table of contents - produrre e scambiare valore territorialeinterim narrative report table of...

Interim Report 2014-2015 Project Code: FED / 2013 / 335-684

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INTERIM NARRATIVE REPORT

Table of Contents

Acronyms used in the report................................................................................................... 2

1. Description ........................................................................................................................ 3

2. Assessment of implementation of Action activities ........................................................... 4

2.1. Executive summary of the Action ................................................................................... 4

2.2. Activities and Results ...................................................................................................... 6

2.2.1. Project staff formation (Act. 01) .............................................................................. 6

2.2.2. Office adaptation (Act. 02) ....................................................................................... 8

2.2.3. Office Materials and Equipment (Act 03) ................................................................ 8

2.2.4. Operational Project meetings (Act 05) ..................................................................... 9

WP1: University and academic structure improved ............................................................. 10

2.2.5. Meeting socialization of the project with the University community and

institutions involved (Act. 1.1) ......................................................................................... 10

2.2.6. Construction of Agricultural Sciences laboratories (Act. 1.4) ........................... 11

2.2.7. Workshop for the design of the project triennial operational matrix (Act. 1.5) . 12

2.2.8. Video conferences for designing policies for exchanges between Universities

and Schools of Agronomy (Act. 1.6) ................................................................................ 13

2.2.9. Monitoring and Evaluation Matrix Development Workshop (Act. 1.7) ............ 14

2.2.10. Creation of the plan of communication and dissemination of project results

(Act. 1.8) 16

2.3. Activities that were planned and were not able to implement. .............................. 26

2.4. Assessment of the results of the action .................................................................. 27

2.4.5. Potential risk that may have jeopardized the realization of some activities ....... 29

2.4.6. Revised logframe, highlighting the changes. ..................................................... 30

1.1.1. Contract (Work, supplies, service) awarded for the implementation in the

reporting period. ............................................................................................................... 31

Updated action plan .............................................................................................................. 32

3. Partners and other Cooperation ....................................................................................... 33

2. Visibility .......................................................................................................................... 34

2.1. How is the visibility of the EU contribution being ensured in the Action? ........... 34


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Acronyms used in the report

ACP – African, Caribbean and Pacific

Act. – Activity

LEDA- Local Economic Development Agencies

ADELDOM- Network of Local Economic Development Agencies of Dominican Republic

AWP- Annual Work Plan

AWP- Annual Work Plan

CENSA- Centro Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria

DAStU- Dipartimento di Architettura e StudiUrbani

DGODT- Dirección General de Ordenamiento Territorial (General Direction of Land Use

and Development)

DIDA- Department of Architecture

LADeC- Laboratory Data Analysis and Mapping

LFM- Log frame Matrix

M&E- Monitoring and Evaluation

MESCyT- Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology of Dominican Republic

OTP- Operational Triennial Plan

POLIMI- Politécnico de Milano

UCE- Universidad Central del Este

UN- United Nations

UNPD- United Nations Development Programme


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1. Description

1.1. Name of Coordinator of the grant contract: Universidad Central del Este

1.2. Name and title of the Contact person: Joel Arboleda Castillo, Institute of Scientific

Research and Contact Person of ACP. Gilberto Vazquez, Project Coordinator.

1.3. Name of Beneficiary(ies) and affiliated entity(ies) in the Action: POLIMI, CENSA,

ADELDOM (The 6 provinces of ADEL), URGENCI, ART-PNUD.

1.4. Title of the Action: Food Security: from University to Territory. Strengthening the

University Management for Learning and Practice in the Field of Food Security.

1.5. Contract number: : FED / 2013 / 335-684

1.6. Start date and end date of the reporting period: June 2014 to January 2015

1.7. Target country(ies) or region(s): Dominican Republic (San Pedro de Macorís, Dajabon,

Valverde, Monte Plata, Bahoruco, El Seybo, Santiago Ramirez); Cuba (Mayabeque); Haiti

(region del North and South); Italy (Lombardia).

1.8. Final beneficiaries &/or target groups1 (if different) (including numbers of women and

men): Teaching staff (50) with a Master degree, distributed in universities of the

Dominican Republic and Haiti. Professional staff (60) with a degree of specialization,

distributed in territories of 6 provinces (ADEL) and territory of north and south of Haiti.


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2. Assessment of implementation of Action activities

2.1. Executive summary of the Action

The general objective of the project is to contribute to food security in marginalized areas of the

Caribbean, through synergies and networking between the participating universities, public and

private stakeholders and the local civil society.

From this initiative, the project was submitted to the EDULINK II call in July 2012, however it was

not officially approved by the ACP-EU until January 2014. The first disbursement after signing the

contract in February 2014 has been received five months later, by the end of July. Both the period

between the submission of the proposal to its approval, and the period until the official start, have had

effects on the consortium of this Action. The Italian partner, Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI)

considered leaving the consortium due to internal institutional changes. The search for an alternative

partner and consideration of involving a Spanish university, were not accepted by the ACP-EU.

Therefore, final approval of the project has been conditioned by the agreement of forming of the

consortium initially planned between UCE, POLIMI and CENSA. Finally, POLIMI confirmed its

participation as partner, after approval by the Department of Architecture and Urban Study (DAStU,

for its acronym in Italian) in June 2014 (See ANNEX 7.1). Given these circumstances, the project

started with a six months delay according to the original schedule approved by the ACP-EU.

Once formed project coordination and technical teams from both, the consortium leader and partners,

the project begins with socialization activities regarding project objectives and activities, with

stakeholders and interested parties, emphasizing in active participation and ownership from the

beginning of the project. In the months of September to November, meetings and exchanges between

technical teams are performed, in order to clearly establish management structures, roles and

responsibilities, coordination mechanisms and communication, and define the necessary adjustments

for the project logic and planning. Starting in October, with the support of a Focal Point of POLIMI

located in the UCE, the development of a new operational plan is performed, designed for the 3-year

project. This plan, exchanged and agreed among stakeholders, is subject to approval by the ACP-EU

together with this report. It should be noted that the adjusted operational plan of the Action includes

an extension in time due to the initial delay, to meet the expected results and to guarantee the

achievement of objectives effectively and sustainably. This extension will not have budgetary


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implications for the overall Action. In this first phase in a participatory manner among the consortium

the Project Communication and Visibility Plan and a Monitoring and Evaluation System have also

been designed, which are attached to this report. Regarding the activities planned for the first year, the

academic Curricula of the Specialty in Agri-Environmental Project Management for Sustainable

Local Development and the Master in Sustainable Development and Climate Change have been

designed, and the complete Study Program of the Specialty, according the formal requirements and

procedures, has been already submitted to approval by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and

Technology.

In November the first meeting of the Steering Committee of the project was held with the technical

teams of the three universities, with the purpose to analyze and asses the progress of the project in

terms of activities and level of progress of indicators and goals. During this meeting, the products

mentioned above were agreed. Despite the initial delay of almost six months, taking into

consideration the results of the activities carried out in the period and selected to measure progress of

results indicators, the project is progressing properly. Moreover, this circumstance has no negative

effects on the overall achievement of objectives, although reprogramming of activities is required to

ensure the overall achievement of outcomes.


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2.2. Activities and Results

Please list all the activities covered of the contract implemented during the reporting period:

2.2.1. Project staff formation (Act. 01)

Activities performed:

The conformation of technical project teams was performed by creating focus groups for each partner.

