INTRODUCTION TO STRATEGIES

Strategies can be defined as clear, purposeful plans or schemes of action that ensure organisational growth and its survival in a complex and ever changing environment.  The reflection and learning meeting identified four strategies necessary and vital pillars in the network’s progress towards its vision 2008.

• Human Resource;
• Resource Mobilization:
• Information & Communication:
• Networking:

These are discussed in turn below.

HUMAN RESOURCE

Since its inception, Landnet East Africa has relied on hosting National Alliance secretariats and the Coordinating secretariat for the day-to-day personnel and administrative support.  Most of the work has been voluntary and without compensation to the hosting secretariat.  As such Landnet activities have been treated as secondary and in most cases not carried out at all.  This is partly the reason little progress has been realized in terms of organisational growth and programme implementation.

The network shall recruit the following key positions at the Sub-regional level.

• Landnet East Africa Coordinator
• Information Technology Officer – with desktop publishing skills, website development/posting and management, and editing. Technical knowledge and expertise an Accountant

These positions are urgent to strengthen the network and ensure that activities happen.

The national alliances shall appoint a focal point – programme officer in-charge of Landnet issues on a part time basis.  Their main roles shall be to mainstream Landnet activities at national level. This arrangement is to continue until such a time as the network activities at the national level necessitate a full time person, and when there are resources to recruit and meet all remuneration requirements.

RESOURCE MOBILIZATION

Up until the reflection and learning workshop, Landnet East Africa run on seed monies raised for specific and isolated functions, mainly meetings.  The network could not implement activities for lack of resources.  Resources are required for the following main functions:

• Recruit and pay employees such level of salaries as to attract and maintain good quality personnel.
• Rent Office space to allow some level of legitimacy and independence from the hosting agency.
• Procure office equipment: computers, photo-copying (heavy duty), scanner, furniture
• Manage and maintain the Website.
• Meet operational requirements and supplies: Telephone, faxes, email and website, postage, stationeries, accessories and other supplies.
• Support Publications and dissemination.
• Facilitate Travel and in country mobility – Coordinator’s travel (internal and external) to AGM, Steering Committee meetings and (functions of the board).

The meeting pointed out the following challenges to be taken into account while implementing this strategy:

• They noted the donor fatigue and hesitation to support institutions and infrastructure.
• Need for clear and tight accountability measures by National nodes and Sub-regional hub.
• Qualifications of Coordinator (lawyer, sociologist, technical, poverty expertise), the kind to win and maintain donor confidence.

Proposed strategic activities.

• More determination in proposal writing and fund raising;
• Request for seed money form UK partners to jump start the process;
• A possibility of taking advantage of international volunteers for human resource was floated as a way of piggy backing the hosting Secretariat;
• Continue piggybacking on other national, sub-regional and international forums to meet and sell the network to donors.

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION:

Information sharing was one of the main reasons Landnet East Africa was established.  The meeting recognized that there is a lot of information and experiences that needs to be organized and shared between the member countries and beyond.  They also recognized the needs for a strategy to ensure flow of accurate and timely information and to minimize misinformation.
A two-pronged information system was proposed:

• One component would ensure Landnet East Africa Secretariat regularly supplied with information for publication, to post on the web site and for communication within the Sub-region and beyond.
• The second part would ensure that the governance structure is informed and up-dated so that decisions made are based on accurate facts and figures.

Proposed strategic activities:

• Web site development and management at Sub regional and national focal points. The web site shall also house the members’ updated profiles. 
• Conduct country research and studies, document and share, package and repackage information,
• Apply to join ECA and other UN bodies for accreditation

NETWORKING:

Although Landnet is a network and expected to “network”, participants of the reflection and learning meeting proposed a more elaborate Networking strategy that would ensure that Networking does happen and add value to the membership. They particularly pointed out the need for the technical aspects of information sharing to reach the various levels and the prevailing challenge of  “Founder members syndrome” that may threaten the functions and growth of the network if not rectified early.

Communication between members is generally poor and that this was partly the reason for misinformation that threatened the networking spirit.  The meeting proposed that a policy be developed to provide guidance and ensure clarity of communication lines, the timing, types and details of information to reach different levels and actors. The policy would also provide oversight on media relationships and types of information to publish for the general public.
The meeting reemphasized the need for appropriate information technology and revive the Landnet web page.

Strong networks are built when there are common activities and interests. Landnet shall support national activities that will link to the sub-regional and beyond. 

Proposed strategy activities.

• Develop a networking strategy to guide members and the secretariat on priority network needs.
• Develop a communication policy and guidelines to ensure continuous flow of information within the network.
• Develop a straight hotline to communicate and addresses urgent matters.

• Reinforce the information and communication strategy.
• Look for resources to facilitate joint activities identified for Landnet.
• Invest in Improved Technology and revive the Web page.