PAC East Africa Project Summary
2011-2012
Practical Action Consulting Eastern Africa (PAC EA) is the dynamic consulting arm of the international NGO, Practical Action. We provide demand-driven, value-added services to a range of clients, including local and international NGOs, donor agencies, government departments and the private sector. Our work covers the entire East African region, in particularKenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Somalia, Somaliland and Puntland.
Projects initiated and completed in the 2011-2012 period include:
(Please see glossary at the end for acronyms)
Policy Innovation Systems for Clean Energy Security: PISCES, a six year initiative funded by DFID, aims to contribute to widely transferable knowledge and understanding of bioenergy, to show demonstrable policy change in the target countries and to maximize the contribution of bioenergy to clean energy access and livelihoods. PAC has developed and disseminated a charcoal policy booklet to over 200 national stakeholders, developed a Kiswahili pocketbook, sensitized (Kenya Forest Service) zonal Forest Managers on the new policy; completed a study on feedstock management for sustainable charcoal production; completed a status review study on biomass gasification in East Africa; and supported the fieldwork and review for University of Edinburgh student research on gender and charcoal.Under PISCES, PAC has also developed a five year project to promote sustainable charcoal production and marketing in Kenya. Currently PAC is marketing the proposal to a range of donors and concrete discussions are currently underway with ACT (formerly PACT).
Support for dissemination of new technologies to University of Dar es Salaam: Under the PISCES project, PAC EA ran a one day workshop for local PISCES stakeholders in Tanzania to consult on product development and commercialization of new innovations. PAC facilitated sessions on building markets for new products developed under PISCES: about consumer adoption, understanding market systems and steps for commercialization.
Piloting Bioethanol as an Alternative Household Fuel in Western Kenya: This UNDP/Ministry of Energy project pilots the viability of bioethanol as a clean, affordable and accessible household cooking fuel; facilitates the creation of an ethanol supply chain; stimulates demand; and generates data for policy development. This has involved carrying out tests (water boiling, clean cooking and kitchen performance) for the CleanCook stove; conducing baseline monitoring for IAP in households; implementing end user trainings; identifying energy retail
outlets; conducting a finance mechanism study; facilitating a participatory market mapping workshop and hosting a site visit for supermodel/philanthropist Gisele Bündchen for the launch of the UN Year of Sustainable Energy for All. This project has afforded PAC increased publicity and resulted in a local entrepreneur producing a prototype Ethanol stove, UNHCR importing 300 CleanCook stoves for their programme in Dadaab and Spectre International considering opening up a warehouse for direct sale of ethanol for household use.
Kenya ICS Market Assessment for Winrock/USAID: This was a short assignment to undertake anICS Market Assessment for Winrock International (commissioned by USAID) to understand the market dynamics in Kenya and help develop new models and frameworks for commercialization. This involved reviewing ICS programmes, identifying the successes and challenges facing market actors and making a key recommendation to channel resources into ‘investment’ initiatives focusing on distribution and retailing. This assignment allowed PAC to demonstrate its expertise in the sector and position itself for future opportunities with USAID.
Wind Pumping Assessment in Ethiopia:PAC is supporting Hydroplan, a consulting engineering company in Germany, to increase water supply via the use of wind energy for water pumping. Our support over one year involves identifying and ranking 30 potential wind sites, designing systems for the sites, supporting procurement, installation and community capacity building plus engaging with policy makers. This opportunity affords PAC a foothold in Ethiopia and better understanding of the energy sector in Ethiopia.
Support to Poor people’s energy outlook (PPEO) 2012 report: PAC EA conducted a desk study in Kenya to review perspectives on barriers to increased energy access and strategies for creating Total Energy Access within the ecosystems approach. PAC provided data on energy access and carried out field studies in two informal settlements in Nairobi. This assignment and the PPEO country launch allowed PAC EA to support Practical Action in demonstrating its values and position on raising the profile of energy access.
Kenya Assessment of Biofuel Science & Technology Development:This short study for UNESCO assessed the science and technological capabilities of stakeholders for the development of a sustainable liquid biofuels sector in Kenya. Our inputs involved a review of relevant activities, interviews with key stakeholders, the implementation of an institutional and stakeholder analysis for biodiesel and bioethanol including an assessment of the current and potential resources, processes, research capability and technology. This consultancy allowed PAC to
capture lessons and provide recommendations on policies interventions and capacity building options for liquid biofuels production and utilization in Kenya.
IAPAssessment in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania: This short desk assessment for GVEP International involved the documenting of IAP initiatives and an assessment of the current IAP situation in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. This will support GVEP in conducting a market assessment of the cookstove sector on behalf of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves (GACC) with support from Accenture Development Partnerships (ADP). The findings from the market assessment were presented at the GACC regional workshop, held in East Africa in April 2012. This provides an opportunity for PAC to demonstrate its expertise in ICS and position itself for new opportunities.
