From March 8 – 12, 2010 LMRF and DED’s M&E unit, delivered the final training workshop of the 2008/2009 Emerging Researchers Capacity Enhancement Programme (ERCEP).

The Emerging Researchers Capacity Enhancement Programme for M&E in LED was set up and piloted in 2007. At the end of this pilot, a first batch of 15 participants graduated in March 2008. ERCEP aims to develop a pool of specialists that have knowledge of and skills in participatory monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment of programmes, projects and business ventures aimed at local economic development. Efforts are underway to further develop the programme for it to lead to a National Diploma at NQF level 6.

As for the entire ERCEP, in 2007-08 as well as in the 2008-09 and 2009-10 cycle, Petra Penninkhoff was the principal facilitator. March’s 8-12 final session, themed “Analysis, interpretation and communication of results”, was held at the Alpine Heath Resort in the Northern Drakensburg Area.

All 24 participants who started the programme in June 2009, graduated. They received their certificates of participation during a graduation ceremony which was attended by various DED M&E unit and LMRF staff. The senior manager of DED’s Economic Planning Unit, Mr Sihle Mkhize delivered the key note speech and handed the participants their well deserved certificates.

On May 22-23, 2008 LMRF and the M&E unit of DED, delivered the Introductory Training Workshop of the 2008/2009 Emerging Researchers Capacity Enhancement Programme (ERCEP) in Protea Hotel, Durban. This is the second leg of this programme this year.

2008 showed the high demand, need and excitement around this training workshop as the received applications amounted to over 30 and came from various NGOs, Government Departments,  private sector and Independent Consultants.  The challenge was therefore left with the facilitators as to how to keep it within the group range that will be conducive for learning.

The ERCEP was set-up early 2007 and aims at introducing provincial and local government, NGO and private sector staff to the principles and tools of monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment of LED projects and programmes. The programme as a whole consists of a series of four 3-day interlinked workshops spread over the period of one year with homework assignments in between. This implies that programme participants have to be involved from the first workshop onwards, that drop-outs will not be awarded a certificate and no-one can either participate only partially or start participating at a later stage in the programme.

The second part of the 2008/2009 Training Workshop is planned to take place on the 28-31 July 2008 in the South Coast.

The Monitoring and Evaluation Unit of the KZN Department of Economic Development (DED-M&E) and the LMRF are inviting for applications for the 2008/09 capacity enhancement programme for emerging researchers on M&E in LED.

Those who are interested in participating are invited to download a file attachment below which has the following details:

• Background and programme objectives
• Programme set-up
• Training Methods and Facilitators
• Admission criteria and an Application form

 Closing Date for applications is March 31, 2008 at 12:00 midday.

On November 19 to 22, 2007 LMRF and the M&E unit of DED, delivered the third training workshop of the 2007/2008 Emerging Researchers Capacity Enhancement Programme (ERCEP).

The ERCEP was set-up early 2007 and aims at introducing provincial and local government, NGO and private sector staff to the principles and tools of monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment of LED projects and programmes. The programme as a whole consists of a series of four 3-day interlinked workshops spread over the period of one year with homework assignments in between. This implies that programme participants have to be involved from the first workshop onwards, that drop-outs will not be awarded a certificate and no-one can either participate only partially or start participating at a later stage in the programme.

The June and September workshops of the ERCEP 2007/2008 focussed on getting the basics rights for M&E (logical framework approach, M&E frameworks and LED). The November workshop introduced participatory research methods, discussed practical issues and constraints in executing M&E activities, had the participants putting their teeth into preparing tender proposals and budgets based on a simulated Terms of Reference and provided some techniques to improves their listening (thus communication) skills.

Participants appreciated the November workshop with a score of 8.2 (on a scale of 1-10): “...... a wonderful, enlightening and eye opening training session ......”, “......all that I have learnt cannot be traded for anything .......”, “..... I am so grateful to be part of this programme ......it is indeed a great experience for me. I am prepared to share these to my community and all relevant stakeholders ......”.

The fourth and last session of the ERCEP 2007/2008 programme will be held in the first week of March 2008.