ESDC Capacity

ORGANIZATION DETAILS


Organization Name: Economic & Social Development Center of Palestine


Year Established: 2003


Type of Registration: Registered Non-Governmental Organization


Locations: Main office Ramallah, branch offices in Tubas and Gaza


Postal Address: P.O. Box 4518, Al-Bireh


Phone Number:+970 02 242 0083/5Fax Number:+970 02 242 0084


Email: info@esdc-pal.org Website:www.esdc-pal.org


Primary Contact:


Name: Akram Al-Taher


Position title: Director General


E mail address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.”>altaher@esdc-pal.org


Mobile Phone: 970 599 676 170                            Telephone: 970 02 242 0083/5    


                

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

 

Core Competencies

The Economic and Social Development Center of Palestine (ESDC) is a Palestinian results and rights based development-oriented NGO established in 2003 and, as a learning organization, has accumulated vast experience in the both development and humanitarian cooperation. ESCD works in all geographic locations of the West Bank and Gaza Strip with offices in Ramallah (main), Tubas and Gaza. Within the development cooperation, ESDC is a well-recognized at the national level for their work in developing and building the capacities of cooperatives and the cooperative sector. Not only does ESDC build the capacities of cooperatives, CBOs and working groups, but also develops their capacities in natural resources management, agriculture, food security, and social economy. 

ESDC is the only local NGO in Palestine that focuses specifically on the development of member based organizations; cooperatives, CBO’s and working groups as well as individual farmers.  ESDC focuses on aggregating the split resource through cooperative concepts. ESDC found that the cooperative model is the most appropriate model for developing the Palestinian economy, which characterized by small size and of ownership, scattered resources and small produces. Further, ESDC had built and developed strategic partnerships with the inline ministries, including Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Agriculture and ensures all projects are in line with the National Policy Agenda.

ESDC has developed a strong cooperation among different actors in Gaza and West Bank providing capacity development training for ESDC projects funded by different donors and being contracted by international and UN agencies

ESDC’s exceptional cadre of agronomists marketing, capacity building, and small business development specialists provide the technical support needed by the rights holders with a comprehensives approach working along the value chain from the producer and linking them to the market. ESDC has the ability, skill and experience to build capacities in a wide range of topics related to agriculture practices and adaptive climate change techniques, including fruit trees, greenhouse, open fields, water harvesting, alternative energy sources, wastewater treatment and reuse, organic solid waste, fertilizers, and good agricultural practices. in addition to building marketing opportunities through, quality assurance for marketing, trademark registration, standardization and packaging, Further, ESDC has the proven capacity to develop the financial, business and management capacities of MBOs. This results in cost effectiveness, using our own resources rather than outsourcing at higher costs to the projects.

ESDC greatly emphasizes the importance of community ownership and participation within its interventions and encourages renewable energy. Also, increasing green areas, planting suitable trees, using solar energy for pumping irrigation water, and land reclamation are ESDC’s contribution in fighting climate change side effects.

Further, within the humanitarian cooperation, ESDC works with farmers to restore their agricultural activities, and to mitigate the negative impact of Israeli occupation, unfavourable natural crises, and negative impact of climate change on socio-economic conditions and food security. ESDC also has considerable previous experiences within agricultural humanitarian assistance, and backyard agro-production interventions in both West Bank and Gaza Strip. Further, ESDC provides Emergency Humanitarian Responses efficiently and effectively to the affected farmers. Most recently, ESDC has been working on early recovery projects to assist farmers’ shift from humanitarian to early recovery projects in improving access and efficiency of irrigation water for farmers in the Seam Zones and renewable energy, especially in Gaza.

Brief History:

ESDC was established in 2003 by renowned Palestinian development practitioners to work on developing the Palestinian social economy in the rural and marginalized areas with special focus on cooperatives and women self-help group. Several interventions aimed at strengthening the co-operatives in the area were piloted; however, it was realized by the cooperation partners that the activities and plans were covering a broader set of target groups other than the agricultural co-operatives. Hence, in order to cover the scope of work a local cooperation structure that will be able to broadly represent the different co-operative types in Palestine was established, hence the birth of the Economic and Social Development Center of Palestine.  Working within the needs of the Palestinian social economy, and immediate needs of the target groups, ESDC works within two spheres to meet the development and humanitarian needs of people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; Capacity development and Livelihood and Food Security

Vision:

A socially just Palestinian society in which the individuals are economically independent

 

Mission:

Enabling disadvantaged and vulnerable groups to engage in competitive economic activities

Values:

ESDC continues to align its organizational values with the internationally-accepted co-operative principles. It also upholds the values of transparency, integrity and accountability, social justice, and peace.