The logic and specificity of the project require a broader coordination structure and articulation, for

this reason the appointment of different Focal Points has been considered as the most appropriate to

guarantee an effective project implementation. Without being a permanent staff, a Focal Point ensures

the expertise, skills and availability during the required period according to the overall project

planning. These Focal Points are characterized by their multidisciplinarity and represent different

research centers and universities with expertise and specialized know-how in territorial planning,

local development and agriculture.

Result:

The Universidad Central del Este through the Scientific Research Institute after signing the contract

and especially after the formal acceptance of POLIMI as an official partner, has been working in

structuring the coordination team, comprising official partners POLIMI and CENSA, and including a

strategic and important participation of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology

(MESCyT) of the Dominican Republic and the Zamorano University in Honduras, considered as a

prestigious institution at regional level in the agricultural field .

The persons involved in the coordination structure of the UCE are: Gilberto Vazquez, Project

Coordinator “Food Security: from university to territory”; Joel Arboleda, Director of the Scientific

Research Institute with experience in social development and expert in statistics; Angela Naletilic,

Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist; Francesco Gravina, Director of the Faculty of Architecture and

Urbanism of UCE; Danilda Polanco, Coordinator of the Master in Environmental Engineering; Karol

Tejeda, Coordinator of Continuing Education from the Postgraduate Vice Chancellorship with

extensive experience in marketing and advertising; Francis Peguero, Coordinator of the Language

Center and English by Immersion Program as the translator of the Project documents; Leiko Ortiz,

Director of the Marketing and Advertising Department of UCE; Franklin García, Scientific Research

Institute’s accountant; Jose Miguel Cordero, Minister Counsellor at Embassy Dominican Republic

and Dr. Jose Miguel Sanchez Cardenas, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of MESCyT.


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In addition to the technical team of UCE, the Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI), from June 2014 (date

on which assumes responsibility as project partner), has worked equally in structuring its team, which

includes both members of DAStU-POLIMI as well as of the Università degli Studi di Firenze, where a

research group is networking with POLIMI.

Staff and structures involving the DAStU are: Gabriele Pasqui, Director of the Department and

Ruggero Bonisolli, Head of the Laboratory of Ecological Projects (LPE), assuming the role of

scientific and management co-responsibility; the Laboratory Data Analysis and Mapping (LADeC),

with Paolo Dilda, with competences in cartography and mapping programs and spatial data

management. In addition, other members of LPE involved are: Giulia Mazzanti and Andrea Magarini

with previous experience in the Dominican Republic, within the project co-funded by the EU "Pull

Down The Line", and Martin Barreira Cruz, with a doctorate in DAStU on rural territorial

development in Galicia (Spain). Also integrated are, Andrea Calori, representing URGENCI

(organization associated with the project and member of the Network EDULINK II), and linked to

LPE regarding research topics related to this project. From the Firenze University, and the

Department of Architecture (DIDA), Camilla Perrone is linked to the specific activity of structuring

the postgraduate training offer and the activation of an international exchange program within the

project; and finally, Chiara Belingardi, with participation in the formulation of the training offer and

participatory processes of different components of the project.

The POLIMI performs a key strategic role internally in the EDULINK II project, acting as a bridge

between Italian and Spanish universities, supporting the academic content, methodology and

providing useful tools to achieve the objectives.

With the same commitment, the CENSA team got prepared to integrate with members of the

Directorate for Science, Innovation and Graduate Studies (CIP) and the Directorate of Health. In

addition, the Universidad Agraria of Havana (UNAH) is participating.

The staff involved from Cuba are: Dr. in Agricultural Sciences, Leopoldo Hidalgo Diaz, Head of

Internationalization as Scientific Coordinator of the project, with training and experience in the area

of agriculture; MsC Rivas Tania Quintero, as supporting Project Management Officer. On the other

hand, MsC Hernádez Silvia Delgado, with expertise in Project Management, Monitoring and

Evaluation, both practically and in teaching; Dayana Dominguez Avalos, Communication Specialist

with experience in the processes of internal and external communication; Dr. in Veterinary Science,

Alejandra Villoch with training in food security and food quality with practical experience in the


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Dominican Republic within an UNDP ART-Gold project and provision of services to INABIE; Dr. in

Agricultural Science, Nivian Montes de Oca with training in the area of sustainable agricultural

practice and study of value chains; and Engineer Guillermo Hughes, with an specific participation in

the design and tendering of the laboratory equipment. From UNAH, Dr. in Agricultural Science and

Professor Elio del Pozo Nuñez with over 30 years of teaching experience in the career of Agronomy,

who will be contributing to the review of the syllabus of the career in Agronomy.

2.2.2. Office adaptation (Act. 02)


A set of consultation activities in UCE were performed, in order to define the project office, including

quotations and acquisition of materials and equipment required for its operation.

Result:

The project has an operating office since June, located at the Institute of Scientific Research of UCE.

The office is designed with the aim of providing logistical support to all regular operational and

project activities undertaken by the permanent technical team of UCE, as well as by the technical

teams of partners during their missions in DR for technical assistance as focal points, as well as for

meetings, workshops, and implementation of academic programs and scientific activities. A key

feature of the office is the articulation with stakeholders and decision makers in the area of

intervention, which are linked to the project objectives. It also serves as center of consultation for

students during the registration process and implementation of post-graduate programs.

2.2.3. Office Materials and Equipment (Act 03)


An inventory was done in order to provide the office with all required equipment and materials for its

operation and efficient project implementation, guaranteed by staff involved from the Dominican

Republic and the focal points of the project partners.


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Result:

Within the acquired office equipment, there are 3 office desks plus 3 Dell inspiron 5437 laptop 14R

14.0 "Touchscreen, Intel Core i5. Furthermore, initially the project used printers from the Department

of Scientific Research, however the project required an own printer, that is why a HP Laserjet PRO

400 Color M451DW has been purchased. In addition, other office supply materials have been

purchased. (Annex 6.4).

2.2.4. Operational Project meetings (Act 05)


Members of the different technical teams (UCE, POLIMI and CENSA) have maintained a systematic

communication and coordination since June. To facilitate networking a file storage cloud through

Google Drive has been created, providing easy and updated access and exchange of key project

documents. Although it is considered as the most efficient way to share and exchange documents in a

project with different actors and people involved, it should be noted that due to the limited quality and

stability of Internet access available in Cuba, communication and exchange is also kept through

constant emailing. Other channels and communication tools implemented are video conferences,

meetings and workshops between the technical teams of the three Universities and the Research

Centers linked. In addition to work meetings in the Dominican Republic, detailed below.

Result:

There is a management structure, including a multidisciplinary and appropriately integrated project

team, as well as management, coordination and communication mechanisms and tools, appropriate to

provide efficient and effective compliance of the project objectives. As a result of this, there is a

folder in Google Drive with all relevant project documents, in order to have an ongoing update and

exchange of the progress.


