Searchable database of ToP facilitation work around the world.

Working in Canada with Ontario Hydro and Wahta Mohawks First Nation ICA was engaged to facilitate negotiations over grievances related to the construction and operation of a hydro electric generating station in the Wahta Mohawks First Nation in Canada. The hydro company had planned hydro lines across land sacred to the Mohawks. This mirrored decades of history of land grievances and threatened to stop the hydro project. ICA Canada was engaged to work with representatives of Hydro One and Ontario Power Generation and the community leadership of Wahta Mohawks First Nation. Wayne and Jo Nelson facilitated a team of 12 people over three years affecting 400 First Nations members and the Corporate Management of Ontario Power Generation and Hydro One. The three year project involved designing, facilitating and documenting a process to reach a commonly agreed upon resolution of the grievances. The negotiation process resulted in a settlement that integrated the perspectives of the parties involved and was ratified by Hydro management and the community members. The project was seen as a joint problem solving process and was divided into the seven Phases of Conciliation. Phase 1 - Initiating the Dialogue – Facilitated the development of agreed upon terms of reference and operating protocols. Phase 2 - Clarifying the Situation - Facilitated the documentation of a complete, detailed history of the relevant events. Phase 3 - Expressing the Experience – Facilitated a common understanding of the motives for initiating the project and the feelings and experience of community residents. Phase 4 - Articulating the Substantial Issues – Facilitated articulation of the impact that the generating station has had on the community. Phase 5 - Generating Options – Facilitated the development of ways to address the impacts of the installation. Phase 6 - Creating Resolution – Facilitated final negotiations resulting in an agreed upon settlement. Phase 7 – Planning for Implementation – Facilitated the development of plans for ratification and the foundations of an ongoing relationship among the parties. Several Hydro employees formalized what they had learned through additional training. The entire project used elements of negotiation, conflict resolution, cross cultural communication, facilitation design, process facilitation, Documentation, and report writing. ToP methods were used through the project. Bill Staples, Canada

A steering committee funded by several cities in NorthEastern Ontario decided to hold a major conference, the NorthEastern Ontario Tobacco Summit, (NEOTS) to determine a region wide strategy to deal with smoking. The steering committee consisted of representatives of several health departments, restaurant associations, municipal governments and other groups. The steering committee wanted the conference but could not agree on its outcome because of the opposing viewpoints of the members. ICAs was hired to design and facilitate the conference specifically because of our conciliation approach and our ability to work with the heavy conflict which would undoubtedly occur during the conference. The only prerequisite was there should be outcomes that could be acted upon by everyone. Six months of prep work promoted the conference throughout the region of approximately 200 by 400 kilometers. A team of epidemiologists were hired by the steering committee to evaluate the outcomes of the conference. The three day conference of 185 people opened with eight speeches and presentations from the various and opposing points of view. Participants were then sent into small mixed teams to interview each other using a ToP Focused Conversation on the impacts of tobacco on their lives. Impacts ranged from death, to large expenses to set up smoking sections in restaurants. The Consensus Workshop Method was used to determine fourteen workshop topics for the next section of the conference. Fourteen teams met to determine the key questions they had about their assigned topic, using the Focused Conversation Method. This was followed by a major plenary of reports. The fourteen teams then reconvened, with some reshuffling of participants, to make recommendations on how to answer the questions that had been raised. During the second plenary, a Consensus Table of 5 participants were assigned to listen carefully and determine points of consensus they heard emerging. The five points were: involve youth in all future planning; all future research should be jointly done; 100% smoke-free bylaws should be enacted, except for ceremonial uses of Tobacco by First Nations; a coordinating body should be formed; lobby for provincial funding for enforcement, education, cessation and prevention. Twelve geographic teams were formed to create action plans for each of the consensus points, including stakeholder frameworking, goals and timelines. The major problem that the steering committee had been up against for several years was that there had been a patchwork of legislation about smoking in all the various municipalities, making for unfair competition between restaurants and tourist locations. Also no one believed the opponent’s statistics about smoking. Once all that had been thoroughly aired, all participant were able to recommended an across-the-board no smoking zone. The First Nation perspective on the sacredness of the Tobacco Plant also had a salutary effect on everyone to calm down and respect each another, as well as respecting Tobacco. Three years later the entire province passed no-smoking legislation, but it cannot be proven what effect the NorthEastern Ontario Smoking Summit had on that legislation. Bill Staples, Canada

