Capacity Building of Rural Communities for Participatory Development in the District of Matutuíne

Client – VIDA – Funding Agency
Location – Matutuíne – Maputo – Mozambique
Year – 2009 – 2010
Time – 4 months

The aim of this project was to provide support to contribute to poverty reduction in rural communities in Matutuíne, Maputo Province.

The aim of the project was vulnerable families and to identify places where communities have difficulties in breaking the cycle of poverty.

The project involved a participatory promotion of sustainable rural development initiatives.

Deliverables included:

1. a) evaluation of the dynamics of an association called Pfukani;
2. b) assessment of the sustainability of the Pfukani association;
3. c) coordination with community stakeholders, VIDA team staff and the Development Center;
4. d) submission of proposals for sustainable options aimed at increasing local production inside and outside production areas and for improving productivity and efficiency;
5. e) strengthening the capacities of rural communities to create associations and to improve their marketing activities;
6. f) increased communication between and within rural communities;
7. g) proposal for decision-making tools and a communication strategy.

These instruments were developed to be used as lobby and advocacy with stakeholders, for dialogues with the government, with contacts from the private sector, as well as in dialogue with other representatives of the community.

The project proposal was later financed by VIDA, and reached around 400 families with direct support, and another 2,000 families were indirectly benefited as they improved their income.

Tuberculosis Assessment and Screening in Mozambique

Client – CDC – American Embassy
Location – Dondo, Nhamatanda, Boane and Matola – Mozambique
Year – 2009 – 2010
Time – 1 year

The main objective of this project was the assessment of measuring recent practice within the scope of the National Tuberculosis Program (implemented by the Ministry of Health), investigating the exposure of Tuberculosis in pediatric relationships.

Verde Azul provided facilities and equipment for intensive training to employees of the Ministry of Health and supervised the implementation of a revised Monitoring and Evaluation program, more efficient and easier for the user, designed with the objective of reducing the risk of exposure.

In a follow-up of results, Verde Azul was informed that the exposure of children in the hospital to diseases such as tuberculosis had reduced by 10%.

Market Access for Local Farmers in Maputo Province

Client – FAO: Support Program for Agricultural Markets (PAMA)
Location – Mozambique
Year – 2008 – 2010
Time – 2 years

The objectives of this project were:

• improve product quality, competitiveness, diversification of higher value crops and market access for small farmers in Maputo province;
• helping members of farmers’ associations to identify and invest in common infrastructure, such as irrigation systems;
• train individual farmers and associations to improve their marketing and production skills, with a view to increasing the volume and profitability of their agricultural operations.

Verde Azul interviewed farmers, held training sessions and implemented a seminar in which solutions and results were discussed.

FAO’s final assessment of this project was that there was a real increase in the income of target farmers.

Monitoring, in Connection, with the Zambezi Bridge Project in Caia

Client – SIDA (Swedish International Development Agency)
Location – Sofala – Mozambique
Year – 2006 – 2009
Time – 3 years

The overall objective of the project was to build a bridge over the Zambezi river, between Caia (Sofala province) and Chimuara (Zambezia province).

Verde Azul was responsible for overseeing the social and environmental components of the project, making sure that contractual agreements, national legislation and IFC principles were followed at the project site. The total value of the project was 70 million Euros.

Verde Azul interacted with contractors and supervisors and made them aware of and complied with contractual obligations.

The potential needs for deviations and / or adjustments in the contract were discussed and decided through broader stakeholder involvement and an analysis of best practices.

Verde Azul also listed the impacts and mitigation measures that were recommended in the social and environmental studies and maintained control over the actual impacts and compliance with the bridge’s Environmental Management Plan.

Verde Azul, in addition, provided advice to the Steering Committee for the construction of the bridge, involving routine inspections and follow-up visits on site, as well as the development and implementation of an integrated monitoring matrix to assess the real impact, together with the supervisor and the main contractor.

Review of the Law on Cooperatives in Mozambique (1979) – Phase I

Client – CLUSA
Location – Quelimane and Zambézia – Mozambique
Year – 2008
Time – 2 months

Verde Azul was hired by APAC to coordinate the execution of a study and to propose a new and revised law on cooperatives in Mozambique.

Activities included:

• hiring international legal advisors, as well as an economic analysis of cooperativism as a vehicle for economic growth;
• public debate and working meetings with a large number of decision makers (Ministry of Justice, politicians, associations and existing cooperatives).

The final report with the economic analysis constituted the basis for the legal readjustment of the previous 1979 Cooperative Law.