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WP1: University and academic structure improved

2.2.5. Meeting socialization of the project with the University community and

institutions involved (Act. 1.1)

With the approval of the project in January 2014 and after the signing of the contract in early

February, socialization meetings with the Rector, Vice-Chancellors and Directors of different

departments of the Universidad Central del Este were held. During these, the objectives, purpose and

relevance of the project were explained (See Annex 7.3) and contacts and relationships between

consortium partners and stakeholders involved in the project were reinstated. Considering the year

and a half elapsed between submission of the proposal and final approval, articulation and

collaboration of the three consortium partners within this action had to be redefined and reconfirmed

through inter-institutional agreements. Project partner POLIMI considered leaving the project in the

first place after official approval, due to internal institutional changes, putting at risk the financing of

the project by the ACP-EU, as considerations of an alternative partner for the implementation of the

Action has not been accepted by the co-funding entity. After several meetings with POLIMI and

redefining the structure of collaboration and coordination through DAStU, its participation was

confirmed in June 2014 (See Annex 7.1). On the other hand, the reconfirmation of CENSA’s

participation was defined in March 2014, within a meeting between executives of CENSA at the

offices of the UNDP ART-Gold Program and the General Directorate of Land Use and Development

(DGODT) in Santo Domingo (See Annex 7.3). The latter actors are also part of the institutions

involved in the project implementation and achievement of the project objectives.

Considering the delay of six months until the reception of the first disbursement by ACP-EU,

including difficulties due to bank account errors, it’s after August 2014, when with greater intensity

the dissemination of the project with different target groups has been carried out and the work and

project implementation through the consortium have been initiated officially. In November 2014, a

kick-off meeting and workshop between partners took place, which also served to a greater

understanding of the partners on the background and expertise of each university for effective

contribution to the success of the Action. In the framework of this activity, meetings were held with

the Rector of UCE, the Department of Scientific Research of UCE, the Post-Graduate Department, the

Director of the School of Architecture of UCE and institutions involved in the project, such as the

Ministry of Higher Education Science and Technology, the Network of Local Economic Development

Agencies (ADELDOM) and the UNDP ART-Gold Program. The purpose of these meetings was the


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confirmation of commitments for collaboration and participation, as well as the dissemination of the

Operational Work Plan for the first year.

In relation to the socialization of the project at international level, the project coordination of UCE

participated in an event organized by ACP-EU in Brussels in April 2014, aimed to socialize

EDULINK II projects approved and establish direct contacts between the implementing institutions

and ACP-EU.

From September and ongoing further supporting activities were developed, including the

development of the graphic line and the project logo, design of templates to use and strengthening of

coordination and communication mechanisms between project partners, through videoconferencing,

mailing and regular Skype meetings. In October, the Focal Point of POLIMI, Giulia Mazzanti

integrated into the permanent project team at UCE, supporting the development of products and the

implementation of planned activities, such as Kickoff meetings, kick-off workshop with partners in

November and the Monitoring and Assessment Workshop in December. (See Annex 7.3).

2.2.6. Construction of Agricultural Sciences laboratories (Act. 1.4)


To comply with this activity a design proposal of a unit of laboratories and required equipments was

carried out, with a capacity of a maximum of 20 students per room, taking into consideration the

requirements of the Career of Agronomy, as well as of the Specialty in agri- environmental project

management for local and sustainable development and the Master in Sustainable Development and

Climate Change. This proposal will be integrated into the new Engineering building project of UCE,

whose construction is scheduled for the first semester of 2015 (See Annex 4.1).

Based on the plans of the new building for the engineering labs, the proposed designs integrated into

the UCE project include some adjustments, to ensure all necessary auxiliary services, such as electric

lighting and power systems, water and drainage, climate comfort of 22 ̸- + 2 ° C and humidity control

in the places that require it. It should be noted, that the laboratories are designed to provide facilities

for teaching and research and guarantee additionally sustainability of the project, as they are

integrated into and institutionally supported by UCE. With listings of proposed equipment, a tender

with three suppliers located in the country (BDC SERRALLES SRL, DRL; SANIAGUA GROUP


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SA), was launched for the purchase of the equipment according to the budget available at each stage

and considering priorities.

Result:

Annex 4.1 includes the proposed design for the laboratories and equipment, which consist of:

Soil Laboratory, with a space for the preparation of samples and a room with equipment for

physical-chemical analysis of soil and water.

Agriculture Plant Health Laboratory, which will support undergraduate courses in plant

pathology, entomology-acarology and nematology; and additionally a space for preparation of

materials and two microbiology workplaces.

Computer lab equipped with high-performance PCs and a printer (as described in the

preparatory activities and budgeted in annex 6.2).

Taking into account available funds for this activity, the purchase and start-up of the laboratories will

be divided into two stages, where the first stage will give priority to the computer labs and soil labs

considering the needs within the program of the Specialty, and a second stage for the equipment of

the plant health lab, required in a later stage of this program.

In Annexes 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 bids for the acquisition of equipment are presented, however the selection

process has not been finalized as foreseen during the reporting period. The third company DRL hasn’t

presented a complete proposal and quotation to the date and no alternative company hasn’t been

identified so far. It important to outline that part of the purchase of the equipment for the computer

labs has been planned and budgeted for February, in order to complete the required 70% of

expenditures of the first disbursement made by ACP-EU to the project. Due to the missing third

tender, the selection process has been delayed and the purchase had to be rescheduled for March,

leading to an underspending of the initially planned budget.

2.2.7. Workshop for the design of the project triennial operational matrix (Act. 1.5)


This activity was successfully carried out in the period covered by this report, while considering the

aspects previously described in terms of time delays. To carry out the activity, the project received the

support of the Focal Point of POLIMI with experience in planning, since October 2014 integrated into


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the project team in the UCE project office. First a review of the initial project schedule has been

carried out to determine necessary changes and adjustments, and to perform a more appropriate and

feasible planning. The rescheduling was performed, considering the facilitating and hindering factors

of the process, which were identified during the first period of implementation, and reviewing the key

assumptions of the project defined in the formulation phase of the Action in 2012. Regarding

activities contemplated in the project, preparatory sub-activities required were included, to help

ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the project activities. Furthermore as short- and

medium-term goals, deliverables products have been defined and also estimates for the scope of the

results that help monitor and evaluate the project. Moreover, the roles, responsibilities and support

required by members of each technical team, including the Focal Points of the three partners, in the

implementation and monitoring of activities were defined.

Result:

In Annex 2.1 the graphic of the Triennial Operational Plan is presented and Annex 2.2 includes the

descriptive part on roles and responsibilities. Both were socialized and agreed between the technical

teams of the three universities in the context of the workshops held in November and December, and

are submitted to approval by the ACP-EU alongside this report.

2.2.8. Video conferences for designing policies for exchanges between Universities

and Schools of Agronomy (Act. 1.6)

Activity performed:

In order to establish and consolidate networking between universities, research centers and Schools of

Agronomy participating in the EDULINK II project and above the framework of the project, as part of

medium and long-term relationships building and networking, the three partner universities reviewed

politics and guidelines for academic agreements, including exchange of students and professors

through specific programs (such as the Erasmus Program). In this sense, it is foreseen to define and

sign general agreements between UCE and the two partner universities POLIMI and CENSA with a

long-term perspective of inter-university networking and collaboration, as well as specific agreements

on workpackage I of the EDULINK II project, including arrangements for the exchange of students,

professors, and the support for the development of the thesis to be produced within the Master degree

program etc. So far, partners shared general politics on inter-university network and examples of

agreements have been reviewed and discussed. Furthermore, drafts on the general agreements have


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been prepared and discussed among partners, as well as general guidelines for support and

collaboration on the workpackage I of EDULINK II project activities. The final versions will be

agreed within the partner meeting planned for April in the Dominican Republic. It’s important to

outline that agreements on networking are also planned in relation to the University of FFlorence,

which is already supporting the project activities through the link with the POLIMI University, and

with the Zamorano University of Honduras, as for its importance in the area of agronomy,

representing one of the most recognized Schools of Agronomy in the region. First steps have already

been undertaken with the University of Florence through POLIMI. Regarding the Zamorano

University, exchange of information started in November and an invitation to visit the School of

Agronomy in Honduras has been received. However a formal approach and invitation by the Rector of

UCE to both universities is still pending.