 

Strategy:

 

As an accountable, transparent, learning and continually developing organization, ESDC stakeholders would gather every three years to develop the strategic plan of ESDC for the coming three years, to which are reported on within the annual report. However, in 2016/2017, ESDC made the decision to prepare a five-year strategy in line with the Ministries, to be reviewed yearly for any revisions that may be made. The budget will also be reviewed yearly and set accordingly. For 2017-2022, the following strategic objectives have been set:

MBOs organizations have an economic and social role within their community.

Small business with women and youth engagement is within a stimulating and empowering business environment

Family agricultural is productive, profitable and sustainable

ESDC achieves its objectives efficiently and effectively and complies with good governance standards

Competitive Advantage: 

 

ESDC is the only local NGO in Palestine that focuses specifically on the development of cooperative business model as tool for promoting social economy. ESDC has a focused specialty in developing and building the capacities of the social enterprises, as well as individual farmers and entrepreneurs, in order to organize and their efforts and recourses in a collective manner. ESDC had built and developed strategic partnerships with the inline ministries, including Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Agriculture. Further, all of ESDC work is in line with the relevant Ministry strategic plans’.

ESDC’s exceptional cadre of agronomists and social economy specialist in the field to provide the technical support needed by the target group with a comprehensives approach working along the value chain from the producer and linking them to the market. For our marketing approach, ESDC is one of the main founder of New Farm Co. which specializes in marketing cooperative products. ESDC is cost effective, using our own resources rather than outsourcing at higher costs to the projects.

ESDC is the only local NGO that focuses on aggregating the split resource through cooperative concepts. ESDC found that the cooperative model is the most appropriate model for developing the Palestinian economy, which is characterized by small size and of ownership, scattered recourse and small produces.  

 

CAPABILITIES AND CAPACITY

 

Programs:

Cooperative & Member Based Development Program

Small Business Development Program

Resilience of Farmers

 

Cooperative & Member Based Development Program :

Training and coaching cooperatives and member-based organizations is available to employees, board of directors, oversight bodies, members and leaders

Member-based are supported in business development;

Collective entrepreneurship promotion has the financial and material resources required for the establishment of projects or the development of cooperative services.

Awareness on cooperatives and member-based organizations’ principles and values is available to employees, boards of directors, members and public.

Good governance and internal control is enhanced in member- based organizations.

6.       Cooperatives and other kind of MBOs have opportunities to promote & market cooperative products locally and externally though building their marketing capacities. .

7.       The quality of the products and services of cooperatives and MBOs are improved;

Networking and knowledge exchange among MBOs facilitated locally and externally.

Institutional development services provided. 

Financial services (saving, loan,) for MBOs is offered through revolving fund and community based microfinance models. 

  Women and youth entrepreneurs have the financial and material resources necessary to set up or develop their small projects through collective approach;

Small producers are organized in an economic and social framework that contributes to their protection and development of their businesses.

New model of member-based organization and community- based microfinance promoted and piloted;   

 ESDC is cooperating and coordinating with other actors in offering the favorable enabling environment for MBOs, as official institutions, civil society organizations and international institutions.

 Business development services provided. Services provided include training, consultation in the field of market studies, economic feasibility, business development plans, legal and tax advice and all matters related to the legal status of establishment. It also includes advisory services for promotion, marketing, buying, selling and developing systems. Administrative and financial planning, as well as coaching and technical training is provided.

Small producers are organized as MBO model or linked to in an economic and social framework that contributes to their protection and development of their businesses: This includes chambers of commerce, trade unions, federations and other forms of mutual and cooperative work.

 Small Business Development Program :

Business development services provided. Services provided include training, consultation in the field of market studies, economic feasibility, business development plans, legal and tax advice and all matters related to the legal status of establishment. It also includes advisory services for promotion, marketing, buying, selling and developing systems. Administrative and financial planning, as well as coaching and technical training is provided.

Women and youth entrepreneurs have the financial and material resources necessary to set up or develop their small projects. ESDC provides a package of activities that contribute to the provision of capital for the establishment of small projects for entrepreneurs targeted by ESDC’s programs or networking with various funding institutions. Materials and production equipment required for the development of small enterprises supported.

Marketing of entrepreneurial products at fair prices are promoted. This service includes a range of activities such as holding exhibitions, facilitating the participation of entrepreneurs in national and international exhibitions, holding permanent and temporary exhibitions and sponsoring negotiations between the relevant parties through periodic meetings and campaigns to promote various products.

Small producers are organized as MBO model or linked to in an economic and social framework that contributes to their protection and development of their businesses: This includes chambers of commerce, trade unions, federations and other forms of mutual and cooperative work.

 

III.                Strengthen the Resilience of Farmers  Program

Technical training for farmers and livestock breeders and the means to produce efficiently and sustainably within national and international quality standards.

Increasing awareness and confidence in fresh and processed local agricultural products.