Kumi (roughly translated as “Rise Up” in Hebrew and Arabic) focuses on helping participants to reflect upon their beliefs about themselves and “the other” and eventually negotiate some of their strongly held goals and interests while at the same time enhancing the capacity of the participants to organize more effectively to address the conflict they are experiencing. The new Kumi method effectively addresses the problematic dynamic of over-specialization of many conflict methodologies which deal solely with one or two aspects of a conflict (e.g. removal of stereotypes). Kumi, on the other hand, is specifically designed to bring conflicting parties together for a deeper analysis of the conflict and a deep and meaningful engagement with each other within the context of a robust and sustainable strategy and action plan. Background The programme was conceived in 2003, at the end of a week-long meeting of young European, Israeli, and Palestinian activists to discuss the European role in the Israeli Palestinian conflict. Inspired by a shared goal of moving toward sustainable peace and development in the Euro- Mediterranean region, and disillusioned about the effectiveness of civil society efforts to have constructive impact on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the programme is based on three basic insights: 1. The conflict is sustained by institutional and ideological structures on both sides. These structures shape the attitudes and the behaviour of the conflict parties. A sustainable resolution of the conflict must involve the transformation of these structures through robust collective action. Many previous attempts by civil society organizations at participatory “people-to-people” projects in the region have had little impact at best and, at worst, reinforced the current divisions, inequalities and asymmetry of capability. Focusing on joint Israeli -Palestinian activities for peace education and reconciliation was a step too soon. 2. While not neglecting the potential positive long-term impact of joint activity, if properly designed, attention needs to shift to working also in each society separately in order to 1 enhance the capability for constructive organized collective action, especially on the Palestinian side, and to transform ideology, especially on the Israeli side. Both of these objectives are intended to address the abuse of the power asymmetry between Israelis and Palestinians, which is seen to be the single most significant obstacle to a sustainable resolution of the conflict. The problem is not the asymmetrical quantity of power existent between two states or two societies: Spain and Andorra, Germany and Luxemburg and other asymmetrical “couples” have had very good and productive neighbouring relationships regardless of the asymmetry of power. The problem in this conflict is the abuse of this asymmetry by the powerful part to oppress the powerless and deprive them of many of their rights. 3. Relative power is not a matter of perception but is anchored in objective reality. It is emphasized that the problem is not the power asymmetry itself but rather the lack of institutions and ideology which prevent or at least contain its abusive use. Changing this objective reality is a long-term process of social change. But meanwhile, targeted interventions can help to ameliorate the asymmetry of power in an intractable conflict such as the Israeli -Palestinian one. On the Palestinian side, this could be done by enhancing Palestinian capability to renewing the basic functionality at the national societal level, greatly disrupted by the policies of occupation, while at the same time forging new alliances, internally and with powerful external actors that aim at a sustainable resolution of the conflict. On the Israeli side, ideological transformation is intended to change perception about how the Israeli power advantage could be more morally utilized in ways which do not increase animosity through innovating new policies towards the Palestinians and the region that can better achieve the long-term security needs of society. Previous Israeli-Palestinian people-centred interventions usually aimed only at the ‘usual suspects’ and when attempts were made to reach those so far excluded they were solely with the aim of shifting their thinking towards that of the ‘usual suspects’. No genuine attempt to modify the paradigm in accordance with their needs was made. Furthermore, existing interventions have not created sufficient linkages between levels of analysis (e.g. structural vs. actor-oriented approaches) and practice (e.g. the famous micro-macro gap). Finally, no theoretical breakthroughs have been made, and no critical mass has been formed. http://www.ica-uk.org.uk/images/stories/Kumi_History_and_Description.pdf

Young people came up with these project aims: We want to carry out a piece of research to find out how music affects teenagers in Manchester. Will will do this through questionnaires, interviews and mystery ‘shopping’. We aim to make contact with 250 people. We will do this through schools and friendship networks, including an online version of the questionnaire too. We will do this piece of research in 4 weeks. Do you think music could change a teenager’s life completely? Lots of people said yes to this question. They generally thought the affects would be positive more than negative. They said it can inspire people and help people to express their emotions, become more social, be a release and an escape, give confidence and a better view of life and be able to ‘see the world in a different light’. They thought it could even help people to become healthier and happier, giving you better life choices and future path, including if it was a focus for your career. But also, people through that it can have a psychological affect on teenagers. It can make you more aggressive and more angry. It is important but as one person pointed out, music isn’t everything, and is not on its own always that powerful, but can be a tool for good if used in conjunction with other things. http://www.ica-uk.org.uk/images/stories/amelia/ICA_UK_Reclaim_Peer_Research_Report_selection.pdf

