MEDSTAT IV is being implemented in close collaboration between the project’s experts and the representatives of the country leaders for the sectors. This new “participative” and collaborative approach requires a transfer of techniques, tools and processes to the ENP-S countries in the areas of group management and leadership, project management (including reporting, monitoring and evaluation) and meeting chairmanship and facilitation. During the life of MEDSTAT IV, the Lead and co-Lead coordinators are supported by the project’s KEs in all the tasks relating to the implementation of the project’s activities for the sector they cover.
Countries volunteered to become lead coordinators in 2013 for the six thematic sectors cover by MEDSTAT IV and for training. At the last Forum meeting (Malta, May 16-17), the ENP-S countries volunteered to also take the Lead and co-Lead for the horizontal sectors of Visibility (Egypt and Tunisia) and Gender (Jordan). As per today, there are 14 Lead and Co-lead coordinators from the ENP-S countries involved in the implementation of the project’s activities.
In general, the Lead coordinators are not familiar with the techniques of group management and leadership. This was clear during the 1st workshop that was organised with them in September 2016. This 1st workshop focused on basic communication techniques and tools and was very much appreciated by the participants. However, the impact of the training remained limited to the improvement of the personal capacities of the participants.
In the course of the second part of 2016 and the beginning of 2017, the project deepened the discussion with the Lead countries at the occasion of the visits the project’s Team leader made in the countries as well as through discussion and contacts taken in the framework of the preparation of the PNC and Forum meetings 2017. In particular, the point was made that the sharing of responsibility in the implementation of the project should be taken as an involvement of countries (Lead countries) and not only of individuals (Lead coordinators nominated by the countries). While it was agreed upon that the training and sensitization of the Lead coordinators should be pursued, it should take a more institutional form, making sure that what was transferred to the Lead coordinators would then help strengthening capacity within the NSIs of the Lead countries.
The meeting will gather all the Lead coordinators as well as representatives from the Direction of the NSIs of the ENP-S countries. This will allow discussing the practical issues linked to the Lead coordination but also to bring them in the larger context of capacity strengthening in the NSIs.
To learn more on this activity, please contact MEDSTATIV@ExpertiseFrance.fr
