Financial Resilience Programme for Households: Outcome and Impact

Posted by ctsh@in2015 on May 8, 2024 in Uncategorized

Welcome to CENFACS’ Online Diary!

08 May 2024

Post No. 351

The Week’s Contents

• Financial Resilience Programme for Households (FRP4Hs) – In Focus for Wednesday 08/05/2024: Outcome and Impact of FRP4Hs on Households

• All in Development Stories (AiDS) Serial 2: Stories of Creating Metrics and Looking at Changing Patterns (Starting from Wednesday 08/05/2024)

• Goal of the Month: Make Poverty Reduction Happen through Stories

… And much more!

Key Messages

• Financial Resilience Programme for Households (FRP4Hs) – In Focus for Wednesday 08/05/2024: Outcome and Impact of FRP4Hs on Households

The last theme of our work on financial asset holdings of households or economic resources that households possess to help them stay resilient against shocks focusses on the Outcome and Impact of Financial Resilience Programme for Households (FRP4Hs) on Households.

Indeed, one thing is to set up and deliver a programme, another thing is to check that this programme results in short-term positive changes and effects on its intended beneficiaries (here households) as well as in broader and long-term changes on the same beneficiaries. In programme planning jargon and parlance, the two operations or steps are called outcome and impact.

In practical terms, if you are a household and has been followed the FRP4Hs, you may want to know what this programme is going to achieve for you in short, medium and long term.

In short term, it is possible to get some results from the implementation of the programme at household level. In the long term, it may take sometimes to know if what happens to a particular household is the result of the FRP4Hs or not. Also, regardless of the length of the term, one needs to have household data and use metrics or indicators in order to argue about outcome and impact. However, before these outcome and impact happen we can work with households to inform them what could be the outcome and/or impact of a programme such as FRP4Hs if they apply it.

In this last theme, we are thus looking at the possible outcome and impact that may result from the application of the FRP4Hs. Bearing in mind that each household is different and specific. They have their own financial problems, strengths, weaknesses, capacities and capabilities to be or not to be resilient from income or expense shocks when these shocks occur. What FRP4Hs is trying to do is to increase their financial strengths while reducing their financial weaknesses or vulnerabilities.

To find out more about the possible outcome and impact of the FRP4Hs, please read under the Main Development section of this post.

• All in Development Stories (AiDS) Serial 2: Stories of Creating Metrics and Looking at Changing Patterns (Starting from Wednesday 08/05/2024)

Our two-story series continues with Serial 2, which covers Stories of Creating Metrics and Stories of Looking at Changing Patterns. Let us highlight each of these stories.

• • Stories of Creating Metrics

To understand these stories, one may need to know the meaning of metrics.

• • • Brief explanation of metrics

To explain metrics, we are going to refer to what ‘chisellabs.com’ (1) argues about them, which is

“Metrics are quantifiable measurements used to assess performance, track progress, and measure the success of various processes, initiatives, or entities. They provide objective and tangible data that allow organisations to make informed decisions, identify improvement areas, and monitor strategies’ effectiveness”.

Additionally, ‘digitalocean.com’ (2) explains why metrics are useful in these terms:

“Metrics are useful because they provide insight into the behaviour and health of your systems, especially when analysed in aggregate”.

For ‘digitalocean.com’, metrics related to system can include host-based metrics, application metrics, network and connectivity metrics, server pool metrics, external dependency metrics, etc.

Metrics can help to monitor our poverty reduction system. In this respect, ‘batimes.com’ (3) argues that

“Metrics can be a powerful tool for informing and guiding decision making at all levels of an organisation… In order for metrics to deliver value rather than distraction, they must be clearly defined, completely understood and broadly communicated, as well as focused on the areas that are most important to the success of an organisation”.

Knowing what metrics are, it is possible to extract the Stories of Creating Metrics.

• • • Stories of Creating Metrics

Stories of Creating Metrics are the narratives of creating new metrics to reset systems – our poverty reduction system.

They are those of

√ factorizing into the development of metrics or quantitative methods the culture and needs of the people in need

√ educating people before adopting metrics

√ aligning metrics with the vision, mission and goals of any poverty reduction system.

If you are part of a media organisation and drawing from, for example, what ‘mediashift.org’ (4) explains, telling the stories of creating metrics would be about sharing your experiencing stories on the following:

~ how to identify the metrics that matter for your organisation

~ how to make metrics useful – where useful equals actionable

~ how to report smarter, not harder.

If you are a member of CENFACS Community and have these types of story, please do not hesitate to tell and share your stories with CENFACS. If you are not our member, you can still submit your story.

To donate, tell and share your storying gift of Stories of Creating Metrics, please contact CENFACS.

• • Stories of Looking at Changing Patterns

To deal with these stories, let us clarify the concept of patterns of change.

• • • Clarification of the concept of patterns of change

This clarification has been provided by Raulo et al. (5), who argue that

“Patterns of change describe how success and composition of every entity, from species to societies, vary across. The notions of change, such as birth, death, growth, evolution and longevity, extend across reality including biological, cultural and societal phenomena”.

Another explanation of the concept of patterns of change comes from ‘britannica.com’ (6). For ‘britannica.com’, patterns of change are studied by social scientists or theoreticians who recognise three traditional ideas of social change – decline, cyclic change, and progress. Still from the view of ‘britannica.com’, short-term tends to be cyclic while long-term change tends to follow one direction.

By looking at the patterns of change in our system of poverty reduction, we can ask ourselves if the patterns of change are cyclic or one-directional. However, if our task is to look at patterns of change over the long term , then we can follow the model or theory of long-term cyclic changes, which is birth, growth, flourishing, decline, and death of a system.

From the above definitions and observations, we can develop our Stories of Looking at Changing Patterns.

• • • Stories of Looking at Changing Patterns

Stories of Looking at Changing Patterns are the plots of looking at patterns of change rather than static snapshots.

They are the stories of

√ recognizing models or patterns (for example, if our system of poverty reduction is patterned, then one needs to recognise it)

√ acknowledging that situations repeat themselves over and over again

√ vicious circle in some systems of poverty reduction

√ failing to change the way in which a system works

√ going around in circles to deal with a system

√ resolving the problems linked to the way a system is patterned or operating

√ seeing patterns of change problems as an opportunity rather than a misfortune

√ listening your feelings and intuition to recognise patterns

√ overcoming difficulties in understanding patterns

etc.

Briefly speaking, Stories of Looking at Changing Patterns can tell us if a system is in decline, cyclic change, and progress.

If you are a member of our community – the CENFACS Community – and have these types of story, please do not hesitate to tell and share your stories with CENFACS. If you are not our member, you can still submit your story.

To donate, tell and share your storying gift of Stories of Looking at Changing Patterns, please contact CENFACS.

• Goal of the Month: Make Poverty Reduction Happen through Stories

Our poverty reduction goal for May 2024 is Making Poverty Reduction Happen through Stories. It is about telling and sharing stories that can pitch or lead to poverty reduction and sustainable development for the poor and those CENFACS Community members who may need inspiring and motivational stories to navigate their ways out the problems they have. In other words, by listening, viewing and learning from inspiring stories they can develop their own strengths to gradually find their own pace and tune towards the reduction of poverty and the enhancement of sustainable development.

To put this into perspective, Pullanikkatil and Shackleton (7) give the example of Poverty Reduction through Non-Timber Forest Products. Referring to the work of Pullanikkatil and Shackleton, Sarah Feder (8) explains that

“Stories can amplify the voices of people who are not often heard, and make their experiences relatable to people in wildly different contexts”.

Likewise, Angela Wood and John Barnes (9) are in favour of

“Amplifying poor people’s voices by combining alternative media such as community radio, oral testimonies and community theatre with the involvement of the media”.

It is possible to deduct from these two quotations that stories can have the following attributes:

σ to amplify poor people’s voices

σ to provide a voice for the voiceless people

σ to create opportunity for these people to narrate from their own perspective

σ to learn lessons to be used in poverty reduction policies, practices and strategies

σ to create and sustain poverty reduction and sustainable development.

Those who can help to make poverty reduction happen through stories, they can be supportive of this goal. We expect our supporters and audiences to support this goal as well.

For further details on this goal including its support, please contact CENFACS.

Extra Messages

• All-year Round Projects Cycle (Triple Value Initiatives Cycle) – Step/Workshop 12: Impact Evaluating Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

• Nature Projects and Nature-based Solutions to Poverty – From Week Beginning Monday 13/05/2024: A Survey on Green Bonds (Activity 2)

• ReLive Issue No. 16, Spring 2024: Will You Help The Conflict-related Acute Food Insecure in Africa to Rebuild and Renew Their Lives?

• All-year Round Projects Cycle (Triple Value Initiatives Cycle) – Step/Workshop 12: Impact Evaluating Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

In Step/Workshop 11 of your Play, Run and Vote Projects, you conducted an outcome evaluation by measuring your behaviour, participation to and achievement following the delivery of these projects. Now, you can proceed with an impact evaluation. An impact evaluation will help to evaluate the effect of your Play, Run and Vote Projects on you and the environment surrounding you. But, what is an impact evaluation?

• • Basic Understanding of an Impact Evaluation

The definition we have chosen to understand an impact evaluation comes from ‘betterevaluation.org’ (10). According to ‘betterevaluation.org’,

“An impact evaluation provides information about the impacts produced by an intervention. The intervention might be a small project, a large programme, a collection of activities, or a policy”.

The same ‘betterevaluation.org’ states that

“A impact evaluation can be undertaken to improve or reorient an intervention (i.e., for formative purposes) or to inform decisions about whether to continue, discontinue, replicate or scale up an intervention (i.e., for summative purposes)”.

In other words, an impact evaluation tries to measure the difference between outcomes with an intervention and without it in a way that can attribute the difference to the intervention, and only the intervention. For instance, an impact evaluation of your Run Project will assess changes in your wellbeing that can be attributable to your Run Project. The figure below is an impact evaluation exercise showing how your all-year-round project can impact on you.

To carry out an impact evaluation, one needs to answer/know the why, when, what and who to engage in the evaluation process. Also, one can base its impact evaluation on a particular way of thinking or a theory.

• • Theories to Be Used in Your Impact Evaluation

To simplify the matter, an all-year-round project beneficiary will use a theory of change that will guide them to causal attribution or to answer cause-and-effect questions; meaning that changes in outcome are directly attributable to an intervention (here your Play, Run and Vote Projects). Therefore, you need to better plan and manage your impact evaluation.

• • Example of Planning and Managing the Impact Evaluation of Your All-year Round Projects

To better plan and manage the impact evaluation of Your All-year Round Projects, you can proceed with the following:

σ Describe what needs to be evaluated

σ Identify and mobilise resources for your evaluation

σ Decide who will conduct the evaluation and engage it

σ Set up an evaluation methodology/approach/technique

σ Manage your evaluation work

σ Implement your evaluation work

σ Evaluate the result/impact of Your All-year Round Projects on you and/or others

σ Share your evaluation results/report.

The above is one of the possible ways of impact evaluating your All-year Round Projects. For those who would like to dive deeper into Impact Evaluation of their Play or Run or Vote project, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

• • Concluding Note about This 12-week Workshop Programme

To conclude this 12-week workshop programme, we would like to thank those who have been engaged with it.

We would like to ask to those who can to measure the impact and effectiveness in working with them/you on how to plan, execute and evaluate your All-year Round Projects.

For example, they/you can state that on overall they/you have positive or negative impacts from this programme. They/you can send your statement to CENFACS‘ usual contact details as given on this website.

Those who need help for any aspect of the plan of their All-year Round Projects, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

Good luck with their/your All-year Round Projects!

• Nature Projects and Nature-based Solutions to Poverty –

From Week Beginning Monday 13/05/2024: A Survey on Green Bonds (Activity 2)

To introduce Activity 2 of the fourth series of Nature Projects and Nature-based Solutions to Poverty, let us summarily define green bonds.

• • What Are Green Bonds?

To understand green bonds, it is better to know bonds. According to the World Bank (11),

“A bond is a form of debt security. A debt security is a legal contract for money owed that can be bought and sold between parties”.

What are green bonds?

Our understanding of green bonds comes from ‘weforum.org’ (12), which explains that

“Green bonds work like regular bonds with one key difference: the money raised from investors is used exclusively to finance projects that have a positive environmental impact such as renewable energy and green buildings”.

The above-mentioned definitions will be used in our survey.

• • Aim of Activity 2

This is an exercise in which we intend to look at in detail debt securities with a view that the money raised from investors is solely used to fund projects with positive impact on the environment.

For example, it is known that the issuance of bonds together with the development of green, social and sustainable bond market are important in Africa in the fight against climate change and in the upkeep of nature. They represent investment opportunities to protect the nature and generate resources for poverty reduction and sustainable development in Africa. In particular, green bonds can finance a portfolio of environmentally friendly investments and fund climate change initiatives.

• • What the Survey Is about

The survey is about the market pricing of green bonds. It is as well dealing with the economic and environmental effects of green bond financing on poverty reduction and sustainable development. The survey focuses on the challenges and opportunities for developing and sustaining green bonds in Africa.

• • Participating to the Survey on Green Bonds

As part of the survey, we are running a questionnaire which will contain some questions to be answered by those willing to respond. You can contribute your answer and respond to the survey.

Participation to this survey is voluntary.

For those who would like to engage with Activity 2, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

For those who would like to find out more about Nature Projects and Nature-based Solutions to Poverty, they can also communicate with CENFACS.

• ReLive Issue No. 16, Spring 2024: Will You Help The Conflict-related Acute Food Insecure in Africa to Rebuild and Renew Their Lives?

This Spring, we are running 14 Gifts in a world of 20 Reliefs or Helpful Differences. What does this mean?

It means donors or funders have 14 Gifts of Renewing Lives to choose from and 20 Reliefs to select from to make helpful differences to the food insecure.

In total, our Spring Relief campaign is providing to potential supporters 14 GIFTS of rebuilding lives in the three African Countries (i.e., Central African Republic, Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo) in 20 RELIEFS to make this happen.

For this renewal to happen, support is needed towards LRPs.

To support, go to http://cenfacs.org.uk/supporting-us/

Message in French (Message en français)

• Activité/Tâche 5 de l’année/du projet Transitions (t) : Raconter des histoires inspirantes de transitions pour sortir de la pauvreté

La cinquième activité/tâche du projet «t» consiste à partager avec ceux/celles qui en ont besoin des histoires inspirantes sur la transition vers la sortie de la pauvreté. Selon les circonstances de la vie, les gens peuvent entrer dans la pauvreté et en sortir. Cette transition peut être courte ou longue. Ce qui nous intéresse, ce sont les transitions pour sortir de la pauvreté et leur inspiration en termes d’histoire.

• • Transition pour sortir de la pauvreté

De nombreux facteurs peuvent déterminer la sortie de la pauvreté. Ann Huff Stevens (13) en donne quelques-unes dans le cas des États-Unis d’Amérique. D’après elle,

«Les changements dans les revenus et la structure familiale sont associés à la sortie de la pauvreté».

Elle soutient également qu’elle dépend d’une pauvreté circonstancielle à court terme ou d’une pauvreté à long terme associée à des limitations permanentes des revenus, de l’emploi et de la structure familiale.

S’inspirant de l’argument d’Ann Huff Stevens, l’activité/tâche 5 de l’année/du projet Transitions (t) consiste à fournir des histoires de transitions hors de la pauvreté.

• • Fournir des histoires inspirantes de transitions pour sortir de la pauvreté

Il s’agit de donner des témoignages édifiants sur vous ou sur des personnes que vous connaissez qui sont sorties de la pauvreté. L’histoire doit mentionner depuis combien de temps elles sont sorties de la pauvreté et combien de temps dure la transition.

Par exemple, on peut raconter des histoires sur les changements dans la structure des ménages ou sur les changements sur le marché du travail et sur la façon dont ils ont aidé à sortir de la pauvreté. Des histoires comme celles-ci peuvent en inspirer d’autres.

Ce qui précède est l’objet de l’activité/tâche 5. Pour ceux/celles qui ont besoin d’aide avant de se lancer dans cette activité/tâche, ils/elles peuvent s’adresser au CENFACS.

Pour toute autre question ou demande de renseignements sur le projet «t» et la dédicace de cette année, veuillez également contacter le CENFACS.

Main Development

• Financial Resilience Programme for Households (FRP4Hs) – In Focus for Wednesday 08/05/2024: Outcome and Impact of FRP4Hs on Households

The following items cover the Outcome and Impact of FRP4Hs on Households:

σ What Are Outcome and Impact?

σ What Are Outcome and Impact in the Context of FRP4Hs on Households?

σ Types of Changes and Effects that FRP4Hs Can Bring to Households

σ How to Measure Changes and Effects from FRP4Hs for Households: Key Indicators of Financial Resilience

σ Working with Households on Effects and Changes from the Application of FRP4Hs

σ Final Words about FRP4Hs for Households

Let us develop each of the above-mentioned points.

• • What Are Outcome and Impact?

Outcome and impact are part of the steps in any programme or project planning and implementation. Because of that, it will be wrong for us to speak about financial resilience for households without explaining what could be the result on them. So, what is outcome and what is impact?

According to Sally Cupitt with Jean Ellis (14),

“Outcomes are all the changes and effects that happen as a result of your work. Impact is the broad, long term effects of your work” (p. 3)

As one can notice, there is a difference between the two. This difference is stressed by ‘impactio.com’.

Highlighting the difference between ‘Impact’ and ‘Outcome’ in Research Findings, ‘impactio.com’ (15) explains that

“The outcomes are directly correlated to the findings. Outcomes drive a short-term or immediate change in the reader as a result of the information that came from the research itself… An impact, on the other hand, is a more significant, wider change. Impacts are the result of the outcome being put into place in society or the academic world”.

The above-mentioned definitions can be applied to households.

• • What Are Outcome and Impact in the Context of FRP4Hs on Households?

Outcomes are the short- and medium-term effects that households would like to see as a result of the application of FRP4Hs. Impacts are long-term effects to be produced by the FRP4Hs.

For households following the FRP4Hs, outcomes can be they become more confident and aware in the way they approach financial resilience. There could be as well that they improve their financial communication and skills as they feel motivate and aspire on the way they can tackle potential income or expense shocks.

For households following the FRP4Hs, impacts can be health impact, consumption impact, well-being impact, impact on children for those that have kids, housing impact, etc. There could also be a shift in the way they think and behave regarding financial matters, as well as in the way the design their household financial policies and rules.

• • Types of Changes and Effects that FRP4Hs Can Bring to Households

Financial resilience outcome and impact for households can be expressed in many ways as highlighted below.

Expressed as short- and medium-term effects, it is when households can

√ improve their skills to manage budgets and their savings

√ widen their access to affordable credit

√ understand financial risks and contexts

√ make good financial decision

√ learn the range of liquidities and how to access them to offset any potential financial risks, particularly for liquidity-constrained households

√ improve their sense of financial wellness or subjective financial well-being

√ mitigate the impacts of income or expense shocks

√ buffer themselves against these shocks

etc.

Expressed as long-term effects, it is when households can

√ become less financially vulnerable and distressed to the problems of getting to the end of month and/or the inability to face unexpected expenses

√ be without or with less unsecured debt (e.g., consumer credit)

√ be less impulsive with good financial and spending behaviour

√ reduce the effects of unexpected negative income or expense shocks, especially for low-income ones which may experience these shocks at disproportionally high rates

etc.

• • How to Measure Changes and Effects from FRP4Hs for Households: Key Indicators of Financial Resilience

Many of the measures to be used here fall under the scope of financial resilience. We are limiting ourselves to key indicators. Amongst them are Financial Resilience Index, Households’ Savings to Income, Households’ Debt to Income. Let us consider Financial resilience Index and the other measures.

• • • Key Indicators of Financial Resilience

• • • • Financial Resilience Index

This index can be perceived in many ways. From the perspective of Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (16),

“Financial Resilience Index shows a council’s position on a range of measures associated with financial risk highlighting where additional scrutiny may be required”.

Although the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy speaks about council, the spheres of implementation of its view on financial resilience can be extended to include households. So, Financial Resilience Index for Households shows a household’s position on a range of measures associated with financial risk highlighting where additional scrutiny may be required.

• • • • Other Measures of Financial Resilience

Amongst the other indicators that can use to improve the ability to recover from financial shocks are:

a) The value of savings and liquid financial assets that could be drawn on in times of need

By using financial ratios, this value can be expressed as follows:

Savings / Income or Liquid financial assets / Income

b) Subjective assessments of the ability to cope with financial shocks

c) Measures of financial literacy, numeracy, communications and technology (e.g., financial awareness, use of e-finance, ability to make financial decision, etc.)

d) Measures of financial capability (e.g., soundly managing money, surviving financial shock waves)

e) Measures of capturing financial anxiety, distress or from difficulty, which can be written in the form of financial ratios like

Financial Assets / Debt or Credit / Income

f) Over-indebtedness measures

Etc.

Many of these measures can be found in the work of Abigail McKnight and Mark Rucci (17).

What is important is not to list these measures. What is meaningful is for households to understand the key indicators of financial resilience and help them stay resilient if they follow the underlying advice contained in these indicators.

• • Working with Households on Effects and Changes from the Application of FRP4Hs

Working with households on the effects and changes resulting from financial resilience programmes is about helping them to avoid costly financial mistakes. It is also about reassuring them that there is always support for those households that would like to learn to shield themselves from income or expense shocks.

For example, if liquidity-constrained households are not sure how financial resilience programmes can help them, we can conduct financial resilience needs assessment to determine whether or not this type of programmes can be beneficial to them as well as the areas of their finances that need support in the form of advice and guidance.

The above is the fourth and last theme of our FRP4Hs.

Those households that would like to access the FRP4Hs so that this programme can positively affect and change their life to stay resilient, they can work with CENFACS.

For any queries and/or enquiries about the theme of Outcome and Impact of FRP4Hs on Households, please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

• • Final Words about FRP4Hs for Households

Financial Resilience Programme for Households is about improving the financial ability and capability to recover from income or expense shocks as explained by Salignac et al (18), or enhancing the ability in coping with financial shock or recovering from financial difficulties as argued by McKnight and Rucci (op.cit.).

It is further about working together with liquidity-constrained households through an arsenal of financial tools or weaponry they need so that they can stay resilient or embrace financial resiliency. In doing so, it increases their financial strengths while reducing their financial weaknesses or vulnerabilities.

It is finally about reducing, avoiding and ending asset-based poverty amongst them and their future generations.

For further details about Financial Resilience Programme for Households, please contact CENFACS.

_________

• References

(1) https://chisellabs.com/glossary/what-are-metrics/ (accessed in May 2024 )

(2) https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/an-introduction-to-metrics-monitoring-and-alerting (accessed in May 2024)

(3) https://www.batimes.com/articles/creating-implementing-and-managing-effective-metrics/ (accessed in May 2024)

(4) https://mediashift.org/2017/11/telling-stories-metrics-inside-news-organisation/(accessed in May 2024)

(5) Raulo A, Rojas A, Kröger B, Laaksonen A, Orta CL, Numio S, Peltoniemi M, Lahti L, Ζliobaitè I. 2023 What are patterns of rise and decline? R. Soc. Open Sci. 10:230052. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.230052 (accessed in May 2024)

(6) https://www.britannica.com/topic/social-change/Patterns-of-social-change (accessed in May 2024)

(7) Pullanikkatil, D. and Shackleton, CM. (2019), Poverty Reduction Through Non-Timber Forest Products: Personal Stories, Sustainable Development Goals Stories, Springer at https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75580-9 (Accessed in May 2023)

(8) Feder, S., (2020), The Power of Stories: Poverty Reduction Through NTFPs at https://medforest.net/2020/02/26/that-power-of-stories-poverty-reduction=through-ntfps/ (Accessed in May 2023)

(9) Wood, A. and Barnes, J., (2007), Making Poverty the Story: Time to Involve the Media in Poverty at https://gsdrc.org/document-library/making-poverty-the-story-time-to-involve-the-media-in-poverty-reduction/# (Accessed in May 2023)

(10) https://www.betterevaluation.org/methods-approaches/themes/impact-evaluation (Accessed in May 2023)

(11) https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/400251468187810398/pdf/99662-REVISED-WB-Green-Bond-Box393208B-PUBLIC.pdf (accessed in May 2024)

(12) https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/11/what-are-green-bonds-climate-change/ (accessed in May 2024)

(13) https://poverty.ucdavis.edu/sites/main/files/file-attachments/policy_brief_stevens_poverty_transitions_1.pdf (accessed in April 2024)

(14) Cupitt, S. & Ellis, J. (2003), Your project and its outcomes, Charities Evaluation Services, Community Fund 2003

(15) https://www.impactio.com/blog/defining-the-difference-between-impact-and-outcome (accessed in May 2024)

(16) https://www.cipfa.org/services/financial-resilience-index-2022 (accessed in May 2024)

(17) McKnight, A. & Rucci, M. (2020). The Financial resilience of households: 22 country study with new estimates, breakdowns by household characteristics and a review of policy options. CASE/219, Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion, London School of Economics and Political Science, May http://sticerd.lse.ac.uk/case (accessed in May 2024)

(18)Salignac, F.; Marjolin, A.; Reeve, R.: Muir, K. (2019). Conceptualising and measuring financial resilience: A multidimensional framework. Social Indicators Research 2019, 145, 17-38 (accessed in May 2024)

_________

• Help CENFACS Keep the Poverty Relief Work Going this Year

We do our work on a very small budget and on a voluntary basis. Making a donation will show us you value our work and support CENFACS’ work, which is currently offered as a free service.

One could also consider a recurring donation to CENFACS in the future.

Additionally, we would like to inform you that planned gifting is always an option for giving at CENFACS. Likewise, CENFACS accepts matching gifts from companies running a gift-matching programme.

Donate to support CENFACS!

FOR ONLY £1, YOU CAN SUPPORT CENFACS AND CENFACS’ NOBLE AND BEAUTIFUL CAUSES OF POVERTY REDUCTION.

JUST GO TO: Support Causes – (cenfacs.org.uk)

Thank you for visiting CENFACS website and reading this post.

Thank you as well to those who made or make comments about our weekly posts.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits and continuing support throughout 2024 and beyond.

With many thanks.

Permalink

May 2024 Stories

Posted by ctsh@in2015 on May 1, 2024 in Uncategorized

Welcome to CENFACS’ Online Diary!

01 May 2024

Post No. 350

The Week’s Contents

• May 2024 Stories – All in Development Stories: Stories of Systems Reset and Change

• All in Development Story Telling Series/Programme 2024

• Activity/Task 5 of the Transitions (t) Year/Project: Provide Inspiring Stories of Out-of-poverty Transitions

… And much more!

Key Messages

• May 2024 Stories – All in Development Stories: Stories of Systems Reset and Change

Story telling is our main content for the month of May. It is the month and time of the year we dedicate ourselves to telling and sharing poverty relief and sustainable development stories.

• • Why Do We Tell and Share Stories?

This is because in whatever we do to help reduce poverty and appeal for support to enhance the development process we are engaged in, there is always a story to tell and share from various places we intervene and from different individuals and communities or organisations involving in our work.

• • How Do We Tell and Share These Stories?

We do it through All in Development (AiD) Stories project, which is our storytelling project. There is an explanation about this project that can be found under the Main Development section of this post. Every year, there is a different theme for this storytelling project.

• • This Year’s Theme for AiD Stories Project

This year, the theme for AiD Stories Project is about Stories of Resetting and Change Systems, our system of poverty reduction. They are the stories of a system which can be reset to meet people’s (poor people’s) needs. But, if the system is failing the people it is supposed to serve and is no longer fit for resetting purpose, then change may be required. And stories can make this change to happen. In which case, system change stories may be needed.

• • • What are System Reset and Change Stories?

Let us first explain Stories of Resetting Systems, then Stories of Changing Systems.

• • • • System Reset Stories are

a) about how people and communities are trying or have tried to bring things back to their default settings or initial state

b) of

∝ changing our mindset

∝ creating new metrics

∝ designing new incentives

∝ building a genuine connection.

• • • • System Change Stories are

a) those relating to how people are trying to change the system if resetting is not suitable or desirable

b) of

∝ seeing the whole system rather just its parts

∝ looking at patterns of change rather than static snapshots

∝ understanding key interconnections within a system and between systems

∝ forming a new system (e.g., a new system of poverty reduction).

Both stories (system reset and change stories) are the tales of physical, social, environmental and economic settings and how we try to deal with systems, in particular our system of poverty reduction.

• • • When will these stories start?

Entries for May 2024 Stories were opened since last March when we announced the general theme of Spring Relief 2024, which is ‘Build Forward Better Together to a Greener, Cleaner, Safer, Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Future’ within the context of Squeezed Household Spending”. So far, some people have shown some interests. For those who have not yet submitted or told us their stories, this is the month to do it.

These stories are based on a principle.