Low Carbon Kenya report: This short term initiative supported Christian Aid’s development of a Low Carbon Africa report. PAC developed 3 case studies of low carbon projects in Kenya and made recommendations on the potential of their leapfrog fund. This assignment allowed PAC to demonstrate its expertise in decentralized renewable energy initiatives and profile its work in ICS.
Rwanda Renewable Energy Strategy Studies: PAC (led by DEM) is providing local inputs to support the development of a strategy document that specifies programme designs and work plans for supporting enhanced diffusion of solar energy technologies, micro-hydro and wind energy in Rwanda. This assignment assists PAC EA’s Rwanda office to further build its track record and position itself as a local solutions provider.
Dissemination of ICS in Rural Areas of Rwanda:The rural ICS project focused on development of stove technology and the production systems for improved stoves manufacture as well as and the promotion of the fuelwood stoves in 15 districts across Rwanda. This 12-month project was implemented for the Water and Sanitation Authority (& MININFRA). This project has been fundamental in allowing PAC a foot hold in Rwanda and a platform to develop further work.
ICS Dissemination in Urban Areas of Rwanda:The urban focused project has ensured the development and promotion of improved charcoal stoves as well as introduction of 2nd generation stoves that use briquettes as fuel. This 12-month project was implemented for the Water and Sanitation Authority (& MININFRA). This project has been instrumental in establishing PAC as a player in the Rwanda consultancy market.
Rwanda ICS Knowledge Product: This short contract was initiated by PAC UK and Practical Answers UK to develop a set of knowledge products (including an interactive CD-ROM) based on the ICS work in Rwanda - that demonstrates the evidence based knowledge and wisdom generated by the ICS interventions. This product is assisting PAC EA to profile its work and competencies in order to leverage repeat and new business in Rwanda.
Peru-led ‘Evidence and Lessons from Latin America’: ELLA is a three year DFID project to ensure policy makers; development practitioners and researchers gain better knowledge of Latin America’s development experience. PAC EA helps to prioritize the supply of Latin American knowledge products, and supports the absorption and contextualization of this knowledge through facilitating Learning Alliances and National Learning Groups across East Africa. This assignment provides the platform to connect and network in Practical Action’s key thematic areas and to leverage new communication models and potential partnerships.
Drought Management Knowledge Product: This short internal initiative supported the development of a video highlighting the experiences and lessons of two projects implemented by Aim 1 in northern Kenya. This ongoing assignment provides insights into programmatic work.
Markets and Livelihoods Study (utilizing EMMA in northern Kenya, eastern Ethiopia and south central Somalia): This markets and livelihoods assessment for ILO delivered recommendations on the interventions necessary to stabilize the food and humanitarian crisis, and ensure long term stability. It involved the training of local partners in EMMA and PMSD methodologies and tools and the collection of data and information using mobile telephony and epi-surveyor. This assignment provided an opportunity for PAC EA to employ EMMA in a slow onset situation and test new methods of information collection and dissemination.
Sustainable Employment and Economic Development in northern Somalia: PAC is providing ongoing inputs to the three year SEED Project funded by DFID and implemented by the ILO. To date, PAC has undertaken a market analysis and baseline assessment for targeted value chains, developed and implemented (conflict sensitive)PMSD training with local partners and actors, established market-based forums, supported the development of a decentralised National Resource Management framework and is currently supporting the establishment of local value based financing options. This initiative has ensured a long term partnership between PAC and ILO and allowed the development and testing of post conflict approaches to market development.
Improvement of Livelihoods of Vulnerable Households in Urban and Peri-urban Areasof Galkayo, Somalia: PAC is providing ongoing inputs to the three year ECD-funded project implemented by the ILO. To date, PAC has undertaken market assessments and trained local actors in PMSD. Target sectors include water, waste, energy and construction. This assignment allows PAC to employ PMSD in less traditional sectors and to further shape conflict sensitive PMSD.
PMSD training and mentoring in Sudan: PAC is providing training and mentoring in PMSD to CAFOD staff in south Sudan over an extended period. This has involved training in PMSD concepts and tools plus ongoing mentoring through field support visits. This assignment has allowed PAC to package and test PMSD and to directly influence the organizational practices of CAFOD.
Open PMSD training workshop: PAC offered an open workshop in PMSD to individuals and regional organizations. This provided an opportunity for PAC to test the PMSD training package, whilst the workshop itself afforded new contacts and further training agreements, such as with Oxfam Rwanda.