Results:

This activity is progressing but still not completed. After the preparation of drafts on the general

agreements to be signed between UCE and POLIMI and UCE and CENSA, these need to be further

discussed and adjusted, in order to be signed in April. The specific agreements on the collaboration

within the EDULINK project need to be furthered defined and agreed, although general guidelines

have been establish at the beginning of the project.

2.2.9. Monitoring and Evaluation Matrix Development Workshop (Act. 1.7)


According to the procedures predisposed for ACP-EU within the project cycle, a system for monitoring and

evaluation has been designed, based on results-based management through the logical framework of the project

and linked to planning through the Triennial Operational Plan (TOP) and the Annual Work Plan (AWP),

which aims to achieve better performance in terms of effectiveness and efficiency and tangible results. For this

purpose, in a first step a review of the Log frame Matrix (LFM) of the project was carried out, taking into

account the time spent between formulation, approval and beginning of the project, an update in relation to the

context and key assumptions was required. Also, from the logic of results-based project management, the need

to redefine the initial indicators has been identified, since they are considered indicators of products, and not

suitable to provide information about processes and effects generated in the medium and long term. In order to

respond to the new overall planning, the indicators were adjusted according to the time of implementation of

activities and scope of the results foreseen. This review was conducted in several working sessions between


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project teams of UCE, CENSA and POLIMI. With the inputs collected, the person hired for Monitoring and

Evaluation, prepared the adjustment of indicators of the LFM and the Monitoring and Evaluation System,

including planning and tools for data collection, which were socialized and agreed among partners.

Furthermore, within the framework of the activities of M&E of the project, a meeting of the Steering

Committee for the first monitoring and assessment of the project was conducted. This activity was led by a

member of the technical team of CENSA, thanks to her expertise in project cycle management methodologies,

and supported by the M&E Specialist of UCE, with extensive experience in this area. This monitoring allowed

to know the level of progress of the project and provided the necessary information for the elaboration of this

Interim Report.

Result:

As Result of this activity, the Matrix and the Planning of Monitoring and Evaluation activities are

presented in Annex 3. It’s important to note that the M&E system designed has the purpose to respond

to project needs and capacities of the institutions involved, and is characterized by its attention to

process logic and emphasis on the active participation of key stakeholders and target groups in the

activities of monitoring, systematization, analysis and evaluation of information for the assessment of

progress and generated effects. The evaluation system serves two main areas: 1) Monitoring of

technical and financial management and 2) Results-oriented monitoring.

Briefly, her different actions of monitoring are:

Follow Up. A quarterly calendar was defined to establish controls to monitor all activities. The project partners

will monitor the project in a systematic and participatory manner, including regular meetings with stakeholders

and target groups. At the operational level, the technical team holds bi-monthly meetings and/or

communication/coordination via Skype or email, for the planning and review of monthly work plans of the

Focal Points. Also every three months coordination and monitoring meetings will be conducted to analyze the

project progress, to find solutions to potential problems that arise and to share experiences. These meetings

will focus on the implementation of activities (management, timing, and implementation), level of progress in

products/service delivery and required adjustments. The person in charge of M&E in collaboration with

partners and the project coordinator will produce bi-annual reports to track the activities carried out. The

methodology combines an analysis of expected results and achievements, based on a matrix of structured


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indicators measuring levels of progress and achievements. The measurement is performed based on the results

in relation to the baseline study elaborated for the different components of the three outcomes. Bi-annually, the

relationships between partners and networking with stakeholders will also be analyzed. The monitoring will

provide orientation and feedback on the Annual Work Plan, particularly on the methodological aspects

considered key for significant progress.

Financial Review and Monitoring of compliance of contractual requirements established by ACP-EU. The

level of financial performance regarding correspondence with the scheduled flows and the level of adequacy of

human resources and project materials will be monitored continuously, in particularly quarterly and also

annually for planning of the next Annual Operational Work Plan and budget. Additionally the Action will have

an external review (financial audit) of the project at the end of each year.

Evaluation. The fulfillment of the objectives and outcomes achieved is reviewed annually through a Steering

Committee meeting with the teams of the three partners, taking into consideration the following main criteria:

Relevance, Efficiency, Effectiveness, Impact and Sustainability; as well as qualitative criteria such as:

strengthened skills, participation achieved, adaptability. Ongoing assessments will also be conducted with a

participatory approach with the project partners, involved stakeholders (public and private), and target groups,

in order to measure outcomes and extract learned lessons that will serve as reference to other similar actions.

Moreover, each activity/workshop will have an evaluation form to be filled by participants.

2.2.10. Creation of the plan of communication and dissemination of project results

(Act. 1.8)


The Communication and Visibility strategy of the project has been developed jointly by the project

partner organizations, and seeks to provide visibility, relevance and impact to the actions undertaken

in the framework of this project. The plan designed and fed back in several working sessions, includes

the role of each partner involved in its implementation and aims to: a) Highlight, inform and ensure

effective impact at national and international level, for greater understanding about Food Security in

areas of poverty in the Caribbean region; b) Report on the role of ACP-EU in the field of higher

education strengthening under the EDULINK II Program, through support to universities in their

institutional strengthening and increased academic performance with the help of inter-institutional

partnerships between universities of ACP and EU countries c) Increase the visibility and access to


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information provided by UCE in the field of agronomy and post-graduate study programs in the field

of Food Security and related areas to be created within this project. Furthermore, the plan will give

visibility and information on the partnership and cooperation between the three universities: UCE,

CENSA and POLIMI.

Likewise, the Communication Plan aims to inform, in a timely manner, on the progress and

achievements of the project and ensure reporting on the implementation of training activities provided

in the project, both within the university and in the communities, through benefiting professionals and

professors.

In this sense, communication activities were defined according to the 4 lines of action established:

1. Internal Communication

2. External Communication

3. Relationships

4. Visibility

For each action line, corresponding target groups and specific objectives were identified and

communication activities were designed according to the planning of project activities through its

Triennial Operational Plan. The communication and visibility matrix defines also responsibilities,

indicators of expected outputs and resources needed and estimated for each action.

In general, activities and tools can be summarized as follows:

UCE Newsletter.

UCE Radio.

Small events in the countries involved Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba and Italy with the

presence of experts from other countries (conferences for presenting project results)

Brochures to inform about the activities developed.

Creation of the project website (project summary with the contribution of each member,

teaching materials for project beneficiaries, articles on the evolution of the project). Links in

the consortium web sites.

Newsletters.