Young people of Lesbian and Gay Youth Manchester designed and undertook a piece of research about a topic they highlighted as important to their community. The issue they chose to investigate was healthy and unhealthy relationships and the role of abuse in young LGBT people’s lives in a piece of research called ‘How’s Your Relationship’ ICA:UK trained a group of young people to undertake this research, supported the project in action and worked with the group to generate findings and recommendations. http://www.ica-uk.org.uk/images/stories/ICA_UK_LGYM_Peer_Research_Report_low_res.pdf

‘Northwest Together We Can’ (NWTWC) invested on an engagement project where young people from five areas across Greater Manchester would assess community needs through peer research. ICA:UK trained and supported the groups of young people to undertake this research. Our aim was to work with the young people, helping them to identify an area of need to focus on and to select a medium of research which would encourage and engage their peers. There is a desire for change in Partington and a high number of young people who are willing to give up time to help improve Partington life. They often feel let down by authorities and need more support from the police in particular. They need community centres to stay open and offer a safe space at all times, and for more positive activities to be set up for and with young people. The research carried out in Oldham for the Breeze Hill High School and Count Hill High School Merger highlighted a fear and concern around racism, as the two schools represent very different communities (mostly white in one school and mostly Asian in another). The study in Brinnington focussed on alcohol use amongst under 18’ s. Alco-pops and clear/white spirits were the most popular choice of alcohol. In Leigh the findings highlighted the desire for change in Leigh. There were a high number of young people who felt that there was a limited amount of options of places to go, and that more activities and places to go should be created in the community. In Leigh the findings highlighted the desire for change in Leigh. There were a high number of young people who felt that there was a limited amount of options of places to go, and that more activities and places to go should be created in the community. A desire for a community centre appears an important part of bringing the residents of Leigh together. Many people felt unsafe in Leigh with a perception of a low police presence in the area. Lots of young people were unhappy with the untidy and vandalized appearance of Leigh in some areas. They felt the local government should provide more reason to come to and stay in Leigh and be proud of the area. ICA:UK, registered charity no. 1090745 - company limited by guarantee no. 3970365, registered in England & Wales registered address: 41 Old Birley Street, Manchester M15 5RF - tel/fax: 0845 450 0305 or 0161 232 8444 In Ashton a research theme of racism and stereotypes was chosen. Although the findings were useful, during the process we discovered a need for anti-discriminatory practice training. http://www.ica-uk.org.uk/images/stories/Peer_Research_5_areas_Case_study.pdf

Halton Youth Service commissioned ICA:UK in 2008 to work with a group of young people to train them in peer research and to support them to undertake an enquiry into sexual health services in Halton. The rationale for the work is to see how the current sexual health provisions for young people can be improved in order to help achieve the local targets for reducing teenage pregnancy and STI transmission. There was a team of four young people who worked on the project. The team had three young men in it and one young woman. All the young people currently attend school or college. The team carried out the project in the following stages: Training in peer research Designing the most appropriate methods of research to use Devising an online questionnaire and e-dissemination of the questionnaire Preparing and delivering a consultation ‘focus group’ session to evaluate sexual health publicity Designing a set of audit questions to use for mystery shopper visits and creating appropriate characters for the visits Carrying out mystery shopper visits to local sexual health providers Evaluating and documenting the work Drawing up a list of recommendations for how local services can improve their service to young people http://www.ica-uk.org.uk/images/stories/Halton_Sexual_Health_Peer_Research_Project_Halton.pdf

Village Environment 1. lacks of fruits & forest trees planted in 4 villages. 2. EEC centre has raised 40,000 plants yearly. 3. Environmental awareness camp for 300 people 4. Provide seeds for kitchen garden plants yearly for 4 villages 5. Hosted international Environmental conference for 64 participants. 6. International forest Management conference hosted for 4 days for 30 participants – Delegates form 13 countries A Forestation Project Plantation:- The Nursery at Talegaon training centre and Khamboli village continue to grow saplings for the A forestation project. It produces over 40, 000 saplings and seedlings every year. About 3-4 lakhs trees have been planted on the farmers’ and community land during last ten years. About 15 different varieties of fruit bearing and forest trees were planted. Some medicinal varieties like Aloevera, Neem was also included. People from Thermax Ltd, Cummins Foundation, partner companies participated in tree plantation & shramadan along with villagers and the school children. Japan Environment Corporation, Japan, JIFPRO and Cummins Foundation have been financially supporting this project. International Networking and Exchange continues through, visits financial support and exchange programmes. Japan Environment Corporation is providing financial support for Environment and watershed projects. A farmers’ study tour from Nepal visited the project and interacted with project farmers. Japan students’ study tour continues visiting every year for an exchange programme. Several visitors from USA, Australia, Japan etc. visited the project and extended their support Environment Education Centre at Talegaon has raised 40,000 plants yearly which was distributed in villages for plantation. Environmental Awareness camp was organized for 300 people. The purpose of the camp was to know the importance of environment for our life, and how we can preserve the same, how we can develop them and what are the benefits of maintaining the same. For kitchen gardening we encourage women to start it. To start with it we have given the seeds for the Kitchen garden in all villages every year. http://icaindiapn.org/village_environment.php

