|
The Countrywide Events
FORMAT sponsored a series of 8 one- and- two-day Countrywide Events in seven of Kenya’s eight provinces during October and November 2003 in contrast to convening a single national event in Nairobi as in past years. This new strategy was influenced by the need to better interact with grassroots groups throughout Kenya and also to find a cost-effective means of introducing technologies to a growing number of interested stakeholders. Grassroots organizations and individuals comprised the largest group of applicants to previous FORMAT events but relatively few of them could be invited to Nairobi. In addition, applications by these organizations were unpolished compared to those from larger research and development organizations. In order to take the platform closer to the grassroots, outstanding participants from past FORMAT events were provided opportunity to organize local events. Thus, participants were no longer required to travel to Nairobi but rather the events were conducted locally and made open to the public.
Eight local organizers were invited to a one-day planning meeting in Nairobi in order to refine plans for the Countrywide Events, disperse funds and arrange for needed information materials. The organizers were familiarized with financial management and reporting, local advertising and logistics. In the following weeks, FORMAT officers made visits to organizers who needed further assistance with the preparations. In cases where interaction through email and telephone was sufficient, visits were not paid until the events were held. The local organizers invited local participants, and arranged venues, meals and other logistics. Following the conclusion of the events, local organizers prepared financial statements and short reports on the outcomes of the events. A team of “core” participants was selected by FORMAT to prepare invited exhibits, presentations and demonstrations within their areas of specialization to strengthen all the events.
The events proved to be a cost-effective way of communicating technologies to a growing number of interested stakeholders. Already, several individuals, private sector and non-governmental organizations have contacted FORMAT to express their interest in presenting exhibits at similar events in the future. Several organizations have initiated follow-up activities to share lessons and strategize how to benefit more from technologies presented at the events. FORMAT will organize additional grassroots events in the next two years in order to sustain the interests created by the 2003 events and advance innovation in organic resource management.
Below are links to the particular events:-
|