Meeting with scientific and higher education institutions in the region


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Synthesis tools / Objectives / lines of action of the overall communication

strategy

Lines of action

Activities and

tools

Objectives

External

Communication

Internal

Communication

Visibility Relationships

- Kick off meeting

- Stakeholder

meeting

- Meetings

- Reports

- Background

Reports

- Distance learning

- Press Conference

- UCE Radio

- Workshops

- Repository

- Meetings

- Newsletters

- Web Platform

- Products of official layouts

- Brochures

- Background Reports

- Websites

- Meetings

- Background Reports

- International Events

- Academic Internships

Organization of

tools, meetings and

activities for

different audiences,

taking into account

specific needs of

communication and

information

Organization of

tools, meetings and

activities,

completed the

discussion and

definition of the

project content and

readiness of tool to

save digital work

products on

Cloud platform

Organization of

communicative strategies

through web technologies ;

preparation of document

(also physical) of different

formats and content related

to specific contexts of

communication, graphic

format visibility of the

project with the use of logos

and congruous formats to the

prescribed of the European

Union and those of partners

in project.

Organization of

meetings, activities and

tools completed the

interaction between

project partners and

different institutional

and economic / social

actors related to

specific contexts of the

communication

Result:

The Communication and Visibility Plan socialized and agreed between the 3 partners of the consortium which

will be continuously monitored for compliance of activities and the same may vary in the years of

implementation, as required, is attached in Annex 5. See further details on the visibility activities outlined in

chapter 4 of this report.


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2.2.11. Acquisition of texts, subscriptions, magazines, etc. in Agronomy and Food

Security (Act. 1.9)

Performed activity:

The project coordination team of UCE and members of the Scientific Committee, performed various

exchange activities (communications via email, Skype and workshops) to define the bibliography,

related to the Specialty in Agro-environmental projects management and the Master in Sustainable

Development and Climate Change. It’s important to outline that in the framework of this activity,

priority was given to the definition of instructional materials required in the Curriculum of the

Specialty, since this training cycle is the first to be launched in the second quarter of 2015, and the

definition of special bibliography for the Master degree. As mentioned above, due to the rescheduling

of the review of the Career of Agronomy the definition of the bibliography will be carried out once an

updated Curriculum is defined, during the second half of 2015.

Result:

The proposed literature acquired by the project for the Specialty and Master Degree is included in

Annex 1.3.

For this Specialty in Agro-environmental projects management and the Master in Sustainable

Development and Climate Change over 100 texts from scientific articles, books and official

documents of international organizations such as FAO, UNDP, CEPAL, World Bank and EU,

available in Spanish, English and Italian, are recommended. About 80% are materials of the last 10

years and of these more than 40% over the past five years. Major Internet sites are also indicated, with

free access, to obtain additional information on the different themes and contents of the subjects of

the Specialty and Master programs.

Some of the platforms with key academic resources are www.one.gob.do; www.scielo.org (Scientific

Electronic Library Online); www.doaj.org (Directory of Open Access Journal) and

www.springer.com

The purchase of the required and suggested literature will be carried out once the Curricula are

approved by the Ministry. A first quotation of a list of books has been carried out by the Library

Department of UCE.


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On the other hand, the need to elaborate a manual has been considered by the Scientific Committee

for the introduction into the main topics of the subjects to be taught in the Specialty and Master

degree, which will also include a collection of data and information generated during the

implementation of training cycles with practical activities in the territories. This consideration is

based on the fact that the currently available literature is in English, Spanish or Italian and scattered in

different documents. Also, since the Curricula, both of the Specialty and the Master studies were

designed in a multidisciplinary and comprehensive way regarding subjects included, it is considered

that a collection of information and data and its systematization will provide added value for the next

training cycles in the future. This activity not originally contemplated within the project, is planned

for year 3 of the project and will require the search for additional funding for the printing of the

manual.

2.2.12. Workshop for curriculum development for the Specialty and Master with

counterparts (Act. 1.11)


This activity was carried out successfully in the period reported, despite the aspects previously

described in terms of time delays and required prioritization. It is noteworthy that this is a nonexistent

training offer to the date in UCE or other Higher Education Institutions in the Dominican Republic.

To carry out this activity UCE worked with the support of Focal Points of the partner universities,

providing their expertise in planning by POLIMI and agronomy by CENSA. The design of the

Curricula of the Specialty and the Master degree, including the programs with content, the profile of

target groups and admission criteria, as well as the schedule for modules for training and practical

activities, is the result of an inter-institutional coordination and the exchange of skills and knowledge

in order to create a suitable training offer to the Dominican context, with potential to become a

reference on national, regional and even international level, as for its added value in terms of

university networking established. Both Study Plans are orientated towards the preparation of

professionals for strengthening both, the territories and universities, in their efforts to contribute to

sustainable development and food security in the target provinces.


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The program of the Specialty and Master degree has the following premises:

To strengthen the social competence of UCE in the field of Food Security and sustainable

development at territorial level, connecting the different dimensions of Food Security and

highlighting the relationship between food, economy and territory in a globalized world;

To contribute to the enhancement of endogenous resources in each local context;

To emphasize the multidimensionality of agriculture, not only in terms of food production,

but as a key factor in local, territorial, economic and landscape development;

Given these premises, the Specialty and Master degree proposed in the project are characterized by

the convergence of agronomy and economic subjects, with training in the understanding of contexts,

development of projects and territorial planning orientated towards local development and food

security.

Both training programs are strongly linked to the Career of Agronomy, thereby closing a training

cycle, in which students can access in different ways, with the overall objective to train undergraduate

and postgraduate students of the region in the area of Food Sovereignty, sustainable development and

territorial planning. For this reason it is important to update and reopen the Career of Agronomy in

order to fully develop the connections at different levels of the training cycles at UCE and promote

studies in Agronomy and related fields in the Eastern region of the country, which is highly depending

on the agro-industrial sector.

To develop educational programs for undergraduate (Career of Agronomy) and postgraduate

(Specialty and Master), it was decided to proceed with the design of the Specialty first (Specialty in

agri-environmental project management for local and sustainable development), to ensure the

achievement of the objective of training of skilled professionals in food security and agri-

environmental project management, so they can strengthen their skills and work and/or continue with

the Master Degree (Master in sustainable development and climate change) focused on broader

knowledge on sustainable development from a climate change perspective. The second step consisted

in the design of the Master degree program; as the program coincides during the first year with the

Specialty the second year of the Program was defined in January and February. The master degree

aims to train professionals and professors in a higher level of specialization, with the possibility to

work and contribute in the future to the training of students in the Career of Agronomy, and future


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cycles of the Specialty and Master degree. In this sense, the goal is to find local professionals who are

trained and will commit to ensure the sustainability of the programs at the end of the project.


The process of the collaborative design between UCE, CENSA and POLIMI of the contents and

Curricula of the Specialty and Master degree started in the month of October 2014.

The first action was an electronic exchange between the three partners for research and decisions

about the format following these assumptions: The postgraduate program must be interdisciplinary

and the Specialty and Master degree have to be developed with coherent and comprehensive program

divided into two interconnected cycles. The successful completion of the Specialty leads to a possible

continuity with the Master degree. Additionally, the first issues agreed between the partners were:

length of the programs, learning objectives, themes and titles to be obtained.

To do this, particular documents of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology

(MESCyT) were consulted:

Law 139-01, which establishes the operation of the National System of Higher Education,

Science and Technology;

Rules for Institutions and Programs of Higher Education through Distance Learning;

Postgraduate Regulation of the Institutions of Higher Education.

These documents were integrated with the practices of UCE and POLIMI.

