Organization Profile

2000 – 2006

Regional Centre on Agrarian Reform and

Rural Development for the Near East

Our Vision

 With commitment, innovative expertise and clear strategies, CARDNE continues its endeavours to achieve sustainable rural and agricultural development.

We are an autonomous intergovernmental organization established in 1987, consisting of 9 members and hosted in Jordan………

Our activities are based on participatory work aiming to achieve our goals through a network of designated national institutions in Member States

………

We signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding with local, regional and international organizations and agencies to fulfill our goals……..

We started special services programming in mid 1999 to provide the workers of different sectors with skills related to agricultural and rural development........

We implement projects that support and qualify workers and institutions engaged in rural development through training, and facilitate small enterprises…………. 

Our Mission

v Assist national action, stimulate and promote regional cooperation relating to agrarian reform and rural development.

v Improve the production, income and living conditions of small-scale farmers, pastoral nomads and other disadvantaged rural groups.

v Integrate rural people in the development process; thus promote their involvement in the social, economic and cultural life of their communities.

E-mail: cardne@cardne.org

  Web site: www.cardne.org

  Telefax:   00962 6 592 4348

                 00962 6 593 4708

  Mail Address: P.O. Box  851840

                         Amman 11185  - Jordan

We conduct studies addressing sustainable rural development, capacity building needs and income generating employment and business………

We produce training modules, conduct training courses, national and regional workshops, and provide experts services………….

We have unique training experience in areas relating to food security and small enterprises…

[I]  Background

The Regional Centre on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development for the Near East(CARDNE) was established by an initiative of its Member States with the aim of applying and implementing the rural development programmes. This aim was defined in recognition of the fact that these programmes would be applicable through identification of national local needs and regional cooperation. CARDNE targets the rural and pastoral communities and seeks to meet their needs, fulfil their hopes and protect their rights. In 1981 FAO conducted a regional conference in which the attendants agreed on the establishment of a regional centre for this purpose. The centre was launched following a FAO-sponsored meeting held in Rome in 1983, attended by representatives and observers from 18 Near Eastern states, intergovernmental organizations and agencies, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and World Food Programme (WFP). The agreement entered into force in 1987.

CARDNE is an autonomous intergovernmental organization hosted by the government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with offices located in Abdoun area in the Capital Amman. It has nine Member States: Jordan, Tunisia, Sudan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Egypt and Mauritania. It is governed by Governing Council consisting of representatives from all Member States, which meets once every two years. An Executive Committee of five members oversees the Centre's activities, and meets at least once a year. The Director General is the Centre’s authorized representative who directs the Centre according to the strategies and decisions adopted by the Governing Council.

For more information about the Centre, please visit our website: www.cardne.org  

Means of Action

CARDNE gears a variety of activities based on participatory work heading towards achieving its objectives through a network of designated national institutions in Member States. These activities are implemented at the Centre in Amman or at the national centres in Member States, and include:

·        Conducting and promoting research on various aspects of agrarian reform and rural development, with emphasis on innovative approaches assisting in confronting challenges and satisfying the needs of the targeted groups.

·        Holding consultative conferences and meetings to enable decision makers, researchers, planners, executives and representatives of local communities to exchange ideas and experiences on relevant fields, and to identify the areas where joint collaboration would serve the mutual interests of the Member States.

·        Organizing national and regional training courses particularly in aspects relating to planning, implementing, monitoring and assessment of the development programme and projects in the various fields.

·        Liaising and providing appropriate consultative services and technical support to the national centres and other organizations and agencies concerned with agrarian reform and rural development.

·        Serving as a data bank and clearing-house for information on agrarian reform and rural development, and for disseminating information, preparing, translating, publishing and distributing relevant documentation.

The Centre's activities are based on participatory methods drawing on the experiences and expertise of the local communities. Peasants, pastoral nomads, field executives and specialists in agrarian reform and rural development at all levels contribute to the Centre's activities. These include speedy assessment, field researches, needs assessment researches, strategic planning, projects formulation, monitoring and evaluation.

Cooperation with International, Regional and Local Organizations

The Centre signed bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding covering the fields of mutual concern with the following organizations and agencies: 

1.     Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) / Rome - Italy.

2.     Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia - UN (ESCWA)/ Beirut - Lebanon.