• • Underlying Principle of AiD Stories Project

The principle of AiD Stories Project is that it is about stories told by volunteers or people who are giving their stories not for money or not being paid for their experience they had in relation to the story theme. However, this principle does not stop anybody to provide a story even if what they are saying come from their paid position.

Besides this general principle, we have two criteria we would like to highlight about the theme of AiD Stories Project for this year.

• • Criteria for The Theme of AiD Stories Project 2024

~ 1st Criterion

For this year’s AiD Stories project, we are mainly interested in Stories of Build Forward Better Together to a Greener, Cleaner, Safer, Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Future within the context of Squeezed Household Spending, as mentioned above. They are the stories of those who hit rock bottom of poverty because of squeezed household spending and are trying to bounce forward in a sustainable way.

~ 2nd Criterion

We are registering people’s personal experiences of being or at risk of being left behind in the process of building forward within the context of squeezed household spending . Experiences show that in many crises, there is always a possibility that aid/help/transfer to household expenses/expenditure/spending does reach everybody or if its does it does not reach them proportionally or equally. For those who have not been reached, their personal stories need to be heard as well.

Additionally, we would like to select amongst submitted stories the best ones.

• • Selecting the Top Real True Story of the Month

This year, we would like to select the top three stories of poverty reduction of the month and the real true story of poverty reduction of the month. To do that we will use impact story approach. This approach is often used when monitoring and evaluation are restricted. What do we mean by that?

We mean what ‘civicus.org’ (1) says about impact stories, which is:

“Impact stories are a useful way to systematically documenting anecdotal evidence that expected activities occurred, and the perceived results thereof”.

Our storytelling assessors will try to capture elements of storytelling that respond to our storytelling criteria. Stories that build inclusion and inspire people to reset or change have more change to win more votes/points than other ones.

To facilitate and organise ourselves in the way of telling these stories, we are going to do it through a series or programme or a timeline of scripts. There is more information about this series below.

For more information on AiDS project and this year’s storytelling focus and scripts, please read under the Main Development section of this post.

To tell your story of change for change to CENFACS, please contact CENFACS for story telling terms and conditions.

• All in Development Story Telling Series/Programme 2024

The 2024 series of AiDS Telling Programme starts from the 1st of May 2024, every Wednesday afterwards and will last until the end of May 2024. These series, which are part of May 2024 Stories, are a timeline of scripts or a set of notes arranged in line to tell and share Stories of System Reset and Change. But, these stories do not need to be linear (that is, problem > action > solutions). We take non-linear stories as well.

To arrange this programme, we referred to the four ways of resetting the system proposed by the World Economic Forum (2), which are:

a) Change our mindset

b) Create new metrics

c) Design new incentives

d) Build a genuine connection.

We are also referring to what the World Resources Institute (3) argues about systems change, which is

“Systems change can be defined as shifting component parts of a system – and the pattern of interactions between these parts – to ultimately form a new system that behaves in a qualitatively different way”.

This definition provides four strategies or tips for changing a system, which are

a) seeing the whole system rather just its parts

b) looking at patterns of change rather than static snapshots

c) understanding key interconnections within a system and between systems

d) forming a new system (e.g., a new system of poverty reduction).

From the above-mentioned four ways and four strategies, we can organise our stories line. There is no single logic or model of organising a story. We thought that to make it easier, our storytelling series for systems resetting and change will follow these four plus four (4+4) or two-story sequences:

The four plus four (4+4) or two-story sequences can be linked each other in a sequential way.

For further details about these two-story sequences or timeline of AiD scripts, please continue to read under the Main Development section of this post.

• Activity/Task 5 of the Transitions (t) Year/Project: Provide Inspiring Stories of Out-of-poverty Transitions

The fifth activity/task of the “t” Project is about sharing with those in need some inspiring stories about transitioning out of poverty. Depending on circumstances of life, people can transition into and out of poverty. This transition can be short and long. What we are interested in is transitions out of poverty and their inspiration in terms of story.

• • Transitions out of Poverty

There are many factors that can determine out-of-poverty transitions. Ann Huff Stevens (4) gives some of them in the case of the United States of America. According to her,

“Changes in income and family structure are associated with transitions out of poverty”.

She also argues that it depends on short-term, circumstantial poverty or long-term poverty associated with permanent limitations on earnings, employment and family structure.

Drawing on Ann Huff Stevens’ argument, the Activity/Task 5 of the Transitions (t) Year/Project is about providing stories of out-of-poverty transitions.

• • Providing Inspiring Stories of Out-of-poverty Transitions

It is about giving the uplifting accounts of you or people you know who transitioned out of poverty. The story needs to mention how long they have been out of poverty and how long the transition lasts.

For example, stories about change in the household structure or changes in the labour market and how they have helped to transition out of poverty can be told. Stories like these can uplift others.

The above is what activity/task 5 is about. For those who need any help before embarking on this activity/task, they can speak to CENFACS.

For any other queries and enquiries about the ‘t‘ project and this year’s dedication, please contact CENFACS as well.

Extra Messages

• Financial Resilience Programme for Households – In Focus for Wednesday 01/05/2024: Intervention Strategies for Households

• Nature Projects and Nature-based Solutions to Poverty: Working Plan for the Fourth Series of Nature Activities

• All-year Round Projects Cycle (Triple Value Initiatives Cycle) – Step/Workshop 11: Outcome Evaluating Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

• Financial Resilience Programme for Households – In Focus for Wednesday 01/05/2024: Intervention Strategies for Households

Our work on financial asset holdings of households or economic resources that households possess to help them stay resilient against shocks continues. This week, we are dealing with Intervention Strategies for Households, which are the third theme of our Financial Resilience Programme for Households (FRPHs).

• • What Are Intervention Strategies?

They are involving actions designed to help reduce the financial vulnerabilities of the members of CENFACS Community and their families, and empower them to provide for the essential needs of their households. These interventions can include savings boosts, emergency loans, cash assistance, insurance claims, etc.

These interventions can be short, medium and long term. Focussing on short-term interventions, the website ‘Assetfunders.org’ (5) argues that

“The goal of short-term interventions is to provide a bridge to get people over the shortfall and back on the road toward their financial goals, but not expose them to repeated financial risks”.

‘Assetfunders.org’ provides short-term interventions which include four options: buffer, borrowing, benefits and backstop.

Involving interventions linked to resilience can include working with these households on how they can get and spend money, find way of building savings, setting up an income-generating activity, etc. Below are the types of intervention strategies that can be used to work with the community.

• • Types of Intervention Strategies

They include and are about reassessing household capital structure, redefining household’s liquidities and their financial risk while examining how much households are protected from income shocks by their financial assets (such as current accounts, savings and investments) or other forms of support (like state benefits, friends and families).

We can briefly summarise each of these interventions.

• • • Reassessing household capital structure

Like a firm, household capital structure is made of savings, debts and equity.

Reassessing household capital structure is about looking at how much they hold in terms of assets (e.g., percentages of cash, of net worth or the property they own, of investments in shares and bonds) and debts (e.g., mortgage). It is also about advising them how they can build a better capital structure.

• • • Redefinition of household’s liquidities

It is about reexplaining households that they need cash to meet short-term and immediate obligations. It is also about working with them to find assets that can be easily and rapidly convertible into cash. This implies working out their liquidity ratio, which refers to the number of liquid assets to overall assets.

• • • Re-explaining household’s financial risk

FRPHs helps households to avoid financial mistakes. Taking disproportionate financial risks can be one of the mistakes. Re-explaining and understanding these financial risks can be financial life-saving.

Among the risks are negative coping financial strategies like resorting to costly loans, running down or low savings, cutting back on insurance, etc.

• • • Examination of households’ protection from income shocks

FRPHs can assist households to protect themselves from income shocks. Examining households’ protection is about looking at how households can use their financial assets (such as current accounts, savings and investments, trusts and bonds), to protect them from income shock.

• • • Resorting to other forms of support

FRPHs can as well support households by checking with them if they are entitled to support from government benefits, employers, and voluntary organisations/charities to protect them from income shock. This includes crowdfunding schemes, friends and families.

It is possible to work with households making the CENFACS Community to apply the above-summarised strategies.

• • Working with Households on Intervention Strategies

Working with households on financial strategies is about helping them to avoid costly financial mistakes. There are reasons to work with them, particularly if they are poor. It is known that poor households tend to have very little property or financial wealth, debts exceeding assets, physical assets to make up a much higher proportion of the overall wealth and lower capacity to save for retirement due to low income.

Because of all these reasons, FRPHs is one of the ways to help them navigate their way to financial protection. It can help them release trapped cash and working capital.

For example, if a household does not realise the type of financial risk it is taking in resorting to costly coping strategies, CENFACS can work with this particular household to find cheap strategy to stay resilient. In this process of working with this household, we can as well discuss their liquidity ratio and capital structure.

The above is the third theme of our FRPHs .

Those households that are looking for suitable financial strategies in order to stay resilient, they can work with CENFACS.

For any queries and/or enquiries about the theme of Intervention Strategies for Households as well as Financial Resilience Programme for Households (including how to access this programme), please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

• Nature Projects and Nature-based Solutions to Poverty: Working Plan for the Fourth Series of Nature Activities

To implement biodiversity strategies and action plans, it requires financial resources. The fourth series of Nature Activities deals with financial resources.

This fourth series of these activities, which will start from the 6th of May 2024, falls under the scope of target 19 of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (6) adopted at the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.

The highlights of the fourth series of the nature activities to be carried out are given below.

• • Highlights of the Fourth Series

Activity 1: E-discussion on Payment for Ecosystem Services

This is an online conversation about the ways of giving something monetary or non-monetary in return for benefiting from nature. Giving something can help for the upkeep of the nature.

Activity 2: A Survey on Green Bonds

This is an exercise of looking at in detail debt securities with a view that the money raised from investors is solely used to fund projects with positive impact on the environment.

Activity 3: Workshop on Biodiversity Offsets and Credits

This is a course or work for those interested in biodiversity to study how organisations can engage and finance activities that deliver net positive biodiversity gains.

Activity 4: Art and Design about Benefit-sharing Mechanisms

This activity consists of the creation of works of beauty and making drawing/model showing how the sharing of benefits derived from biodiversity conservation can be beneficial for indigenous and other local peoples.

As said above, the contents of the above-mentioned four nature activities stem from the nineteenth target of nature goals making the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (op.cit.), which was agreed in December 2022.

• • Nature Projects and Nature-based Solutions to Poverty –

From Week Beginning 06/05/2024: E-discussion on Payment for Ecosystem Services

Before giving the aim of this activity and what will be about, we would like to let or remind the prospective participants to this activity what the payment for ecosystem services means.

Ecosystem services are simply the benefits that people get from nature. These services are supporting, provisioning, regulating and cultural.

According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (7),

“Payment for ecosystem services is the name given to variety of arrangements through which the beneficiaries of environmental services, from watershed protection and forest conservation to carbon sequestration and landscape beauty, reward those lands provide these services with subsidies or market payments”.

This definition will help the e-discussion.

a) Aim of Activity 1

The aim of this Activity 1 is to help the community to discuss and explore way of finding innovative solutions to pay for the benefits that people get from nature.

b) What the e-Discussion on the Payment for Ecosystem Services Will Be about

We will be e-debating current innovations and latest developments on the matter.

The e-discussion will be online exchange among the participants to reflect on the question of the payment for ecosystem services. It will take place between the 6th and 12th of May of 2024.

You can contribute your answer and respond to others by agreeing or disagreeing, sharing your evidence and raising relevant issues surrounding the payment for ecosystem services. CENFACS facilitator or moderator will summarise the points to be made by participants.

For those who would like to engage with Activity 1, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

For those who would like to find out more about Nature Projects and Nature-based Solutions to Poverty, they can also communicate with CENFACS.

• All-year Round Projects Cycle (Triple Value Initiatives Cycle) – Step/Workshop 11: Outcome Evaluating Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

Normally, at the beginning of a project or activity, planners of this project or activity will indicate how they plan to evaluate it. Planners can think of pre-project evaluation, ongoing project evaluation and post-project evaluation. However, what is project evaluation for them?

• • Basic Understanding of Project Evaluation

To simplify the matter, we are referring to what Anna Allen and Catriona May (8) say about it, which is:

“Evaluation is a process of assessing what an activity or project achieves, particularly in relation to the overall objectives” (p. 36)

There are many types of evaluation depending on the areas of emphasis. Evaluation can be before the project starts (pre-project evaluation), when the project is in progress (ongoing evaluation) and when the project is finished (post-project evaluation). Evaluation can also be formative, process/implementation, outcome/effectiveness and impact. It all depends on what you want to achieve in evaluating a project.

In the Step/Workshop 11, we are interested in Outcome Evaluation.

• • • What is an outcome evaluation?

To understand outcome evaluation, one may need to know outcome. Outcome has been described in the United Nations Development Programme’s Guidance on Evaluation (9) as

“The intended changes in development conditions that result from the interventions of governments and other stakeholders, including international development agencies such as UNDP. They are medium-term development results and the contributions of various partners and non-partners. Outcomes provide a clear vision of what has changed or will change globally or in a particular region, country or community within a period of time” (p. 3)

Knowing what is outcome, it is possible to explain outcome evaluation. According to ‘evalcommunity.com’ (10),

“Outcome evaluation is a type of evaluation that focuses on measuring the results or outcomes of a programme or intervention. It is a systematic and objective process that involves collecting and analysing data to determine whether the programme is achieving its intended goals and objectives, and whether the outcomes are meaningful and beneficial to the target population”.

The same ‘evalcommunity.com’ states that there are many types of outcome evaluation which include impact evaluation, outcome-focused evaluation, process evaluation, cost-benefit analysis, and realist evaluation.

In this Step/Workshop 11, we are dealing with outcome-focused evaluation.

Let us exemplify this.

• • Example of Outcome Evaluating Your All-year Round Projects

Let us assume that one of our users decides to organise a 4-Km-a-day Run Project to raise money for CENFACS’ one of its noble and beautiful causes of poverty reduction, which is to support Africa-based Sister Organisations currently helping displaced persons in the south borders of Sudan.

In order to outcome evaluate the 4-Km-a-day Run Project, our all-year-round project user will proceed with the following:

∝ Ensure that their project is on course and identify the problems as they come up

(Type of problems could be if everybody taking the run manages to run 4 kilometres or not)

∝ Measure progress towards their objectives

(E.g., if one of the objectives was to raise £500 on a particular day, they will check fundraising progress about this objective)

∝ Seize new window of opportunities

(For instance, if more people turn up than initially expected, our all-year-round project user can think of the possibility of running the activity again another day)

∝ Deal with any challenges during project implementation

(Like to organise a networking/talk session for the extra number of attendees who could not take part in the run because there is a restriction on the number of runners)

∝ Recognise success and failure

(I.e., our all-year-round project user will find out what went wrong or well during the Run Project)

∝ Give some recommendations for the future run of the project

(I.e., ask participants to make suggestions or tell them how you will improve the project if you decide to run it again)

∝ Keep all records

(Of the number of participants/runners, all the people involved, money raised, incidents, accidents, reports, etc.)

∝ Conduct a progress review

(If it is the second time to run your project, you will review the progress made in comparison with the previous run)

∝ Complete evaluation in due course

(I.e., remember to tick all the boxes of you evaluation sheets/forms when you finishes your project).

The above is one of the possible ways of outcome evaluating your All-year Round Projects. For those who would like to dive deeper into Outcome Evaluation of their Play or Run or Vote project, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

Message in French (Message en français)

• Programme de Résilience Financière pour les Ménages – Gros plan du mercredi 01/05/2024 : Stratégies d’Intervention pour les Ménages

Nos travaux sur les actifs financiers détenus par les ménages ou sur les ressources économiques dont disposent les ménages pour les aider à rester résilients face aux chocs se poursuivent. Cette semaine, nous nous penchons sur les Stratégies d’Intervention pour les Ménages, qui constituent le troisième thème de notre Programme de Résilience Financière des Ménages (PRFM).

• • Qu’est-ce qu’une stratégie d’intervention?

Il s’agit d’actions visant à réduire les vulnérabilités financières des membres de la communauté CENFACS et de leurs familles, et à leur donner les moyens de subvenir aux besoins essentiels de leurs ménages. Ces interventions peuvent inclure des coups de pouce à l’épargne, des prêts d’urgence, des aides en espèces, des réclamations d’assurance, etc.

Ces interventions peuvent être à court, moyen et long terme. Le site web «Assetfunders.org» (5) fait valoir que

« L’objectif des interventions à court terme est de fournir un pont pour aider les gens à surmonter le manque à gagner et à se remettre sur la voie de leurs objectifs financiers, mais pas à les exposer à des risques financiers répétés. »

Le programme «Assetfunders.org» prévoit des interventions à court terme qui comprennent quatre options : 1) coussin de sécurité, 2) emprunt, 3) prestations et 4) filet de sécurité.

L’implication d’interventions liées à la résilience peut inclure le travail avec ces ménages sur la façon dont ils peuvent obtenir et dépenser de l’argent, trouver des moyens de constituer une épargne, mettre en place une activité génératrice de revenus, etc.

Veuillez trouver ci-dessous les types de stratégies d’intervention qui peuvent être utilisées pour travailler avec la communauté.

• • Types de stratégies d’intervention

Il s’agit de réévaluer la structure du capital des ménages, de redéfinir les liquidités des ménages et leur risque financier, tout en examinant dans quelle mesure les ménages sont protégés contre les chocs de revenu par leurs actifs financiers (tels que les comptes courants, l’épargne et les investissements) ou d’autres formes de soutien (comme les prestations de l’État, les amis et la famille).

Nous pouvons résumer brièvement chacune de ces interventions.

• • • Réévaluation de la structure du capital des ménages

À l’instar d’une entreprise, la structure du capital des ménages est constituée d’épargne, de dettes et de capitaux propres.

La réévaluation de la structure du capital des ménages consiste à examiner le montant qu’ils détiennent en termes d’actifs (p. ex., pourcentages de liquidités, de valeur nette ou de biens qu’ils possèdent, de placements en actions et en obligations) et de dettes (p. ex., hypothèque). Il s’agit également de les conseiller sur la façon dont ils peuvent construire une structure de capital.

• • • Redéfinition des liquidités des ménages

Il s’agit de réexpliquer aux ménages qu’ils disposent d’argent liquide pour faire face à leurs obligations à court terme et immédiates. Il s’agit également de travailler avec eux pour trouver des actifs qui peuvent être facilement et rapidement convertibles en espèces. Cela implique de calculer leur ratio de liquidité, c’est-à-dire le nombre d’actifs liquides par rapport à l’ensemble des actifs.

• • • Réexpliquer le risque financier du ménage

Le PRFM aide les ménages à éviter les erreurs financières. Prendre des risques financiers disproportionnés peut être l’une des erreurs. Réexpliquer ces risques financiers peut sauver des vies financières.

Parmi les risques, il y a les stratégies financières négatives telles que le recours à des prêts coûteux, l’épuisement ou la faiblesse de l’épargne, la réduction des assurances, etc.

• • • Examen de la protection des ménages contre les chocs de revenu

Le PRFM peut aider les ménages à se protéger contre les chocs de revenu. L’examen de la protection des ménages consiste à examiner comment les ménages peuvent utiliser leurs actifs financiers (tels que les comptes courants, l’épargne et les investissements, les fiducies et les obligations) pour les protéger contre les chocs de revenu.

• • • Recours à d’autres formes de soutien

Le PRFM peut également soutenir les ménages en vérifiant auprès d’eux s’ils ont droit à un soutien de la part des prestations gouvernementales, des employeurs et des organisations bénévoles/caritatives pour les protéger contre le choc de revenu. Cela inclut les programmes de financement participatif, les amis et les familles.

Il est possible de travailler avec les ménages faisant partie de la Communauté CENFACS pour appliquer les stratégies résumées ci-dessus.

• • Travailler avec les ménages sur les stratégies d’intervention

Travailler avec les ménages sur des stratégies financières permet d’éviter des erreurs financières coûteuses. Il y a des raisons de travailler avec eux, surtout s’ils sont pauvres. On sait que les ménages pauvres ont tendance à avoir très peu de biens ou de patrimoine financier, que les dettes excèdent les actifs, que les actifs physiques représentent une proportion beaucoup plus élevée de la richesse globale et que la capacité d’épargner en vue de la retraite est plus faible en raison d’un faible revenu.

Pour toutes ces raisons, le PRFM est l’un des moyens de les aider à naviguer sur leur chemin vers la protection. Cela peut les aider à libérer les liquidités et le fonds de roulement piégés.

Par exemple, si un ménage ne se rend pas compte du type de risque financier qu’il prend en recourant à des stratégies d’adaptation coûteuses, le CENFACS peut travailler avec lui pour trouver une stratégie peu coûteuse pour rester résilient. Dans ce processus de travail avec ce ménage, nous pouvons également discuter de leur ratio de liquidité et de la structure de leur capital.

Ce qui précède est le troisième thème de notre PRFM.

Les ménages qui recherchent des stratégies financières adaptées pour rester résilients peuvent travailler avec le CENFACS.

Pour toute question et/ou demande de renseignements sur le thème des Stratégies d’Intervention pour les Ménages ainsi que sur le Programme de Résilience Financière pour les Ménages (y compris comment accéder à ce programme), n’hésitez pas à contacter le CENFACS.

Main Development

• May 2024 Stories – All in Development Stories: Stories of Systems Reset and Change

The items making the contents of May 2024 Stories include the following:

∝ What is All in Development Stories Project?

∝ May 2024 Stories: Stories of Systems Reset and Change

∝ Story Telling Sequences or Series

∝ Nature-based Solutions inside Your Stories of Systems Reset and Change

∝ AiDS Serial 1: Stories of Changing Mindsets and Seeing Wholes (Starting from Wednesday 01/05/2024)

∝ Further Information about May 2024 Stories.

Let us highlight each of these elements.

• • What Is All in Development Stories Project?

All in Development Stories (AiDS) is a life story building, developing, telling, sharing and learning project set up by CENFACS in 2009 in order to give opportunities to volunteers, interns and other development supporters and enthusiasts to inspire others and spread the good news and will of better change to the community. The project, which is run during the month of May, has five properties as follows:

√ AiDS is a telling and sharing story

It is about telling and sharing with us your experience and achievements made in the fields of local (UK) and International (Africa) developments.

√ AiDS is a learning and development process

It is also about learning from volunteers and interns how they improved their own life, changed deprived lives and reached out to the needy communities. After learning, one can try to develop strengths and better practices to solve problems.

√ AiDS is an inspirational and motivational support network

After all, the project seeks to inspire and motivate others on the road of change for better change; especially for those (who are part of our network and those who would like to be part of it) who might prepare and use their summer break or any other occasions to take up volunteering and or internship roles and positions.

√ AiDS is a building storytelling skills initiative

It helps story tellers to develop skills to tell and supply stories (stories generation) to meet the demand of stories listeners (stories heard) in order to connect those in need to poverty reduction. These stories that connect to poverty reduction can be linear and non-linear as well as deliberately action-oriented.

√ AiDS finally is a state-of-the-art project

It is the art of poverty relief telling story that enables us to get up-to-date information, knowledge and thinking in the fields of poverty reduction and sustainable development from those who went on the grounds to learn and experience real-life development works. They return with volunteering stories to tell and share. As the National Storytelling Network (11) puts it in these terms:

“Storytelling is the interactive art of using words and actions to reveal the elements and images of a story while encouraging the listener’s imagination”.

This year’s storytelling and sharing will be about Stories of System Reset and Change.

• • May 2024 Stories: Stories of System Reset and Change

• • • What are Stories of System Reset and Change?

To understand these stories, it is better to explain system reset and system change.

• • • • What is system reset?

Reset is simply set again (12). It is about bringing something back to its default settings or initial state. In the information technology world, the verb reset is used for computer to mean erasing the entire drive and recreating the factory setup.

According to ‘dictionary.cambridge.com’ (13),

“Reset is the act of returning a piece of equipment to its original settings, usually by turning it off and on again: A hard reset will erase all of the device’s applications”.

Another use of reset can be found during and after the coronavirus disaster when some people spoke about resetting our systems. Amongst the voices that stood up for global resetting was that of Klaus Schwab, the Founder and Executive Chairman of World Economic Forum.

Klaus Schwab (14) spoke about the Great Reset of Our Systems. Schwab meant the revamping of all aspects of our societies and economies, from education to social contracts and working conditions. In his view of resetting our systems, he mentioned seven ways of doing it, which are:

1) shaping the economic recovery 2) harnessing the fourth industrial revolution 3) strengthening regional development 4) revitalizing global cooperation 5) developing sustainable business models 6) restoring the health of the environment and 7) redesigning social contracts, skills and jobs.

From what has been argued about reset, it possible to describe Stories of System Reset.

• • • • What are Stories of System Reset?

System Reset Stories are simply about how people and communities are trying or have tried to bring things back to their default settings or initial state. Following what the World Economic Forum (op. cit.) argues about the four ways of resetting the system, System Reset Stories are:

• the sequencing tales of changing our mindset (Stories of Changing Mindsets)

• the narratives of creating new metrics to reset systems – our poverty reduction system (Stories of Creating Metrics)

• the histories of designing new incentives (Stories of Designing Incentives)

• the tellings of building genuine connections to reset systems – our poverty reduction system (Stories of Building Connections).

In short, System Reset Stories are those of giving tools to direct economic recovery, driving sustainable growth, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement in the process of resetting systems. They are the tales of physical, social, environmental, financial and economic reset of systems.

However, if the current system is no longer fit for the resetting purpose, then there could be a need to change it.

• • • • What is system change?

The World Resources Institute (op. cit.) argues that

The world Resources Institute also contends that there are no linear models or plans to change systems.

Additionally, ‘ssir.org’ (15) explains that

“The work of systems change involves seeing systematically – looking at the elements, interconnections, and wider purposes of systems – and acting systematically. Story plays a vital role in helping us do both of these things. Story has many different qualities that make it useful for the work of systems change”.

• • • • What are Stories of System Change?

System Change Stories are

• the accounts of seeing the whole system rather just its parts (Stories of Seeing Wholes)

• the plots of looking at patterns of change rather than static snapshots (Stories of Looking at Changing Patterns)

• the anecdotes of understanding key interconnections within a system and between systems (Stories of Understanding Interconnections)

• the reports of forming a new system (Stories of Forming Systems).

Briefly speaking, System Change Stories are the says of navigating interdependent webs of systems with complex interconnections and relationships.

Both System Reset and Change Stories will be presented via AiD Story Telling programme.

We are running 4+4 or two-story series of AiD Story Telling programme during this month of May, programme that will revolve around the process of ‘Build Forward Better Together to a Greener, Cleaner, Safer, Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Future’ within the context of Squeezed Household Spending.

For those who want to tell their Stories of Resetting and Changing Systems; they can choose among the following sequences to tell their stories.

• • Story Telling Sequences or Series

AiD Story Telling Series: Starting on 01/05/2024 and after every Wednesday until the end of May 2024

The following two-story series or sequences have been planned for this month of storytelling (May Stories).

σ Serial 1: From Wednesday 01/05/2023: Stories of Changing Mindsets and Seeing Wholes

Stories of Changing Mindsets are the sequencing tales of changing our mindset, while Stories of Seeing Wholes are the accounts of seeing the whole system rather just its parts.

σ Serial 2: From Wednesday 08/05/2024: Stories of Creating Metrics and Looking at Changing Patterns

Stories of Creating Metrics are the narratives of creating new metrics to reset systems – our poverty reduction system, while Stories of Looking at Changing Patterns are the plots of looking at patterns of change rather than static snapshots.

σ Serial 3: From Wednesday 15/05/2024: Stories of Designing Incentives and Understanding Interconnections

Stories of Designing Incentives are the histories of designing new incentives, while Stories of Understanding Interconnections are the anecdotes of understanding key interconnections within a system and between systems.

σ Serial 4: From Wednesday 22/05/2024: Stories of Building Connections and Forming Systems

Stories of Building Connections are the tellings of building genuine connections to reset systems – our poverty reduction system, while Stories Forming Systems are the reports of forming a new system.

Both Systems Reset and Change Stories will help us Build Forward Better Together to a Greener, Cleaner, Safer, Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Future’ within the context of Squeezed Household Spending.

• • Nature-based Solutions inside Your Stories of ‘Build Forward Better Together to a Greener, Cleaner, Safer, Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Future’ within the Context of Squeezed Household Spending

There are many solutions or recipes in order to build forward from the squeezed household spending. In the context of AiD Stories, we would like to hear stories of building forward better using nature-based solutions. What do we mean by nature-based solutions?

There are many ways of defining nature-based solutions. The EU Commission (16) defines nature-based solutions as

“Solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions”.

For those who would like to tell or submit their stories, it will be a good idea to bring out storying aspects of nature-based solutions making part of their stories.

• • AiDS Serial 1: Stories of Changing Mindsets and Seeing Wholes (Starting from Wednesday 01/05/2024)

We have two stories from our two-story model: Stories of Changing Mindsets and Stories of Seeing Wholes. Let us look at each of them.

