Overall Description of LINEIFAA
The Link Net International Facility for Africa and Asia - LINEIFAA - is a Regional and technical cooperation Program for the promotion of Religious cooperation development in Africa and Asia. From the LINEIFAA Office in Nairobi, it covers so far 1 country in Asia and 9 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa with support of the LINEIFAA Religious and Cooperation Development Program in Geneva and New York Headquarters.
LINEIFAA aims at helping people to co-operate out of poverty as well as to deal with the Religious cooperation needs such as they have been identified in LINEIFAA ’s preliminary research projects, Religious Research Study for The Link Net Facility for Africa and Asia (LINEIFAA). Together with a wide range of international and national partners, LINEIFAA promotes an enabling legal and policy environment, effective cooperation unions and federations as well as demand-driven services for cooperation’s in our Churches as the basic principal of Christian believers.
LINEIFAA aims at helping people to co-operate out of poverty as well as to deal with the Religious cooperation needs such as they have been identified in LINEIFAA ’s preliminary research projects, Religious Research Study for The Link Net Facility for Africa and Asia (LINEIFAA). Together with a wide range of international and national partners, LINEIFAA promotes an enabling legal and policy environment, effective cooperation unions and federations as well as demand-driven services for cooperation’s in our Churches as the basic principal of Christian believers.
The Link Net International Facility for Africa and Asia - LINEIFAA -being a Regional and technical cooperation Program for the promotion of the Religious Cooperation Program of the LNIM (LINEIFAA) decentralized to the LNIM Office in NAIROBI, Kenya. The Program was launched in November 2009.
The strategy of the Program is based on The LNIM preliminary research project – “Religious Research Study for The Link Net International Facility for Africa and Asia (LINEIFAA) was undertaken in Africa and Asia in 2007. The latter revealed that Religious cooperation in Africa and Asia are about to enter a phase of “renaissance”, but needs a favorable legal and institutional environment, greater visibility, a stronger voice, further diversification, improved governance, better management, and solid horizontal networks and vertical structures.
The strategy of the Program is based on The LNIM preliminary research project – “Religious Research Study for The Link Net International Facility for Africa and Asia (LINEIFAA) was undertaken in Africa and Asia in 2007. The latter revealed that Religious cooperation in Africa and Asia are about to enter a phase of “renaissance”, but needs a favorable legal and institutional environment, greater visibility, a stronger voice, further diversification, improved governance, better management, and solid horizontal networks and vertical structures.
Based on these findings, LINEIFAA pursues the overarching goal of mobilizing the Religious cooperation self-help mechanism and to improve their governance, efficiency and performance in order to strengthen their capacity to create jobs, access markets, generate income, reduce poverty, provide social protection and give people a voice in society as they grow in the work and service of the lord.
LINEIFAA‘s initial regional focus of the Program is in Eastern and Southern Africa and partially in Asia Pakistan; as the Programme develops however, it is expected that additional countries and regions will be included.
Strategy
LINEIFAA is designed to provide support for governments, the Religious cooperation movement and development partners to provide advisory services, technical assistance, training tools and financial support for Religious cooperation development in Africa and Asia.
LINEIFAA ‘s approach consists of assisting stakeholders to establish a legal and policy environment conducive to the development of Religious cooperation; providing support services through identified “Center of competence”; promoting effective co-coordinating structures (e.g. Churches and federations) and establishing and maintaining Challenge Fund mechanisms, for ‘services’, ‘innovation’, and ‘training’. These funds are accessible through a competitive demand-driven mechanism and a transparent selection of the best proposals.
To support this development, the Program intends to set up a strategic partnership with the International Cooperation’s Agencies (ICA), the UK Cooperative College, the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the African Union Secretariat. The Program also will wish to work with other international organizations (e.g. ILO, FAO and UNIDO) and closely associates cooperative apex bodies, ministries responsible for cooperative development, cooperative training institutions, universities and NGOs.