In late October, the UCE made his first proposal of the curriculum for the Specialty and the first year

of the Master degree. Subsequently, POLIMI developed a curriculum with its proposed subjects and

topics; containing parts of the proposal made by UCE, including subjects focused on planning issues

and taking into account the requirements of the MESCyT. POLIMI has also taken the responsibility to

ensure that the curriculum meets the requirements for a postgraduate program at the European level.

Both documents were discussed during the partners’ workshop, held in November, where decisions on

the name of the programs, the titles to be obtained, the profiles of professionals who graduate from

these courses and a first design of the Specialty and Master were taken. In this first draft the

agricultural subjects were integrated by CENSA. Subsequently, the work between the different

partners continued through emails and video conferencing. The second year of the training cycle,


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corresponding to the Master degree was defined and designed in January and the first half of

February.

Results:

The main result of this activity is in the final document of the program for the Specialty in Agri-

environmental Project Management for Sustainable Local Development submitted to MESCyT (See

Annex 1.1) in December, which will take up to three months for final approval. On the other hand, the

document of the study program for the Master degree in Sustainable Development and Climate

Change has been finalized and will be submitted to ministerial approval in March.

The course will run over two years, of which the first provides the title of Specialty and the second

year completes the cycle to obtain a Master degree. The curriculum is built with this format to allow a

larger number of students to participate, depending on the level of specialization they are interested to

obtain. In this sense, the Specialty offers a more technical and vocational capacity building and

knowledge, focused on general concepts, methodologies and tools to effectively work in the design,

implementation and management of agricultural and environmental projects, aimed to provide food

security and local economic development. Whereas the Master degree is focused on the connection

between scientific research and development of practical solutions, in order to develop a deeper

knowledge and understanding of the underlying causes and factors that hinder sustainable local

development, such as historical, political, economic, sociocultural aspects, and build capacities to

design and implement sustainable solutions and produce academic reflection in these areas. Food

security, as the main overall goal of the project, is integrated into a wider understanding of sustainable

development, which includes sustainable planning, use and management of natural resources,

sustainable production, processing and consumption of food products, determined by territorial

planning and also by political and economic decisions. Furthermore, the Master degree has a special

focus on Climate Change, making it a first academic program covering this key issue in the region of

the Caribbean, and outlining the extraordinary importance to research and work more effectively on

the causes and impacts of Climate Change in the Dominican Republic, which is considered one of the

most vulnerable countries of the world regarding Climate Change impacts. Currently there is a lack of

normative and political consideration on Climate Change and the importance of building capacities in

the area of adaptation and mitigation, as well as resilience of the most vulnerable communities. The


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Master aims to contribute to the efforts of the country in tackling the negative impacts of this

phenomenon and to provide academic reflection on this issue within the public agenda.

The linkage between Specialty and Master degree characterizes the programs not only in regard to the

design, but also regarding the didactic and methodological training offer. Both programs contemplate

and unify a theoretical and applied dimension. As result, the programs will provide professionals with

knowledge and capacity of reflection-action to solve problems, provide sustainable solutions, and to

collect and analyze information on different issues, in order to manage local development projects in

the agriculture sector and to contribute to overall sustainable development, including food security

and resilience of the most vulnerable population of the six target regions.

The pillars that characterize the course, as described in the objectives and results of the project are:

-Multidisciplinarity, understood as the contemporary presence and synergy of various

disciplines, able to provide different points of views on the same subject and different

perspectives in one program;

-Development of the comparative dimension based on transdisciplinarity;

-Dimension of innovation, not only regarding the acquisition of ideas during the training

cycles but as change of attitudes for research and ongoing learning once the training is

completed;

-International dimension, achieved through exchanges of students and professors, internships,

the presence of guest professors (particularly in the second year), and knowledge through

international debate.

Dimension of applying knowledge, through internships and practices at the international level

(proposed for both Specialty and for the Master degree with a period of internship) and

project experience in the area of one of the six selected provinces of the project (Dajabón,

Valverde, Bahoruco, Sánchez Ramírez, Monte Plata, El Seibo).

-Dimension of research through the promotion of the research spirit in students and the

development of methodologies, in order to also allow the entry to a PhD.


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In this sense, the suggested academic programs provide a training experience with an innovative

format, guaranteeing and following the guidelines of the MESCyT, with features consistent with the

study programs offered by UCE and attractive to potential users either nationally as internationally.

The proposals are built around different educational types:

. Thematic training classes (related to the disciplines of economics, agronomy, planning, etc.)

. Workshops or classes with prevalence of practical hours

. Practices and learning hours

. Assimilation and individual and group research

. Integration for teamwork

. International exchanges of professors and students

. Presence of guest professors

Scientific Committee:

A mayor goal of the project is to guarantee sustainability, quality and ongoing activities at the end of

the project. For this reason, the partners have agreed to create a Scientific Committee, aimed to

monitor the quality and multidisciplinarity of the academic programs and the scientific level of the

thesis work.

Due to the strong connections between WP1, WP2 and the WP3, and taking into account the training

and capacity building character of WP2 and the WP3 activities, the Scientific Committee will also

assume the task of monitoring the implementation of activities under these packages and their overall

integration and articulation with the project actions.

The Scientific Committee will be composed of members from the three partners and will be

articulated with the Post-Graduate Committee existing at UCE, in order to guarantee constant

exchange of information and the appropriate integration of the new post-graduate study programs into

the overall UCE academic offer. In January, the consortium worked on a first draft on the role and

responsibilities of the Scientific Committee, as well as the mechanism of coordination and

communication with the Post-Graduate Committee.


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2.3. Activities that were planned and were not able to implement.

Activities 1.2 (Formation and startup of the school of agronomy) and 1.3 (Workshop to review and

value curriculum requirements of the career), didn’t started during the period covered by this report,

as the existing Curriculum for the Career of Agronomy hasn't been evaluated and reviewed as

planned; premise to adjust it for a new design. Keeping in mind the delay in starting and changes of

the initial project planning, priority was given to the design of the Curriculum of the Specialty and

Master degree, thus avoiding further delays in the project planning and implementation. The revision

of the Curriculum of the career of agronomy is rescheduled for the second semester of 2015.

As for the activity 1.10 (Meeting for the presentation of the academic calendar of the project), this

activity is considered in a logical sequence of activities following design and approval of the

Curricula above mentioned. As provided in the directives for postgraduate studies of the Dominican

Republic, established by the MESCyT2, until the official approval of the study programs of the

Career, Specialty and the Master, these cannot be presented or disseminated for the recruitment of

students. However part of the target beneficiaries have been identified already through the

relationships and collaboration maintained with the Network of Local Economic Development

Agencies (ADELDOM) in Dominican Republic. The activity has been rescheduled in the Triennial

Plan for the second quarter of 2015. (Annex 2).

Activities 1.12 (Teaching activities in the master degree and specialty), 1.13 (Practical teaching

activities for master degree and specialty in food security), 1.14 (Practical teaching activities for

Master degree and Specialty in complementary areas), 1.15 (Exchange of professors and students

through short courses) and 1.16 (Establishment of agreements of collaboration between universities

for the development thesis of the master degree and specialty) did not start in the period covered by

this report as these activities are depending on the start of the academic programs at UCE, which

requires a previous approval by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, as

indicated in Activity 1.10. Considering the necessary and demanding requirements to start the Master

degree program, priority was given to the preparation of the curriculum of the specialty (Annex 1.2)

in order to be approved in the first quarter by the Ministry and in a second step submit for approval

2 (See http://www.seescyt.gov.do/baseconocimiento/ Laws% 20y% 20reglamentos

/REGLAMENTO%20POSTGRADO.pdf)


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the study plan of the Master degree..- The outlined activities have been rescheduled for the second

half of year 2, once the Curricula have been approved by the MESCyT. See details in annex 2.1

Triennial Operational Plan.