• • • Stories of Changing Mindsets

To present these stories, let us first try to briefly explain mindset.

• • • • Brief explanation of mindset

Our explanation of it comes from ‘leanscape.io’ (17) which states that

“A mindset is a pattern of thought that allows us to approach change in a certain way”.

Similarly, ‘mindmotionacademy.com’ (18) argues that

“It is not always easy to change your mindset. It can be hard to let go of the old way of thinking that have been a part of you for so long. But if you want to change your life trajectory, it is essential to start by changing your mindset”.

Although these explanations of mindset relate to individuals, they can be applied to systems. To reset systems, one needs to change their mindset whether or not they would like to do it.

The above views about mindset can lead to certain stories.

• • • • Stories of Changing Mindsets

From the above-mentioned views, we have identified four stories of changing our mindset in order to reset systems, our system of poverty reduction. These stories are

a) the transition stories of opening up yourself to new possibilities

b) the storytelling infographics of allowing yourself to explore different options

c) the fables, written or spoken, made of words, voices and tones of considering new opportunities

d) the tales of believing that anything is possible.

If you are a member of our community and have this type of story, please do not hesitate to tell and share your story with CENFACS. If you are not our member, you can still submit your story.

To donate, tell and share your storying gift of Stories of Changing Mindsets, please contact CENFACS.

• • • Stories of Seeing Wholes

These are the stories to do with systems thinking. What is system thinking?

• • • • Short explanation of system thinking

On the website ‘nhselect.nhs.uk’ (19), system thinking is defined as

“A way of changing our mindsets and by looking to see the word a new to better deal with the complexities that we face”.

The same ‘nhselect.nhs.uk’ quotes Peter Senge who argues that

“System think is a discipline for seeing wholes. It is a framework for seeing interrelationships rather than things, for seeing patterns of change rather than static snapshots”.

From this short explanation of system thinking, what are Stories of Seeing Wholes?

• • • • Stories of Seeing Wholes

They are

a) the accounts of seeing the whole system rather just its parts

b) the anecdotes of stressing the interrelationships between components of a system

c) the narratives of unlocking system-level change to change it

d) the records of tones of voice that can influence policy decisions and change the landscape in reducing the incidence of shocks and emergencies on poor people

e) the tales of appeals to increase supportive services to help the people in need.

These stories can be used to communicate the impact of community-led system change work.

For example, these stories can help to know how those involved in community-led systems can change initiatives by telling compelling stories about the nature and impact of their work or how these stories can be used to enable and celebrate community-led systems change work.

If you are a member of our community and have this type of story, please do not hesitate to tell and share your story with CENFACS. If you are not our member, you can still submit your story.

To donate, tell and share your storying gift of Stories of Seeing Wholes, please contact CENFACS.

• • Further Information about May 2024 Stories

• • • 2024 Story Areas of Interest

We normally take stories that cover any areas of poverty reduction and local and international sustainable developments.

• • • Contexts of Stories

Stories could come from any level of project/programme cycle (i.e. planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and review) as long as it is to do with poverty reduction and sustainable development.

They could also be a result of research and field work activities or studies.

They could finally be an experience of everyday life.

• • • Call for 2024 Entries

As said above, the 2024 Edition of AiDS has already kicked off. For those who want to enter their stories of life renewal, please note you are welcome to do so.

Just read below the annotated timetable for story submission and CENFACS’ storytelling terms and conditions.

We await your responses to our call.

• • • Annotated Timetable for Story Submission in 2024

∝ Start of online (e-mail) and paper-based submission (01/05/2024)

∝ Story submission deadline (31/05/2024)

∝ Notification of receipt/acceptance (by 17/06/2024)

∝ Submission of revised stories (01 to 31/05/2024)

• • • Storytelling Check List

Before submitting, please check that your story meets the following:

√ Relatable

√ Relevant

√ Engaging

√ Inspiring

√ Building inclusion

√ Poverty-relieving

• • • CENFACS Story Telling & Sharing Terms

To tell and/or share your May story, please let us know the following:

√ who you are

√ where and when your experience took place

√ and of course the story itself.

You could also

√ text

√ twit

√ record voice/video

√ send some forms of supporting materials/resources to back up your story.

Should you wish not to be name, please let us know your decision.

Please see below our story telling, sharing and learning terms.

• • • CENFACS story telling, sharing and learning terms

1) We welcome told, untold, linear and non-linear stories

2) Inside, witness, news, behind the scenes and case stories are eligible

3) We only take real life stories, not fiction stories or fake news

4) Tell true and evidence-based stories only, not lies

5) If possible, back up your stories with facts and data (numerical or textual or voice or video or even infographics)

6) Mention location, dates and names of events in the story

7) We accept photos, images, pictures, videos, info-graphic materials, audios and other forms of resources (e.g. digital or e- technologies) to support, capture and communicate the impact of your story

8) Plagiarism, prohibited, offensive, violation of copyrights and unlawful/illegal materials are not accepted

9) Hacking, flaming, spamming, scamming, ransom ware, phishing and trolling practices are not accepted as well

10) We greatly consider stories building on inclusion, inspiring people to change, containing poverty-relieving elements and highlighting nature-based solutions to poverty and hardships.

For further clarification, contact CENFACS.

Tell and share your storyline of change for change by communicating the impact you make!

CENFACS is looking forward to engaging with you through your story. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to CENFACS at facs@cenfacs.org.uk.

_________

• References

(1) https://www.civicus.org/monitoring-toolkits/toolkit/impact-story/ (Accessed in May 2023)

(2) https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/08/building-blocks-of-the-great-reset/ (accessed in March 2024)

(3) https://www.wri.org/insights/systems-change-how-to-top-6-questions-answered (accessed in April 2024)

(4) https://poverty.ucdavis.edu/sites/main/files/file-attachments/policy_brief_stevens_poverty_transitions_1.pdf (accessed in April 2024)

(5) https://assetfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/Measuring_Financial_Resilience_AFN_2021_Single_1.13.21.pdf (accessed in April 2024)

(6) https://www.cbd.int/article/cop15-press-release-final-19dec2022 (Accessed in May 2023)

(7) https://wwf.panda.org/discover/knowledge_hub/where_we_work/black_sea_basin/danube_carpathian/our_solutions/green_economy/pes/ (accessed in April 2024)

(8) Allen, A. & May, C. (2007), Setting Up For Success – A practical guide for community organisations, Community Development Foundation, London (Great Britain)

(9) web.undp.org/evaluation/documents/guidance/UNDP_Guidance_on_Outcome-Level%20_Evaluation_2011.pdf (accessed in April 2024)

(10) https://www.evalcommunity.com/career-centre/outcome-evaluation/ (accessed in April 2024),

(11) https://storynet.org/what-is-storytelling/ (Accessed in May 2023)

(12) https://www.thefreedictionary.com/reset (accessed in April 2024)

(13) https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/reset (accessed in April 2024)

(14) https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/06/now-is-the-time-for-a-great-reset/ (accessed in April 2024)

(15) https://ssir.org/articles/entry/using_story_to_change_systems# (accessed in April 2024)

(16) https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/environment/nature-based-solutions_en (Accessed in May 2023)

(17) https://leanscape.io/change-management-mindset/ (accessed in April 2024)

(18) https://mindmotionacademy.com/what-is-mindset-and-why-is-it-important? (accessed in April 2024)

(19) https://www.nhselect.nhs.uk/uploads/files/1/what%20is%20system%20thinking.pdf (accessed in April 2024)

_________

• Help CENFACS Keep the Poverty Relief Work Going this Year

We do our work on a very small budget and on a voluntary basis. Making a donation will show us you value our work and support CENFACS’ work, which is currently offered as a free service.

One could also consider a recurring donation to CENFACS in the future.

Donate to support CENFACS!

FOR ONLY £1, YOU CAN SUPPORT CENFACS AND CENFACS’ NOBLE AND BEAUTIFUL CAUSES OF POVERTY REDUCTION.

JUST GO TO: Support Causes – (cenfacs.org.uk)

Thank you for visiting CENFACS website and reading this post.

Thank you as well to those who made or make comments about our weekly posts.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits and continuing support throughout 2024 and beyond.

With many thanks.

Permalink

Charity Trade, Investment and Poverty Reduction in Africa

Posted by ctsh@in2015 on April 24, 2024 in Uncategorized

Welcome to CENFACS’ Online Diary!

24 April 2024

Post No. 349

The Week’s Contents

• FACS Issue No. 83 of Spring 2024 Titled as Charity Trade, Investment and Poverty Reduction in Africa

• Burundi’s Flood Victims Ask for Your Aid

• Financial Resilience Programme for Households – In Focus for Wednesday 24/04/2024: Households’ Liquid Assets

…And much more!

Key Messages

• FACS Issue No. 83 of Spring 2024 Titled as Charity Trade, Investment and Poverty Reduction in Africa

The 83rd Issue of FACS is about trade and investment run by Africa-based Sister Charitable Organisations to help reduce poverty and hardships amongst those in need. It also includes trading activities carried out by the members or beneficiaries of these organisations, who are engaged in trade to reduce poverty or simply to make ends meet. Amongst these people are those poor who cross borders on a daily basis to sell goods and services to make ends meet. The 83rd Issue of FACS focus on these organisations and individuals selling goods and services for the purpose of coming out poverty.

The 83rd Issue of FACS inspects contemporary theories of trade and the space they provide to explain trade in the charitable and voluntary sector, particularly in Africa. Far from being a simple theoretical account of these theories or models, the 83rd Issue of FACS aims at providing the justifications or cases for trade within the charitable and voluntary worlds. One of these justifications comes from International Trade Council (1) which argues that

“Economic growth spurred by international trade can directly contribute to poverty reduction. As countries export goods and services, they not only generate income but also create employment opportunities, which can uplift people out of poverty”.

The 83rd Issue of FACS deals with intra-regional trade carried out by Africa’s charities and how this trade is helping to reduce poverty. As a treaty of intra-regional trade, the 83rd Issue of FACS envisages cases of trade within the region of Africa and the space given by African Continental Free Trade Area with all the advantages and disadvantages that area contains. In doing so, the 83rd Issue of FACS does not undermine the value of trade conducted beyond Africa’s borders.

The 83rd Issue of FACS is a story of trade creation, rather than trade diversion, in order to reduce poverty and enhance sustainable development. From this perspective, the 83rd Issue of FACS is an illustration of how Africa-based Trade Charitable Organisations are trying to capture the window of opportunities provided by a free trade regime to reduce poverty in various sectors of human empowerment.

In practical terms, the 83rd Issue of FACS is a handy piece of work explaining how poor and vulnerable beneficiaries are trying to create usable means to live off and push poverty away. To push poverty away via trade, these beneficiaries need trade skills. So, investing in these beneficiaries to acquire or improve these skills has been dealt within the 83rd Issue of FACS, just as the transmission and sharing of trade skills.

Key summaries and highlights of the 83rd Issue of FACS are given under the Main Development section of this post.

• Burundi’s Flood Victims Ask for Your Aid

This is an appeal to light a blaze of hope for those who have been affected by El Niño in Burundi. Indeed, El Niño has severely impacted the Lake Tanganyika with landslides, heavy rains, and violent winds, according to the information received from Burundian local sources.

In addition to this information, ‘reliefweb.int’ (2) explains that

“Since 13 March 2024, the water level of Lake Tanganyika has risen by 776.76 meters, exceeding the normal level by 1.76 meters, making the most severe increase in sixty years. The rising waters of Lake Tanganyika have impacted 10 communes across 4 provinces affecting all households in the vicinity”.

The website ‘relief.int’ also presents the following list of damages as a result of El Niño:

∝ Nearly 1, 344 houses have been flooded

∝ 300 houses have been threatened with 34 households displaced

∝ More than 300 Ha of fields in Bujumbura have been damaged

∝ 65 Ha of fields have been damaged around the disaster

∝ Road from Bujumbura to the Democratic Republic of Congo has been damaged.

The cartography of the damages is also given by the local people and the victims themselves who argue the following:

∝ 200,000 people have been affected by the effects of El Niño phenomenon

∝ 20, 000 people have been left homeless

∝ 40,000 hectares of crops have been washed away

∝ 29,000 class rooms have been severely damaged in towns bordering the Lake Tanganyika.

As a result of these damages, there are many threats like of spread of epidemics, hunger, malnutrition, poor sanitation, lack of safe drinking water, etc.

Yet, it is possible to help limit the life-threatening and -destroying damages of the El Niño phenomenon on the Burundians. It is practically feasible to mitigate the adverse impacts of bad weather and natural catastrophes (like rising lake level) caused by El Niño.

You can support the Flood Victims of Burundi who Need Lighting a Blaze of Hope.

You can Light up a Blaze of Hope for them.

You can also donate £5 or more since the needs are urgent and pressing. Through this appeal and your support, CENFACS aims to reach the Flood Victims in Burundi.

You support will help

√ alleviate the suffering of the El Niño-affected communities

√ reduce the side effects of the chaos brought by El Niño

√ respond to the flood victims’ need of food, shelter, safe drinking water, clean sanitation, health and education.

These flood victims need your life-saving humanitarian response right now.

To donate or light a blaze of hope, please get in touch with CENFACS.

• Financial Resilience Programme for Households – In Focus for Wednesday 24/04/2024: Households’ Liquid Assets

This week, we are carrying on the work on financial asset holdings of households or economic resources that households possess to help them stay resilient against shocks, like financial crisis that affect financial assets and other values.

To start this second theme of our Financial Resilience Programme for Households (FRPHs), theme which is Households’ Liquid Assets, we are going to briefly explain the meanings of households’ liquid assets.

Since one of the objectives of this programme is to help reduce liquid asset poverty, we are going to elucidate what this type of poverty means. Then, we will illustrate how households’ liquid assets can contribute to their financial resilience, and how CENFACS can work with them regarding liquid assets matter.

• • What Are Household Liquid Assets?

To understand household liquid assets, one may need to first know the meaning of asset.

The definition of asset used here comes from Ford in 2004, quoted by Caroline Moser (3). This definition is:

“An asset is identified as a stock of financial, human, natural or social resources that can be acquired, developed, improved and transferred across generations. It generates flows or consumption, as well as additional stock”. (p. 5)

The concept of asset can include tangible and intangible ones. Assets can also be aspirational, psychological, productive, political, environmental, etc. However, what we are interested in is liquid assets. What are liquid assets?

According to ‘sapling.com’ (4),

“Household liquid assets are its cash and equity assets. These assets include the cash that you have on hand in the household, plus any bank accounts, retirement accounts, certificates of deposit, and saving bonds or other bonds you own. Equity assets also include the cash value of any life insurance you own”.

Focussing on the conversion and speed properties of these assets, the website ’embracehomeloans.com’ (5) speaks about their ease of conversion into cash and the speed at which they can be sold or traded without any significant loss of values. For this website, liquid assets – which are equal fast, easy access to cash – include: savings accounts, stocks, bonds, and shares of company which can be easily sold (liquidated) and converted into cash, annual tax refund.

The understanding of these assets provides the basis for dealing with poverty linked to them. In other words, households that do not have these assets can be considered as liquid asset poor.

• • What Is Asset-based Poverty?

There are many ways of defining it. Using the definition given Carlotta Balestra (6),

“A household/individual is asset-poor whenever their wealth holdings are not sufficient to secure them a given standard of living for a certain, usually short, period of time”.

The study conducted by Carlotta Balestra under the auspices of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development differentiates income from assets, as well as distinguishes asset-based poverty from net worth poverty.

The definition of asset-based poverty and what it measures will help in studying the household net worth of CENFACS’ members, as well as to work out the percentage of these households or individuals in our community experiencing income and/or liquid asset poverty.

• • Contributions of Liquid Assets to Households’ Financial Resilience

Liquid assets like cash, savings, accounts deposits, money market funds, government bonds, etc. can contribute to households’ financial resilience in time of financial crisis or income shock. Unfortunately, many low income families or households may not be able to have enough or lack liquid assets to face these crises or shocks. For many of them, what they earn or receive as income from one hand goes away to the other hand as expenses, without having the possibility to retain some of this income as liquid asset. They end up with nothing to keep as liquid assets.

This is why it is important to work with them on liquid assets as part of FRPHs and the Month of Protection within CENFACS, so that they can understand how it is life-saving to have liquid assets for your financial resilience and what can be done to create liquid assets.

• • Working with Households on Liquid Assets

Working with household on liquid assets is about operationalising the above-mentioned definitions. It is also about using an asset-based approach to poverty reduction by focussing on assets vulnerabilities, capabilities and endowments. It is further about developing policies (including advice, information, guidance services, etc.) to address the impacts of shocks by focussing on the assets and entitlements of these households.

For example, if liquid asset poverty is high for a particular household making our community, we can work with this household to address this issue so that when a crisis or shock appears this household could be ready to face it. In this process of working this household, we can as well discuss their reserve target/policy.

The above is the second theme of our FRPHs .

Those households that are struggling to have liquid assets in order to stay resilient, they can work with CENFACS.

For any queries and/or enquiries about the theme of Liquid Assets for Households as well as Financial Resilience Programme for Households (including how to access this programme), please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

Extra Messages

• Protection Key Note 4 for Week Beginning 22/04/2024: Consumer Protection

• Supporting Networking and Protection against Poverty in 2024

• All-year Round Projects Cycle (Triple Value Initiatives Cycle) – Step/Workshop 10: Terminating Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

• Protection Key Note 4 for Week Beginning 22/04/2024: Consumer Protection

The last key note of our approach to protection from the perspective of spending/expenses/expenditures is on Consumer Protection. To compose this note, let us explain consumer protection and how CENFACS can work with its community on this matter. Since this is the last note, we shall as well deliver our final thought on theme of Spending Protection, theme of the Month of Protection.

• • What Is Consumer Protection?

To explain it, let us refer to what ‘aseanconsumer.org’ (7) argues about it, which is

“Consumer protection safeguards the well-being and interests of consumers through education, mobilization, and representation. Consumer protection ensures that consumers make well-informed decision about their choices and have access to effective redress mechanism”.

From the perspective of this note, consumer protection will be approached from the consumer side rather than from what consumer laws tell businesses what are their customer rights. From our point of view, it means working with the members of our community (here made by consumers) on their consumer protection or rights.

• • Working with the CENFACS Community Members on Consumer Protection

It is about making sure that consumer protection system designed for them work for them. It means that they too can play their part in the system.

Therefore, working with them includes:

√ ensuring that they are informed about their rights

√ accepting to play the rule of the game as an informed consumer

√ informing them about consumer associations that can help them

√ playing their part in consumer protection system

√ guiding them to areas of consumer policies, laws and regulations so that they do not loose money through their spending because of the lack of protection

√ explaining them the guarantee that businesses provide regarding the quality of their products and services

√ discussing with them the tools protecting their consumption

√ enhancing their knowledge in the areas of consumer protection

√ securing redress actions with them if required

etc.

The above are just some of ways CENFACS could support the community regarding consumer protection. These support services or products make up our financial guidance service relating to consumer protection.

• • Final Thought on Spending Production

Dealing with poverty as basic expenditure insufficiency or poverty linked to the lack of spending protection is more than just resolving the problem of transferring consumption or purchasing power to those in need at a particular time of the history. It is mostly about restoring and sustaining the human right relating to essential spending. It means removing all the barriers stepping in the way of these people and their future generations so that they can enjoy freedom from poor or the lack of basic consumption.

Those who need help and support about financial guidance on spending protection and/or for any of the matters listed above falling within our capacity or relating to the Protection Month, they can contact CENFACS.

• Supporting Networking and Protection against Poverty in 2024

The Month of Protection within CENFACS is also a giving one towards protection. It is the month of supporting CENFACS’ Networking and Protection Project. To support this project, one may need to understand it.

• • What Is CENFACS’ Networking and Protection Project?

It is a child poverty reduction initiative designed to help and support the vulnerably poor children from HARMS, THREATS and RISKS from any forms of exploitation, neglect and abuse in Africa. The project helps and supports them through the improvement of the flow of information, knowledge development, self-help activities, the increase and diversification of opportunities and chances together with and on behalf of these children.

One can back this project by Supporting Networking and Protection against Poverty in 2024.

• • What Supporting Networking and Protection against Poverty in 2024 Is about

It is about the following:

√ Improving the flow of information with and amongst the vulnerable people and communities for poverty relief

√ Preventing and responding to any forms of vulnerability threats and risks coming from close and global environments by using protection tools at our disposal

√ Re-empowering the vulnerable by increasing and diversifying opportunities and strengths amongst them.

• • What Your Support Can Achieve

It will help

√ To raise awareness and improve the circulation and dissemination of information for poverty reduction and vulnerability relief

√ To prevent human exploitation (particularly child exploitation) and respond to child protection and safeguarding issues

√ To re-empower and re-strengthen poor people and communities’ capacities and capabilities to protect young generations

√ To widen and diversify opportunities to the vulnerable to escape from poverty

√ To develop a well-informed base to reduce information gap and other types of vulnerabilities linked to the lack of networking, interconnectedness and protection.

• • How to Support Networking and Protection against Poverty in 2024

You can DONATE, PLEDGE AND MAKE A GIFT AID DECLARATION of any amount as a way of supporting Networking and Protection against Poverty in 2024.

To donate, gift aid and or support differently, please contact CENFACS.

You can donate

*over phone

*via email

*through text

*by filling the contact form on this site.

On receipt of your intent to donate or donation, CENFACS will contact you. However, should you wish your support to remain anonymous; we will respect your wish.

• All-year Round Projects Cycle (Triple Value Initiatives Cycle) – Step/Workshop 10: Terminating Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

There are various reasons that can lead to project termination. ‘Taskmanagementguide.com’ (8) states that

“Failure and success are two basic reasons for terminating projects”.

The same ‘taskmanagementguide.com’ explains that success happens when project goals and objectives are accomplished on time and under budget, while failure occurs when project requirements are not met.

The above reasons for project termination can be related to the types of project termination to a certain degree; types which could be termination by addition or by integration or by starvation. In the end, what is project termination?

• • Defining Project Termination

There are similarities in the definition of project termination. To simplify the matter, let us refer to the definition of ‘taskmanagementguide.com’, which is

“Project termination is a situation when a given project is supposed to be closed or finalised because there’s no more need or sense for further continuation”.

Similarly, Project Management Institute (9) argues that

“Projects by definition are time bound, and must terminate”.

However, to effectively finalise a project, one needs to follow project closure procedures.

Let us follow project closure procedures to close out one of our all-year-round projects.

• • Example of Terminating Your All-year Round Projects: Case of Play Project

Realistically speaking, any of your All-year Round Projects close out just a week before 23/12/2024. As explained above, there is a procedure for terminating them. This procedure can be simple or complex depending on project.

Let say, you want to finalise your Play Project. To do that, we are going to use a 8-step model of terminating a project as provided by ‘taskmanagementguide.com’ (op. cit.)

• • • Terminating Your Play All-year Round Project

To terminate your Play Project, you need proceed with the following:

a) Close any agreements you made with any third parties

(e.g., if you borrow materials from the library to research on poverty reduction performance of African countries, you need to close the given borrowing agreement by returning the materials, which can be a book, video, tape, etc.)

b) Handover responsibilities and accountabilities

(i.e., transfer assignments to your play mates)

c) If you have been playing with friends and family members, you will dismiss them

d) Release the resources used

(e.g., returning books to the lending library)

e) If you open a project book to record your results and accounts, you need to close it

f) Record and report your lessons learnt and experiences

g) Accept or reject your result which in this case should be the best African Country Poverty Reducer of 2024

h) Share your result with the community and CENFACS by 23/12/2024.

The above is one of the possible ways of terminating your All-year Round Projects.

For those who would like to dive deeper into Terminating their Play or Run or Vote project, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

Message in French (Message en français)

• Programme de Résilience Financière des Ménages – Gros plan du mercredi 24/04/2024 : Les Liquidités des Ménages

Cette semaine, nous poursuivons nos travaux sur les actifs financiers détenus par les ménages ou sur les ressources économiques dont disposent les ménages pour les aider à rester résilients face aux chocs, comme les crises financières qui affectent les actifs financiers et d’autres valeurs.

Pour débuter ce deuxième thème de notre Programme de Résilience Financière des Ménages (PRFM), qui est les Liquidités des Ménages, nous allons vous expliquer brièvement la signification des Liquidités des Ménages. Étant donné que l’un des objectifs de ce programme est de contribuer à réduire la pauvreté en liquidités, nous allons élucider ce que cela signifie. Ensuite, nous montrerons comment les liquidités des ménages peuvent contribuer à leur résilience financière, et comment le CENFACS peut travailler avec eux sur les actifs liquides.

• • Qu’est-ce qu’un actif liquide pour les ménages?

Pour comprendre les liquidités des ménages, il faut peut-être d’abord connaître la signification du mot « actif ».

Caroline Moser (3) cite Ford qui affirmait en 2004 que

« Un actif est identifié comme un stock de ressources financières, humaines, naturelles ou sociales qui peuvent être acquises, développées, améliorées et transmises d’une génération à l’autre. Elle génère des flux ou des consommations, ainsi que des stocks supplémentaires ». » (p. 5)

La notion d’actif peut inclure des actifs tangibles et immatériels. Les actifs peuvent également être ambitieux, psychologiques, productifs, politiques, environnementaux, etc. Cependant, ce qui nous intéresse, ce sont les actifs liquides.

Les liquidités des ménages sont, selon le « sapling.com (4),

« Leurs liquidités et capitaux propres. Ces actifs comprennent l’argent que vous avez en main dans le ménage, ainsi que les comptes bancaires, les comptes de retraite, les certificats de dépôt et les obligations d’épargne ou autres obligations que vous possédez.

Les capitaux propres comprennent également la valeur de rachat de toute assurance-vie que vous détenez.

En se concentrant sur les propriétés de conversion et de rapidité de ces actifs, le site Web « embracehomeloans.com » (5) parle de leur facilité de conversion en espèces et de la rapidité avec laquelle ils peuvent être vendus ou échangés sans perte de valeur significative. Pour ce site, les actifs liquides – qui sont synonymes d’un accès rapide et facile à l’argent liquide – comprennent : les comptes d’épargne, les actions, les obligations et les actions de la société qui peuvent être facilement vendues (liquidé) et converti en espèces, remboursement d’impôt annuel.

La compréhension de ces actifs constitue la base pour faire face à la pauvreté qui y est liée. En d’autres termes, les ménages qui ne disposent pas de ces actifs peuvent être considérés comme pauvres en liquidités.

• • Qu’est-ce que la pauvreté fondée sur les actifs?

Il existe de nombreuses façons de le définir. En reprenant la définition donnée par Carlotta Balestra (6),

« Un ménage ou un individu est pauvre en actifs lorsque son patrimoine n’est pas suffisant pour lui assurer un niveau de vie donné pendant une certaine période, généralement courte. »

L’étude menée par Carlotta Balestra sous les auspices de l’Organisation de Coopération et de Développement Economique (OCDE) établit une distinction entre le revenu et le patrimoine, ainsi que la pauvreté fondée sur le patrimoine de la pauvreté liée à la valeur nette.

La définition de la pauvreté fondée sur les actifs et ce qu’elle mesure aideront à étudier la valeur nette des ménages de nos membres, ainsi qu’à déterminer le pourcentage de ces ménages ou personnes de notre communauté qui vivent dans une pauvreté en matière de revenu et/ou d’actifs liquides.

• • Contribution des liquidités à la résilience financière des ménages

Les actifs liquides tels que les liquidités, l’épargne, les dépôts sur les comptes, les fonds du marché monétaire, les obligations d’État, etc. peuvent contribuer à la résilience financière des ménages en cas de crise financière ou de choc des revenus. Malheureusement, de nombreuses familles ou ménages à faible revenu peuvent ne pas avoir suffisamment d’actifs liquides ou manquer de liquidités pour faire face à ces crises ou à ces chocs. Pour beaucoup d’entre eux, ce qu’ils gagnent ou reçoivent comme revenu d’une part, part de l’autre part en tant que dépenses. Ils se retrouvent sans rien à conserver en tant qu’actifs liquides.

C’est pourquoi il est important de travailler avec eux sur les actifs liquides dans le cadre des PRFM et du Mois de la Protection au sein du CENFACS afin qu’ils puissent comprendre pourquoi il est vital d’avoir des actifs liquides pour leur résilience financière et ce qui peut être fait pour créer des actifs liquides.

• • Travailler avec les ménages sur les actifs liquides

Travailler avec les ménages sur les actifs liquides, c’est opérationnaliser les définitions mentionnées ci-dessus. Il s’agit également d’utiliser une approche de réduction de la pauvreté fondée sur les actifs, en mettant l’accent sur les vulnérabilités, les capacités et les dotations des actifs. Il s’agit en outre d’élaborer des politiques (y compris des services des conseils, de l’information, des orientations, etc.) pour faire face aux impacts des chocs en mettant l’accent sur les actifs et les droits de ces ménages.