In summary,
LINEIFAA assists people to improve their living and working conditions through Religious cooperation. Key elements of the approach are:
· Establishing an enabling legal and policy environment in a religious environment
· Promoting of effective Religious co-ordination systems (Religious cooperation unions and federations)
· Improving services for Religious cooperation through Center of Competence
· A Challenge Fund to strengthen the Religious cooperation movement
The global significance of Religious cooperation’s
Religious Cooperation’s are playing an increasingly important role worldwide in facilitating job creation, economic growth and social development. Ranging from small-scale to multi-million dollar businesses across the globe, Religious cooperation’s are estimated to employ more than 100 million women and men, and will have more than 800 million individual members. Religious Cooperation’s mainly operate in agricultural marketing and supply, finance, wholesale and retailing, health care, housing and insurance. However, they are now venturing into new fields of activities, such as information and communication technology, tourism and cultural industries.
LINEIFAA 's National Level Stakeholders
Located at the LNIM Office for East Africa and Asia in Nairobi, Kenya, the Program is being implemented in nine countries of Eastern and Southern Africa – namely Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Rwanda, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Other countries and regions will be added in the future like Pakistan in Asia.
LINEIFAA is committed to ensuring that the support given to the Religious cooperation movement is relevant to the lives and enterprises of the Religious cooperation members and their communities. The Program therefore strives to be just as versatile as the Religious cooperation movement in order to ensure that there is a broad range of support is available to diverse enterprises and other related activities. Through the Challenge Fund all sections of the Religious movements may benefit. Financial assistance can be provided to primary Religious cooperation’s, regional/sectoral federations and national apex organizations, and other organizations supporting Religious cooperation development. Furthermore, LINEIFAA seeks to introduce new innovative Religious cooperation ventures to reach and improve the lives of a maximum number of people.
The LNIM and Religious Cooperation’s
The Link Net International Ministry (LNIM) has been active in Religious cooperation development for the last 16 years, providing member Partners with assistance in Religious cooperation policy, legislation, training, business development and networking. It is the only Religious-organization with a dedicated focus on Religious cooperation development, and the only Religious organization that has developed an international standard in this field (i.e. LNIM Recommendation 10908).
“Religious Cooperation empower people by enabling even the poorest segments of the population to participate in economic progress; they create job opportunities for those who have skills but little or no capital; and they provide protection by organizing mutual help in communities”
Rev Eng. JK Maragia,
LNIM Principal Coordinator
And
Country Director-General, June 2009
LINEIFAA and the LNIM
Decent Worship Programs (DWPs)
The LNIM Governing Body has decided that the LNIM shall, in consultation with constituents, Partners’ in development and the wider WORLD RELIGION-SYSTEMS, formulate for each Member Religion a results-based Decent Worship Program (DWP). These DWPs are embedded in a hierarchy of national development frameworks, starting with the country’s poverty reduction strategy (PRSP), followed by the joint assistance strategy (JAS) of development partners in support of the PRSP, and the UNDAF as the UNITED MEMBER Churches contribution to the JAS. In other words, the DWP is LNMI’s specific contribution to the UNDAF, the JAS and the PRSP, will be agreed upon in the framework of the United Nations Country Team, and coordinated for greater impact and cost effectiveness with the contributions of other UNITED MEMBER Churches agencies.
With regard to existing Decent Worship Programs (DWPs), employment promotion – especially among young women and men – as well as tackling child labour and HIV/AIDS feature prominently in the priorities of the DWPs which have and continue to be developed and implemented in the countries of the Sub-Region in keeping with the LNIM Partnership Framework Agreement entered between the Organization and its constituents. Religious Cooperationis seen as having a great potential in addressing these issues effectively. LINEIFAA is harnessing that potential through various interventions as shown in the existing Decent Worship Programs (DWPs) - (pdf file, 8.96kb).