3.     International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) / Paris-France.

4.     Afro-Asian Rural Development Organization / New Delhi – India.

5.     Inter-Islamic Network on Water Resources Development and Management, launched by the Islamic Conference / Amman – Jordan

6.     The Arab Centre for the Studies of Arid Areas and Dry Lands (ACSAAD) / Damascus – Syria

7.     The Arab Organization for Agricultural Development ( Khartoum – Sudan.

8.     The International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) / Aleppo – Syria.

9.     Queen Zein Al-Sharaf Institute for Development / Amman – Jordan.

10.      Development and Employment Fund (DEF) / Amman – Jordan

11.      University House for Studies and Consultation / Amman – Jordan.

12.      Fujian agriculture and forestry University ( FAFU) China

Special Services

Upon request from governments of Member States and international, regional and local organizations, the Centre provides special services, including:

·        Organizing study tours for individuals or groups inside and outside their home countries.

·        Conducting seminars and training courses for individuals or groups inside or outside their home countries.

·        Providing technical consultation through experts within the national institutions network.

·        Designing, implementing and evaluating projects in the field of rural development.

·        Condcuting studies and research in the field of agrarian reform and rural development.

·        Organizing training courses in the areas of establishing, improving and expanding small projects particularly those targeting poor rural families, with the aim to reduce rates of unemployment in the rural areas through providing job opportunities and income generating sources for rural households at large and among women in particular (SYB, IYB, EYB)¹

The Centre provides these services are cost charges in addtition to managemnt fees as stipulated by Clause (6) of Article (9) of the Centre's Agreement of Establishement quoting: "The Centre is managed according to the acceptable commercial principles in general. Accordingly, the Centre charges fees for the services provided at the rates

defined by the Executive Committee" by virtue of a service contract signed with the concerned party.

_________________________________________________________

¹ Start, Improve, Establish Your own Business

[II]  Development Projects

1.     Training of Local Community Development Workers Project

The Centre implemented this project in cooperation with Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (WESCWA), Arabian Gulf Fund (AGFUND) for the support of the UN organizations, and Mercy Corps International (US NGO). The project total budget is US$ (450,000) in the duration of three years (2002-2004). The funds are designated for Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and Palestinian Authority.

2.     Dimitra  Guidebook Project –  Rural Women and Development

Since 1999  the Centre has been implementing this project in seven Member States including Jordan, in cooperation with King Baudouin Foundation in Belgium and with the support of FAO. "Dimitra Guidebook" was the output of Phase I of the project which was completed at the end of 2000.

CARDNE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with FAO for the implementation of Phase II of Dimitra Project. According to the MOU, CARDNE  acts as a regional partner to provide complete information about the institutions, societies and organizations concerned with rural women in the Member States. The output of Phase II was the production of a guidebook and database for 2002 on the institutions working in rural women development in all countries in the world including the Member States of CARDNE. 

CARDNE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with FAO to implement Phase III of the Dimitra Project for the years 2006-2007 in its capcity as a regional partner serving to update the relevant database and enhance exchage of experience at the national level and among the participating countries.

3.     Support to Business Training for Small Enterprises – Ministry of Planning /Jordan

CARDNE signed an agreement with the Consultative Committee of the "Support to Business Training for Small Enterprises" – Ministry of Planning / Jordan, implemented by the ILO by an assistance grant from the UNDP and USAID.  The Centre was designated to provide training to the Project's beneficiaries in Jordan.

4.     Acceleration of the Performance of Projects funded by IFAD

·        In the framework of IFAD/TAG technical assistance grant for the years 2002-2003, CARDNE signed an agreement with IFAD whereby the Fund provided an assistance grant to the Centre to accelerate the performance of the IFAD-funded projects and to support the implementation of other  projects in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

·        CARDNE signed an agreement with IFAD whereby the Fund provided a grant to the Centre to integrate the concept of the social gender in the projects activities in Lebabon, Jordan and Syria throughout the year 2003, and to design a Gender Log Frame

5.     Implementation Center for the Third Country Programme, initiated by JICA

CARDNE signed a five-year agreement with JICA to implement a training programme targeting the staff of the the Ministry of Agriculture of the Palestinian Authority. The programme is geared to building institutional capacity, management of human resources and promoting institutions throughout the period from 2004-2008.

·        In year 2004: CARDNE conducted a six-week training course on institutional capacity building  for the administration staff at the Ministry of Agriculture. Attendants were provided with training on areas of public management, human resources promotion, training of trainers and fomulating strategies.

·        In year 2005: CARDNE conducted two training courses: the first focussed on intermediate executive management for agricultural and veterinary directors; the second tackled the methods of preparing project proposals eligible for funding for the researchers of the Palestinian National Centre for Agricultural Researches.