Par exemple, si la pauvreté en liquidités est élevée pour un ménage particulier qui fait partie de notre communauté, nous pouvons travailler avec ce ménage pour résoudre ce problème afin qu’en cas de crise ou de choc, ce ménage puisse être prêt à faire face. Dans ce processus de travail avec ce ménage, nous pouvons également discuter de leur politique de réserve.

Ce qui précède est le deuxième thème de notre PRFM.

Les ménages qui ont du mal à avoir des liquidités pour rester résilients peuvent travailler avec le CENFACS.

Pour toute question et/ou demande de renseignements sur le thème des Liquidités pour les Ménages ainsi que sur le Programme de Résilience Financière pour les Ménages (y compris comment accéder à ce programme), n’hésitez pas à contacter le CENFACS.

Main Development

• FACS Issue No. 83 of Spring 2024 Titled as Charity Trade, Investment and Poverty Reduction in Africa

The contents and key summaries of the 83rd Issue of FACS are given below.

• • Contents and Pages

I. Key Terms Relating to the 83rd Issue of FACS (Page 2)

II. Members of CENFACS Who May Be Interested in the News about Charity Trade and Investment (Page 2)

III. Relationship between Charity Trade and Poverty Reduction, between Charity Investment and Poverty Reduction (Page 3)

IV. Relationship between Trade and Conflict Reduction (Page 3)

V. Tackling Skills Gap in Trade in Africa (Page 4)

VI. Informal Sector Trade Skills Development in Africa (Page 4)

VII. Protection et aide à la prise en compte de la dimension de genre du commerce effectué par les commerçantes pauvres en Afrique (Page 5)

VIII. L’entrepreneuriat féminin et la réduction de la pauvreté intergénérationnelle en Afrique (Page 5)

IX. Les petites et moyennes activités des femmes pour sortir de la pauvreté (Page 6)

X. Les femmes aident les organisations sœurs de la CENFACS basées en Afrique par le biais de micro-activités commerciales (Page 6)

XI. Survey, Testing Hypotheses, E-questionnaire and E-discussion on Charity Trade and Investment (Page 7)

XII. Support, Tool and Metrics, Information and Guidance on Trade and Investment (Page 8)

XIII. Workshop, Focus Group and Booster Activity about Charity Trading, Investment and Poverty Reduction (Page 9)

XIV. Giving and Project (Page 10)

• • Key Summaries

Please find below the key summaries of the 83rd Issue of FACS from page 2 to page 10.

• • • Key Terms Relating to the 83rdIssue of FACS (Page 2)

There are three terms used in the context of this Issue of FACS. These terms are charity trading, charity investment and poverty reduction. Let us briefly explain these key terms.

• • • • Charity Trading

To explain this term, we are referring to what the Scottish Charity Regular says about trading. According the Scottish Charity Regular (10),

“Trading usually involves the sale of goods or services for the purpose of making a profit. Trading can be carried out directly by the charity, if it has the power in its governing document. In some cases, it is advisable that any trading is carried out by a trading subsidiary”.

From the point of view of the same Scottish Charity Regular, trading can be primary or ancillary or non-primary. Primary purpose trading helps advance the charity’s purpose (e.g., providing residential accommodation in return for fees). Ancillary purpose trading compliments charitable purposes (e.g., sale of drinks and foods at charity events). Non-primary purpose trading provides an income to support charitable activity (e.g., selling calendars to raise funds for the charity).

So, by following charity trading regulatory rules, trading is possible for charities. Charity trade can help to back charities’ mission and charity objects like the reduction of poverty. For example, according to ‘charityretail.org.uk’ (11),

“Profit contribution of charity retail to parent charities was £387 million between 2022 and 2023. Social value generated by UK charity shops was £75.3 billion between January and December 2022”.

• • • • Charity Investment

Again, according to the Scottish Charity Regular (12),

“An investment is intended to generate a return – to give something back to the person or organisation that owns it. In a charity context, investments are charity assets used to help the charity deliver its charitable purposes”.

Investments can bring the following: financial return (income), capital growth, social or environmental return, and so on. It is not a surprise if Charities Aid Foundation (13) argues that

“Investing can make the most of your long-term funds and protect your charity’s money against the impact of inflation. Investments may generate better returns than holding cash in the bank, so there is potential to grow your money and expand in the future”.

As the ‘charityintelligence.co.uk’ (14) explains in its ‘The Charity Intelligence Investment Fund Quarterly Review’, charities can have capital return and earn income from their investment in terms of mixed assets funds, UK equity funds, global equity funds, fixed interest funds, property and cash funds.

Briefly speaking, charities can trade and invest under charity laws, which need to be followed and complied with. In other words, a charity that would like to trade and/or invest needs to first check what the charity laws say in its area of operation.

• • • • Poverty Reduction

To understand poverty reduction, there could be a need to know poverty. John Scott and Gordon Marshall (15) sociologically explain that

“Poverty is a state in which resources, usually material but sometimes cultural, are lacking” (p. 588).

Poverty reduction is thus any measure or effort to decrease this state in which resources are lacking.

Looking at poverty reduction from the monetary perspective, Y. A. Bununu (16) thinks that

“Poverty reduction can be considered as the improvement of an individual’s or group’s monetary expenditure to an amount above the poverty line while improving access to education, healthcare, information, economic opportunities, security of land-tenure, all the other deprivations associated with it”.

Taking a historical and intertemporal view of poverty reduction, the website ‘borgenproject.org’ (17) argues that poverty reduction is evolving concept. It evolves from a simple to complex concept throughout the time to mean the following:

σ financial contributions to governments of poverty-stricken nations

σ achieving the goal of lifting as many people above the poverty line as possible

σ the extended relief programmes and education programmes focusing on sustainability in target communities.

The goalposts of poverty reduction keep moving depending on the types of hardship people face at a particular time of the history.

The above-named definitions shape the contents of the 83rd Issue of FACS. They also provide some indication about the types of audiences the contents of this Issue may be interested in.

• • • Members of CENFACS Who May Be Interested in the News about Charity Trade and Investment (Page 2)

Among the people with whom CENFACS work and who may be interested in charity trading and/or investing in our noble and beautiful cause of reducing poverty include the following:

√ Those who would like to feed their families through trade

√ Those wanting to make ends meet or reduce poverty via trade

√ Those who would like to raise funds for CENFACS‘ noble and beautiful cause via trading

√ Africa-based Sister Organisations engaged in or planning to trade and invest to help reduce poverty in Africa

√ Those seeking trade skills to reduce poverty

√ Those who see trade as a potential way of reducing conflicts that adversely affect poor people

√ Investment and fund managers of Africa’s charities

√ Those planning to impact invest in the poor people’s idea to trade

√ Those aiming at tackling skills gap in trade for good causes

√ Those looking to reduce gender gaps in trade and investment

√ Project beneficiaries engaged or planning to trade for CENFACS‘ noble and beautiful cause of poverty reduction

Etc.

All the above-mentioned persons (physical or moral) can find some interesting information in the 83rd Issue regarding their trading and investment plans or projects. They may also want to know if there is any relationship between charity and poverty reduction, between charity investment and poverty reduction.

• • • Relationship between Charity Trade and Poverty Reduction, between Charity Investment and Poverty Reduction (Page 3)

The findings from many studies conducted on these relationship issues tend to suggest that there could be a link between charity trade and poverty reduction, an association between charity investment and poverty reduction.

For example, the World Economic Forum (18) argues that

“Open trade is particularly beneficial to the poor, because it reduces the cost of what they buy and raises the price of what they sell”.

This can be true for charity trade as well.

Equally, the British International Investment (19), which provides some studies on the relationship between investment and the rate of poverty reduction, states that

“Higher rates of private investment are associated with faster poverty reduction”.

Private investment in charities can have similar effects.

However, to prove that there is a positive relationship between charity trade and poverty reduction, or charity investment and poverty reduction, one may need to statistically conduct a correlation test with data in hands. Statements are not enough to prove this sort of relationships.

• • • Relationship between Trade and Conflict Reduction (Page 3)

Trade can help to reduce conflicts between people, between neighbours.

For example, if young unemployed people learn to trade and engage in trade, there could be chance that they would not be recruited into armed movements (like what is happening in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo) and criminal gangs or being candidates for illicit activities such as natural resources trafficking which could exacerbate poverty where these resources are illicitly taken.

In this respect, trade can help reduce the possibility of conflicts and wars in Africa, which can decrease the probability of increased poverty. Again, one needs statistical evidence with data to back whatever they are saying.

• • • Tackling Skills Gap in Trade in Africa (Page 4)

Many poor beneficiaries can succeed or manage to set up income-generating activity to feed their nuclear family and the rest of their extended family. However, there is still a challenge as many of them lack certain critical skills to scape up their trade to deliver poverty reduction on a large scale. Many of them fail to develop scalable economies in their trading models.

Special attention can be paid to both soft and hard skills like marketing, communication, digital skills, etc. to tackle skills gap in trade in Africa. Tackling them can help enhance poverty reduction in Africa. There is a number of skills that poor traders need in order to improve their trading capacity and capability. Amongst these skills are the ones we have just mentioned above plus the following ones: analytical, market research, marketing, focus, record keeping, communication skills, etc.

• • • Informal Sector Trade Skills Development in Africa (Page 4)

In 2014, ‘adeanet.org’ (20) found that

“In Africa, the majority of workers in micro and small enterprises learn their trade on the job in the informal sector rather than in the formal technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector”.

Yet, providing the entire spectrum of skills training in the form technical and vocational skills development for sustainable trade profession to those engaged in trade can increase and improve the way they trade.

Although, what ‘adeanet.org’ found was 10 years ago, it is still happening today in Africa. Knowing the large size of the informal sector in Africa, there is a great need to train these workers who would like to engage in trade if one wants to further reduce poverty in Africa.

• • • Protection et aide à la prise en compte de la dimension de genre du commerce effectué par les commerçantes pauvres en Afrique (Page 5)

Dans les zones d’opération de nos organisations sœurs basées en Afrique, on remarque qu’il y a beaucoup de femmes qui font du commerce pour joindre les deux bouts. Mais, elles rencontrent de nombreux défis et problèmes. Bien qu’il soit difficile de saisir l’ampleur des flux de commerce informel (à la fois intrafrontalier et transfrontalier), il est possible de protéger et d’aider ces femmes. Pour les protéger et les aider, il peut s’agir de:

√ Les aider à participer efficacement aux négociations commerciales

√ Leur donner les moyens d’analyser les questions liées au commerce (comme les programmes de financement pour passer à l’échelle)

√ Les accompagner dans la diversification de leur modèle commercial

√ Éliminer les obstacles qui empêchent les femmes de participer au commerce

√ Améliorer leur capacité à commercer

√ Lutter contre la violence fondée sur le genre dans le commerce

√ Leur fournir une infrastructure pour qu’ils puissent commercer comme des étals sur une place de marché

√ Mettre fin à toute forme de harcèlement, y compris de la part des agents du fisc ou des policiers.

√ Améliorer brièvement les conditions et le statut de ces femmes commerçantes.

Ce qui précède n’est que quelques exemples de moyens de protéger et d’aider ces femmes à s’engager dans le commerce. et si l’on veut prendre en compte de la dimension de genre du commerce effectué par les commerçantes pauvres.

• • • L’entrepreneuriat féminin et la réduction de la pauvreté intergénérationnelle en Afrique (Page 5)

L’entreprenariat féminin en Afrique est souhaité et désiré par les femmes elles-mêmes. Il est également soutenu par ONU Femmes (21) à travers ses activités de réforme et de diffusion des lois qui sont bénéfiques pour l’entrepreneuriat féminin. Cela est particulièrement vrai pour les femmes issues de milieux pauvres qui s’engagent dans des activités génératrices de revenus pour subvenir aux besoins de leur famille.

Ces opérations et activités leur permettront de sortir du secteur informel et de la pauvreté. Cela profitera non seulement à ces femmes, mais aussi à leurs familles et à leur progéniture. Cette sortie peut également avoir des effets bénéfiques en termes de réduction de la pauvreté intergénérationnelle.

Car l’histoire regorge d’exemples où le commerce passe des parents à leurs enfants et petits-enfants. Si le transfert est bien assuré et réussi, il peut éviter une histoire de pauvreté intergénérationnelle.

• • • Les petites et moyennes activités des femmes pour sortir de la pauvreté (Page 6)

Ces activités comprennent les activités maraîchères itinérantes, la vente de pain, la gestion de petits commerces ou de petits dépôts, la vente de braises, la vente de poissons et de produits alimentaires, etc. Ces activités se trouvent dans la plupart des endroits où nos organisations sœurs basées en Afrique opèrent. Ces activités ont un impact sur la pauvreté.

Ces activités contribuent à assurer leur vie existentielle et sociale. Elles aident d’une manière ou d’une autre à autonomiser ces femmes et à les libérer de la pauvreté. Cependant, ces femmes, marchandes et commerçantes entreprenantes ont besoin d’être guidées et soutenues.

Il y a des organisations africaines de soutien au commerce qui peuvent leur apporter secours dans plusieurs matières (telles que le développement des produits and des parts de marché, le renforcenent des capacités à faire du commerce, etc.). Parmi ces organisations, on peut citer les suivantes:

∝ Africa Trade Foundation (https://www.africatradefoundation.org)

∝ Africa Trade Fund (https://www.africatradefund.org)

∝ African Trade Policy Centre (https://www.uneca.org/african-trade-policy-centre)

Etc.

• • • Les femmes aident les organisations sœurs de la CENFACS basées en Afrique par le biais de micro-activités commerciales (Page 6)

Il y a un certain nombre de nos organisations sœurs basées en Afrique qui ont été aidées par des femmes locales et des bénéficiaires de projets dans de nombreux domaines tels que le volontariat, le commerce, la collecte de fonds, etc.

En nous concentrant sur le commerce, partageons ceci. Selon les zones où les organisations sœurs basées en Afrique opèrent, certaines de ces organisations sont engagées dans la fourniture de biens et de services. Il y en a qui le font avec l’aide de sympathisants locaux. Parmi ces habitants, il y a des femmes qui aident à vendre, par exemple, des biens (tels que les savons, les aliments et les vêtements faits à la maison) fabriqués par elles-mêmes afin de collecter des fonds localement pour soutenir leur cause.

Ces activités commerciales apportent une certaine contribution aux organisations caritatives pour répondre aux besoins locaux tels que la santé, l’éducation, le développement local et d’autres besoins locaux. Ces activtités leur permettront de sortir de la pauvreté.

• • • Survey, Testing Hypotheses, E-questionnaire and E-discussion on Charity Trade and Investment (Page 7)

• • • • Survey on charity trade

Trading can provide to charities extra income to achieve their mission.

The purpose of this survey is to collect information from a sample of our users and community members regarding their perception of charity trading.

Participation to this survey is voluntary.

As part of the survey, we are running a questionnaire which contains some questions. One of these questions is:

Q: Charity trading can contribute more to the relief of poverty than charity donation?

You can respond and directly send your answer to CENFACS.

• • • • Testing hypotheses about charity investments to poverty reduction

According to the Scottish Charity Regular (op. cit.),

“Charity’s investments can involve a range of assets, such as a building from which you receive rental income, cash placed on deposit which generated interest, a portfolio of stocks, shares and other assets, or a right to income from other asset, for example royalty income arising from owning the copyright to a book”.

Considering this spectrum of investments, one can conduct the following test:

∝ Null Hypothesis (Ho): There is a correlation between charity’s return on investments and its contribution to its cause.

∝ Alternative Hypothesis (H1): There is not a correlation between charity’s return on investments and its contribution to its cause.

The above test is for those of our members who would like to dive deep into charity’s investments and their impact on its cause. In order to conduct these tests, one needs data on charity’s return on investments and to know the charity cause they are talking about.

• • • • E-question on your view about charity trading

Any of our readers and users can answer the following question:

Q: Is trading the right option for charities since trading involves the sale of goods and services for the purpose of making profit?

You can provide your answer directly to CENFACS.

For those answering any of this question and needing first to discuss charity trading, they can contact CENFACS.

• • • • E-discussion on resilience via trading and/or investment

Many of our members have their own view about what helps to stay resilient against global shocks. Some think that trading can help. Others do not agree as they believe that trading could be itself a transmission channel of global shocks, which impacts the people in need. Others more argue that diversifying your risk through a good investment policy on your assets will shield you from global shocks.

For those who may have any views or thoughts or even experience to share with regard to this matter, they can join our e-discussion to exchange their views or thoughts or experience with others.

To e-discuss with us and others, please contact CENFACS.

• • • Support, Tool and Metrics, Information and Guidance on Trade and Investment (Page 8)

• • • • Ask CENFACS for Guidance regarding the reduction of poverty via trade and investment

Trade and investment can be a means to reduce and possibly end poverty.

For those members of our community who would like find out how trading and investing can help them to reduce or come out of poverty, they can contact CENFACS.

CENFACS can work with them to explore ways of trading and investing.

We can work with them under our Advice-, Guidance- and Information-giving Service. We can as well signpost them to organisations working on trading and investing issues.

If you are a member of our community, you can ask us for guidance on trading and investing to reduce poverty.

• • • • Tools and metrics of the 83rd Issue of FACS

The 83rd Issue of FACS is concerned with four types of tools or metrics which are: return on investment, surplus margin, earned income and poverty gap ratio.

Let us briefly explain these tools or metrics.

• • • • • Investment tool and metrics: Return on Investment

The 83rd Issue utilises as tool Return on Investment. This return on investment (ROI) does not necessarily to be financial (income). It can be capital growth, social or environmental return, happiness and so on.

If one chooses financial ROI, then they need to explain what it means and how to measure it. Definitions of ROI tend to overlap.

For example, ‘corporatefinanceinstitute.com’ (22) defines ROI as

“A performance measure used to evaluate the returns of an investment or to compare the relative efficiency of different investments”.

Another definition comes from ‘forbes.com’ (23) that states

“ROI is a metric used to understand the profitability of an investment”.

There is also online ROI calculator for those who will be interested in it.

Because charities exist to delivery public benefit not profit, the 83rd Issue is also interested in non-financial ROI. Furthermore, the 83rd Issue considers the impact of your investments on poverty reduction. In other words, it deals with impact investing.

• • • • • Surplus margin

The second metrics that the 83rd Issue uses is Surplus Margin. What is it?

It is the following measure:

(Net income/Total income) x 100

The website ‘cranfieldtrust.org’ (24) explains that

“Generating a surplus allows a charity to invest in the improvement/expansion of charitable activities. If the surplus marginal overall is positive, you have made a surplus and your reserves will be boosted”.

For example, this measure can be used to find out the surplus margin of African charitable trade organisations investors and their investment portfolios.

Additionally, one could consider the number of charitable trade organisations that are investors and the types of their investments. Do they invest in mixed assets funds or national equity funds or global equity funds or fixed interest funds or property and cash funds or green bonds? What do their investment portfolios look like? Do they achieve a surplus margin? What is the profile of their margins?

• • • • • Earned to unearned income ratio

The 83rd Issue also employs the ratio of earned to unearned income. This ratio can be written as follows:

Earned Income / Unearned Income

The website ‘cranfieldtrust.org’ (op. cit.) argues that

“The ratio of earned to unearned income helps to show that the charity has developed diversified income as it has evolved. It is useful for donors and funders”.

For example, our ASOs that would like to trade can utilise this ratio to compare income earn from trading to incomes from unearned sources.

• • • • • Poverty gap ratio

This is an interesting metrics of poverty as it measures the intensity of poverty.

The online ‘marketbusinessnews.com’ (25) explains that

“The poverty gap ratio or poverty gap index is the average of the ratio of the poverty gap to the poverty line. Economists and statisticians express it as a percentage of the poverty line for a region or whole country…The poverty gap ratio considers how far, on the average, poor people are from poverty line”.

The above tools and metrics can be used in dealing with charity trading, investment and poverty reduction in Africa. For example, one can use the poverty gap ratio to measure the average shortfall of the income of the poor women traders in Africa from the poverty line.

• • • • Information and guidance on charity trading, investment and poverty reduction

Information and Guidance include two types areas of support via CENFACS, which are:

a) Information and guidance on charity trading and poverty reduction

b) Signposts to improve Users’ Experience about impact investing and poverty reduction.

• • • • • Information and guidance on charity trading and poverty reduction

Those Africa-based Sister Organisations (ASOs) that are looking for information and guidance on charity trading and that do not know what to do, CENFACS can work with them (via needs assessment conducted under CENFACS’ International Advice Service) or provide them with leads about other organisations, institutions and services that can help them.

• • • • • Signposts to improve Users’ Experience about impact investing and poverty reduction

For those who are looking for whereabout to find help about impact investing queries, we can direct them to the relevant services and organisations.

More tips and hints relating to the matter can be obtained from CENFACS‘ Advice-giving Service and Sessions.

Additionally, you can request from CENFACS a list of organisations and services providing help and support in the area of charity trading and investment, although the Issue 83 does not list them. Before making any request, one needs to specify the kind of organisations they are looking for.

To make your request, just contact CENFACS with your name and contact details.

• • • Workshop, Focus Group and Booster Activity about Charity Trading, Investment and Poverty Reduction (Page 9)

• • • • Mini themed workshop on trade skills to reduce poverty

Boost your knowledge and skills about the reduction of poverty via trade skills with CENFACS.

The workshop aims at supporting those without or with less information and knowledge about trade skills and knowledge while improving the quality of their lives. The workshop will provide recommendations for actions with options and opportunities for the participants.

To enquire about the boost, please contact CENFACS.

• • • • Focus group on impact investing

The focus group will deal with how to invest not only to realise a good return on your investment, but also to create a lasting impact. Impact investing will be approached from the perspective of win-win.

To take part in the focus group, group that will use deliberative practice strategies, please contact CENFACS.

• • • • Spring activity: Becoming Charity Impact Investors

This user involvement activity revolves around the answers to the following question:

Q: What steps do you need to take to become a charity impact investor?

Those who would like to answer these questions and participate to our Becoming Charity-Impact-Investors Activity, they are welcome.

To take part in this activity, please contact CENFACS.

• • • Giving and Project (Page 10)

• • • • Readers’ giving

You can support FACS, CENFACS bilingual newsletter, which explains what is happening within and around CENFACS.

FACS also provides a wealth of information, tips, tricks and hacks on how to reduce poverty and enhance sustainable development.

You can help to continue its publication and to reward efforts made in producing it.

To support, just contact CENFACS on this site.

• • • • Basic Trade Skills Development (deBASICTS) Project

deBASICTS is an initiative that helps to reduce poverty by providing new skills or reskilling or skilling up those who are looking forward to trade to make ends meet or to improve their enterprising model in the African context.

deBASICTS will be achieved through the development of trade capacity and capability to trade and reduce poverty. As it stands, the project is not only about developing trade skills, but also reducing poverty through the skills acquired or at least putting project beneficiaries in the right direction to reduce poverty.

To support or contribute to deBASICTS, please contact CENFACS.

For further details including the implementation plan of the deBASICTS, please contact CENFACS.

The full copy of the 83rd Issue of FACS is available on request.

For any queries and comments about this Issue, please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

_________

• References

(1) https://tradecouncil.org/exploring-the-relationship-between-international-trade-and-poverty-reduction/# (accessed in April 2024)

(2) https://reliefweb.int/report/burundi/burundi-floods-and-landslides-dref-operation-ndeg-mdrbio20-update (accessed in April 2024)

(3) Moser, C. O. N. (2006), Asset-based Approaches to Poverty Reduction in a Globalized Context: An introduction to asset accumulation policy and summary of workshop findings, The Brookings Institutions, Global Economy and Development Working Paper#01, Washington, DC, doi: 10.2139/ssrn. 1011176 (accessed in April 2024)

(4) https://www.sapling.com/7817240/household-assets (accessed in April 2024)

(5) https://blog.embracehomeloans.com/liquid-assets-vs-fixed-assets-understand-the-differences/ (accessed in April 2024)

(6) Balestra, C. (2018), OECD Statistics and Data Directorate, Social Situation Monitor Research Seminar, Brussels, March 2018

(7) https://www.aseanconsumer.org/cterms-consumer-protection (accessed in April 2024)

(8) www.taskmanagementguide.com/glossary/what-is-project-termination-.php (Accessed in April 2023)

(9) https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/project-termination-delay-1931 (Accessed in April 2023 )

(10) https://www.oscr.org.uk/guidance-and-forms/charities-and-trading-guide/1-types-of-charity/# (accessed in April 2024)

(11) https://www.charityretail.org.uk/key-statistics/ (accessed in March 2024)

(12) https://www.oscr.org.uk/guidance-and-forms/charity-investments-guidance-and-good-practice/2-what-is-an-investment/# (accessed in April 2024)

(13) https://www.cafonline.org/charities/investment/getting-started-with-charity-investment (accessed in April 2024)

(14) https://www.charityintelligence.co.uk/media/139/2023-06-charity-intelligence-investment-performance-fund-quarterly-reviewpdf (accessed in April 2023)

(15) Scott, J. & Marshall, G. (2009), Oxford Dictionary of Sociology, Oxford University Press, Oxford New York

(16) Bununu, Y. A. (2020). Poverty Reduction: Concept, Approaches, and Case Studies. In: Leal Filho, W., Azul, A., Brandli, L., Özuyar, P., Wall, T. (eds) Decent Work and Economic Growth. Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Springer. Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71058-7_31-1 (accessed in April 2024)

(17) https://borgenproject.org/what-is-poverty-reduction/ (accessed in April 2024)

(18) https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/03/poverty-reduction-rests-on-trade (accessed in April 2024)

(19) https://www.bii.co.uk/en/news-insight/insight/articles/whats-the-expected-impact-of-investment-on-poverty-reduction (accessed in April 2024),

(20) https://www.adeanet.org/en/blogs/skilling-africa-the-paradigm-shift-to-technical-and-vocational-skills-development (accessed in April 2024)

(21) https://www.unwomen.org/fr/about-un-women (accessed in April 2024)

(22) https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/accouting/what-is-return-on-investment-roi/ (accessed in April 2024)

(23) https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/roi-on-investment/ (accessed in April 2024)

(24) https://www.cranfieldtrust.org/articles/top-10-financial-ratios-forcharities (accessed in April 2024)

(25) https://marketbusinessnews.com/information-on-credit/gap-ratio–definition-meaning (accessed in August 2023)

_________

• Help CENFACS Keep the Poverty Relief Work Going this Year

We do our work on a very small budget and on a voluntary basis. Making a donation will show us you value our work and support CENFACS’ work, which is currently offered as a free service.

One could also consider a recurring donation to CENFACS in the future.

Donate to support CENFACS!

FOR ONLY £1, YOU CAN SUPPORT CENFACS AND CENFACS’ NOBLE AND BEAUTIFUL CAUSES OF POVERTY REDUCTION.

JUST GO TO: Support Causes – (cenfacs.org.uk)

Thank you for visiting CENFACS website and reading this post.

Thank you as well to those who made or make comments about our weekly posts.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits and continuing support throughout 2024 and beyond.

With many thanks.

Permalink

Protection and Security of Women and Children against Societal Polarization

Posted by ctsh@in2015 on April 17, 2024 in Uncategorized

Welcome to CENFACS’ Online Diary!

17 April 2024

Post No. 348

The Week’s Contents

• Coming Next Week’s Saturday 27/04/2024: The 14th Edition of CENFACS Reflection Day with a Focus on Protection and Security of Women and Children against Societal Polarization

• Protection Key Note 3 for Week Beginning 15/04/2024: Spending Protection Provided by Organisations/Institutions Working on Protection

• Protection of Endangered Birds in Africa: The Case of Birds of Prey

… And much more!

Key Messages

• Coming Next Week’s Saturday 27/04/2024: The 14th Edition of CENFACS Reflection Day with a Focus on Protection and Security of Women and Children against Societal Polarization

On our Reflection Day, we will reflect on ways of tackling societal polarization. Perhaps the starting point of the 14th Edition of CENFACS Reflection Day is to understand polarization.

• • What Is Polarization?

Let us refer to the definition provided by the Oxford Dictionary of Sociology (1) which explains that

“Polarization is the tendency towards concentration at two opposing extremes… The term polarization, however, strictly refers to the segregation and opposition of two unequal groups at opposite ends of a distribution of resources”. (p. 570)

Polarization viewed in this way tend to be associated with Marxist approach. However, polarization can be political, economic, financial, social, etc. Jennifer McCoy (2) finds that polarization rewards extreme positions and weakens centrist moderates, while affecting individual perceptions and is hard to reverse once in place.

From the above-mentioned understanding of polarization, what we are interested in is societal polarization.

• • What Is Societal Polarization?

According to the World Economic Forum (3),

“Societal polarization is ideological and cultural divisions within and across communities leading to declining social stability, gridlocks in decision-making, economic disruption, and increased political polarization” (p. 97)

The same World Economic Forum tells us societal polarization is the third-most severe risk over the short term and consistent concern amongst the groups it surveyed. It is this risk that we would like to reflect upon on our Reflection Day.