2.4. Assessment of the results of the action

Due to the delays incurred, the project has a period of nine months of actual and effective

implementation. The Steering Committee held in December 2014 with the purpose of overall

monitoring and evaluation of project implementation, including review of the logical framework and

work plans, has revealed the level of progress of the project since its beginning in June 2014. This has

been done comparing the current situation with the initially planned, in terms of activities

implemented and achievement of project results and objectives. It should be noted that this analysis is

limited to the activities, products and result established under WP1 "Implementation of a curriculum

in agriculture focused on food security." Namely, the activities of WP2 and the WP3 were not planned

for the reported period.

The activities implemented in this period were those for preparatory activities and related to outcome

1. These were scheduled to begin in February 2014, however did not effectively begin until June

2014, once confirmed the participation of both partners in the project and received the first

disbursement of the project by the ACP-EU in July. For this reason, it is considered that the actual

project start date is June 15, 2014. During the first three months preparatory activities described

above have been developed. After the socialization of the project in September and October with

partners and stakeholders, activities 1.1, and 1.4 to 1.11 were developed, as described in section 1.1 of

this report.

Reference on the level of progress in terms of indicators established in the logframe of the project is

presented below. It is noteworthy that in the framework of activity 1.7 a review of the initial LFM has

been carried out, which included adjustments and the addition of new indicators more appropriate to

measure and assess the level of progress in terms of processes, effects of expected outcomes, and

medium and long-term impacts. (For more details see Log frame Matrix in Annex 3.1)


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Scope and Compliance of Specific Objective indicators

Indicators for the Specific Objective Level of compliance of indicators

SO.I.1 The academic program with the

vocational technical training of UCE, facilitates

and contributes effectively to the building of

relationships between universities, public and

private institutions, associations of producers

and the SC, in favor of food security and

sustainable local development, at the end of the

project.

Is progressing appropriately. There is an

inter-institutional coordination between

UCE, CENSA and POLIMI and

relationships with actors like the Ministry

of Higher Education, Ministry of

Agriculture, the Network of Local

Economic Development Agencies

(ADELDOM) etc. The training offer with

a Specialty and a Master in Sustainable

Development and Food Security is being

created, starting with the design of the

Curricula, including a practical

component in the field and through

laboratory units designed for this

purpose.

SO.I.2 At the end of the project, the number of

applications and enrollment in the academic

program related to agronomy and food security

is maintained.

Not measurable in the reported period,

since enrollment will begin in the second

quarter of 2015.

SO.I.3 At least 40% of the trained professors

and professionals of the agricultural sector,

increase their performance and capacities to

contribute to food security in poor areas,

through the actions promoted by the project.

Not measurable in the reported period,

since the academic and practical training

start at the beginning of the third quarter

of 2015. Prior to the start baseline

information will be gathered of to

measure the knowledge and skills of the

target beneficiaries and groups of the

academic programs.

Scope and Compliance of project outcome indicators

Outcome indicators Level of compliance of indicators

I.1.1 Design and approval by the MESCyT of an

academic program in food security as Specialty

and Master degree at the end of the first year,

and of the agronomy career program at the end

of the second year of the project.

Is progressing appropriately.

The curricula of the Specialty and Master

were designed and submitted for approval

by the MESCyT, which is scheduled for the

first quarter of 2015.

I.1.2 Laboratories of agronomy designed,

equipped and operational by the end of the first

semester of the second year.

Is progressing appropriately. A proposal for

the design of laboratories and equipment

required was finalized and socialized. The

tender process and selection of the

company performing the work began.

I.1.3 Suitable specialized materials in the

thematic areas, purchased and available

physically and online to the interested public, at

Is progressing appropriately. The

performance of this indicator depends on

the design of the curriculum of the career,


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the end of the second year. Specialty and Master. In the reported

period, progress was made with the

bibliography and list of materials to be

purchased for the development of the

specialty, which is the first training cycle to

be started in the third quarter of 2015.

I.1.4 At the end of the project, knowledge and

skills of 50 professors and 60 professionals in

the field of food security, have been

strengthened through academic and vocational

training.

Not measurable in the reported period.

Considering the results of the activities implemented in this period and the selected indicators to

measure progress of Outcome 1, including the degree of progress toward achievement of the project

specific objective, it is concluded that the project is progressing well with only six months of effective

implementation. Despite having started after planned, the project has recovered delays, making

progress on key activities that ensure the development of other activities and results in a logical

sequence. In this sense, there are no negative effects on the achievement of goals and indicators

established in the Log frame Matrix revised, although it has been necessary to reschedule the

remaining activities, to avoid further delays and guarantee the achievement of outcomes in an efficient

and effective manner, with emphasis on long-term sustainability.

2.4.5. Potential risk that may have jeopardized the realization of some activities

Generally speaking there were no external factors classified as risks that have jeopardized the

realization of activities planned in the reporting period. However, other factors not originally foreseen

in the project design had an impact on its development, such as the delay in the disbursement of funds

by ACP-EU, and the risk of a possible exit of POLIMI as project partner after approval. These two

factors have been considered as preliminary and necessary conditions to start the project. Once

commitments to participate in the project by the executing institutions has been signed and funds

received, the preparatory activities and the results related activities began. On the other hand, the

assumption regarding the participation and support from actors and institutions identified as key to the

success of the project has been fulfilled through socialization activities of the project. In the context

of these meetings the interest and commitment of the institutions of higher education, public

institutions and of the Network of Local Economic Development Agencies (ADELDOM) have been


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reconfirmed. In this sense, it is considered that the conditions are favorable for the successful

implementation of activities without further delays and hindering factors. Apart from the rescheduling

of activities and adjustments needed after reviewing the initial planning, as a starting point for the

elaboration of the Triennial Operational Matrix, other mitigation measures for potential risks were not

performed.

Finally it should be noted that considering the changes of context from project design to approval,

which made the mentioned adjustments in the planning necessary, potential risks that may arise and

affect the project in the future are being monitored as well. In this sense, the current situation of the

ADELDOM Network and its link with the ART Gold/UNDP program, which in 2012 were considered

key actors for the development of the activities of WP2 and WP3, has been observed. The ART Gold

program has gradually reduced their financial and technical support to the LEDAs, in the context of

the closure of this sub-program of the UN at the end of 2014. On the other hand, the ADELDOM

Network is focused on strengthening the agencies in 6 provinces, and ensuring financial sustainability

through external funding and partners. Even though these changing contextual factors and

preconditions are kept in mind, with the beginning of WP2 activities, in particular the development of

diagnostics of the LEDAs, a better picture of their situation and capacities will be obtained, helping to

determine the measures to be taken to ensure appropriate development of the activities planned. In

short it is considered that the project management has sufficient flexibility and capacity to adapt to

changes in context and conditions. This is also ensured through continuous monitoring and evaluation

of the different processes and their level of progress, as well as monitoring of internal and external

factors and risks that can have negative effects on project development and sustainability of its

outcomes.

