Training of Trainers under SDF Funded Project "Post Harvest Management and Value Addition of Fruits in the Production Catchments of SAARC countries"

The SDF funded project has successfully completed a 5 days Training of Trainers (ToT) program on post harvest management and value addition of fruits to 12 Agriculture Extension Officers of Mongar Dzongkhag. Mongar has a good production of diverse fruits and with the establishment of the IFPP at Lingmithang. There is a very good scope for promotion of fruit based cottage scale industries. However it is a very big challenge for the National Post Harvest Center to reach every aspiring individual/entrepreneur throughout the country, so the Center trained these Agriculture Extension Officers, so that after the training they can transfer the knowledge and the practical skills gained through the ToT program in their respective areas.

How SDF Funded project SABAH Bangladesh empowered Rasheda Parveen China from Jamalpur, Bangladesh

China was born in a village call Mahadan under Sarishabari Upojila in Jamalpur District. She is 35 years old now. She is deaf and dumb since her birth. She is the youngest among four children of Rahim Tarafder. When she was 10 years old, her father died. Her mother sent her to local disable school, there she studied up to grade 8. Then she has to stop education as her family was unable to bear the education expenses.

In 2013 SABAH Bangladesh started its activities in Sharishabari with the partnership of a local NGO call Sarker Pasha Welfare Trust. SABAH Bangladesh find out China through that local organization along with some other women, eventually all of them became Home Based Worker and registered members of SABAH Bangladesh. SABAH Bangladesh provided two types of income generating training like tailoring and Block-batik. China received both the trainings; her performance was noticeable during the training session. Since then SABAH tried hard to prepare her as a trainer. Now she is working with Sarker Pasha Welfare Trust as a tailoring trainer and helping other poor women. She has an assistant now who translate her sign language into words to the participants. When China's other siblings are on their own, she is taking care of her mother with her own income and living with her.

China's self confidence, hard work with the supports of SABAH Bangladesh and Sarker Pasha Welfare Trust made her a successful woman in society despite her by born disabilities. Now, disable China is the inspiration for not only the disabled people like her but many other poor women in the village.

Title: Monitoring and Evaluation for Better Development Results

Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) has always been an important part in the implementation of SDF projects in all regions and business windows. By developing effective M&E tools and offering innovative M&E approaches, we adhere to SDF policy of transparency and result-driven development project implementation. M&E is a cross-cutting issue throughout all SDF departments. The M&E unit is well positioned to meet the challenges of innovative thinking and the development of new tools and approaches that keep track of the results of our projects. The set-up of the new unit will ensure regular exchange on M&E related issues among all implementing agencies.

In order to increase efficiency, maintain transparency, and for proper knowledge management SDF has designed monitoring and evaluation dashboard. Implementing agencies will be provided user credentials to update information and M&E data in the system. Based on the internationally recognized evaluation criteria of OECD-DAC, SDF has initiated the process of project evaluation. The evaluation will assess the Relevance, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Sustainability and Impact of these projects.

Internal Audit Department of SAARC Development Fund

The Internal Audit Department (IAD) is a key component of SAARC Development Fund (SDF) Secretariat's independent internal oversight monitoring and controlling system. Its vision is to promote integrity, efficiency and effectiveness in the use of SDF's resources. In fulfilling this vision, IAD's mission is to provide SDF with high quality oversight services ensuring that SDF resources are used efficiently and effectively, and towards its defined objectives.

The IAD function provides independent and objective assurance and advisory services designed to add value and improve the operations of SDF. It helps SDF accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of governance, risk management, and control processes. IAD also investigates allegations of corrupt, fraudulent practices and misconduct that relate to SDF operations and its funded projects.

Weekly Departmental Meetings at SDF

Each week different department of SDF hold regular weekly meeting namely SEDP, Administration, Communication and Coordination meeting. Regular meetings are a great opportunity to solve problems or issues; often staff members offer alternative ideas or put themselves forward to help out. The weekly meetings also bring positive impact on the team as weekly meetings allow employees to be a part of the decision-making process of the organization because employees can communicate their opinions, ideas and share their workday experiences with one another.

Training of SDF Staff

SDF organized a two days training for SDF staff on spreadsheet and Microsoft Excel. The objective of the training was to enhance skills particularly of administration and finance staff in the areas of spreadsheet and Microsoft Excel.