• • What Our Reflection Will Be about

Our Reflection Day will try to look at ways of protecting and give sense of security to women and children from this third-most severe risk – societal polarization. In particular, we shall reflect on ways of tackling polarization as suggested by the United Nations Development Programme (4); ways which are:

σ acting on people’s misperceptions about issues [of women and children] and about the groups that they do not affiliate with

σ enhancing cross-cutting social ties that transcend group divisions (or creating space to bridge divides)

σ addressing perceptions of insecurity.

Additionally, we shall reflect on rebuilding trust and a sense of shared values out of the context of polarizing rhetoric on our network and systems of protection and poverty reduction in the process of building forward better together greener, cleaner, inclusive, safer and climate-resilient future. In doing so, we hope we can help reduce poverty linked to societal polarization.

More on the Reflection Day can be found under the Main Development section of this post.

• Protection Key Note 3 for Week Beginning 15/04/2024: Spending Protection Provided by Organisations/Institutions Working on Protection

This week, we are continuing to approach protection from the perspective of spending/expenses/expenditures. From this point of view, we are currently dealing with organisations or institutions that help or can help the people in need to spend and/or consume in order to meet their basic life-sustaining needs.

We started the process of looking at these organisations and institutions last week when we spoke about spending protection needs of the people in need by others. By others, we simply meant public and private bodies which help people in need through consumption transfers. Amongst these organisations are the state/government, non-governmental organisations, charities, churches, businesses having charitable harms, etc. Let us briefly highlight the kinds of spending protection provided by these organisations or institutions, and how the people in need cover they spending through them..

• • Spending Protection Provided by the State/Government as a Way of Meeting Basic Spending Needs

The State or Government can have social contract with poor people, particularly low-income families surviving at unacceptable levels of poverty. For example, in the UK it was estimated in 2023 (5) that £6,000 a year was the annual cost of reducing poverty; that is the state of people struggling to buy sufficient food, energy and clothes, pay rent and every day bills.

As Human Rights Watch (6) explains,

“Governments around the world carry an immense responsibility to support people and help them reach an adequate standard of living”.

Governments do it by investing in resources and programmes to ensure that all people have access to what they need, in particular basic needs. They ensure that everyone has adequate support to access food, housing, water, education and other essentials for a decent life like affordable internet access.

Briefly, government can provide spending protection via social safety nets, social security and social protection.

• • Spending Protection Given by Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs)

NGOs – whether they are international or business-friendly or religious or government-organised or civil society organisations) – protect the humanitarian right relating to spending for basic needs.

To further explains what NGOs in this area of protection, ‘ngofeed.com’ (7) states that

“NGOs directly support those in need by providing aid. In destitute areas and combat zones where governments won’t aid, they open schools and clinics. After natural disasters, NGOs provide food, shelter, and medical aid”.

The above explanation is one of the million ones on how NGOs (like Save the Children, Oxfam, ICRC, UNHCR, UNICEF, World Food Programme, etc.) supports people in need of covering their basic life-sustaining spending needs.

• • Spending Protection Covered by Charities

It is known that from the safeguarding duties for charities (8),

“Protecting people and safeguarding responsibilities should be a governance priority for all charities. It is a fundamental part of operating as a charity for the public benefits”.

However, beyond and besides this level of protection, many charities provide invaluable services to support those who are unable to meet the level of spending they need to cover their basic life-sustaining needs. These deserving services include practical protection, essential healthcare, food banks, shelter, education, support to refugees and asylum seekers, etc.

• • Spending Protection Offered by Businesses

Businesses play an important role in wealth creation and in protection through employers’ insurance, which they can offer to their employees. They can as well make a difference by helping in the community. How can/do they make this difference?

They can achieve a world of difference by undertaking the following:

σ Ensuring that what they pay to their employees is enough to cover basic spending needs or the essentials needed for survival like food, clean drinking water, clothing, rent, personal care, etc.

σ Supporting their employees through financial literacy, access to financial services to cover their basic spending needs

σ Dedicating their manufacture surplus or extra production to support local causes linked to spending protection

Etc.

People in need of spending protection can have their basic needs cover or consumption transfers via the above-named organisations or institutions. The people in need can, not only have their spending covered, but also have their social status and rights enhanced while reducing their economic and social vulnerability.

The members of CENFACS Community, who are in need and who are interested in organisations and institutions that work on spending protection, but do not know what to do, can approach CENFACS to guide them.

• • CENFACS’ Guidance on Organisations/Institutions of Spending Protection

There is a number of ways that CENFACS can work with the members of its community to enhance their spending protection by accessing or improving the way they are trying to access spending protection run by organisations/institutions of protection. Amongst these ways of working with the members of our community to enhance their protection include financial guidance.

Under this provision of financial guidance, we can support our members in the following ways:

σ Inform them about the various options available to them regarding spending protection agencies

σ Signpost them for support to organisations dealing with spending protection

σ Refer them to voluntary organisations dealing with spending protection matters.

The above are just some of ways CENFACS could support the community regarding spending protection benefit run by organisations/institutions of protection. These support services or products make up our financial guidance service relating to spending protection run by organisations/institutions of protection.

Those who need help and support about financial guidance on spending protection and/or for any of the matters listed above falling within our capacity, they can contact CENFACS.

• Protection of Endangered Birds in Africa: The Case of Birds of Prey

This month, we are as well campaigning for the protection of endangered birds in Africa. We are doing it since recent studies have indicated that the birds of prey in Africa are in decline.

• • What Has Been Recently Revealed about the Birds of Prey

According to the study produced by Nature Ecology and Evolution, study quoted by ‘weforum.org’ (9) reveals that

“Vultures, eagles, buzzards and kestrels are among the raptors identified as facing an extinction crisis on the African continent”.

They are in decline because of habitat loss and other factors. More explanations about this decline have been publicised by many online birding sites or organisations like ‘peregrinefund.org’ (10) and ‘birdwatchinghq.com’ (11).

Our work on the Protection of Endangered Birds in Africa is part of our project known as “Mbulu” (12).

• • Protection of Endangered Birds in Africa as Part of “Mbulu” Project

“Mbulu” stands for Mobilising for Birds’ Useful Life for Us. “Mbulu” Project is one of the groupings of projects making our “A la une” (Autumn Leaves of Action for Upkeep of the Nature in Existence) Campaign.

“Mbulu” is a SMART (that is, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely) goal within “A la une” Campaign or a result that we are attempting to achieve.

“Mbulu” as a SMART goal helps…

√ Increase awareness within our community and the rest of the community about endangered bird species

√ Get improved conversions in terms of new sustainable initiatives

√ Attract support to our noble and beautiful cause of reducing poverty by developing sustainable initiatives.

Birds of Prey are part of “Mbulu” Project.

Those members of our community who are interested in advocating with us for the protection of Birds of Prey in Africa, they are welcome to get involved in this advocacy drive.

Those African organisations working on bird matter and have the same concern like ours, they can share with us their experience and work on this matter of protecting the Birds of Prey in Africa.

To get involved or share your work about the protection of Birds of Prey in Africa, please contact CENFACS.

Extra Messages

• Financial Resilience Programme for Households

• All-year Round Projects Cycle (Triple Value Initiatives Cycle) – Step/Workshop 9: Reviewing Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

• Triple Value Initiatives (TVIs)/All-year Round Projects (AYRPs) Journaling Activity: Write a Journal of Your TVI/AYRP Cycle

• Financial Resilience Programme for Households

As part of continuously empowering households, particularly those making our community, we are running a new programme – Financial Resilience Programme for Households (FRPHs). Although FRPHs is called programme, it is part of Financial Controls Project.

To understand FRPHs, let us first explain what is financial resilience.

In recent years, many households including those making the CENFACS Community have faced and dealt with various crises and shocks (like the coronavirus shock, the cost-of-living crisis, climate crisis, etc.). Many of these crises and shocks have affected their finances while leading to income shock. To handle this sort of shocks and their impacts, it requires some form of resilience, particularly but not exclusively financial resilience. What is financial resilience?

• • Basic Understanding of Financial Resilience

According to ‘community.thriveglobal.com’ (13),

“Financial resilience is the ability to bounce back from life-altering setbacks that impact our personal finances (including investments, income and assets), such as the death of a spouse or loved one, divorce, disability, health issues, unemployment as well as events such as economic fallout from a pandemic, a national disaster or economic recession. It is how well we can absorb, respond to and adjust to a financial shock”.

Households that are experiencing the impacts of the issues or episodic shocks mentioned in the above definition may need financial resilience and resourcefulness. To support these households, we have put together this new programme – FRPHs.

• • What is FRPHs?

FRPHs is about working with households that are the victims of episodic financial shocks so that they can build their financial ecosystems, develop the tools and strategies to recover from financial setbacks they have experienced.

The programme will help them, especially those households transitioning in their budgets after being impacted by the above-mentioned shocks, to develop a financial policy to protect them from income shock and a savings policy to maintain and improve their current living standards.

The programme will assist them in keeping the cost of running their households low while generating high impact for their financial wellbeing. It will align their finances with their strategic operational decisions and financial diversification. In doing so, it will provide them security and peace of mind where they are in terms of their finances and forecast where they want to go in a sustainable way without being affected by the same events again.

To work with them, we have organised our work around four themes which will be developed every Wednesdays (starting from 17/04/2024) as follows:

a) Financial preparedness (17/04/2024)

It is about setting up advanced systems to deal with potential or unplanned income shocks or crises.

b) Households’ liquid assets (24/04/2024)

These are cash or assets that are relatively accessible in case of urgency.

c) Intervention strategies (01/05/2024)

They are about reassessing household capital structure, redefining household’s liquidities and their financial risk while examining how much households are protected from income shocks by their financial assets (such as current accounts, savings and investments) or other forms of support (like state benefits, friends and families).

d) Financial resilience impact and outcomes (08/05/2024)

These are all the changes and effects that will happen as result of the implementation or use of FRPHs and how to measure them.

All this is part of the Month of Protection within CENFACS, although the running of this programme will go beyond April 2024.

Let us kick off the first theme of our FRPHs; theme which is Financial Preparedness.

• • Financial Resilience Programme for Households – In Focus for Wednesday 17/04/2024: Financial Preparedness

How financially prepared are households, particularly those making the CENFACS community, if there is any income shock?

Asset Funders Network (14) answers the question by arguing that

“By setting up systems in advance of a financial shock, families are prepared to handle a shortfall when it occurs”.

From their perspective, financial preparedness in the context of financial resilience includes saving money, building credit, connecting to networks and enrolling in insurance.

Financial preparedness implies developing strategies linked to it. In terms of financial preparedness strategies, ‘mind4survival.com’ (15) recommends the following seven tips:

1) Establish an emergency fund

2) Craft a comprehensive budget

3) Tackle any debts or outstanding payments

4) Embrace investment diversification

5) Prioritise your essentials

6) Invest in skills

7) Regularly review and adapt your accounts.

There could be more strategies or tips than the seven ones we have just listed. Financially resilient households will try to follow these strategies or similar ones to keep their financial health and wellbeing in good shape.

Those households that are struggling to financially prepare themselves in order to stay resilient, they can work with CENFACS.

For any queries and/or enquiries about Financial Preparedness as well as Financial Resilience Programme for Households (including how to access this programme), please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

• All-year Round Projects Cycle (Triple Value Initiatives Cycle) – Step/Workshop 9: Reviewing Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

You can start reviewing Your Play, Run and Vote Projects, while the monitoring and observability of the same projects are still going on. But, what are project reviews?

• • Basic Understanding of Project Reviews

Project reviews can be explained in many ways depending on any approaches taken. Referring to the explanation of ‘fox-plan.com’ (16),

“A project review is an evaluation of the current progress of a project at a specific point of the project (milestone)… A project review will provide you with a thorough knowledge of the current status of your project and if it is on track to meet your success criteria”.

There can be many or staggered reviews in a project depending on a project size, scope, scale, progress, complexity and resource availability. These different reviews can include initial review, completion review, special review and follow-up review. Also, to better review a project it is preferable to design a review process with guidelines, evidence and tools.

• • Example of Reviewing Your All-year Round Projects

Let us consider Voting Your 2024 International Development and Poverty Reduction Manager.

In order to review your Vote Project, you will proceed with the following three review tasks:

a) Examine and audit your planned tasks, activities, procedures, events and other work about the project

b) Identify if the amount of work you put in your project responded to your Vote Project requirements

c) Work out additional resources to help you complete the project.

The above is a simple version of project reviews. For those who would like to dive deeper into Reviewing their Play or Run or Vote project, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

• Triple Value Initiatives (TVIs)/All-year Round Projects (AYRPs) Journaling Activity: Write a Journal of Your TVI/AYRP Cycle

You can write and reflect on what you are doing as TVI/AYRP user or beneficiary. Journaling a TVI/AYRP (that is Play, Run and Vote) can have benefits. To get those benefits, one needs to have a goal and plan activities/achievements.

• • Benefits of Journaling Your TVI/AYRP

The journal will help you to capture the moments of your TVI/AYRP via expressive writing and story. It can have other benefits such as the following ones:

σ setting up goals

σ tracking or measuring your progress on TVI/AYRP

σ recording results and celebrating achievements

σ gaining both general and specific perspectives of your TVI/AYRP.

You can even show your style and express your feeling or character through your writing. Another good thing of journaling your TVI/AYRP is that it makes things easy when it comes to report to CENFACS and others before the deadline of 23 December 2024.

• • Journaling Goal of TVI/AYRP

The goal is basically to explore and enrich one’s TVI/AYRP activity through creative writing. This goal does not stop users of TVI/AYRP to have their own journaling goal. Besides their journaling goal, they need to add what their journal can help achieve.

• • What One’s TVI/AYRP Journal Can Achieve

It can achieve many things including the following:

∝ Solve problems encountered in the cycle of your TVI/AYRP

∝ Enhance one’s health and wellness via TVI/AYRP

∝ Improve TVI/AYRP impact and outcomes.

For those who are undertaking any of the TVIs/AYRPs and would like to write a journal about their activity, they can do it. There are many online and print resources available on the matter. Please select resources that are concise and have some links with your TVIs/AYRPs.

For those who would like to approach CENFACS for help and support to write a Journal of TVI/AYRP or to select appropriate resources, they are welcome to do so.

Message in French (Message en français)

• Programme de résilience financière pour les ménages

Dans le cadre de l’autonomisation continue des ménages, en particulier ceux qui composent notre communauté, nous avons organisé un nouveau programme – Programme de résilience financière pour les ménages (PRFM). Bien que le PRFM s’appelle le programme, il fait partie du projet de contrôle financier.

Pour comprendre le PRFM, expliquons d’abord ce qu’est la résilience financière.

Au cours des dernières années, de nombreux ménages, y compris ceux qui font partie de la Communauté CENFACS, ont été confrontés et ont fait face à diverses crises et chocs (comme le choc du coronavirus, la crise du coût de la vie, la crise climatique, etc.).

Bon nombre de ces crises et de ces chocs ont affecté leurs finances tout en entraînant un choc sur leurs revenus. Pour faire face à ce type de chocs et à leurs impacts, il faut une certaine forme de résilience, notamment financière.

D’après ‘community.thriveglobal.com’ (13),

« La résilience financière est la capacité de rebondir après des revers qui changent la vie et qui ont une incidence sur nos finances personnelles (y compris les placements, le revenu et les actifs), comme le décès d’un conjoint ou d’un être cher, un divorce, une invalidité, des problèmes de santé, le chômage ainsi que des événements tels que les retombées économiques d’une pandémie, d’une catastrophe nationale ou d’une récession économique. Il s’agit de savoir dans quelle mesure nous pouvons absorber, réagir et nous ajuster à un choc financier.

Les ménages qui subissent les effets des problèmes ou des chocs épisodiques mentionnés dans la définition ci-dessus peuvent avoir besoin de résilience financière et d’ingéniosité. Pour soutenir ces ménages, nous avons mis en place ce nouveau programme – le PRFM.

• • Qu’est-ce que le PRFM?

Le PRFM consiste à travailler avec les ménages victimes de chocs financiers épisodiques afin qu’ils puissent construire leurs écosystèmes financiers, développer les outils et les stratégies pour se remettre des revers financiers qu’ils ont connus.

Le programme les aidera, en particulier les ménages dont le budget est en transition après avoir été touchés par les chocs susmentionnés, à élaborer une politique financière pour les protéger contre les chocs de revenu et une politique d’épargne pour maintenir et améliorer leur niveau de vie actuel.

Le programme les assistera à maintenir le coût de fonctionnement de leur ménage à un faible niveau tout en générant un impact important sur leur bien-être financier. Il permettra d’aligner leurs finances sur leurs décisions opérationnelles stratégiques et leur diversification financière. Ce faisant, il leur apportera la sécurité et la tranquillité d’esprit où ils en sont en termes de finances et leur permettra de prévoir où ils veulent aller de manière durable sans être à nouveau affectés par les mêmes événements.

Pour travailler avec eux, nous avons organisé nos activités autour de quatre thématiques qui seront développées tous les mercredis (à partir du 17/04/2024) comme suit:

a) Préparation financière (17/04/2024)

Il s’agit de mettre en place des systèmes avancés pour faire face à des chocs de revenus potentiels ou imprévus.

b) Liquidités des ménages (24/04/2024)

Il s’agit de liquidités ou d’actifs relativement accessibles en cas d’urgence.

c) Stratégies d’intervention (01/05/2024)

Il s’agit de réévaluer la structure du capital des ménages, de redéfinir les liquidités des ménages et leur risque financier, tout en examinant dans quelle mesure les ménages sont protégés contre les chocs de revenu par leurs actifs financiers (tels que les comptes courants, l’épargne et les investissements) ou d’autres formes de soutien (prestations de l’État, amis et familles).

d) Résultats et impacts en matière de résilience financière (08/05/2024)

Il s’agit de l’ensemble des changements et des effets qui se produiront à la suite de la mise en œuvre ou de l’utilisation du PRFM et de la façon de les mesurer.

Tout cela s’inscrit dans le cadre du Mois de la Protection au sein du CENFACS.

Commençons par le premier thème de notre PRFM; qui est la préparation financière.

• • Programme de résilience financière pour les ménages – Gros plan pour le mercredi 17/04/2024 : Préparation financière

Dans quelle mesure les ménages, en particulier ceux qui font partie de la communauté CENFACS, sont-ils financièrement préparés en cas de choc de revenu?

Asset Funders Network (14) répond à la question en faisant valoir que

« En mettant en place des systèmes en amont d’un choc financier, les familles sont prêtes à faire face à un manque à gagner lorsqu’il se produit. »

De leur point de vue, la préparation financière dans le contexte de la résilience financière comprend l’épargne, l’établissement d’un crédit, la connexion à des réseaux et l’adhésion à une assurance.

La préparation financière implique l’élaboration de stratégies qui y sont liées. En ce qui concerne les stratégies de préparation financière, « mind4survival.com » (15) recommande les sept conseils suivants :

1) Établir un fonds d’urgence

2) Élaborez un budget complet

3) S’attaquer aux dettes ou aux impayés

4) Adoptez la diversification des placements

5) Donnez la priorité à vos essentiels

6) Investir dans les compétences

7) Révisez et adaptez régulièrement vos comptes.

Il pourrait y avoir d’autres stratégies que celles que nous venons d’énumérer. Les ménages financièrement résilients s’efforceront de suivre ces stratégies ou d’autres similaires pour maintenir leur santé financière et leur bien-être en bonne santé.

Les ménages qui ont du mal à se préparer financièrement afin de rester résilients peuvent travailler avec le CENFACS.

Pour toute question et/ou demande de renseignements sur la préparation financière ainsi que sur le programme de résilience financière pour les ménages (y compris sur la façon d’accéder à ce programme), n’hésitez pas à contacter le CENFACS.

Main Development

• Coming Next Week’s Saturday 27/04/2024: The 14th Edition of CENFACS Reflection Day with a Focus on Protection and Security of Women and Children against Societal Polarization

To help prepare for the 14th Edition of CENFACS Reflection Day, we have assembled protection materials and resources that have been grouped into the following two headlines:

∝ What is CENFACS’ Reflection Day?

∝ The 14^th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day.

Let us briefly explain each of these headlines.

• • What Is CENFACS’ Reflection Day?

CENFACS’ Reflection Day is a day to acknowledge the conditions of women and children in need, to reflect on attitudes and what can be done to improve the living conditions of women and children in need.

CENFACS’ Reflection Day is also a special eventful day to re-engage our mind set and spirit to deeply think about the fate of poor women and children, and engineer possible new solutions that can lift them out of poverty and hardships they are facing. At this time of the world in multiple crises (or polycrises) and risks, they may be facing poverty induced by these crises and risks. One of these crises and risks is Societal Polarization.

According to ‘weforum.org’ (op. cit.), Societal Polarization is the third-most severe risk over the short term and consistent concern amongst surveyed groups making the World Economic Forum’s The Global Risks Report 2024. It features among the top three risks over both the current and two-year time horizons. It is this crisis that our 14^th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day would like to deal with.

• • The 14^th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day

The following points will assist in explaining the 14^th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day:

∝ What is the 14th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day?

∝ What Will Happen during the 14th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day?

∝ How the 14^th Edition of Our Reflection Day Will Be Run

∝ What Issues Our Reflection Day Will Try to Address

∝ What Areas of Thoughts Our Reflection Day Will Touch upon.

The above-mentioned points are explained below.

• • • What is the 14th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day?

The 14th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day is a continuity of the theme about self-protection by women and children and/or protection of women and children by others against future risks or crises or polycrises. In this case, the risk or crisis is Societal Polarization and poverty it can create or exacerbate.

The 14th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day is a day to think of the struggle these women and children have in face of societal polarization. It also a day of meditating on solutions to reduce poverty generated by societal polarization. Before going any further, let us try to recall the definition of societal polarization.

• • • • Re-understanding societal polarization

The World Economic Forum (op. cit.) explains that

The same World Economic Forum adds that societal polarization and economic downturn are seen as the most interconnected – and therefore influential – risks in the global risks network, as drivers and possible consequences of numerous risks.

Because societal polarization and economic downturn are influential forces that shape human conditions, particularly the conditions of women and children living in poverty, there is a need to elevate the fences of protection to shield them from the impacts of societal polarization entertained by misinformation, disinformation, distance between people, suspicion, etc.

Crisis stemming from societal polarization can also affect the security of women and children in need. One can think of economic disruption linked to the supply of goods and services which has caused economic insecurity in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially for women and children there. In this respect, our Reflection Day is also a day of economic security.

• • • • What is economic security?

Economic security here has to be interpreted like what the International Committee of the Red Cross (17) argues about it as

“The ability of individuals, households or communities to cover their essential needs sustainably and with dignity. This can vary according to an individual’s physical needs, the environment and prevailing cultural standards. Food, basic shelter, clothing and hygiene qualify as essential need, as does the related expenditure; the essential assets needed to earn a living and the costs associated with health care and education also qualify”.

In our Reflection Day, we shall think of how the intensive use of polarizing rhetoric can affect economic security of those in need, particularly but not exclusively women and children in need.

• • • What Will Happen during the 14th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day?

During the 14th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day, we will reflect on what can be done to improve the living conditions of women and children in the contexts of ideological and cultural divisions within and across communities.

The day is also about finding solutions to economic insecurity through inspirations, new thoughts and ideas to mitigate harmful consequences of societal polarization.

• • • How the 14^th Edition of Our Reflection Day Will Be Run

This year, the 14th Edition of our Reflection Day will be run in hybrid fashion (that; it will be organised in-person and virtual).

There will be a physical gathering for those who want it. There will also be a virtual reflection. In the case of virtual reflection, every participant will be reflecting from the location which is suitable for them (that is, like a virtual reality or remotely).

• • • What Issues Our Reflection Day Will Try to Address

Our Reflection Day will try to address the following issues:

√ How manipulated contents split people according to opposing views that further develop societal polarization

√ The misperceptions of reality that intensify polarization with detrimental effect on women and children

√ How manipulative narratives that infiltrate the public discourse further up societal polarization

√ What is the effect of falsified information on women and children in terms of bias and discrimination?

√ How hate crimes feed societal polarization against women and children

√ How harmful contents or subjects can impact on children’s behaviour, wellbeing and health

√ What can we do to end false information to widen fractures in societal views that affect women and children?

√ How can we stop the tools that spread and control misinformation and disinformation within our community?

√ What can we do to make the arbiters of truth to re-establish truth in information and protect women and children from falsified information that controls women and children?

√ Do we have the power to stop the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation within our society?

The above-mentioned issues are the ones we would like to deal with in our thoughts. One Day of Reflection may be not enough to address all these questions. But, one can try to deal with one or two of them as they are preparing to make the Reflection Day.

• • • What Areas of Thoughts Our Reflection Day Will Touch upon

The above-mentioned issues will help to frame areas of thoughts that one may want to engage in. During our reflection, we will try to think of following matters as frames for thought:

√ Effects of negative disagreement over economic policies on the welfare and wellbeing of women and children (economic policies framework)

√ Ways of building and improving unity against societal polarization threats that create or exacerbate poverty (framework for unity and connection, instead of divisions and distances)

√ Security vulnerabilities posed to poor women and children when society’s main actors move from centrist to extreme positions or ideologies in their thinking and behaviour (security framework)

√ Ways of developing defensive capabilities to protect women and children from societal polarization (defensive capability framework)

√ Effects of societal polarization measures and values on educational and training opportunities for women and children (framework for measures, values and human rights)

√ Learning lessons and development experiences about societal polarization in terms of their effects on women and children in need (framework for skills development)

Etc.

The above is the main menu of our Reflection Day. Besides this main menu, we shall have a side menu which is Reflection on the Effects of Societal Polarization on our Network for Protection and Community Security in the process of Build Forward Better Together to a Greener, Cleaner, Safer, Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Future within the context of Squeezed Household Spending.

To support or join the Reflection Day on the Protection and Security of Women and Children, please contact CENFACS.

After the References section of this post, we have appended a timeline about CENFACS’ Reflection Day for your information.

_________

• References

(1) Scott, J. & Marshall, G. (2009), Oxford Dictionary of Sociology, Third Ed. Revised, Oxford University Press, Oxford & New York

(2) https://www.icip.cat/perlapau/en/article/polarization-harms-democracy-and-society/ (accessed in April 2024)

(3) https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_The_Global_Risks_Report_2024.pdf (accessed in April 2024)

(4) https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf (accessed in March 2024)

(5) https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/sep/04/poor-people-surviving-not-living-as-uk-social-contract-collapses-says-report (accessed in April 2024)

(6) https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/10/14/breaking-poverty-trap (accessed in April 2024)

(7) https://ngofeed.com/ngos-in-human-rights-protection/# (accessed in April 2024)

(8) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safeguarding-duties-for-charity-trustees (accessed in April 2024)

(9) https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/02/birds-of-prey-extension-biodiversity-loss/ (accessed in April 2024)

(10) https://peregrinefund.org/africa-program-raptor-species# (accessed in April 2024)

(11) https://birdwatchinghq.com/birds-of-the-Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo/ (accessed in April 2024)

(12) cenfacs.org.uk/2022/10/12/upkeep-of-the-nature-in-2022/ (accessed in April 2024)

(13) https://community.thriveglobal.com/what-is-financial-resilience-and-what-are-some-strategies-to-achieve-it/ (accessed in April 2024),

(14) https://assetfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/Measuring_Financial_Resilience_AFN_2021_Single_1.13.21.pdf (accessed in April 2024)

(15) https://mind4survival.com/7-tips-for-financial-preparedness/ (accessed in April 2024)

(16) https://fox-plan.com/docs/project-review/ (Accessed in April 2023)

(17) https://www.icrc.org/en/document/introduction-economic-security (Accessed in April 2023)

_________

• Appendix

• • Reflection Day Timeline

The Reflection Day is a day of thoughts by bringing together the two pillars of our network and protection programme, which are 3W and PPS. Although they started in 2003, we only introduced a Reflection Day (RD) in them in 2011.

In 2016, we amalgamated 3W and PPS to become Women and Children projects as we noticed in some situations it was difficult to separate women’s and children’s needs. Where their needs are separable or differentiated one to the other, we run either of the two brands (that is 3W and PPS) individually. This is why these two brands of our network and protection are still alive despite their amalgamation.

The Reflection Day is a day of introspection to think in depth the ways forward for our systems of support network and protection for poverty relief and sustainable development in face of the current, new and emerging challenges ahead as well as the ever changing development landscape.

