SYNTHESIS PARTNERS GROUP Opportunities Strengths

SYNTHESIS PARTNERS GROUP

Opportunities / Strengths • Solid relationship based on a long history (>10 years) • Trust do exist (what’s its level? ) • Very successful capacity building process • Understanding of CI dynamics by partners (CARE USA/Norway, donors, etc. ) • Good understanding and buy-in of the program approach implications by partners

Challenges • CARE is extremely rigid (Procedures!!!) • Delays (signing protocols, procurement, HR, etc. ) • “CARE is still an elephant and we are the mouse” • No negotiation on hand over of equipments after the end of projects • Social change / movement Vs Activities • Dependent Vs Independence • Learning is not happening enough

Key Recommendations • Independence of partners from CARE • Social / policy change agenda • High-level joint and systematic dialogue and decision making forums (CCDP in Mali) • New capacity and competencies needed • Become more efficient • Our procedures (key and urgent)? ? ? • Staff attitudes and behaviors

Feedback on tools • Too CARE-centric • Simplify (limit to few key areas) • Make them more adaptable to various contexts (be as much open as possible) • Do more relevant and sophisticated analysis and learning

Lessons • • It takes time Strategic commitment in LRSP Limit the # of partners Follow up both quality of partnership and the program implementation • It is necessary to pay attention to follow-up actions and decisions • Capture the best practices from our work and find a way to sustain them