2.4.6. Revised logframe, highlighting the changes.

A modification of the logical framework matrix was performed in order to obtain more objectively

verifiable information on project implementation and established indicators. See changes highlighted

in blue in Annex 3.4.


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1.1.1. Contract (Work, supplies, service) awarded for the implementation in the

reporting period.

In order to achieve compliance with the pending tasks to develop our interim report, we had to enter

into labor contracts for specific tasks assign for each person hired, this can be seen in a clearer way in

Annex 6.3 which show the contracts drawn up during the runtime of the project.

As the call by the University for the purchase of laboratory equipments, we have received three

formal quotes (BDC Serralles, DRL and Saniagua Group), these quotes can be found in Annex 4 of

this report. We have evaluated the different options and consider the best one from the company

BDC, both quality products and quality service provided. The disbursement to acquire these teams are

scheduled for late January. Is been prepared a table showing the contracts of human resources made in

the period of the project summary, but these are shown in a more comprehensive manner in Annex 6.2

on the list of detailed expenditure.

Beneficiary Details Quantity (Euros) Supporting Documents

Human Resource Italy

Ruggero Bonisoli Service contract EUR 4,000.00 ANNEXES 6.3 and 6.4.22

Paolo Dilda Service contract EUR 3,000.00 ANNEXES 6.3 and 6.4.21

Giullia Mazanti Service contract EUR 4,600.00 ANNEXES 6.3 and 6.4.20

Chiara Belingardi Service contract EUR 4,600.00 ANNEXES 6.3 and 6.4.23

Andrea Magarini Service contract EUR 1,500.00 ANNEXES 6.3 and 6.4.24

Human Resource Cuba

Leopoldo Hidalgo Service contract EUR 1,200.00 ANNEXES 6.3 and 6.4.25

Tania Rivas Service contract EUR 1,200.00 ANNEXES 6.3 and 6.4.24

Silvia Hernandez Service contract EUR 1,200.00 ANNEXES 6.3 and 6.4.26

Guillermo Hughes Service contract EUR 1,200.00 ANNEXES 6.3 and 6.4.27

Human Resource DR

Francesco Gravina Service contract EUR 1,200.00 ANNEXES 6.3 and 6.4.14

Angela Naletilic Service contract EUR 5,400.00 ANNEXES 6.3 and 6.4.3

Danilda Polanco Service contract EUR 1,200.00 ANNEXES 6.3 and 6.4.13

Joel Arboleda Payment Receipt EUR 900.00 ANNEX 6.4.1

Franklin Garcia Payment Receipt EUR 750.00 ANNEX 6.4.2

Karol Tejeda Payment Receipt EUR 450.00 ANNEX 6.4.16

Gilberto Vazquez Bank Transfer EUR 12,000.00 ANNEX 6.4.15


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Updated action plan

An updated action plan is shown below. The blue highlighting represents the time of implementation

of the activities as initially planned, while the green highlighting shows the actual time of

implementation, including the responsible institution for the implementation outlined in the last

column. . For more details and better understanding, see annex 2.2, Triennial Operational Matrix of

the project.

Activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12Implementing

body

0.1 Recruitment of project staff

Execution Activity 0.1

0.2 Adaptation of offices


0.3 Purchasing materials and office

equipment


0.4 Realization study Base


0.5 Operational meetings of the project


0.6 Intermediate evaluation and end of

project


1.1 Meeting of socialization of the project


1.4 Design, bidding and award for

constructing laboratory of agronomy


1.5 Workshop for construction triennial

planning matrix


1.6 Video conferencing for political relations

and exchange design


1.7 Workshop for array of monitoring and

evaluation


1.8 Design plan of communication


1.9 Acquisition of texts, subscribing to

journals, databases and specialized

collections


1.11 Workshop for development of the

curriculum of master's degree and

specialization


UCE , POLIMI,

CENSA

UCE , POLIMI

CENSA

UCE , POLIMI

CENSA

UCE , POLIMI

CENSA

UCE

UCE , POLIMI

CENSA

UCE , POLIMI

CENSA

UCE , POLIMI

CENSA

UCE, CENSA

UCE , POLIMI

CENSA

UCE, CENSA,

POLIMI

UCE , POLIMI

Half-year 2 Half-year 1

UCE, CENSA,

POLIMI

UCE


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3. Partners and other Cooperation

Although the beginning of the project was delayed due to the reasons mentioned above, the building

and strengthening of relationships between partners are considered key elements and catalysts for the

development and implementation of activities, It is worth mentioning that the team from Politecnico

de Milano (POLIMI), under the supervision of the architect Ruggero Bonisolli, as well as the team of

the Centro Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (CENSA), under the supervision of Dr. Leopoldo

Hidalgo, have taken on this project with a high level of commitment and responsibility for its efficient

and effective implementation contributing in this way the jointly established outcomes and purposed

objectives.

The relationship between the countries has been strategically favorable; on one hand Cuba, with its

extensive experience in the agricultural sector has been able to strengthen the structures of the

curricula in this sector, and on the other hand Italy, with its strengths in the area of planning has

created an essential synergy for the planning of the activities to undertake throughout the project and

thereby achieve the desired products.

Importantly, all products delivered during the period covered by this report, including the Interim

Report itself, were elaborated and prepared jointly with partners and represent their highly

appreciated contributions.

The project implementation and the structuring of teams of different partners facilitate and promote

the building of a network of universities and institutions that can strengthen the overall project, as

well as specific service delivery to beneficiaries and target groups and particular project products.

Through POLIMI, relationships with l'Università degli Studi di Firenze have been established. Cuba

meanwhile integrates the Universidad Agraria of Havana (UNAH) into the project. Universidad

Central del Este has involved the University of Zamorano of Honduras and the Ministry of Higher

Education Science and Technology of the Dominican Republic, in order to strengthen undergraduate

curricula, Specialty and Master degree programs and expand collaborative networks of universities

and associations. For this purpose academic agreements to establish the politics of collaboration and

exchange are currently in process to be defined and signed between the consortium partners and other

related universities.


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2. Visibility

2.1. How is the visibility of the EU contribution being ensured in the Action?

The visibility actions of the project are detailed in the designed Communication and Visibility Plan (See

Annex 5).

In general, activities and communication tools and visibility can be summarized as:

• Publications. Throughout the project a series of documents (newsletters, brochures on project activities,

manuals, information and training materials, systematization) will be produced, including the reference and

logo of the co-funding entity according to the requirements established in the Communication and Visibility

Manual of the EU.

• The media. For events in the countries involved - Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba and Italy - with the

presence of experts from other countries (conferences, seminars and meetings with Scientific and Higher

Education Institutions in the region) appropriate media coverage will be guaranteed by the press and through

the radio channel of UCE and the UCE newsletters.

• Awareness raising and food and nutrition education. Activities with a strong impact and aimed to multiply the

visibility of the action and thus reach and raise awareness in as many people as possible will be implemented.

These actions will be performed in 6 pilot communities, directly through the civil society actors. To this end

brochure, posters, banners, and other promotional materials will be developed with content on the project and

the role of ACP-EU.

• Website and social networks. A website that will report on the actions of the project with the contribution of

each member of the consortium, and access to key project documents will be created. Also, update information

on activities on websites and social networks managed by UCE, POLIMI and CENSA will be published

regularly.

• Equipment and supplies: For project activities that require materials and stationery (list of participants,

curricula, regulations, announcements, publications, etc.) the ACP-EU logo is used, as well as for the

equipmen