Since its inception, the following is the timeline of 3W and PPS

2011: Making Networking and Protection Even Better in 2011

2012: Raising Standards in Poverty Reduction for Improving Lives

2013: Place of Women and Children in the Post-2015 Development World (Part I)

2014: Women and Children in the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda (Part II) – A Stock Taking Reflection Event

2015: Doing Business to Lift Women and Children out of Poverty

2016: Improving Digital Protection for the Extremely Digitally Poor Women and Children

2017: Reducing Information and Communication Poverty for Multi-dimensionally Poor Women and Children

2018: Making Transitional Economy Work for Poor Families

2019: Protection of Women and Children in War-torn Zones and Natural Disaster-stricken Areas

2020: Protection of Women and Children in Times of Health or Sanitary Crisis like Covid-19

2021: Ring-fencing Protection for Women and Children to Become More Resilient and Vigilant in face of Future Risks and Crises

2022: Protection for Women and Children from Energy Crisis

2023: Protection and Security for Women and Children against Geo-economic Risks and Crises

For your information,

3W & PPS = Support Network and Protection for Poverty Relief and Development

Women and Children projects = amalgamation of 3W and PPS in 2016

3W (What Women Want) = a CENFACS support network scheme to enhance the lives of multi-dimensional deprived women and families

PPS (Peace, Protection & Sustainability) = a CENFACS child and environmental protection programme to support multi-dimensional vulnerable children, young people and families

KNA (Keep the Net Alive) = a motto that helps to keep our networking for protection running.

For more information on 3W and PPS or Women and Children projects, please contact CENFACS.

_________

• Help CENFACS Keep the Poverty Relief Work Going this Year

We do our work on a very small budget and on a voluntary basis. Making a donation will show us you value our work and support CENFACS’ work, which is currently offered as a free service.

One could also consider a recurring donation to CENFACS in the future.

Donate to support CENFACS!

FOR ONLY £1, YOU CAN SUPPORT CENFACS AND CENFACS’ NOBLE AND BEAUTIFUL CAUSES OF POVERTY REDUCTION.

JUST GO TO: Support Causes – (cenfacs.org.uk)

Thank you for visiting CENFACS website and reading this post.

Thank you as well to those who made or make comments about our weekly posts.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits and continuing support throughout 2024 and beyond.

With many thanks.

Permalink

Holiday with Restricted Budget

Posted by ctsh@in2015 on April 10, 2024 in Uncategorized

Welcome to CENFACS’ Online Diary!

10 April 2024

Post No. 347

The Week’s Contents

• ICDP (Individual Capacity Development Programme) Resource, Holiday with Relief – In Focus for Spring 2024 Issue: Holiday with Restricted Budget

• Protection Key Note 2 for Week Beginning Monday 08/04/2024: Protection of Basic Spending Needs

• Goal of the Month: Reduction of Poverty as a Lack of Protection Linked to Spending

… And much more!

Key Messages

• ICDP (Individual Capacity Development Programme) Resource, Holiday with Relief – In Focus for Spring 2024 Issue: Holiday with Restricted Budget

How to make your holiday plan with budgetary restrictions attached to it

The current Issue of our ICDP Resource entitled as ‘Holiday with Relief’ focuses on Holiday with Restricted Budget. The Issue deals with limited spending for holiday, with a family’s or household’s immediate needs rather than wants during holiday.

Holiday with Restricted Budget can happen in the following circumstances:

a) “When a family is on a restricted budget, it means it is limiting its spending “, according to ‘pocketsense.com’ (1)

b) When a funder or donor, who funds your holiday, adds restrictions to their gift by telling you that the funds you require for holiday must be used for the purpose agreed upon by you and whoever funds your holiday (here holiday funder or donor), according to ‘pairsoft.com’ (2)

c) If the person who sponsored your holiday project does it through a policy on restricted funds budget or a reserve of money that can only be used for holiday projects or purposes.

These restrictions can be permanent or temporary. Many people or families on low income will have their holiday budget restricted to essential spending. What essential spending does mean. According to ‘count.co.uk’ (3),

“Essential spending refers to the unavoidable expenses that ensure your safety, health, and basic well-being”.

With restricted budget for your holiday, you have some challenges to deal with.

This year, ‘Holiday with Relief’ provides wealthy advice, tips and hints to overcome these challenges and find opportunities to finance your holiday. Through this wealth of information, we will try to tackle holiday poverty or poverty linked to restricted or limited means to enjoy a decent holiday whether at home or away from home.

Therefore, the purpose of this year’s Issue of ‘Holiday with Relief‘ is to work with our users in order to find way of having enjoyable and streamlined poverty-relieving holiday experience by managing or reducing or even removing these restrictions that can bound up with their holiday plan/budget. It is about creating freedom and flexibility for their holiday budget by managing or reducing or even removing any restrictions attached to it.

The resource is packed with Spring-like poverty-relieving ideas about how to reduce poverty linked to restricted means while being on holiday. Although the contents of this year’s Holiday with Relief will be for holiday, they can be used at any other time of the year.

Key highlights or content summaries about the 2024 Issue of Holiday with Relief are given under the Main Development section of this post.

• Protection Key Note 2 for Week Beginning Monday 08/04/2024: Protection of Basic Spending Needs

Our work on approaching protection from the spending side instead of from income perspective continues this week. Approaching protection from the spending side is about relieving people from spending deprivations, particularly for those who are not able to spend on basic needs or cannot spend enough to meet their basic needs. There are ways of protecting these people. Before looking at these ways of protecting them, let us first try to understand protection as a way of meeting basic spending needs. We shall as well indicate how CENFACS can work with the community to protect their basic spending needs.

• • Protection as a Way of Meeting Basic Spending Needs

To understand protection as a basic need, one may want to explain protection. According to Chris Park (4),

“Protection is defence against harm or danger: any activity (including insect and disease control, fire protection, and law enforcement) that reduces losses or risks, tends to maintain basic conditions and values, and reduces damage or injury to people and property” (p. 360)

This definition of protection can be extended to include the defence against hunger, famine, malnutrition, homelessness, disease, insecurity, unemployment, climate change, etc. In the case of this week’s Protection, it is the defence against less or lack of spending on basic needs to sustain and increase life.

Protection as a way of meeting basic spending needs helps to increase the availability of resources and to expand choices through the provision of financial and non-financial means to consume life-sustaining goods and services. Those who lack this protection need support. There are ways of protecting their basic life-sustaining spending needs.

• • Ways of Protecting People’s Basic Spending Needs

There are initiatives that can be undertaken to protect people, especially those in need, and to cover their basic spending needs. These initiatives can come from themselves or others.

• • • Protection by People in Need Themselves of Their Basic Spending Needs

To protect their basic spending needs, they need to stick to or follow the basic spending rules. One of these rules is the 50/30/20 budget rule (5), which states that you should spend up to 50% of your after-tax income on needs and obligations that you must have or must do.

There is another rule, which is 70-20-10. The 70-20-10 budget formula (6) divides your after-tax income into three buckets: 70% for living expenses, 20% for savings and debt, and 10% for additional savings and donations.

There is a third rule which is 70/15/15 budget (7). With this budget rule, you will spend 70% on needs, 15% on wants, and 15% on savings.

Depending on individual circumstances, one may opt for any of the three budget rules or any other budget splitting strategy (e.g., 75/15/10 budget rule) to deal with their basic spending needs.

Those living in poverty and having problem to meet their basic spending needs are required find budget rules or splitting strategies that can work for them. They may have their budget almost 100% allocated to needs with nothing to wants. However, they may still have some wants (e.g., entertainment, holiday, etc.) being financed if someone else funds their wants or asks them what they want and give them what they want. They could find it difficult to be eligible for some support if they have savings, however small these savings may be.

Besides the above-named budget rules or splitting strategies, there is a free budget calculator from ‘moneyhelper.org.uk’ (8) that one can use. This calculator will help them to know exactly where their money is being spent, and how much they have got coming in. Those who have a bank account, they can use their bank’s app to learn to deal with spending.

Moreover, they can carry out spend management, instead of simply undertaking cost cutting exercise which will not work because their circumstances of life. What is spend management? According to ‘nanonets.com’ (9),

“Spend management is the process of planning, organising, and controlling an organisation’s expenses to optimize profitability, ensure cost efficiency, and support strategic decision-making”.

Those who having problem in meeting their basic spending needs can conduct spend management which can improve the way in which they make their spending decisions and spend their money.

Those who cannot protect themselves via the above-mentioned means can ask for protection support to others (like public and private organisations dealing with spending protection).

• • • Protection of People’s Basic Spending Needs by Others

Those who fail to protect themselves, they may be qualified for social protection. According to Devereux and Sabates-Wheeler quoted by ‘assets.publishing.service.gov.uk’ (10), social protection is commonly understood as

“All public and private initiatives that provide income or consumption transfers to the poor, protect the vulnerable against livelihood risks and enhance the social status and rights of the marginalised; with the overall objective of reducing the economic and social vulnerability of poor vulnerable and marginalised groups”.

The same ‘assets.publishing.service.gov.uk’ also quotes Harvey and others who argue that

“Social protection is usually provided by the state; it is theoretically conceived as part of the state-citizen contract, in which states and citizens have rights and responsibilities to each other”.

So, under certain conditions, those who unable to meet their own basic spending needs can be qualified to benefit from social protection. In developed countries, this is common. In developing countries like of Africa, there is need to check country by country if social protection, in the way we defined it above, exists. Even if it does, it is better to verify that it is enough to bridge the gap in meeting spending needs.

• • Working with the Community on Protection of Their Basic Spending Needs

There are people within our community who can handle the problem of their basic spending needs by themselves. There are others who need support or to work with somebody else in order to navigate their way to the solution about spending protection problems. For those ones, CENFACS can work with them in order to find the level of protection they need to resolve their basic spending problem.

Working with them on basic spending needs can include things such as

√ Writing together their spending needs budget

√ Providing tips to protect their spending (such as shopping around to cut their bills, cutting back on non-essential spending, seeing all their spending in one place, etc.)

√ Recommending to them to check with their bank or any financial institution that deals with their money if there is any help and support about way of handling spending (e.g., bank apps)

√ Analysing their spending accounts

√ Advising them on spending issues (e.g., how to calculate essential spending, how to categorise your payments, etc.)

√ Finding spending counselling services appropriate to them

√ Recommending them to use free online budget calculator and bank apps

√ Providing basic spending advice about the types and levels of spending protection they may need

√ Making spending protection benefit enquiries on their behalf

√ Supporting them to make an application and apply online

√ Signposting them to specialists in social protection benefit

√ Organising a drop-in sessions about social protection benefit

√ Running small and targeted spending protection clinics for those in need

√ Helping them to fill social protection benefit forms

√ Running a referral service on spending protection matters for them

√ Advocating their spending protection cases to services and organisations where they could be eligible

√ Keeping them informed, guided and updated about any changes in social protection benefit legislations

√ Translating and interpreting spending protection benefit documents or materials

√ Motivating them to become independent from social protection benefit as a long term solution

Etc.

The above are just some of the ways that CENFACS could use to support the community regarding basic spending protection. Part of support services or products is the basic financial advice product/service we can offer in terms of financial protection, which contains both income and spending protection.

Those who need help and support about basic advice on spending protection and/or for any of the matters listed above falling within our capacity, they can contact CENFACS.

Those who would like to enquiry about any other spending protection issue that is not listed above, they can still check with CENFACS if there is any help.

Those who may have some questions about Protection of Their Basic Spending Needs and the Protection Month itself, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

• Goal of the Month: Reduction of Poverty as a Lack of Protection Linked to Spending Needs

There are many definitions of poverty. During this month of April 2024, we are interested in poverty as a lack of protection, particularly but not limited to protection linked to spending needs.

• • What Is the Lack of Protection Linked to Spending Needs

The lack of protection on spending is in itself an indication of poverty. It is an indicator relating to the inability either to spend on basic necessities of life or have a cover to spend on them.

It is one of the problems that many people in need face. Some of these people may not have where to go to ask for support while they are failing to meet the necessities of life. They could be lacking protection to spend. In these circumstances, poverty as the lack of spending protection is simply the lack of means to cover part of their budget relating to needs. It is also the lack of insurance to cover or consume part or all essential goods and services to maintain and increase their lives. Our goal for the month of April 2024 is to help reduce this type of poverty. There are implications for this goal.

• • Implications for Selecting the Goal for the Month

After selecting the goal for the month, we focus our efforts and mind set on the selected goal by making sure that in our real life we apply it. We also expect our supporters to work on the same goal by supporting those who may be suffering from the type of poverty linked to the goal for the month we are talking about during the given month (e.g., April 2024).

For further details on the goal of the month and its selection procedure including its support, please contact CENFACS.

Extra Messages

• All-year Round Projects Cycle (Triple Value Initiatives Cycle) – Step/Workshop 8: Monitoring and Observability of Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

• Shop at CENFACS’ Zero Waste e-Store during This Spring Giving Season

• CENFACS’ be.Africa Forum E-discusses Energy Transition Minerals and Poverty in Africa

• All-year Round Projects Cycle (Triple Value Initiatives Cycle) – Step/Workshop 8: Monitoring and Observability of Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

To count what is happening and happened to your Play, Run and Vote Projects, you need to monitor and track them. Monitors or trackers will help you to do that. Likewise, observing your Play, Run and Vote Projects will assist in knowing what happened. Before giving an example of monitoring and observability of your Play, Run and Vote Projects, let us first explain both monitoring and observability.

• • What Is Monitoring Your Play, Run and Vote Projects about?

It is the step during which you regularly observe and record the activities of your Play, Run and Vote Projects. As part of this process, you will routinely and regularly collect information about the outcome of all aspects of your Play, Run and Vote Projects as the theory of monitoring suggests. The monitoring exercise will help you to check your progress against your project plans. You can plan specific dates for your project progression monitoring. If your Play, Run and Vote Projects involve other participants; then you can ask them to tell you what they think about the projects.

• • What Is Observability of Your Play, Run and Vote Projects about?

According to ‘ibm.com'(11),

“Observability is the ability to understand a complex system’s internal state based on external outputs. When a system is observable, a user can identify the root cause of a performance problem by looking at the data it produces without additional testing or coding”.

So, observability will inform what is happening, while monitoring will tell you when something is wrong in your Play, Run and Vote Projects.

• • Example of Monitoring Your All-year Round Projects

Let say you want to monitor your Run to Reduce Poverty in Africa. To monitor it, you will need…

~ to cover all the activities making your Run

~ to find out what all the participants think about your project

~ to know who take part in the run, their number and the frequency of their participation

~ to find the met and unmet needs

~ to identify the problems you encounter in the process of running your project

~ to figure out the resources needed for the project and the costs of running it

etc.

• • Example of Observability of Your All-year Round Projects

You can observe your Run to Reduce Poverty in Africa. Through its observability, you can

~ understand running issues

~ analyse the output data about your Run

~ detect the issues early and explore ways of resolving them

~ propose actionable insights to fix these issues

etc.

• • Recording Your All-year Round Projects

You need as well to keep all the records about the project and ask for the comments from anyone who gets involved with your Run Project.

You can do it on an outcome-monitoring sheet for effectiveness in the way you are collecting and keeping record. An outcome-monitoring sheet can include any skills, any improvement in motivation and aspirations, any boost in confidence and self-esteem, etc. that you or your participants have gained or increased as a result of your project.

You need to record changes and effects as they happen. You can keep notes of any success and failure about your project, the numbers of people involved in it and the numbers of those who benefited.

Please remember to make sure that the records you are keeping and the notes you are taking will help you to decide who is your Runner of Poverty Reduction in Africa 2024.

For those who would like to dive deeper into Monitoring and Observability of their Play or Run or Vote project, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

• Shop at CENFACS’ Zero Waste e-Store during This Spring Giving Season

CENFACS e-Store is opened for your Spring goods donations and goods purchases.

At this time, many household expenditures have been squeezed by the cost of living pressures mostly driven by the hikes in prices of basic life-sustaining needs (e.g., food, transport, housing, council tax, phone, etc.). This is despite the fact that inflation is now low (almost between 3% and 4%) compared to last Spring’s figure (around 8.7%) , and the reduction of energy price in the UK.

The impacted of the cost of living pressures need help and support as prices and bills are still higher while real incomes are less for many of those living in poverty.

Every season or every month is an opportunity to do something against poverty and hardships. This April too is a good and great month of the year to do it.

You can donate or recycle your unwanted and unneeded goods to CENFACS’ Charity e-Store, the zero waste shop built to help relieve poverty and hardships.

You can as well buy second hand goods and bargain priced new items and much more.

CENFACS’ Charity e-Store needs your support for SHOPPING and GOODS DONATIONS.

You can do something different this Season of Goods Donations by SHOPPING or DONATING GOODS at CENFACS Charity e-Store.

You can DONATE or SHOP or do both:

√ DONATE unwanted Easter GOODS, GIFTS and PRODUCTS to CENFACS Zero Waste e-Store this April and Spring.

√ SHOP at CENFACS Zero Waste e-Store to support noble and beautiful causes of poverty relief this April and Spring.

Your SHOPPING and or GOODS DONATIONS will help to the Upkeep of the Nature and to reduce poverty and hardships brought by the cost of living pressures.

This is what the Season of Giving is all about.

Please do not hesitate to donate goods or purchase what is available at CENFACS Zero Waste e-Store.

Many lives have been threatened and destroyed by the cost of living pressures.

We need help to help them come out poverty and hardships caused by these pressures.

To donate or purchase goods, please go to: http://cenfacs.org.uk/shop/

• CENFACS’ be.Africa Forum E-discusses Energy Transition Minerals and Poverty in Africa

Energy transition in Africa goes through energy transition minerals that Africa possesses. However, this transition via minerals that Africa has will be meaningful only if these minerals continue to serve poor people and poverty reduction causes in Africa. But, what are these energy transition minerals?

• • Brief Understanding of Energy Transition Minerals

The United Nations Environment Programme (12) explains that

“Energy transition minerals are naturally occurring substances, often found in rocks, that are ideal for use in renewable technology… Lithium, nickel and cobalt are components of batteries, like those that power electric vehicles”.

These minerals of energy transition can fasten energy transition. They are technological innovations developed to support energy transition. They include cobalt, copper, lanthanum, lithium, for electric vehicles; platinum, palladium, rhodium for fuel cells; copper, neodymium, terbium for wind energy transitions, etc.

They are found in many countries including Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, there is a dilemma between where these minerals are found in Africa and poverty in Africa.

• • Dilemma Surrounding Africa’s Minerals and Poverty in Africa

A the moment, Africa has the world’s highest number of poor people and is the lowest emitter of greenhouse gases. In other words, Africa ’emits’ more poverty than greenhouse gases.

Regarding Africa’s greenhouse gas emissions, a recent study conducted by Yolandi Ernst of the University of Witwatergrand in South Africa (13) reveals the following:

“Although the rate carbon emissions in Africa is increasing (because of natural ecosystems such as the soil and plants in grasslands, savannas and forests) are converted for agricultural purposes, Africa is still emitting less carbon emissions compared to the other regions of the world”.

This is when one considers both the natural and anthropogenic emissions.

Additionally, the website ‘globalissues.org’ (14) states that

“An estimated 3.8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions are emitted by Africa, but only two percent of the proportion of renewable energy investment went to Africa in 2023”.

Concerning poverty in Africa, the website ‘statista.com’ (15) notices that

“In 2024, around 429 million people in Africa were living in extreme poverty, with the poverty threshold at 2.15 U.S. dollars a day. The number of poor people on the continent increased compared to the previous years. However, poverty in Africa is expected to decline slightly in the coming years, even in the face of a growing population. The number of inhabitants living below the extreme poverty line would decrease to 402 million by 2030”.

The same ‘statista.com’ (16) explains that

“In March 2024, over 11 percent of the world population in extreme poverty, with the poverty threshold at 2.15 U.S. dollars a day, lived in Nigeria. Moreover, the Democratic Republic of Congo accounted for around 10 percent of the global population in extreme poverty. Other African countries with a large poor population were Tanzania, Mozambique, and Madagascar”.

If one believes in the above-mentioned figures of poverty, it means that in 2030 poverty will still be in Africa with a large number of extreme poor. Yet, greenhouse gas emissions in Africa will be less in Africa compared to the rest of the regions of the world.

Because of the stubbornness of poverty in Africa, there is a need to argue that energy transition minerals would be meaningful to the eyes of this high number of poor in Africa only if they free these people from poverty, in particular energy and climate poverty. In other words, it is good to expect energy transition minerals in Africa to do more in the fight against global adverse climate change. Equally, it is greatly important to make sure that Africa’s energy transition minerals go the extra mile in reducing and perhaps ending poverty in Africa. This argument makes up the focus of our e-discussion for this week.

Those who may be interested in this discussion can join in and or contribute by contacting CENFACS’ be.Africa, which is a forum for discussion on matters and themes of poverty reduction and sustainable development in Africa and which acts on behalf of its members in making proposals or ideas for actions for a better Africa. They can contact us at our usual address on this site.

Message in French (Message en français)

• Magasinez sur la boutique en ligne Zéro Déchet du CENFACS pendant cette saison printanière des dons

La boutique en ligne du CENFACS est ouverte pour vos dons de marchandises de printemps et vos achats de marchandises.

À l’heure actuelle, de nombreuses dépenses des ménages ont été comprimées par les pressions exercées par le coût de la vie, principalement en raison de la hausse des prix des produits de première nécessité (nourriture, transport, logement, taxe d’habitation, téléphone, etc.). Et ce, malgré le fait que l’inflation est désormais faible (près de 3 % à 4 %) par rapport au chiffre du printemps dernier (environ 8,7 %), et la baisse du prix de l’énergie au Royaume Uni.

Les personnes touchées par les pressions exercées par le coût de la vie ont besoin d’aide et de soutien, car les prix et les factures sont encore plus élevés, tandis que les revenus réels sont moindres pour de nombreuses personnes vivant dans la pauvreté.

Chaque saison ou chaque mois est l’occasion de faire quelque chose contre la pauvreté et les difficultés. Ce mois d’avril est aussi un bon et excellent mois de l’année pour le faire.

Vous pouvez faire un don de ou recycler vos produits non désirés et inutiles à la boutique en ligne caritative de CENFACS, la boutique zéro déchet conçue pour aider à soulager la pauvreté et les difficultés.

Vous pouvez également acheter des biens d’occasion et des articles neufs à prix cassés et bien plus encore.

La boutique en ligne caritative du CENFACS a besoin de votre soutien pour les achats et les dons de marchandises.

Vous pouvez faire quelque chose de différent en cette saison des dons de marchandises en faisant du shopping ou en faisant un don de marchandises à la boutique en ligne de la charité CENFACS.

Vous pouvez faire un don ou magasiner ou faire les deux:

√ FAITES DON de MARCHANDISES, de CADEAUX et de PRODUITS de Pâques non désirés à la boutique en ligne Zéro Déchet du CENFACS en avril et au printemps.

√ ACHETEZ sur la boutique en ligne Zéro Déchet du CENFACS pour soutenir les nobles et belles causes de lutte contre la pauvreté en avril et au printemps.

Vos ACHATS et/ou DONS DE BIENS contribueront à l’entretien de la nature et à réduire la pauvreté et les difficultés causées par les pressions du coût de la vie.

C’est l’objectif de la Saison des dons.

N’hésitez pas à faire un don ou à acheter ce qui est disponible sur la boutique en ligne Zéro Déchet du CENFACS.

De nombreuses vies ont été menacées et détruites par les pressions exercées par le coût de la vie.

Nous avons besoin d’aide pour les aider à sortir de la pauvreté et des difficultés causées par ces pressions.

Pour faire un don ou acheter des biens, rendez-vous sur: http://cenfacs.org.uk/shop/

Main Development

• ICDP (Individual Capacity Development Programme) Resource, Holiday with Relief – In Focus for Spring 2024 Issue: Holiday with Restricted Budget

How to make your holiday plan with budgetary restrictions attached to it

Looking forward to building holiday budget with manageable restrictions?

You are in the right place as the following contents will show you:

∝ What Is Holiday with Relief (HwR)?

∝ What Is the Focus for This Year’s HwR?

∝ Reduction of Holiday Poverty

∝ For Whom This Resource Is Designed

∝ Types of Holiday Budget Restrictions

∝ Holiday Plan and Budget

∝ Ways of Dealing with Holiday Budget Restrictions

∝ Organisations Dealing with Holiday Budgets, Grants and Matters

∝ Needing Help and Support to Deal with Restrictions Attached to Your Holiday Budget.

Let us summarise these contents.

• • Content Summaries, Tips and Hints about Spring 2024 Holiday with Relief

• • • What Is Holiday with Relief?

Holiday with Relief (HwR) is an awareness, preparedness and solutions focussed Resource to Manage Information over holidays (e.g. Easter and Summer holidays).

As an Information Manager, HwR is a set of life-changing tips and tricks to help and enable vulnerably unaware people to plan and have their holiday or break with confidence in taking into account all aspects of life and by making sure that key areas of those life aspects are not adversely affected.

• • • What Is the Focus for This Year’s HwR?

The focus for HwR for this year is on Holiday with Restricted Budget. It is about providing a set of life-enhancing tips and hints to support those who are looking for simple but practical advice to reduce or manage restrictions linked to their holiday budget.

• • • Reduction of Holiday Poverty

This Spring Season, we shall find ways of working with the members of our community who are likely to face holiday poverty because of various circumstances but in particular due to the lack of means to enjoy a decent holiday, whether they stay at home or are away from their home. We hope that working together with them will help them avoid holiday poverty trap or to exacerbate it.

Through this wealth of information contained in the ‘Holiday with Relief’, we will try together to tackle holiday poverty, particularly poverty linked to restricted budget or limited means to enjoy a decent holiday whether at home or away from home.

• • • For Whom This Resource Is Designed

This resource is primarily designed for the CENFACS Community members and those related to them.

The resource also caters for the following:

√ Those who are looking for some basic ideas about how to build holiday budget that has restrictions

√ Those who are searching for holiday funding schemes and programmes with minimal or without restrictions

√ Those who are willing to create holiday plan and budget that meet funder/donor requirements or restrictions or prohibitions

√ Disabled people and their carers

√ Those looking to raise money for their holiday trips

√ Those wanting to fund their respite break as disabled persons and their carers

√ Anyone interested in funding for holiday with with budgetary restrictions.

• • • Types of Holiday Budget Restrictions

As briefly explained in the Key Messages, Holiday with Restricted Budget can happen in the following three cases:

a) “When a family is on a restricted budget, it means it is limiting its spending “, according to ‘pocketsense.com’ (op. cit.)

c) If the person who sponsored your holiday project does it through a policy on restricted funds budget or a reserve of money that can only be used for holiday projects or purposes..

Advice, tips and hints can help to manage or overcome some of these restrictions.

• • • Holiday Plan and Budget

The starting point to plan your holiday is to have a plan for your holiday and a budget for it.

Regarding your holiday plan, you need to include the following:

where to go if not staying at home, when to go, how to go, who to go with, where to stay, what to do, what to eat, when to return, etc.

Concerning your holiday budget, the theory recommends to take inventory or stock of last year’s holiday accounts. In practice, you will use your last year’s holiday expenses and divide them by 12 to obtain the monthly amount of saving or spending you need to budget for the next holiday.

To create your holiday budget, you can use the following steps as provided by ‘hrss.cpa’ (17):

Income evaluation, setting spending limit, review of past expenses, allocation of funds, expense monitoring, future planning, and adaptability to challenges.

However, you should bear in mind that there are economic factors (like changes in interest rate, exchange rate, inflation, the cost of living, the cost of holidaying, etc. ) you should include when working your numbers. You budget will be adjusted for these factors. You could as well use an online holiday budget calculator to do it for you.

• • • Ways of Dealing with Holiday Budget Restrictions

There is a number of ways or strategies that can be used to handle holiday budget restrictions and prohibitions, particularly when those restrictions come from holiday funders or donors. These ways or strategies of handling holiday budget restrictions include the following:

√ Amending your holiday budget and getting it approved by your holiday sponsor

√ Making your holiday project expenditures not to exceed the budget agreed

√ Offering a choice of designation for a restricted holiday fund to be used to your holiday funder or donor

√ Asking a donor to reconsider their restrictions if and where possible

√ Seeking flexibility to your holiday donor about the allocation funds to your holiday, whether for temporary or permanent restrictions

√ Suggesting alternative use of unused or unspent holidays funds/grants

√ Rejecting holiday donation with restrictions you cannot comply with

√ Bringing your own restrictions direct to holiday donor

Etc.

The above-mentioned strategies or techniques show that it is possible to manage restrictions, whether temporary or permanent ones, in the context of holiday restricted budget. It all depends on they types of restrictions, whether they are tough or soft, the value of the holiday donations, the level of flexibility of donor or funder as well as the flexibility your have in your own holiday budget.

• • • Organisations Dealing with Holiday Budgets, Grants and Matters

Paying for a family holiday is not always easy, especially for those families on low income brackets. There are organisations that can help pay for your/family holiday, however their support can sometimes come with budgetary restrictions. These organisations are specialised in holiday matters relating to people in need.

Some of these organisations provide grants, organisations like the following:

The Children Hope Foundation, Donna’s Dream House, Heswall Disabled Children’s Holiday Fund, Kids Cancer Charity, The Oliver Curd Trust, Sebastian’s Action Trust, Youth Cancer Trust, The Calvet Trust, Sandcastle Trust, Hannah’s Holiday Appeal, Brarretstown, After Umbrage, Tourism for All UK, etc.

