East Timor water supply
December 2005

A team of M&E specialists from EDG is helping develop an innovative M&E framework for a new AusAID-funded Rural Water Supply and Sanitation program in East Timor. In an innovative new approach, this project is looking at reforming and strengthening the institutions responsible for water and sanitation supply services.

M&E workshop for Eastern Yugambeh
December 2005

EDG Director, Ron Staples, has provided his expertise in M&E and project management to Eastern Yugambeh Limited and the Eastern Yugambeh Native Title Group. Staples conducted evaluation and management workshops with the group, and is also helping it identify objectives and priorities for the future.

Eastern Yugambeh Limited is a not-for-profit company that provides cultural heritage and native title services in the Eastern Yugambeh region in Southern Queensland. The company provides cultural heritage information to a number of development companies and government departments that are considering development projects in the Eastern Yugambeh region. It advocates community participation in cultural heritage and native title projects.

Ron is providing training in M&E techniques to members of the group that includes all decedents of the traditional owners of Eastern Yugambeh.

Monitoring and technical assistance for Afghanistan
July 2005

EDG has been contracted to provide its monitoring, reporting and technical expertise to help an ACIAR/AUSAID-funded project in Afghanistan. The project aims to achieve a sustainable increase in wheat and maize production and productivity in Afghanistan through research and training. The project is being carried out by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). EDG will help to provide monitoring, evaluation, training and reporting.

Support for PNG agriculture
July 2005

EDG has provided agricultural research and institutional management expertise to help AusAID design a new program to support Papua New Guinea’s National Agricultural Research System (NARS). The new system offers an innovative and comprehensive guide for Australian assistance to PNG’s agricultural research sector.

EDG provided one of the members of an Australian team of experts that visited PNG in May to undertake the feasibility and design mission. The team met with government officials, operational managers of NARS and local farmers to undertake a comprehensive analysis of PNG’s National Agricultural Research Agencies. The project hopes to support the National Agricultural Research Institute’s aim to enhance productivity, efficiency and sustainability of smallholder agriculture. It is hoped this will improve farmer income, food security, and the welfare of Papua New Guineans and the nation.

EDG consults on project viability in East Timor
April 2005

EDG has been contracted to review the proposal documentation for AUSTCARE’s Integrated Rural Development Project (IRDP) in East Timor. The project aims to improve agricultural development and food security in the Bobonaro district of East Timor.

In partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (MAFF), the AUSTCARE capacity building program has aimed to improve quality of life, reduce vulnerability and improve sustainable management of natural resources in the districts of Bobonaro, Oecussi and Cova Lima. EDG will assess the feasibility of ongoing projects within the region and ensure the design and scope of ongoing and future projects are realistic and will generate a successful outcome for the people of Timor-Leste.

Nauru Food Security Project
February 2005

EDG is currently helping design the Nauru Food Security Project on behalf of the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). The project aims to improve the resilience of the Nauruan population to food insecurity through interventions to increase food production. By improving the overall availability of food the program aims to improve food access by vulnerable groups such as young children, the elderly, and residents of the Location settlement.

The majority of AusAID’s resources will be targeted at strengthening and extending domestic gardening through five components. The project will focus on high yield, low maintenance and input crops and thus aim to have broad take up within 12 months.