Health and Sanitation 1. Health checkup camps organized quarterly ( 4times in yr) 2oo patients per camp. 2. For drinking water Well expanded at Dhangarwadi. 3. Eye checkup camp conducted in Kemsewadi – 100 patients examined 35 glasses distributed. 4. Health Awareness camp taken in new project area- Kendur Village & Shirur Taluka. 5. Govt sanctioned drinking water scheme at Katarkhadak & Khomboli- 10% amount and implementation. Health Awareness Camps:- Every year one-day Cancer and health check up camp is arranged with the help of Cancer Patient Aids Association. Over 200 patients are examined during each camp. People requiring further treatment was referred to reputed hospitals in Pune. Similar Health and Environment Awareness camp was arranged during the occasion of local religious festival of Khamboli village where hundreds of people gather from other villages also. Eye checkup camp was also organized and 100 patients were examined and 35 glasses were distributed. Also operations done in this camp. Also we have organized Health Awareness camp in the new project area Kendur Village and Shirur Talika. The people were present for the camp and had benefited through the things they listen about healthy life and healthy habits. http://icaindiapn.org/health_sanitaion.php

Alternative Energy 1. Biogas constructed – 14 families benefited 2. Smokeless stoves provided – 280 families benefited 3. Latrine construction done – 92 families benefited Alternate Energy Biogas:- First we had a meeting with the villagers to explain the entire procedure and the requirements for the same. All who were interested in the same taken the initiative to do the same in the community. Three Biogas plants have been installed in the project villages as initial demonstration. Similarly total of 280 smokeless stoves have been provided to the families form the project area. Now that they have experience these things locally more people are willing to go for implementing these schemes next year. The beneficiary families contributed through labor work in both of these activities. The unit of Biogas was connected and the information was also shared with all participants and the people responsible. Smokeless Stoves: The smile of a small girl tells the happiness of having smokeless stove in her house. This gives full satisfaction of work done. Latrine As part of environmental sanitation 92 toilets have been constructed in three villages. The construction labor was beneficiary’s contribution. 92 families are benefited through this scheme. This is probably first time that the villages will be shifting to use toilet facilities. This will develop good and hygienic habit in people which will help to keep surrounding clean and healthy. Also this will be safe for women and children. http://icaindiapn.org/alternative_energy.php

1. Dairy cooperative business started- 55 farmers. 2. 400 Poultry chicks distributed to 20 families. 3. Multiple business training & Guidance for 10 days – 300 women participated. 4. Group business started – Candle making, papad, Incenses & washing powder- 22 women. Also we have taken 55 farmers twice to visit the Rahuri Agriculture College to study the new techniques of the advance farming and agriculture. Cooperative Dairy Scheme A Dairy cooperative have been registered with 50 members. The farmers are taking efforts to increase the milk production with use of good quality grass to the animals. For that they need to use irrigation water to irrigate the land where the animals can eat the grass. They have also constructed the centre to store the milk. The milk container with cold storage has also provided and now currently about 200 litters of milk is collected and sold every day to Katraj Cooperative Dairy in Pune. 20 new families are being assisted through dairy by purchasing crossbred cows. Many new Dairy proposals are being processed through banks also. Animal husbandry camp was arranged to educate farmers regarding animal care and dairy management. To provide other income source to the farmers we have given 400 chicks to 20 families to start poultry business. It was helpful to increase their income level. Also provided multiple business training and guidance for 10 days to 300 women and it was beneficial to all of them. ASmall Saving Groups has started some small business from their funds such as candle making, papad making, incenses and washing powder etc. In the beginning 22 women started in groups. http://icaindiapn.org/economic_development.php