Increasing access to agriculture, natural resources and traditional and non-traditional water sources.

Financial support is available to families affected and threatened with loss of natural resources

Interventions that responds to the needs of farmers living in support of their livelihood strategy based on agriculture or livestock is implemented.

Restoring Palestinian farming activities affected by the occupation practices and natural disasters.  

Backyard agro-production units for home – based food production.

Spreading Good farming practices;

Facilities:

Offices in Ramallah, Tubas and Gaza

Internal Systems:

Quality Assurance System (QAS) – ISO 9001, Professional accounting and collaborative Monitoring & Evaluation system

Geographical area served:

ESDC covers Palestine, both West Bank and Gaza Strip.

 

Financial Capability:

ESDC has a well-rounded pool of committed experts with the commitment needed to obtain result in the development and livelihood sectors. Through this cadre, ESDC has the capacity to implement programs and projects worth millions of dollars with the average annual budget of 4 million USD.

ESDC’s well-developed financial system, including procurement regulations; ESDC has an excellent internal control system to ensure that the end beneficiary receives the most for your dollar. Furthermore, at the end of each financial year, ESDC contracts an external auditor to audit the financial activity of ESDC; the end result financial statements and Independent Auditor’s report is available on ESDC’s website as part of clear and transparent financial systems. Furthermore, ESDC has a solid partnership with 7 main international funding organizations in Palestine.

KEY PERSONNEL

Name: Akram Al-Taher

Position: Director General

Akram has a Master degree in International Studies. He has been working within editorial cooperative development & lively hood improvement for the Palestinian community for over 15 years through improving & enhancement of the institutional capacities for the Palestinian co-operatives. Akram also has experience in designing & implementing developmental and humanitarian projects for the agricultural sector as well as developing the business &infrastructure for the Palestinian co-operatives. He also has worked in developing the technical capacities for the small producers & households in order to enable them to reach the internal and external markets.

Name: Abed Yasin

Position:Manager Monitoring and Evaluation Manager

Abed has an M.Sc. in Sustainable Rural Development and over 14 years of experience working with international and national organizations in development and humanitarian  projects as well as private sectors. He is competent in projects management, from design, planning, monitoring and evaluation, using Results Based Management. Abed also has extensive experience in socio-economic research, participatory assessment and analysis. 

Name: Jamal Burnat

Position:ProgramsManager

Since 2010 Jamal has being the Monitoring & Evaluation manager at ESDC, monitoring and evaluating ESDC programs. Programs include Strengthen the Role of Cooperatives and Community Organizations in the Development Process, Strengthening the Institutional and Business Capacities of Cooperatives in Palestine, Enterprise Development, Improve Food Security, Livelihood, and Natural Resource Management and Humanitarian and Emergency Interventions. Further, Jamal has an MSc degree in Low Cost Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation Management.

Name: Suhaib Abu Sheikh

Position:Financial and Administrative Manager

Suhaib has over 15 years of admin and financial work experience in the local NGO sector with experience in project financial management, preparing budget and control it , financial report, staffing plan and salaries ,monitoring procurement plan and procedure,  developing admin and financial manual and trainer in the financial issues .

Name: Reema Rasheed

Position: Fundraising and PR Specialist

Reema has over 20 years of progressive work experience in the local and international NGO sector with experience in project management, fundraising and public relations. Reema has worked from the grassroots level to governmental level in planning, writing and implementing programs.

 

PARTNERS LIST

 

}  Ministry of Agriculture

}  Organizing Cooperative Work Assembly

}  We Effect (former Swedish Cooperative Centre)

}  OXFAM

}  OCHA

}  Netherlands Representative Office

}  NICCOD

}  Finn Church Aid

}   UNDP 

 

QUALITY COMMITMENT

ESDC will have a comprehensive quality management system (ISO9001) by the end of 2015. 

Meanwhile, ESDC is in possession of the following quality attributes as assessed to have high score by its donor partners:

1-       Capacity Assessment and Financial Monitoring.

2-       Strategic plan 2017-2022

3-       Administrative& financial manuals and Monitoring & Evaluation systems.

4-       Program Management Computerized Information System-PMIS.

5-       Quality Assurance System (QAS) – ISO 9001.

6-       (Processing) Gender Policy (2018).

7-       (Processing) Risk Management

 

ASSOCIATIONS

ESDC is a member of the following associations / networks:

1-      The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA).

2-      Palestinian Network of Non-governmental Organizations (PNGO).

3-      Food Security Sector in the oPt.

4-      The Palestinian Disaster and Agriculture Insurance Fund.

5-      Social Arab Accountability Network.

6-      ICFO-International Cooperative Fishery Organization

7-      Owneh-Coordinating body for cooperative work in Palestine (INGO, NGO, Governmental, Cooperative Unions)