[III]  Studies and researches

Brief on Studies:

1.     Institutions and Agricultural Land Tenure Legislation in the Near Eastern Countries 1999

The Centre conducted this study in cooperation with FAO, which  combined five countries: Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Iraq and Yemen. The objective of this study was to promote the role of real-estate institutions and improve its performance for achieving the goals of sustainable rural and agricultural development.

2.     Market Survey Study 2000

Commissioned by the Ministry of Social Development/Jordan, CARDNE conducted this study in the context of the Food Security Project funded by the European Commission. The study seeks to identify the present and future job opportunities available for the poor rural people. It highlights the employment opportunities designated through the market survey study of income generating enterprises,  small-scale enterprises in addition to employment opportunities provided by employers. The study aims to improve the current living conditions of the rural people and secure adequate means of living for them. The output of the study was the identification of the best available opportunities at present and provision of the necessary technical training or the required small loan facilities which qualify beneficiaries, either individuals or groups, to run their enterprises.

3.     Study on the Assessment of the National Institutional Capacity Building for Biodiversity Stakeholders 2002

According to agreement with the UNDP in Amman, CARDNE implemented this study for Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan Project, which is financed by GEF and implemented by the General Corporation for Environment Protection.

The study aims to assess the requirements of the national institutional capacity building in areas of managing and monitoring the biodiversity resources, and to identify the impact of these institutions on the development or degradation of these resources. It further aims to formulate a conception for institutional capacity building at all levels and define the obstacles and gaps that hinder the sustainable preservation and management of biodiversity resources.

4.     Study on the Assessment of Conventional Biodiversity Knowledge and Practices of Local Communities 2002

According to an agreement with the UNDP in Amman, CARDNE conducted this study for the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan Project, financed by GEF and implemented by the General Corporation for Environment Protection.

The study aims to assess the requirements of institutional capacity building in areas of biodiversity knowledge and practices of the natives and locals. It further aims to identify the impact of this knowledge on the practices and habits of the local communities, that give rise to specific tradition and culture, thus affecting the residents' way of life and mode of living leading to adverse or positive interactive impact on biodiversity.

The study addresses the needs and requirements for developing this knowledge, enhancing its positive aspects and diminishing the adverse aspects through promoting public environmental awareness and qualifying the technical cadre working in the field of biodiversity in particular, and environment protection in general.

5.     Study to Identify Agricultural Extension and Training Needs of Men and Women Farmers in Semi-desert Areas in South and East of Jordan 2003

Upon request of FAO/Rome, CARDNE undertook this study with the aim to assess the training needs in areas of vegetal and livestock production, bees breeding and food processing. It further aims to identify the priorities of training needs within these areas, and to define training and extension programmes for male and female farmers in relevant aspects.

6.     Socio-economic Survey Study of the Agricultural Resources Development Project for the Area of Yarmouk River Basin 2003

CARDNE implemented this study according to the agreement signed with the Ministry of Agriculture in Jordan. The study outputs were the baseline for the project activities and action plan. The impact of this project on the targeted residents was  a crucial part of the study which aims to identify the priority areas for this project, the needs of the local community, and the available local resources and instuitional capacity. It further defines the key social and economic features of the targeted residents.

7.     Study on the Assessment of the Role of Women in Food Security Projects in Jordan 2003

The study seeks to identify the appropriate economic opportunities provided by the agricultural projects for women and households in pilot areas of Food Security Project. The project's objective is to contribute to enhancing income generating employment opportunities leading to poverty alleviation.

Furthermore, the project aims to support the micro-funds programmes, and to promote the economic security of low-income households, in addition to increasing the employment opportunities in the rural areas through developing the pastoral settlements and infrastructure, and implementing income generating projects. The project addresses job seekers to facilitate new income generating opportunities.

8.     Study on Promotion of the Role of the Private Sector Institutions in the Agricultural Development 2004

The study aims to identify the means to enhance the role of the private sector in the development and management of the agricultural sector by:

·        Identifying the private institutions providing agricultural services.

·        Assessment of the current status of such institutions and organizations.

·        Defining the obstacles and difficulties confronted by these institutions and organizations.

·        Designing an effective mechanism to promote and support efficient institutional capacity building of the private sector.

·        Identifying the best method to fulfill cooperation and institutional partnership between the public and private sectors to implement the programmes and projects relating to agrarian development.