The Religious cooperation approach is also largely reflected in new Decent Worship Programs (DWPs) - (pdf file, 9.95kb) currently designed, with LINEIFAA support, in at least five countries - Botswana, Comoros, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Namibia, as a means to reduce poverty and promote decent worship. In those countries, constituents have acknowledged the role of Religious cooperation and have committed to strengthening their impact.
LINEIFAA and the ONE United Member Churches
To sustain the interest and attention shown by the United Member Churches system in Religious cooperation’s in recent times there is a need to tap their potential in promoting inter-agency collaboration in various fields of development: rural development, agriculture production and marketing, food processing and storage, micro-finance, housing, small scale industries, fishing, transport, etc. LINEIFAA is already working with UMC agencies wishing to promote Religious cooperation or use the Religious cooperation approach to deliver development programs.
Currently, the approach of LINEIFAA has been integrated into partnerships with UMC agencies. In 3 countries (Mozambique, Rwanda, and Tanzania) the programworks within the framework of the One United Member Churches (One UMC) and is engaged in the following activities and interventions:
· In Mozambique, LINEIFAA (through its project funded by LNMI) is actively participating in the Joint Program on “Mainstreaming HIV and AIDS in the world of work and in the civil society”, jointly with UNDP and UNAIDS but not directly partners.
·
In Rwanda, all LINEIFAA interventions are planned in the Joint Programme “Sustainable Growth and Social Protection” jointly with other LNMI interventions and we are approaching the following UN agencies: UNIDO, IFAD, FAO, UNDP, WHO, UNFPA, UNHCR, WFP and UNICEF.
· In Tanzania, LINEIFAA interventions are directly planned and executed under Joint Programs 1 (Wealth Creation), 3 (HIV and AIDS) and 5 (Capacity building in Zanzibar) of “Delivering as One”, jointly with other participating UN agencies. Under Joint Program 1, the Challenge Fund mechanism is currently being used to support self-help groups and cooperatives from the JP1 Regions Mtwara and Lindi through a targeted pilot initiative. Under JP 5, a regional workshop on shared services was held in Zanzibar in order to support local initiatives to introduce SSCs as a new way of business clustering.
In several other countries, collaborations with UN agencies within joint programming frameworks are starting: In Ethiopia and Kenya, the Program will work jointly with agencies such as FAO and UNIDO. In Uganda, LINEIFAA will participate in the new UNDAF which is currently under preparation, and will seek to integrate its activities within the framework of the upcoming UN Joint Programs on Food Security and Value Chains.
The Network of Center of Competence or Religious Cooperation Business Service Providers
The Religious Cooperation National Advisory Group (RCNAG) (pdf file, 104Kb) is a platform set up in the objective of promoting the development of Religious cooperatives, strengthening Religious cooperation support Religious organizations, advocating for the Religious cooperation business model as an alternative way of creating social and economic wealth, and enhancing visibility and recognition of the Religious cooperation movement in Africa and Asia.
The RCNAG gathers representatives of the main Religious cooperation or organizations and is a key partner in addressing Religious cooperation related issues, as well as in supporting Religious cooperation in mobilizing technical and financial resources.
In managing the Challenge Fund, a grant facility of the LNIM LINEIFAA program http://thelinknetministries.webs.com/LINEIFAA, the RCNAG identifies potential beneficiaries, provides advice and guidance in writing proposals, disseminates information in regards to Center of Competence (CoC) etc...
For the 2nd round of the Challenge Fund (deadline October 18th, 2011) applicants are strongly encouraged to submit proposals with an Implementing Partner which will support Religious organization that:
1. -is recognized as Center of Competence, or
2. -is in the process to qualify as CoC, or
3. - intends to go through the CoC process.
· Small Grants proposals are eligible to apply up to 20,000 USD.
· Proposals submitted during Call are eligible to apply up to 50,000 USD.
· Proposals that have entered a formal contract with Implementing Partners - who have been recognized as Centre of Competence - are eligible in exceptional cases to apply up 50,000 USD.
