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

Client – NPCM (Center for the Promotion of Modern Cooperatives in Mozambique) – UNAC, FRUTISUL, CLUSA, APAMO)
Location – Mozambique
Year – 2007 – 2008
Time – 6 months

Commercial cooperatives in Mozambique are an important form of association and a legal entity for farmers to defend their economic interests. There are networks of cooperative companies formed, especially in central and northern Mozambique over the past ten years.

Farmers understand and are interested in joining these cooperative structures, if they offer real benefits to their members. For this, there is a clear need to review the legislation of the cooperatives of July 10, 1979 (Law No. 9/79), still from the time of socialism, with a new draft code under discussion since 2001.

This study, foresees and formulates general observations on the draft code relating to the concept of cooperative organization, taxes, methods of legislation and the capitalization of its members. This economic analysis of the cooperative will be the basis for the legal adjustment of the cooperative in the Law on Cooperatives.

The study, in conjunction with international legal advisors, wrote the part of the explanatory memorandum draft that concerns the cooperative’s economic analysis, giving a legal justification on the basis of the legal adjustment, and took steps to ensure that this agreement covers a wide range stakeholders (farmers, “cooperatives”, Ministry of Justice, politicians, parliamentarians, etc.).

“Translate” the concept discussed internationally to the circumstances of Mozambique before starting to write a draft law, wrote the statutes of the cooperatives, discussed the draft statutes widely, adapting the proposed Law of Cooperatives to the Mozambican legal system.

Provide an explanation to justify the cooperative as a legal entity in the legal system (eg civil law, right to legal persons; tax law, etc.).

The proposed law should be submitted to Parliament for approval in December 2008, involving all interested parties to receive contributions for the drafting of a new cooperative law in Mozambique, with the capacity, in addition to other legal aspects, to create a framework legal favorable, for some types of associations to be able to make profits in their activities.

The project also included consultations with lawyers and national and international cooperative organizations, including members of the Mozambican Parliament to produce the “Draft law on the cooperative”.

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.