Sustinable Agriculture 1. Lift irrigation scheme in Khamboli- 65 farmers with 65 acres land underirrigation. 2. Agricultural training to 200 farmers.. 3. Agricultural awareness camp at Katarkhadak 125 farmers. 4. Introduce 4 step rice Paddy Method- 20 farmers for 20 acres. 5. Distribution of 4400 kg rice seeds to 110 farmers. 6. Placement of 30 Agricultural Collage students in village for 6 months 7. 10000 Mango plantations in 4 villages. 8. Expert’s guidance for 12 days for 200 farmers every year. 9. Training of compost and vermiculture for 40 farmers. 10. 50 acre land development by leveling for 47 farmers. 11. Agricultural tools distributed to 120 farmers. 12. Exposure given to 55 farmers in Rahuri College. 13. Extra residential training provided to 200 farmers. Sustinable Agriculture Government has constructed a percolation Dam in Khamboli village for irrigation purpose. ICA has implemented an irrigation scheme with the financial help of Japan Environment Corporation, Japan, worth Rs. 9 Lakhs. The scheme will irrigate about 100 acres of farmland. The villagers did Shramadan for digging and constructing the well and fixing pipelines. They have also agreed to contribute towards distribution of pipeline in their farms. The scheme has got electrical supply from Govt and has started the work effectively. It has irrigates 65 acres of land as 65 farmers have taken the benefit of the scheme. The Work of irrigation is going on very well as we have formed a committee of villagers to have control over it. They have record of the farmers who has taken the water, for how much time and the amount received for it.They are giving receipt of the money received so no chances for making misuse of money and water. This makes very clear picture of well established setup of self development. As for this they have to do planning, discussion, implementation, they have to follow rules means they learn discipline and this will help them in their personal life also. The same irrigation scheme has been started in Katarkhadak also. The villagers were more interested in doing the labor work for the scheme. They did Shramdan and constructed the well and the digging of pipeline. There was also very good response of the villagers for the scheme. There also 70 farmers have been benefited and 70 acres of land was irrigated. 1. Training of compost and vermin culture for 40 farmers. 2. Agricultural training to 200 farmers. Regular agricultural training is offered to the farmers to improve their knowledge and skills of effective modem farming by learning from experts. The training is given through both on going training programmes and through practical demonstrations in villages for 12 days Total 200 farmers were participated. Also we have organized Agricultural awareness camp for Katarkhadak village which is new village in our project. 125 farmers were participated and benefited. 3. Four step Rice Paddy Method:- This year we introduced 4 steps Rice Paddy method to 20 farmers and distributed 4400 kg rice seeds to 110 farmers in subsidized rates. This helps them to increase the rate of cultivation and can get good crops as the seeds were of good quality. This will help them to have multiple crops with good quality. Improved Farming Methods: A Scientific Compost Making Methods were demonstrated in the village with the help of Agricultural experts from Japan. Mango Grafting Technique was taught to the villagers by an experienced expert while 2000 mango plants were being grafted in the three villages. Seedlings of various vegetables for kitchen garden are distributed every year to women. The kitchen garden is also popular as all wastage can be used to produce new vegetables and this helps them to have some additional income source as well as fresh vegetables to eat which is good for health. Means the women gains in double one in the form of money and second good health of the family. Residential Agricultural training was provided to 200 farmers in 2004 for 4 times . It was very useful to implement their learning’s. Also we have taken 55 farmers twice to visit the Rahuri Agriculture College to study the new techniques of the advance farming and agriculture. Placement of 30 agricultural College students in villages for 6 months. This also helps farmers to learn new techniques from the students. As the area is hillside some of the farmers can not cultivate their land as it is uneven. After discussion we have developed 50 acres of land by leveling for 47 farmers and made is useful for cultivation. Agricultural tools are very important. In the main season some farmers cannot work effectively as they don’t have the good tools. We have provided Agricultural Tools to 120 farmers. http://icaindiapn.org/sustinable_agriculture.php

Project had the aim to build skills and will for better addressing of priorities of community on local, entity and national level through mobilization of community and participative budgeting. Project was implemented in 8 municipalities of B&H, BOSPO implemented it in 4: Tuzla, Srebrenica, Gradacac i Kladanj. Project had established better cooperation between authorities and civil society on resolution of major problems. Through trainings, 320 citizens bettered their advocacy and budgeting skills, 50 citizens devloped leadership skills through participation in „Central action community groups!, 40 municipal officers advanced their skills, 120 citizens advanced experiences from advocacy and budgeting through meetings in communities. 1000 citizens by municipality benefited through betterment of municipal services and wider participation of budgeting processes. - Bospo http://www.bospo.ba/eng/prsp.htm