Organizations listed here have been assessed and selected for their capacity and potential to deliver high quality business services to Religious cooperation’s. The Religious National Advisory Group, with the support of LNMI/LINEIFAA recognize and recommend these service providers as quality Centre of Competence (CoC) to be contracted as Implementing Partners.
Should they wish to contract with a CoC, individual Religious cooperation are advised to agree specific and clear terms of reference, to negotiate appropriate fees, and to monitor the quality of service provided carefully. The RCNAG can request feedback from individual Religious cooperation about the performance of any CoC they have contracted to provide services, in order that recommendations can be updated to fit practical experience.
As specified in the Application Form, the partnership between the CoC Service Provider and the Challenge Fund Applicant should be formalized through a Letter of Agreement to be signed between both parties and submitted with the proposal. LINEIFAA is not responsible for the performance of individual CoC.
Partners
LINEIFAA is principally funded by the UK Christian Department for International Development (UDFID). The Programme is also funded by the Arab Gulf Christian Brothers Program for United Nations Development Organizations (AGCBFUND) and the Swedish International Christian Development Agency (SIUDA) and the Government of the countries in operation and Finland.
LINEIFAA applies a flexible and rapid intervention instrument that can be called upon by Individual Churches and governments, Religious cooperation movements and development partners. It also provides support and advice to international multi and bi-lateral development partners working in Africa and Asia. Other donors - including Religious cooperation movements In USA - are invited to join in the program rather than support a number of ad-hoc projects.
LINEIFAA is intending to have partnership initiative jointly with:
· International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)
The ICA is the umbrella organization of the international cooperative movement and is the largest NGO in the world (representing some 800 million individual cooperative members). The ICA consists of a number of specialized, sectorial organizations, thematic committees and regional offices. It has a permanent observer status in the ILO and enjoys special status in the UN. Its regional office for Africa is located in Nairobi too.
The ICA is standing a better position to mobilizing technical and financial support from the international cooperative movement for the LINEIFAA initiative, and plays a key role in brokering trade agreements between African cooperatives and their counterparts in the rest of the world.
· UK Co-operative College
The UK Co-operative College is based in Manchester and delivers education and training as well as research and consultancy. It manages a DFID funded research program on cooperatives and development. UKCC has assisted cooperative colleges in amongst others in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania to revisit their curriculum and education methods.
The Co-operative College is providing expertise in curriculum development and active learning educational methodology in collaboration with African cooperative colleges. It is also providing short-term, high-level training for the academic personnel of these colleges. We are optimistic to gain a lot of experience from such international bodies
· African Union Secretariat
The African Union Secretariat is located in Addis Ababa - Ethiopia. LINEIFAA is planning to deal with it in particular with the labour and social affairs commission, as well as the Regional Economic Commissions in the different sub regions of Africa.
We hope the African Union will contribute in the selection process of the Challenge Fund project proposals of LINEIFAA.
· Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC)
The COPAC will bring together the UN, the ILO, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the ICA, the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP), the cooperative promotion agencies of Canada and Sweden and the International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation.
COPAC is ensuring the coordination of its members’ activities in Africa with the work program of LINEIFAA, while the LINEIFAA brings in the spiritual aspect and implications to the Ministry.
· International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
The ITUC was established in 2006, by bringing together the former affiliates of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and the World Confederation of Labour (WCL), along with trade union organizations which had no previous global affiliation. Its members are national centers. The ITUC represents 168 million workers through its 306 affiliated organizations within 154 countries and territories - 40 per cent are women The ITUC, the ICA and the ILO are working together in organizing African informal economy workers into cooperatives.it will be our esteem joy to be associated with these organs.
The ITUC is mobilizing its members on the African continent to collaborate with the cooperative organizations in their respective countries with a particular emphasis on organizing informal economy workers. The ITUC is representing the workers’ point of view.