9.     Survey Study on the Stakeholders Participatory Sustainable Water Management at Farm and Village Levels 2005

CARDNE implemented this survey study to investigate the current water situation at the village, farm and household levels for Stakeholders Participatory Sustainable Water Management  Project, which is run by the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development in the southern and eastern areas of Jordan. These areas include Ghor Al Safi, Vivia, Al Mazra'a and Al Haditha, as well as other Kerak Villages including Al Irak, Al Mazar, Al Husiniya, Al Salhiya, Al Riba, Fako'e, Al Jadida, Al Majara and Bteer.

The objective of the study is to identify the institutions running water resources in the targeted area, and define the available information, studies, strategies and policies relating to water, treated water, various surface and underground water and wells resources, reused water and treated wastewater. It further addresses the relevant current and future projects in the targeted area and investigates the socio-economic features of this area, with emphasis on the role of women in water management.

10.Participatory Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and management Information system (MIS) strategies ( 2006)   

The main objectives of the study are: 1) Design a strategy for a management information system (MIS) for environmental monitoring that can be used at different administrative levels and that will facilitate combating land degradation within a coherent framework for targeted actions and investments., and 2) Design a strategy for the Monitoring and Evaluating the GEF project in a participative way, considering project performance as well as biophysical and socioeconomic impacts of projects in the target (eco)systems.

11. Study of the Magnitude of Pre-and-Post-Harvest Losses (under implementation)

The study aims to gather information and experiences on the magnitude of losses in the stages before and after harvest of tomatoes, green pepper, eggplant, potherbs, melon, watermelon, and lettuce. Such information would enable vegetables farmers and exporters to reduce the loss rate.

12.  IFAD Studies on rural Poverty assessment and mapping in Jordan and Rural Micro-finance market assessment in Jordan (under implementation) 2006

The studies is based on the absence of information on rural poverty and on microfinance , and the need for a comprehensive and wide ranging poverty analyses to define the causes, characteristics , consequences and location of the rural poor and to identity ways in which they can be best reached

[IV] Training

·        Training Modules

1.     Production of the Arabic version of  "Training of Trainers Regional Module on Participatory Rural Appraisal" (PRA) in collaboration with FAO/ Rome and Regional Near East Office of the Food and Agricultural Organization (RNE) in Cairo.

2.     Translation of training modules for "Socio-economic and Gender Analysis Programme" (SEAGA) in collaboration with FAO. / Rome and R.N.E  Office in  Cairo.

3.     Approval of the Arabic version of "Training of Trainers Module on Agricultural Cooperatives Development", which was produced by FAO/ Rome , as regional Arab module.

·        Training Courses

CARDNE sponsored many training courses for the Ministry of Social Development (MOSD), and the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) / Jordan in many development courses and in English Language.

·       Regional Workshops

The Centre sponsored and implemented national workshops in each member state in collaboration with the national institutions network. These workshops were determined by the national institutions according to the local needs, Ministry of Social Development being CARDNE's national institution in Jordan). Among these workshops are:

1.     Workshop on "Methods of Integrating Local Communities in Assessment of Developmental Needs" /Amman–Jordan 1999

CARDNE conducted this workshop in collaboration with the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) / Paris-France.

2.     Expert Working Group Workshop on "Agricultural Cooperatives Towards National Cooperative Movement."/ Amman & Beirut 2000

3.     Workshop for training of trainers on "Participatory Rural Appraisal" (PRA)/ Amman – Jordan 2001

The workshop approved the Arabic version of the regional training of trainers module on "Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) produced by CARDNE in cooperation with FAO/ Rome and the RNE Office in Cairo.

4.     Workshop for Experience Exchange on "Role of the Credit Fund Projects in Rural Development"/ Beirut- Lebanon  2001

This workshop offered the attendants from the Member States the opportunity to exchange experience and consultation in the areas of credit funds and their role in the rural development.

5.     Workshop for "Approval of the Training Module in the field of Agricultural Cooperatives Development"/ Amman-Jordan 2004

The training module was prepared by FAO and the attendants in the workshop agreed to test the module on actual grounds, then approve it as the Arabic version of the training of trainers module for agricultural cooperative development.

6.     Regional Workshop for 17 Near Eastern States for "Options for Agricultural Extension Reform in the Near Eastern States/ Amman- Jordan 2004

CARDNE organized this workshop in collaboration with F.A.O/Rome and R.E.N Office /Cairo. The discussions highlighted the challenges facing the institutions engaged in agricultural extension, and stressed the need to adopt new methods and approaches. Furthermore, the discussions considered it crucial to update the attendants with the recent development and new practices in agricultural extension at the global level, as well as to introduce promising initiatives relating to agricultural extension reform.

