discussions;
iii) interviews with key people.

The collected information was used to design an intervention program.

The program was presented to the team and reviewed during a working meeting facilitated by Verde Azul. Then it was approved by the Director and the Board of Directors of ANE.

The program was evaluated and the comments confirmed that it raised awareness and the program provided much needed information, in addition to communication materials (brochures, pamphlets, posters and condoms).

It triggered educational events, such as debates, theaters, physical activities and competitions through a communication strategy outline that Verde Azul prepared for ANE.

ANE has developed voluntary HIV-AIDS counseling and testing with the assistance of Verde Azul.

The program resulted in the implementation of mechanisms to support workers living with HIV, through health care and nutritional assistance. An assessment was carried out after 6 months, and the ANE offices performed better.

Training on Environmental Impact Assessments

Client – USAID
Location – Mozambique and Angola
Year – 2005 – 2007
Time – 17 months

Verde Azul was the main facilitator and responsible for training government officials and NGOs, under the coordination of SUN MOUNTAIN, a private company.

Verde Azul carried out a survey of training needs assessment in Mozambique, to evaluate the appropriate curricular training courses for USAID Reg. 216, for environmental impact studies.

According to US regulations, all recipients of funds are required to follow reg. 216, and simultaneously adhere to national environmental regulations.

Training in both countries devoted much of the course to specific aspects of how to conduct environmental assessments and prepare environmental management plans.

The contents of the course were very broad, focusing on aspects from the design phase to the implementation of a project.

The curriculum was delivered in phases: one week of intensive training – each of them given three times over a period of 17 months.

These weeks of intensive training were then complemented with practical visits to the field, monitoring in the workplace (coaching) and environmental reports.