Technical Support to Markets and Livelihoods Programme in Rwanda: PAC is providing ongoing inputs to Oxfam’s Livelihoods programme. This has involved the training of Oxfam staff in PMSD, the implementation of a participatory market analysis for horticulture (pineapple and mushrooms) planting material and provision of recommendations for market linkages; plus the testing of appropriate renewable energy technologies for small-scale drying and processing. PAC is also assessing the market for financial products for the horticulture sector and exploring the development of a ‘Business Service Unit’ in partnership with Oxfam in Rwanda. This has led to a long term relationship and partnership with Oxfam and the joint pursuit of regional opportunities.
Value Chains Support to Agroforestry: This short initiative for World Neighbours/Coady was undertaken to conduct a value chain analysis of tree seedlings in western Kenya. It involved training staff from World Neighbours and ICRAF in PMSD, establishing market forums and undertaking market mapping and recommending market solutions and alternative livelihood opportunities. This has led to an evolving partnership with World Neighbours and the joint pursuit of regional opportunities.
PMSD training and mentoring in Kenya: PAC is providing training and mentoring to Christian Aid and Traidcraft in order to trial our PMSD approach and tools in the Kenyan honey sector. This involves the training of staff, testing and adoption in PMSD over a six month mentoring period with the organisations’ staff and local partners. Christian Aid expect to adopt PMSD as their common approach to value chain work and roll out the mentoring internationally. This positions PAC as a focal point for mentoring other practitioners in market systems development and supporting the roll out of the PMSD Roadmap.
Evaluation of Swisscontact’s Financial Services Programme and Support to Programme Development: PAC provides ongoing support to the delivery of Swisscontacts M&E framework (09-12) for their Financial Markets programme. This has involved undertaking an evaluation of 2 phases of their micro-leasing project designed to provide access to finance for small-scale farmers in collaboration with Juhudi Kilimo (a local finance company). PAC has also undertaken the mid-term evaluation of the overall Financial Services programme in East Africa and developed an interactive CD-ROM housing all project and programme data, information and knowledge. PAC has further supported Swisscontact to develop and win a Ford Foundation funded project that supports the development of local markets for agri-finance based on the ELLA model. These rolling assignments have led to a long term partnership with Swisscontact and the pursuit of joint work regionally and internationally.
End-term Dairy Evaluations: PAC implemented the final evaluation of two dairy market systems projects on behalf of the Danida funded Micro Enterprise Support Programme Trust in Kenya. This consultancy allows PAC to build up its track record in monitoring and evaluation and profile its expertise in market systems development.
Water vendors in informal settlements (Dewpoint case study): This short survey was undertaken in response to a Dewpoint enquiry and provided PAC an opportunity to learn about the activities of water vendor associations in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya.
Support to interactive Renewable Energy Toolkit (iRET) Profiler: PAC EA provided support to the development of this toolkit led by PAC UK and funded by Christian Aid and Oxfam. The iRET is a resource tool for practitioners engaged in the development and delivery of pro-poor renewable energy initiatives. This assignment allowed PAC the opportunity to market its position and work in renewables but also demonstrates PACs ability to produce learning products that can directly influence the work of others.
Scoping study in Uganda: In a bid to enter the Uganda market and leverage its position on the Crossroads work, PAC engaged in a study to identify and define the gaps and opportunities for consultancy work in Uganda in markets and energy.
Subsequently PAC has developed a number of strategic relationships and pursued new opportunities in Uganda.
Development of OFDA Concept Paper: PAC supported Aim 1 to shape and develop a concept paper for submission to OFDA. This involved undertaking a markets and livelihoods assessment in the ASAL regions of the Somali triangle employing EMMA, training local partners in EMMA, coordinating data collection and facilitating the concept development. This 1.8 million dollar concept has been discussed further with OFDA and funding is imminent. PAC will have a role to play in the delivery of this project.
Market Access and Value Addition in Domestic Fish Farming: PAC supported the delivery of the Aim 2 led aquaculture project in Kenya funded by the Ford Foundation. PAC has provided a range of inputs such as leading the market mapping activities, facilitating the stakeholder’s conference and implementing training in fish handling and quality assurance. This initiative has led to a further phase of funding for Aim 2.
Regional Capacity Building in Market Development: PAC has supported the delivery of the Aim 2 led regional capacity building programme, funded by Ford Foundation. PAC provided strategic oversight of the programme, supported the training of local community-based organizations in PMSD and led on the mentorship component of the project. PAC also facilitated the feasibility study and strategy development for the establishment of a livelihoods school in east and southern Africa.
Glossary:
IAP: Indoor air pollution
PMSD: Participatory markets system development
ICS: Improved cookstove
EMMA: Emergency market mapping analysis
Aim 1: Reducing Vulnerability programme, Practical Action
Aim 2: Markets and Livelihoods programme, Practical Action
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