There are organisations that give short breaks and holidays to families caring for a child with complex disabilities or health issues (e.g., www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk).

There are organisations that deal with family holiday grants or short break activities (e.g., The 3H Foundation, The Henry Smith Charity).

There are other organisations that are specialised in grants for disabled children and adults, adventurous holidays for adventurous families, etc.

Most of the organisations listed in this Spring 2024 Issue of Holiday with Relief are generally from the charity and voluntary sectors.

For those who are interested in them, it will be a good idea to check their funding/grant requirement, size, length, decision timescale, deadline and qualifying criteria.

For those who may be having some problems in finding these details, they can contact CENFACS for guidance and support.

• • • Needing Help and Support to Deal with Restrictions on Your Holiday Budget

CENFACS can work with the members of its community to find ways of handling restrictions on their holiday budget. We can guide them/you to find help for restrictions removal from their holiday budget. We can arrange for them/you to speak to specialists around restricted funding for holiday related to vulnerable people. We can as well signpost them/you to organisations offering holiday funding service to those in need.

Additionally, there are charities and voluntary organisations that can help around holiday budget matters such as

∝ paying for a holiday via restricted or unrestricted support for holidays

∝ finding the right holiday for families with a member with a chronic condition

∝ finding a break and or respite.

CENFACS can as well work with the members of its community to streamline holiday budget processes and achieve better results in terms of spending by guiding them on the following matters:

∝ what to do with unused holiday funds

∝ how to use unrestricted/unassigned/undesignated/designated fund balance to help balance your holiday budget

∝ how to coordinate your needs of raising funds for your holiday and the necessities of accounting for the holiday money raised to be received

∝ what to do unspent holiday grants

etc.

We hope that the above content summaries will provide an insightful idea about this year’s Issue of Holiday with Relief.

For those users who would like to dive into Holiday with Restricted Budget, we can provide them with online and print resources (e.g., a list of organisations providing holidaying support for those in need) relating to Holiday Budget.

To support Holiday with Restricted Budget and get the full Spring 2024 Issue of ICDP Resource (Holiday with Relief), please contact CENFACS.

_________

• References

(1) https://pocketsense.com/restricted-budget-8444362.html (accessed in April 2024)

(2) https://www.pairsoft.com/blog/nonprofit-budget-restricted-funds/ (accessed in April 2024)

(3) https://count.co.uk/essential-vs-non-essential-spending-how-do-you-prioritize/ (accessed in April 2024)

(4) Park, C. (2011), A Dictionary of Environment and Conservation, Oxford University Press Inc., Oxford & New York

(5) https://www.thebalancemoney.com/the-50-30-20-rule-of-thumb-453922 (accessed in April 2024)

(6) https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/70-20-10-budget (accessed in April 2024)

(7) https://www.miza.app/70-15-15-budget-rule (accessed in April 2024)

(8) https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/budgeting/budget-planner (accessed in April 2024)

(9) https: //nanonets.com/blog/what-is-spend-management/ (accessed in April 2024)

(10) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/57a089de5274a31e000013e/SocialProtection.pdf (accessed in April 2024)

(11) https://www.ibm.com/blog/observability-vs-monitoring/ (accessed in April 2024),

(12) https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/what-are-energy-transition-minerals-and-how-can-they-unlock-clean-energy-age (accessed in April 2024)

(13) https://theconversion.com/africa-now-emits-as-much-carbon-as-it-stores-landmark-new-study-226522 (accessed in April 2024)

(14) https://www.globalissues.org/news/2024/02/05/35910 (accessed in April 2024)

(15) https://www.statista.com/statistics/1228533/number-of-people-living-below-the-extreme-poverty-line-in-africa/ (accessed in April 2024)

(16) https://www.statista.com/statistics/1228553/extreme-poverty-as-share-of-global-population-in-africa-by-country/ (accessed in April 2024)

(17) https://hrss.cpa/budgeting-for-the-holidays-guide-to-keeping-your-finances/ (accessed in April 2024)

_________

• Help CENFACS Keep the Poverty Relief Work Going this Year

We do our work on a very small budget and on a voluntary basis. Making a donation will show us you value our work and support CENFACS’ work, which is currently offered as a free service.

One could also consider a recurring donation to CENFACS in the future.

Donate to support CENFACS!

FOR ONLY £1, YOU CAN SUPPORT CENFACS AND CENFACS’ NOBLE AND BEAUTIFUL CAUSES OF POVERTY REDUCTION.

JUST GO TO: Support Causes – (cenfacs.org.uk)

Thank you for visiting CENFACS website and reading this post.

Thank you as well to those who made or make comments about our weekly posts.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits and continuing support throughout 2024 and beyond.

With many thanks.

Permalink

Protection in The Context of Squeezed Household Spending

Posted by ctsh@in2015 on April 3, 2024 in Uncategorized

Welcome to CENFACS’ Online Diary!

03 April 2024

Post No. 346

The Week’s Contents

• Protection in The Context of Squeezed Household Spending

• ReLive Issue No. 16, Spring 2024: Will You Help The Conflict-related Acute Food Insecure in Africa to Rebuild and Renew Their Lives?

• Activity/Task 4 of the ‘t’ Project: Protect People Who Are Transitioning

… And much more!

Key Messages

• Protection in The Context of Squeezed Household Spending

This Spring 2024, our Protection work will be conducted within the context of Squeezed Household Spending. It is the context in which low income households are trying to shield themselves from spikes in prices of goods and services. These spikes have led to the squeeze of household final consumption expenditures, including household accounts of our community members. Yet, everybody has to spend on a minimum of life necessities in order to keep their life running without collapsing as humans.

Indeed, there has been a squeeze on household spending and living standards. For example, according to the Office for National Statistics (1) in the UK,

“From Quarter 4 (Oct. to Dec.) 2021 to Quarter 2 (Apr. to June) 2023, there has been a fall in the quantity and/or quality of many items bought by households, but increasing prices mean that the overall nominal value of household spending has risen sharply”.

The Office for National Statistics (2) in the UK also argues that

“In Quarter 3 (July to Sept.) 2023, household spending growth (adjusted for inflation) was negative 0.5%, compared with Quarter 2 (Apr. to June) 2023”.

Decrease in household spending can be an indication of the struggle that households are having to make ends meet. Easing the squeeze can help decrease the difficulty these households are experiencing.

Squeeze on household spending requires protection. This month, we are going to explore the available options to protect basic expenditures. In other words, we are going to work on the types of protection that can help to cover people’s needs rather than people’s wants.

When people speak about expenses or spending or expenditures, often the verb they use is cut or reduce or trim or cancel them. They also employ the term ‘spending review’; meaning in-depth assessment of expenditure and identification of opportunities to improve efficiency and to redirect spending. But, there are expenses or spending or expenditures that are uncuttable, like those relating to basic necessities. People living below or on poverty line cannot have them cut. If cutting basic expenses or spending or expenditures is not what one should be aiming at for protection, then one should look at other ways of protecting the expenses/spending/expenditures of those in need.

Throughout the month of April 2024, we are going to try to go beyond generic or classic recipes of protecting expenses/spending/expenditures to explore new and innovative ways of approaching their protection for the poor; ways that reflect the kinds of context or circumstances we have today and will be having tomorrow. Today, we are in the context of skyrocketing prices and bills at a rate and pace that no expenses/spending/expenditures plan of poor household can match or follow. Tomorrow, there could be different types of challenges or crises with damaging effects on poor household expenditure. Yet, these poor people need a certain level of expenses/spending/expenditures to live on as humans.

Both generic or classical solutions and new approaches to protecting expenses/spending/expenditures of the poor are highlighted in our April 2024 action plan to work with poor households with squeezed expenditure problems to protect their minimal expenses/spending/expenditures. To find more about this action plan and what is likely to be the Month of Protection within CENFACS, please read under the Main Development section of this post.

• ReLive Issue No. 16, Spring 2024: Will You Help The Conflict-related Acute Food Insecure in Africa to Rebuild and Renew Their Lives?

• • What is ReLive?

ReLive is one of CENFACS’ Spring campaigns and a bridge between CENFACS’ Winter Lights and Spring Relief seasons.

As ReLive advocacy is designed to plead for help to the peoples and communities whose lives and livelihoods have been destroyed to rebuild themselves. The current appeal will try to achieve this for the Central African Republic, Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo this Spring 2024.

Although this appeal is a seasonal appeal related to Spring, it is also a consolidated one following our Winter Light appeals.

• • What Is the Focus for ReLive in 2024?

The 16th issue of CENFACS’ Once-a-year Spring Appeal for Renewing Lives (ReLive) will focus on advocating for the support of the food insecure people, particularly those who are and have been the victims of conflict or wars in Africa. For the purpose of this year’s Spring Renewing Life Appeal, we are going to limit to three countries: Central African Republic, Chad and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Because of the similarities and patterns of conflict events and humanitarian issues in these countries, we have launched a unified appeal to cater for the three countries. We are doing it through what we call Gifts of Renewing Lives or Life-Renewing Projects. The underlying principle of ReLive campaign is to help rebuild or renew lives rather than to respond to emergency and contingency needs.

From 2020 to 2023, we went out of our way to respond to shocks and crises (like the coronavirus, the cost-of-living crisis and geo-economic crisis brought by the Russia-Ukraine conflict). During that time, our ReLive Campaign dealt more with crises and shocks than the principle of rebuilding and renewing lives.

Now, we are resetting our system of poverty reduction, we are returning our ReLive Campaign to its original format of rebuilding and renewing lives over Spring. Like before, we are going to do it through Gifts of Renewing Lives or Life-renewing Projects.

• • What Are Gifts of Renewing Lives or Life-renewing Projects (LRPS)?

Life-renewing projects (LRPs) are poverty relief and Spring like gifts designed to materialise ReLive advocacy by helping people to set free from multi-dimensional deprivations and hardships so that they can start up again, renew and rebuild their lives with hope.

LRPs are part of CENFACS’ African Rebuilding and Sustaining Infrastructures and Lives Programme. Spring Gifts of Renewing Lives are about bringing renewal, joy and hope to needy people. These Spring 2024 Gifts will be about bringing the same benefits to the peoples of these three selected African countries.

• • What Are These Ways or Gifts of Renewing Lives?

This Spring, we are running 14 Gifts in a world of 20 Reliefs or Helpful Differences. What does this mean?

It means donors or funders have 14 Gifts of Renewing Lives to choose from and 20 Reliefs to select from to make helpful differences to the food insecure.

In total, our Spring Relief campaign is providing to potential supporters 14 GIFTS of rebuilding lives in the three African Countries in 20 RELIEFS to make this happen.

For this renewal to happen, support is needed towards LRPs.

To support, go to http://cenfacs.org.uk/supporting-us/

• Activity/Task 4 of the ‘t’ Project: Protect People Who Are Transitioning

• • What Activity/Task 4 of the ‘t’ Project Is about

The third activity/task of the “t” Project is about what we can do to support or protect those around us and in our community who are experiencing transition.

Transition, whether it is climate or economic or educational or professional transition or other can be challenging and sometimes difficult to bear, especially for the most vulnerable and fragile members of our community/organisation.

• • Supporting or Protecting Those Who Are Transitioning

In their process of transition, these vulnerable and fragile peoples may need support or protection to cope with what they are going through. They need to be shielded as they are passing from one situation to another, which could be difficult one. They need understanding and company as they are experiencing changes in their life.

• • Example of Support or Protection

For example, those who are experiencing financial hardship while transitioning will need protection. In the UK, the Benefits Agency provides to benefit claimants Universal Credit transitional protection (3), which is an extra transitional amount which tops up your Universal Credit award so that you are not substantially worse off when you move onto Universal Credit.

What proceeds is just an example of ways of protecting transition and those who are transitioning. We are not asking everybody to do the same like Benefits Agency does. What could be good is that depending on one’s capacity and ability, they can decide themselves what they can do to support or protect those who are vulnerable and undergoing transition to succeed in their transitioning process.

The above is what activity/task 4 is about. For those who need any help before embarking on this activity/task, they can speak to CENFACS.

For any other queries and enquiries about the ‘t‘ project and this year’s dedication, please contact CENFACS as well.

Extra Messages

• Shop at CENFACS’ Zero Waste e-Store during This Spring Giving Season

• All-year Round Projects Cycle (Triple Value Initiatives Cycle) – Step/Workshop 7: Implementing Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

• Making Zero Hunger Africa Campaign with a Focus on Resetting Food Price to Reduce Food Poverty in Africa

• Shop at CENFACS’ Zero Waste e-Store during This Spring Giving Season

CENFACS e-Store is opened for your Spring goods donations and goods purchases.

The impacted of the cost of living pressures needs help and support as prices and bills are still higher while real incomes are less for many of those living in poverty.

Every season or every month is an opportunity to do something against poverty and hardships. This April too is a good and great month of the year to do it.

You can donate or recycle your unwanted and unneeded goods to CENFACS’ Charity e-Store, the zero waste shop built to help relieve poverty and hardships.

You can as well buy second hand goods and bargain priced new items and much more.

CENFACS’ Charity e-Store needs your support for SHOPPING and GOODS DONATIONS.

You can do something different this Season of Goods Donations by SHOPPING or DONATING GOODS at CENFACS Charity e-Store.

You can DONATE or SHOP or do both:

√ DONATE unwanted Easter GOODS, GIFTS and PRODUCTS to CENFACS Zero Waste e-Store this April and Spring.

√ SHOP at CENFACS Zero Waste e-Store to support noble and beautiful causes of poverty relief this April and Spring.

Your SHOPPING and or GOODS DONATIONS will help to the Upkeep of the Nature and to reduce poverty and hardships brought by the cost of living pressures.

This is what the Season of Giving is all about.

Please do not hesitate to donate goods or purchase what is available at CENFACS Zero Waste e-Store.

Many lives have been threatened and destroyed by the cost of living pressures.

We need help to help them come out poverty and hardships caused by these pressures.

To donate or purchase goods, please go to: http://cenfacs.org.uk/shop/

• All-year Round Projects Cycle (Triple Value Initiatives Cycle) –

Step/Workshop 7: Implementing Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

After making the organisational structure of your chosen Play, Run and Vote Projects, it is now the time to proceed with the Implementation Step.

• • What Is an Implementation Step?

There are many definitions within the literature about project implementation. One of them comes from ‘taskmanagementguide.com’ (4) which states that

“Project implementation is a practice of executing or carrying out a project under a certain plan in order to complete this project and produce desired results”.

The above definition indicates that one needs an implementation plan. As an all-year-round project implementor, you can draw up your implementation plan that shows the way you would like to execute and carry out your project.

Having said that Project Implementation is the step you put your project plan into action. You want your all-year-round project to fulfil and accomplish the goals and objectives you have set up for it. It is also the phase during which you can register, review and approve/reject any changes and variations. As an all-year-round project manager of your project, you need to coordinate all project aspects and resources to meet the objectives of the project plan. One of the aspects of the project implementation is change control.

• • What Is Change Control in a Project implementation Process?

The website ‘ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub’ (5) states that

“Change control is a set of procedures that lets you make changes in an organised way”.

The same ‘ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub’ explains this:

“If you find a problem,… you will need to look at how it affects the triple constraint (time, cost, scope) and how it impacts the project quality… If you evaluate the impact of the change and find it won’t have an impact on the project triple constraint, then you can make the change without going through change control”.

• • An Example of Implementing Your All-year Round Projects

Let us take the example of Voting Your 2024 International Development and Poverty Reduction Manager.

Your goal is to find a person who will meet the managerial qualities of such a position. Amongst the objectives are the design of a job description and person specification that match with the profile of your ideal International Development and Poverty Reduction Manager of the Year.

In project implementation jargon, you will put approved plan into practice to proceed with the selection of your International Development and Poverty Reduction Manager of the Year. He/she must meet your selection criteria. If you are voting as a group, you could set up a selection panel or recruitment board like you will do it for real job interview. You can start by shortlisting 12 candidates, cutting down your list to 6, then to 3 until you reach/vote the last one, who has scored the best and most results of your jury questions and responded to most criteria.

You can decide to add a fundraising feature to your voting activity.

• • Fundraising during the Vote of International Development and Poverty Reduction Manager of the Year

You can invite the members of the public pay to participate in voting and/or to participate in the selection procedure. Their payment will be the money you will raise for good causes like CENFACS‘ noble and beautiful ones. The money raised will help to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

For those who would like to dive deeper into Implementing their Play or Run or Vote project, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

• Making Zero Hunger Africa Campaign with a Focus on Resetting Food Price to Reduce Food Poverty in Africa

Last year, the focus of Making Zero Hunger Africa Campaign (MZHAC) was Food Security since Africa was looking for a sustainable recovery from multiple crises (e.g., the coronavirus pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, climate change and armed conflicts in some parts of Africa).

This year, our focus is on Food Price and events or key drivers that are leading to hikes in the price of food in Africa, especially in the so-called Africa’s hunger hotspots. We are working on how food price can be used in order to reduce poverty, particularly food poverty. Before looking at this year’s focus, let us remind our readers the aim of Making Zero Hunger Africa Campaign.

• • Aim of Making Zero Hunger Africa Campaign

The aim of MZHAC is to raise awareness on sustainable food consumption and production in order to end hunger and malnutrition amongst those who are food deprived, particularly in Africa where the number of hungry people and families is still on the rise. It is as well a campaigning response to the challenge of rise in hunger that Africa will face in the foreseeable future. In this respect, the cost-of-living crisis has only made the matter worse as it has put a heavy toll on the consumption poor.

The contents of MZHAC are: End Hunger and Malnutrition Goal, Support Small-Scale Food Producers in Africa, Actions to Support the Food Industry in Africa, Meeting Vulnerable People’s Nutritional Needs, Actions for Sustainable Food Production Systems, etc.

This year, we are focussing on Food Price in the context of Resetting Poverty Reduction Systems.

• • Resetting Food Price to Reduce Food Poverty in Africa

As part of MZHAC, we are working on food prices in Central African Republic, Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo; and how food prices have affected the reduction of poverty in these three countries. We are as well looking at other factors around food price like transport, infrastructures, etc. that affect food price.

For example, according to ‘reliefweb.int’ (6),

“Fuel prices and the quality of road infrastructure linking major rural production zones to large consumer markets are among some of the key factors that influence staple food prices in Easter Democratic Republic of Congo”.

However, there are studies that assert that higher food prices can reduce poverty. Others suggest that the impacts of spikes in prices of food are controversial. In MZHAC, we are trying to organise a series of actions to gain support for the food price to be affordable for the poor in Africa. We are as well taking action so that food poverty can be sensibly reduced in Africa.

Make Zero Hunger Africa could further be undertaken by investing in projects that set food prices to make food accessible, available, affordable and utilisable for the food insecure as well as helping to reduce food poverty.

For those who would like to support MZHAC and Resetting Food Price to Reduce Food Poverty in Africa, they can contact CENFACS.

Message in French (Message en français)

• Campagne «Faim zéro» en Afrique, qui met l’accent sur la réinitialisation des prix des denrées alimentaires pour réduire la pauvreté alimentaire en Afrique

L’année dernière, la campagne «Faim zéro» en Afrique s’est concentrée sur la sécurité alimentaire, car l’Afrique était à la recherche d’une reprise durable après de multiples crises (par exemple, la pandémie de coronavirus, la crise du coût de la vie, le changement climatique et les conflits armés dans certaines parties de l’Afrique).

Cette année, nous nous concentrons sur les prix des denrées alimentaires et sur les événements ou les principaux facteurs qui entraînent des hausses des prix des denrées alimentaires en Afrique, en particulier dans les soi-disant points chauds de la faim en Afrique. Nous travaillons sur la manière dont le prix des denrées alimentaires peut être utilisé pour réduire la pauvreté, en particulier la pauvreté alimentaire. Avant d’aborder le thème de cette année, rappelons à nos lecteurs et lectrices l’objectif de la campagne « Faim zéro » en Afrique.

• • Objectif de la campagne Faim Zéro en Afrique

L’objectif de la campagne « Faim zéro » est de sensibiliser à la consommation et à la production alimentaires durables afin de mettre fin à la faim et à la malnutrition chez les personnes privées de nourriture, en particulier en Afrique où le nombre de personnes et de familles souffrant de la faim est toujours en augmentation. Il s’agit également d’une réponse militante au défi de l’augmentation de la faim auquel l’Afrique sera confrontée dans un avenir prévisible. À cet égard, la crise du coût de la vie n’a fait qu’aggraver la situation, car elle a fait payer un lourd tribut aux consommateurs pauvres.

Les contenus de la campagne «Faim zéro» sont les suivants: Objectif de mettre fin à la faim et à la malnutrition, Soutenir les petits producteurs alimentaires en Afrique, Actions de soutien à l’industrie alimentaire en Afrique, Répondre aux besoins nutritionnels des personnes vulnérables, Actions pour des systèmes de production alimentaire durables, etc.

Cette année, nous nous concentrons sur le prix des denrées alimentaires dans le contexte de la réinitialisation des systèmes de réduction de la pauvreté.

• • Rétablir le prix des denrées alimentaires pour réduire la pauvreté alimentaire en Afrique

Dans le cadre de la campagne «Faim zéro», nous travaillons sur les prix des denrées alimentaires en République Centrafricaine, au Tchad et en République Démocratique du Congo; et comment les prix des denrées alimentaires ont affecté la réduction de la pauvreté dans ces trois pays. Nous examinons également d’autres facteurs liés au prix des denrées alimentaires, tels que les transports, les infrastructures, etc., qui influent sur le prix des denrées alimentaires.

Par exemple, d’après ‘reliefweb.int’ (6),

«Les prix des carburants et la qualité des infrastructures routières reliant les principales zones de production rurale aux grands marchés de consommation sont parmi les principaux facteurs qui influencent les prix des denrées alimentaires de base dans l’est de la République Démocratique du Congo ».

Cependant, il existe des études qui affirment que des prix alimentaires plus élevés peuvent réduire la pauvreté. D’autres suggèrent que les effets de la flambée des prix des denrées alimentaires sont controversés. A partir de la campagne «Faim zéro», nous essayons d’organiser une série d’actions pour obtenir un soutien pour que le prix des denrées alimentaires soit abordable pour les pauvres en Afrique. Nous agissons également pour réduire sensiblement la pauvreté alimentaire en Afrique.

Faire de l’Afrique Faim Zéro pourrait également être entrepris en investissant dans des projets qui fixent les prix des denrées alimentaires afin de rendre les aliments accessibles, disponibles, abordables et utilisables pour les personnes en situation d’insécurité alimentaire, ainsi que de contribuer à réduire la pauvreté alimentaire.

Pour ceux ou celles qui souhaitent soutenir la campagne «Faim zéro» et la réinitialisation des prix des denrées alimentaires pour réduire la pauvreté alimentaire en Afrique, ils/elles peuvent contacter le CENFACS.

Main Development

• Protection in The Context of Squeezed Household Spending

The following items will help to approach Protection in The Context of Squeezed Household Spending:

σ Key Terms

σ Squeezed Household Spending

σ Spending Protection

σ Identified Areas of Protection Work and Households to Work with in This April 2024

σ Action Plan for The Implementation of Protection This April 2024

σ Week Beginning Monday 01/04/2024: Expenses Appraisal

σ Other Areas of Protection: e.g., Protection of Flora, Fauna and Funga.

Let us briefly explain each of the above items making Protection in The Context of Squeezed Household Spending.

• • Key Terms

Key terms include expenditure and expense, household spending, private final consumption expenditure and consumption-based poverty. Let us briefly explain them.

• • • Expenditure and expense

According to ‘corporatefinanceinstitute.com’ (7),

“Expenditure is the total purchase price of a good or service. Expense is the amount that is recorded as an offset to revenues or income on a company’s income statement”.

There is a difference between the two as one can notice. Despite this difference, both expenditure and expense can be protected, especially when dealing with life-sustaining expenditures or expenses for people living in poverty.

• • • Household spending

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (8) explains that

“Household spending is the amount of final consumption expenditure made by resident households to meet everyday needs, such as food, clothing, housing (rent), energy, transport, durable goods (notably cars), health costs, leisure, and miscellaneous services”.

Another explanation comes from the World Bank (9) which speaks about household consumption and which highlights the following

“Household consumption is typically the core concept at the centre of any attempt to measure living standards, inequality and poverty in the developing world”.

Household consumption expenditures can be measured by budget surveys. These metrics can help indicate or know if there has been increase or decrease or even squeeze in the amount of household consumption expenditures.

Within the final consumption expenditure, we are dealing with the private part of it. Private final consumption expenditure is defined by ‘mospi.gov.in’ (10), as

“The expenditure incurred by the resident households and non-profit institutions serving households on final consumption of goods and services, whether made within or outside the economic territory”.

• • • Consumption-based poverty

Tara O’ Neil describes it on the website of ‘americanactionforum.org’ (11) in terms of measure by arguing that

“A consumption-based poverty measure assesses what people consume or purchase, regardless of how it was paid for (whether through income, tax credits, or non-cash benefits) to determine whether their needs are being met or not. In other words, this metric accounts for all types of benefits and aid that might be provided, as well as expenses”.

The above-mentioned terms will be used to approach Protection in The Context of Squeezed Household Spending. However, what we are concerned with is private final consumption. We are not dealing with Government final consumption expenditure, gross domestic capital formation and net exports. We are mostly working on household expenditures, mainly on non durable ones.

• • Squeezed Household Spending

In recent months, there has been a squeeze on household spending and living standards. Decrease in household spending can be an indication of the struggle that households are having to make ends meet. Easing the squeeze can help decrease the difficulty these households are experiencing. One of the ways of lessen the pain for households is through protection of their spending.

• • Spending Protection

Spending protection happens when people’s spending does not expose them to consumption poverty and do not threaten their living standards. It can as well happen if people’s spending is covered by a third party (e.g., Universal Credit transitional protection provided by a Benefits Agency).

However, spending protection does not happen accidentally. It may require some work to be carried out with those who need a certain level of cover to protect their spending. To protect spending, it is useful to find out which aspects or items that require protection within the spending budget.

• • Identified Areas of Protection Work and Households to Work with in This April 2024

Following some basic research relating to spending protection for the poor households, we have identified the following key areas and households to work with.

• • • Identified areas of protection work

We have identified four areas of work on spending protection, which are as follows:

a) Protection through expenses appraisal

b) Protection of basic spending needs

c) Spending protection provided by third parties

d) Consumer protections.

In the plan for the implementation of protection this April 2024, we will consider the above-stated areas of protection.

• • • Households to work with for April 2024 Protection

We will be working with the following households needing support to protect their basic spending:

√ Households needing to improve access to anti-poverty programmes in the area of consumption

√ Those who would like to enhance their access and availability of resources for consumption poor people

√ Places in Africa with prevalence of undernourishment

√ Households unable to purchase spending protection insurance

√ Those looking for support to improve their spending protection policy

√ Those grappling with a squeezed spending and struggling to meet bills and prices

√ Those who need spending protection to deal with the cost of living pressures

√ The forced to cut back their life-sustaining spending because of soaring living costs

√ Those with less or low real disposable income to spend

√ Those having less flexibility in their household spending budget

√ The consumption poor households

√ Those extreme poor households or living at or below the extreme consumption poverty line

√ The food and energy poor households

√ Households incapacitated by multi-crises

√ The other poor and vulnerable households

Etc.

Many of these households we have listed could fall under these categories:

~ those looking for a cover on life-saving consumption

~ those searching for protection to meet the basic cost of consuming

~ those surviving on government benefit or support as protection

~ those supported by families or relatives.

To better work with them, an action plan is needed.

• • Action Plan for the Implementation of Protection This April 2024

To implement protection this April 2024, we have selected four key notes, which are given in the table below.

These notes will be developed starting every Mondays of April 2024 as scheduled above.

Also, this plan of protection needs to be combined with the Spring Relief 2024 Activities, Projects and Programmes (which we released on the 27 March 2024 in our Post No. 345).

Besides these selected notes and areas of protection, we would like to keep on working on other areas that need particular attention too, like protection of flora, fauna and funga.

Before summarising these other areas of protection, let us look at the first selected key note of our plan, which is Protection through Expenses Appraisal.

• • Week Beginning Monday 01/04/2024: Protection through Expenses Appraisal

Perhaps, the best way of protecting your spending or expenditures is to budget them. In this budgeting process, you will obviously appraise your expenses. This implies understanding what expenses appraisal means and how to carry out protection through expenses appraisal. For CENFACS, all this process will be meaningful only if we explain that the community we serve will be part of it.

So, to deliver protection through expenses appraisal, we have organised our notes as follows:

σ What expenses appraisal

σ Protection via expenses appraisal

σ Ways in which CENFACS can work with the Community regarding Spending Appraisal.

• • • What is expenses appraisal?