The workshop enabled the attendants to scrutinize the current applicable agricultural extension and to identify different reform aspects. The attendants reached a frame of recommendations for practical procedures for the extension institutions and participating agencies to review, evaluate and reform agricultural extension systems with view to reinforce their institutional capacity , enabling them to meet the farmers' needs and to ensure effective contribution in sustainable agrarian and rural development.

7.            Regional Workshop on "Exchange of Experience in the field of Monitoring and Assessment of Development Projects"/ Amman- Jordan 2004

CARDNE conducted this workshop with the aim to allow the attendants the chance to exchange experiences relating to monitoring and assessment, and application of logic frame in planning and evaluating projects.

8.     Workshops in cooperation with the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah.

·        Regional Workshop for "Identifying the Training Package for Qualifying Workers in Local Community Development"/ Damascus-Syria 2004

·        Regional Workshop for the Design, Installation, Operation and Maintenance of Modern Irrigation Networks"/ Amman-Jordan 2005

·        Regional Workshop on TOT Training workshop Business training for micro and small Enterprises "/ Amman-Jordan 2006

9.            Training Program (TOT) in Strategic Planning and Policy Formulation For Iraqi Agriculture Personnel sponsored by UNDP- Iraq 2006

CARDNE conducted this workshop sponsored by UNDP- Iraqi to Iraq / Personnel from Ministry of Agriculture with the aim to :-  

·        Upgrading the capabilities of the core team to be able to develop the new policies and reform programs and implement them with the technical support and backstopping of UNDP and other donor agencies.

·        Discuss, explain and agree on the major macro and sectoral guiding principles and policies mainly those related to agriculture, poverty, gender, water and rural development. As a result of that the participants will be able to identify the needs and requirements for the formulation of an Agricultural Policy.

·        Unify and harmonize the concepts, understanding and procedures among the participants, and build good working relations among different stakeholders involved in agriculture in Iraq.

·        Explore the participants to the experience of other countries with relevant    agro-ecological, economic and political conditions

·        Contribute to the preparation of a project document for the preparation of Agricultural policy which will be presented to different national, regional, bilateral and international agencies.

·        Experts

CARDNE signed contracts with many parties in order to provide them with expertise in different fields.

·        with FAO to provide a national expert consultant for training on "Integrating Social Gender in Development Project" (TCP-JOR/0169.

·        provide an international consultant for training on the issue of integrating social gender in development for Tunisia,

·        consultant to assess  women and development projects,

·        an expert for small enterprises,

·        An expert for preparing the methodology and module for training of trainers for integrating the social gender in development projects for North kordofan Rural development Project (NKRDP)- El Obeid in Sudan.

·        An expert in Agriculture Extension for Yemen

It is worth noting that CARDNE has a number of experts in all areas of rural development in all its Member States. Their expertise cover the following areas:

1.     Training

2.     Gender Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

3.     Small Enterprises

[V]   CARDNE's Training Experience

·        Experience in the Areas of Training Relating to Food Security Issues

CARDNE is considered an organization of distinct experience in the areas of training in general, and in the field of food security and small enterprises in particular. CARDNE organized and conducted a number of workshops and training courses at the national and regional levels for a targeted group identical to the project’s targeted group. For example, the CARDNE implemented the following courses:

1.     Workshops for small-scale marketing

CARDNE implemented twelve training courses for Income Sources Management Project in the Governorates of Kerak and Tafila. 120 women were trained on methods of marketing  the products produced by owners of small enterprises. The course addressed marketing mechanism and preparing products for marketing and future markets.

2.     Workshops for food processing

CARDNE implemented eight training courses for Income Resources Management Project in the Governorates of Kerak and Tafila. 200 women were trained on areas of food processing. The training focused on skills of processing pickles, olive, jam, pastries, yogurt, vegetables and fruits drying. The course was designed in such a way to enable locals to acquire the vocational skills leading to small enterprises.

3.                 Workshops for training of trainers in food processing

CARDNE conducted a training of trainers course over  a period of ten days for the Ministry of Agriculture in the Palestinian Authority. The course aimed to qualify 20 trainers in areas of food processing to employ the acquired skills in setting up small enterprises and seeking the necessary funding