There are many ways of approaching expenses appraisal. Referring to what ‘fastercapital.com’ (12) explains,

“Expense appraisal is a process used to determine the actual costs of a project or programme. The goal of this process is to ensure that the project or programme is affordable and meets the needs f the organisation”.

The same website ‘fastercapita.com’ also differentiate three main steps in expenses appraisal, which are: identification of all costs associated with the project or programme, determination of the actual costs of the project or programme, and adjustment of the project or programme based on the actual costs.

These definition and steps can apply to households or families as organisation. In other words, the process can be used at household or family level to protect their expenses. How can it be used at this level?

• • • Protection at household/family level via expenses appraisal

Any household or family can protect itself through expenses appraisal. It means that it can budget and categorise its expenses between variable and fixed ones. The World Economic Forum (13) goes further in terms of this sort of financial protection by explaining that

“Fixed expenses recur within a short period: housing, food, transport, medical costs, electricity, utilities, toiletries and clothing. Variable expenses are more long term and irregular, such as investment in property or interest yielding assets, and the purchase of machinery”.

Households or families can budget and appraise their expenses by splitting them between fixed and variable ones. They can as well add the following to their expenses protection:

√ Protect the patterns and direction of their expenses by monitoring them

√ Improve the reallocation of their resources

√ Ameliorate their spending habits

etc.

The above-mentioned recipes concern most households or families. There are households or families that are financially skilful enough to handle this level and sort of protection. There are others that need some support. For those ones that need help and that make our community, CENFACS can find ways of working with them so that they can alleviate any problem they have with protection via expenses appraisal.

• • • Ways in which CENFACS can work with the Community regarding Spending Appraisal

How to engage the community, particularly households or families making our community, in terms of protection through spending appraisal

CENFACS can engage the community on this matter in a number of the ways like the following:

√ Working out consumption or spending budget

√ Looking at regular expenses

√ Suggesting expenses modification

√ Carrying out analytics of their expenses and categorising them into fixed, variable, capital, emergency, extraordinary, etc.

√ Setting up a basic spending protection plan

√ Building a simple realistic expenditure budget

√ Getting informed about the current and near-future opportunities to spend less

√ Providing them with leads to spending for the poor

√ Advising them on the best possible options to spend better

√ Explaining them the money-saving products and tools offered on the market

√ Recommending them digital solutions to their spending problems (e.g. online spending plan calculator)

√ Working with them to restructure their accounts to create financial space for better spending

√ Adding an inflationary index-link to their spending protection plan

√ Helping them to read and understand spending literature and financial information

√ Advising them on how to react and prepare from financial news, warnings, notices and alert messages about spending protection

√ Developing the basic financial skills to interpret the impact of economic indicators (like inflation, interest rate, exchange rate, etc.) on spending

√ Building their financial literacy statistics and numeracy skills to enable them to read financial information pages about spending/expenses/expenditures (e.g. charts, tables, in brief infographics about spending)

√ Organising activities or workshops to help them integrate better spending habits in the handling of their household financial affairs and plans

√ Improving their knowledge in terms of the key financial dates to save in the calendar about key policy announcements (for example, the release date of budgets by the Government and how these budgets can impact their spending plans)

√ Motivating them to follow news and information about spending protection

√ Asking them to subscribe to free providers of spending protection information that touches their life (e.g. free subscription to magazines, papers and websites that provide information about spending protection for poor households)

√ Briefly, using our Costs Control Centre to handle any issues they may have with their own expenses.

All these ways of working with the community will help to protect them and their expenses. This is because the more informed they are, the more they will find the tools, tips and hints they need in order to control their expenses. It is all about working with them to improve the way they can manage their expense and spending habits in order to overcome future emergencies and unpredictability.

Those who may have some questions about Protection through Expenses Appraisal, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

• • Other Areas of Protection

There are many areas that will be highlighted and on which we will be working. One of them is protection of flora, fauna and funga.

• • • Protection of Flora, Fauna and Funga

This month, we shall as well revisit progress made so far in protecting animals, plants and fungi. We shall do it by recalling our Save Flora, Fauna and Funga projects (including the Big Beasts sub-advocacy), which were one of our last XI Starting Campaign and Projects for Autumn – in CENFACS’ Autumn 2023 of Refreshing Ways of Tackling Crises.

Indeed, we continue to advocate for the protection of animals (fauna) in Africa and elsewhere in developing world whereby animals get killed, traded and extinct to such extent that some species are at the brink of disappearing.

We are as well extending our advocacy to other species in danger like trees, plans and flowers (flora). It is about building forward these species that are threatened with extinction.

Since fungi were recognised as separate kingdom in taxonomy, we included Funga in our Save Flora and Fauna. We are working on saving animal, plants and fungi.

To advocate and raise your voice to protect and build forward better endangered plant, animal and fungi species, please contact CENFACS.

For any further details about CENFACS’ Month of Protection, please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

_________

• References

(1) https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/bulletins/onshouseholdexpendituredatainsightsintotheeffectsofcostoflivingpressure (accessed in March 2024)

(2) https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/nationalaccounts/satelliteaccounts/bulletins/consumertrends/julytoseptember2023 (accessed in March 2024)

(3) https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/universal-credit-uc-transitional-protection/what-is-universal-credit-uc-transitional-protection/ (accessed in April 2024)

‘(4) www.taskmanagementguide.com/glossary/what-is-project-implementation.php (Accessed in April 2023)

(5) https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/projectmanagement/chapter/chapter-17-project-implementation-overview-project-management/ (Accessed in April 2023)

(6) https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/democratic-republic-congo-price-bulletin-march-2024 (accessed in April 2024),

(7) https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/accounting/expenditure/ (accessed in April 2024)

(8) https://data.oecd.org/hha/household-spending.html (accessed in April 2024)

(9) https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/265491468312013923/pdf/WPS5501.pdf (accessed in March 2024)

(10) https://mospi.gov.in/sites/default/files/reports_and_publication/statistical_manual/Chapter%2022.pdf (accessed in April 2024)

(11) Hayes, T. O. (2021), Measuring Poverty in United States: Comparing Measurement Methods, American Action Forum at https://www.americanactionforum.org/research/measuring-poverty-in-the-united-states-comparing-measurement-methods/ (accessed in January 2024)

(12) https://fastercapital.com/content/What-is-Expense-Appraisal.html (accessed in April 2024)

(13) https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/protect-finances-cost-living-crisis-economy/ (accessed in April 2024)

_________

• Help CENFACS Keep the Poverty Relief Work Going this Year

We do our work on a very small budget and on a voluntary basis. Making a donation will show us you value our work and support CENFACS’ work, which is currently offered as a free service.

One could also consider a recurring donation to CENFACS in the future.

Donate to support CENFACS!

FOR ONLY £1, YOU CAN SUPPORT CENFACS AND CENFACS’ NOBLE AND BEAUTIFUL CAUSES OF POVERTY REDUCTION.

JUST GO TO: Support Causes – (cenfacs.org.uk)

Thank you for visiting CENFACS website and reading this post.

Thank you as well to those who made or make comments about our weekly posts.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits and continuing support throughout 2024 and beyond.

With many thanks.

Permalink

Spring Relief 2024: Focus, Activities, Projects and Programmes

Posted by ctsh@in2015 on March 27, 2024 in Uncategorized

Welcome to CENFACS’ Online Diary!

27 March 2024

Post No. 345

The Week’s Contents

• Spring Relief 2024: Focus, Activities, Projects and Programmes

• Climate Action 4: Give to Environmental Organisations and Poverty Reduction (18 to 25/03/2024)

• Goal of the Month: Reduction of Transitory Poverty

… And much more!

Key Messages

• Spring Relief 2024: Focus, Activities, Projects and Programmes

As explained in the last week’s post, the 2024 process of Building Forward Better Together includes all the elements of 2023 Process of Building Forward Greener, Cleaner and Safer that related to the cost-of-living crisis. However, the focus for the 2024 process will be on resetting the system. The context of Building Forward Better Together has also changed. It is the context of Squeezed Household Spending.

Therefore, the theme for this Spring Relief 2024 is still ‘Build Forward Better Together to a Greener, Cleaner, Safer, Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Future’ but within the context of Squeezed Household Spending. We will be working on resetting the system, our system of poverty reduction. What is is resetting the system?

• • Basic Understanding of Resetting the System

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (1) explains that

“Re-set aims at giving tools to direct economic recovery to drive sustainable growth that will be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement”.

In resetting our system of poverty reduction, we are going to do the same. We are going to work with the community and find together the tools to move the community’s sustainable recovery to help reduce or end sustained poverty. We are going to get this move on by making sure it is in agreement with Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. There are many ways of resetting the system. What are they?

• • Ways of Resetting Our System of Poverty Reduction

There are many ways in which a system can be reset. For example, the World Economic Forum (2) gives four ways of resetting the system, which are:

a) Change our mindset

b) Create new metrics

c) Design new incentives

d) Build genuine connection.

We are going to refer to the World Economic Forum’s ways of resetting the system to reset our system of poverty reduction. We are going to do it through Spring Relief’s theme which we have already announced. The announcement of Spring Relief’s theme comes with that of activities, projects and programmes making it or the notes composing this theme. We have provided, under the Main Development section of this post, the activities, projects and programmes we have selected to make this Spring – Spring Relief 2024 Season.

Please go to the Main Development to read more about them.

• Climate Action 4: Give to Environmental Organisations and Poverty Reduction (18 to 25/03/2024)

The fourth and last Climate Action of the month is to Give either money or goods or services to environmental groups and organisations, particularly but not limited to those that are helping to reduce or end poverty. To tackle this Climate Action 4, we have organised our notes in the following manner:

σ What do we mean by giving to environmental organisations?

σ Why it is important to give to environmental organisations?

σ Types of giving to environmental organisations

σ What are those environmental organisations we are talking about?

σ Working with the community on giving to environmental organisations

σ A final word about Climate Action 2024.

Let us briefly explore each of these elements.

• • What Do We Mean by Giving to Environmental Organisations?

It is about supporting those groups and/or organisations that are making a difference in protecting the planet and fighting climate change.

Giving to these groups and organisations something is a way of valuing and recognising their invaluable work. More than recognising their work, it is about the impacts their work can generate for a net zero and free poverty world/future.

• • Why It Is Important to Give to Environmental Organisations?

Environmental organisations are perhaps the best advocates and campaigners to explain themselves to any funders or donors why they should give to them money or any other types of donation. Without replacing their advocacy and campaigning machines, let us simply say it is better to give to those organisations that have chosen as their core mission to deal with sustainability and poverty reduction than those that do it as an appended activity or a legal requirement simply.

There could be a high probability that those that take environmental matter as their core mission will make sure that your giving provides the outcome you/we want of net zero world. Likewise, there could be certainty that those organisations that have chosen poverty reduction as their charitable objects will be keen to deliver impacts on poverty reduction, rather than those that run poverty-reduction activities as an appendix to their main trading activity. But, what can you give to environmental organisations?

• • Types of Giving to Environmental Organisations

Without conducting the taxonomy of the kinds of giving that one may provide to environmental organisations, let us simply say that you can give your time, goods or money to environmental causes that support sustainability. Sometimes, the expression of green giving is used to mean the same thing.

Briefly speaking, depending on your sensitivity, means and capacities; you can donate goods (like books, clothes, bottles, etc.). You can as well make a financial contribution such as carbon offset credits, green bonds, crowdfunding, etc. You can finally donate your time by volunteering. But, what are these organisations to give to?

• • What Are Those Environmental Organisations We Are Talking about?

Without making any judgement between what constitutes environmental organisation and what does not, it is possible to list some of the organisations to which one can give their donation.

For example, the website ‘moralfibres.co.uk’ (3) gives a list of 15 plus environmental charities in the UK; charities you could support. This list can be found at the following web address:

https://moralfibres.co.uk/best-environmental-charities-in-the-uk/

Another example comes from the website ‘ourendangeredword.com’ (4) which lists 15 best environmental organisations in Africa. You can read this second list at the web address below:

https://www.ourendangeredworld.com/african/

The organisations listed on the above-mentioned two websites are not only the ones you can donate. There are more organisations; just as there are countless environmental activities, projects and programmes run by various organisations that one may consider. They could be local or national or regional or international.

For example, within CENFACS we run Poverty-Environment Programme (PEP), which one may consider for giving as part of their Climate Action. PEP is a combination of poverty alleviation and the environmental aspects of sustainable development in order to support Africa-based sister Organisations and communities. The main focus of PEP is on environment and its linkages with poverty.

For those of our members having some difficulties in finding the kind of environmental organisations they can give to, they can work with CENFACS.

• • Working with the Community on Giving to Environmental Organisations

Part of Climate Actions this month is also about working with our members who would like to do something for the environment, but they are not finding out the way or the best way of doing it. Those of our members who have something to offer to environmental organisations and are not sure what to do, CENFACS can work with them so that they can direct their giving towards the organisation or service of their wish.

CENFACS can work with them to search their ideal potential recipient organisation. We can analyse together information about the ideal organisations and their impacts on climate change and poverty reduction matters.

For Africa-based Sister Environmental Organisations and those members of our community who are interested in the fourth action of our Climate Action Month, action which is Give to Environmental Organisations and Poverty Reduction; they are welcome to contact CENFACS. To work with CENFACS on giving to environmental organisations, you need to contact CENFACS.

This note for Climate Action 4 ends this Week’s Climate Action contents.

• • A Final Word about Climate Action 2024

Climate action is about action, not words only. We have only written these notes to guide us and galvanise our action. This is because to take action, one needs a roadmap or simply to say how they are going to conduct this action.

As said above, the notes on Climate Action 4 conclude this Week’s Climate Action contents without ending our March 2024 Climate Actions. There will be impact monitoring and evaluation on 29 and 30/03/2024 to wrap up the Climate Action March 2024.

For any other queries and enquiries about CENFACS‘ Climate Action Month, the theme of ‘Investing in the Environment and Poverty Reduction’ and the All Four Climate Actions; please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

• Goal of the Month: Reduction of Transitory Poverty

Reduction of Transitory Poverty is part of CENFACS’ 2020s Development Agenda and Poverty Reduction Programme (5). What is transitory poverty?

• • Explaining Transitory Poverty

It is about reducing climate-induced poverty or situational (or transitory) poverty amongst the victims of natural disasters and destructive wars. Amongst natural conditions and events are desertification and drought in Africa, mostly in arid and semi-arid areas of Africa.

There are various initiatives taken by and on behalf of people suffering from desertification in Africa. These initiatives include: forest recovery, prevention of soil degradation, re-fertilisation of lands, replanting trees, afforestation, reduction of stress on food producing capacity, improvement in biodiversity, etc. There are also projects carried out to reduce drought such as reduction in deficits in rainfall, river flow, soil moisture and food.

Beyond these initiatives, we are as well going to look at projects set up and run by our Africa-based Sister Environmental and Non-environmental Organisations to help their locals to come out poverty linked to desertification and drought in Africa. An example of these initiatives include irrigation project in Chad with one of CENFACS’ sister organisations working on the ground.

• • Implications for Selecting the Goal for the Month

For further details on the goal of the month and its selection procedure including its support, please contact CENFACS.

Extra Messages

• Taking Climate Protection and Stake for African Children at the Implementation Level with Initial Implementation Sub-phase (Phase 3.3)

• All-year Round Projects Cycle (Triple Value Initiatives Cycle) – Step/Workshop 6: Starting the Organisation of Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

• CENFACS’ be.Africa Forum E-discusses Deconflicting Mineral Exploitation in Africa for Further Poverty Reduction

• Taking Climate Protection and Stake for African Children at the Implementation Level with Initial Implementation Sub-phase (Phase 3.3)

Since the global climate community committed itself to transition away from fossil fuels at the end of COP28 (6), the Installation Sub-phase of Taking Climate Protection and Stake for African Children at the Implementation Level (TCPSACI) has moved from Installation sub-phase (phase 3.2) to Initial Implementation sub-phase (phase 3.3).

To understand this new sub-phase of our Climate Protection and Children Advocacy, one may need to know what implementation means.

• • What Is Implementation?

Implementation is the act of carrying out, fulfilling or performing something. The website ‘parentcenterhub.org’ (7) states that implementation science is the study of the processes needed to bring new practices into widespread use.

This view on implementation and the science behind it will help in the way we run our climate protection advocacy within CENFACS. In particular, it will contribute in explaining Initial Implementation sub-phase of this phase of our Climate Talks Follow-up Project; stage known as Taking Climate Protection and Stake for African Children at the Implementation Level.

• • What Is Initial Implementation Sub-phase?

Referring to the definition of implementation given above, Initial Implementation sub-phase is about bringing new practices into climate protection and stake for children so that whoever works on this issue can improve child and family outcomes. It is also the stage at which new practices are put in place in terms of climate protection and stake for children. It is further a learning sub-phase of using data and information for continuous improvement on reducing or nullifying the adverse impacts of climate change on children.

Besides this Initial Implementation, we are continuing to work on the outcomes of COP28 (op. cit.) and how they can fit into CENFACS’ TCPSACI and its sub-phase 3.3, and how they can help us prepare for COP29 (8) which will be convened in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Without anticipating what may happen at the climate talks in Baku, let us inform our supporters that the slogan for this follow-up is: Baku Implements It for Children!

To enquire about this work on fit within CENFACS and to support CENFACS’ TCPSACI and its sub-phase 3.3, please contact CENFACS.

• All-year Round Projects Cycle (Triple Value Initiatives Cycle) –

Step/Workshop 6: Starting the Organisation of Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

After negotiating and agreeing the terms of your all-year-round project, you can now start organising it.

• • Organising Your All-year Round Projects

This is the step from which you start to put in place your organisational structure. In project planning parlance, you will identify the roles and responsibilities (as shown in the table below) of each person to be involved in the project in order to facilitate the coordination and implementation of the project activities.

• • An Example of Organising Your All-year Round Projects

Let say you would like to Run for Poverty Reduction and you want to undertake it as a group in your local area. You decide to set up a running group and to name it as “All-year-round Runners’ Group”.

To start your organisation, you will proceed with the points below.

• • • Create a Basic Organisational Structure

You can create a basic organisational structure that identifies your project personnel, creates a management and delivery teams, and assigns roles and responsibilities including coordination. In practical terms, you will have to decide on the following:

Who is (are) going…

∝ to be first at the meeting/gathering point each time the running takes place?

∝ to hold the contact number/details of the group to keep everybody on board?

∝ to keep the attendance register?

∝ to check that everybody is fit and well to run?

∝ to lead or coordinate the run?

∝ to deal with health and safety of the group?

∝ to sort out the equipment if any?

∝ to care for people belongings while they are running?

∝ to make sure that everyone is countable after the Run?

∝ to record your Run event (e.g., filming it, using camera on your phone, a video or voice recorder, etc.)?

∝ to check that everyone leaves the meeting/gathering point safely after the event?

etc.

Depending on your skills, knowledge, experience and resources; you may add more roles and responsibilities.

You can even include a fundraising element into your running activity.

• • • Including a Fundraising Element into Your Run

If your Run involves any fundraising activity, you need to decide who will volunteer to undertaking fundraising responsibility (or everybody in the group). You can decide how much to raise each time you run without making it as an obligation since the aim of your Run is not to raise money. The aim of your Run is to impact poverty, the health and wellbeing of group members.

• • • Impact Reporting on Your Run

If you would like to report on your Run, you need to appoint someone to produce a report. You can decide everyone of your members reports on their own Run session/activity. In fact, it is a good idea to report on your Run. This is one of the ways of capturing and sharing the impact you are making on yourself, on the group and others. In monitoring and evaluation jargon, it is called impact reporting.

• • • Monitoring and Evaluating the Performance of Each Runner and Giving a Prize

If your group is going to select the best runner of the year 2024 and give a prize/reward accordingly; then you need to organise yourself to monitor and evaluate the performance of each runner against your given performance criteria throughout the year, and decide by the 23rd of December 2024 who is the group’s best runner of the year 2024.

For those who would like to dive deeper into Start Organising their Play or Run or Vote project, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

• CENFACS’ be.Africa Forum E-discusses Deconflicting Mineral Exploitation in Africa for Further Poverty Reduction

Since minerals were discovered in Africa, they have always been subject of conflict in many parts of Africa. This is to such an extent that some African countries (like the Democratic Republic of Congo) are object of covetousness. And it is not a surprise to hear the civil insecurity that is happening in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo because of its natural resources.

To highlight the impacts of minerals on conflicts, ‘climatelinks.org’ (9) explains that

“Minerals are linked to violent conflict in three primary ways: a) minerals can finance violent conflict b) mining can lead to low-scale conflicts c) mineral wealth can increase vulnerability and corruption, which weaken states and their ability to effectively govern and maintain security, thereby opening the door to violent conflict”.

Against this perspective, let us argue that a good use of minerals can help reduce poverty. In particularly, if there is a fair and just distribution of the mineral revenues (or incomes from the sale of minerals) through direct dividend transfers to the poor, this will hugely help the poor, as explained by Marcelo M. Giugale (10).

However, what we are talking here is conflict in mineral exploitation and how to remove conflict from this exploitation. In this context, CENFACS be.Africa Forum is asking these two questions:

1) How can Africa deconflict mineral exploitation and create more opportunities to reduce and perhaps end poverty within itself?

2) What strategy can Africa put in place to manage the dividend from this deconflicting process to support the poor since conflicts are making Africa to lose a lot of money from its minerals at the expense of poverty?

The above two questions, which shape the main line of thought for our e-discussion for this week, are open to anyone to answer. CENFACS’ be.Africa Forum would like to hear what you think.

Message in French (Message en français)

• À paraître pendant ce printemps 2024: le numéro 83 de FACS qui s’intitulera …

Le commerce caritatif, l’investissement et la réduction de la pauvreté en Afrique

Le commerce et l’investissement peuvent faire une grande différence dans la vie de ceux ou celles qui vivent dans la pauvreté. Le commerce n’a pas toujours pour but lucratif. Les organismes de bienfaisance et les organisations bénévoles font du commerce et peuvent le faire, mais pas pour faire ou distribuer des bénéfices. Néanmoins, leur capacité à commercer est limitée (11).

En outre, il existe des règles (notamment au Royaume-Uni) sur les types d’activités considérées comme commerciales. Les organismes de bienfaisance peuvent diriger et/ou posséder des magasins (p. ex., des magasins de bienfaisance). Les organismes de bienfaisance peuvent faire du commerce en créant une société commerciale distincte, une filiale ou une société auxiliaire. Le commerce caritatif peut aider à soutenir la mission des organismes de bienfaisance et leurs objectifs caritatifs, comme la réduction de la pauvreté.

En effet, d’après ‘charityretail.org.uk’ (12),

«Entre 2022 et 2023, la contribution des bénéfices de la vente au détail caritative aux organisations caritatives mères s’est élevée à 387 millions de livres sterling. La valeur sociale générée par les magasins de charité au Royaume-Uni s’est élevée à 75,3 milliards de livres sterling entre janvier et décembre 2022».

Le commerce et l’investissement des organisations caritatives fera l’objet du 83e numéro de FACS. Ce numéro de FACS portera donc sur le commerce et l’investissement gérés par des organisations caritatives sœurs basées en Afrique pour aider à réduire la pauvreté et les difficultés parmi les personnes dans le besoin. Il comprendra également les activités commerciales menées par les membres ou les bénéficiaires de ces organisations, qui sont engagés dans le commerce pour réduire la pauvreté ou simplement pour joindre les deux bouts du mois. Parmi ces personnes, il y a les pauvres qui traversent quotidiennement les frontières pour vendre des biens et des services afin de joindre les deux bouts du mois. Le 83e numéro de FACS se concentrera sur ces organisations et ces individus qui vendent des biens et des services dans le but de sortir de la pauvreté.

Le 83e numéro de FACS examinera les théories contemporaines du commerce et l’espace qu’elles offrent pour expliquer le commerce dans le secteur caritatif et bénévole, en particulier en Afrique. Loin d’être un simple exposé théorique de ces théories ou modèles, le 83e numéro de FACS visera à fournir les justifications ou les arguments du commerce au sein du monde caritatif et bénévole. L’une de ces justifications vient du Conseil du Commerce International (13) qui soutient que

«La croissance économique stimulée par le commerce international peut contribuer directement à la réduction de la pauvreté. Lorsque les pays exportent des biens et des services, ils génèrent non seulement des revenus, mais créent également des opportunités d’emploi, ce qui peut aider les gens à sortir de la pauvreté».

Le 83e numéro de FACS traitera du commerce intra-régional réalisé par les organisations caritatives africaines et de la manière dont ce commerce contribue à réduire la pauvreté. En tant que traité de commerce intra-régional, le 83ème numéro de FACS envisagera les cas de commerce au sein de la région de l’Afrique et l’espace donné par la Zone de Libre-échange Continentale Africaine avec tous les avantages et inconvénients que cette zone contient. Ce faisant, le 83e numéro de FACS ne portera pas atteinte à la valeur du commerce effectué au-delà des frontières de l’Afrique.

Le 83e numéro de FACS sera une histoire de création d’échanges, plutôt que de détournement d’échanges, afin de réduire la pauvreté et d’améliorer le développement durable. De ce point de vue, le 83e numéro de FACS sera une illustration de la façon dont les organisations caritatives basées en Afrique tentent de saisir la fenêtre d’opportunités offertes par un régime de libre-échange pour réduire la pauvreté dans divers secteurs de l’autonomisation humaine.

Concrètement, le 83e numéro de FACS sera un ouvrage pratique expliquant comment les bénéficiaires pauvres et vulnérables tentent de créer des moyens utilisables pour vivre et chasser la pauvreté. Pour chasser la pauvreté par le commerce, ces bénéficiaires ont besoin de compétences commerciales. Ainsi, l’investissement dans ces bénéficiaires pour l’acquisition ou l’amélioration de leurs compétences sera traité dans le cadre de la 83ème édition de FACS, au même titre que la transmission et le partage des compétences et du savoir-faire.

Pour en savoir plus sur ce nouveau numéro, veuillez continuer à consulter les articles à venir du CENFACS pendant ce printemps 2024. Pour réserver un exemplaire papier de ce 83e numéro de FACS, veuillez contacter le CENFACS avec vos coordonnées postales.

Main Development

• Spring Relief 2024: Focus, Activities, Projects and Programmes

We can present Spring Relief 2024 by re-explaining its Focus and highlighting its Activities, Projects and Programmes. This is without forgetting the meanings or properties of the kind of building we would like to erect. So, the following items covers Spring Relief 2024:

σ Spring Relief 2024 Focus

σ Properties of our Reset System of Poverty Reduction

σ Spring Relief 2024 Activities, Projects and Programmes

Let us briefly uncover the above-mentioned items.

• • Spring Relief 2024 Focus

The 2024 process of Building Forward Better Together includes all the elements of 2023 Process of Building Forward Greener, Cleaner and Safer that related to the cost-of-living crisis. However, the focus will be on resetting the system.

The theme for this Spring Relief 2024 is still “Build Forward Better Together to a Greener, Cleaner, Safer, Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Future” but within the context of Squeezed Household Spending. We will be working on resetting the system, our system of poverty reduction.

To reset it, we need activities, projects and programmes. But, before we unveil these activities, projects and programmes; let us clarify the meaning of build greener, cleaner, inclusive, safer and climate-resilient.

• • Properties of Our Reset System of Poverty Reduction

We are going to look at these properties through the Meanings of Build Greener, Cleaner, Safer, Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Future.

a) Build Greener

To understand build greener, one may need to know green building.

According to ‘greengroundswell.com’ (14),

“Green building is the practice of designing, constructing, and operating buildings to: minimise resource use, reduce waste and negative environmental impacts, maximise occupant health and productivity, and decrease life costs”.

In our process of resetting the system, we shall make sure that we do it within the spirit of green building.

b) Build Cleaner

Referring to the definition of ‘buildclean.com.au’ (15),

“Build clean is about removing all the debris, dust and leftover materials that are left behind after a construction project. It ensures that the site is safe and free from any debris or materials that could cause harm to workers or visitors to the site”.

To reset our system of poverty reduction, we need to guarantee that the reset system is safe and free from any materials or hazards that may harm our community members and/or any one who may benefit from the reset system.

c) Build Safer

We want our reset system of poverty reduction to be safer as well. What do we mean by that?

The website ‘britsafe.org’ (16) tells us that

“A safe building means that anyone who has responsibility for any building at any point in its lifecycle should be prioritising a building safety culture over the concerns like saving time and money – including those working in architectural design studios, on construction sites, in local authority and housing association offices, in housing management companies and so on”.

In the process of resetting our system of poverty reduction, it is important that we demonstrate commitment to protecting lives by putting freedom from danger first and ahead of all other considerations or priorities.

d) Build Inclusive

If we want our reset system of poverty reduction to be for all, it must be inclusive. Its design needs to be inclusive. What do we mean by build inclusive or inclusive design?

The website ‘thenbs.com’ (17) explains the following:

“The way a building is designed either enables or disables a person from accessing. An inclusive environment can be accessed by everyone regardless of disability, age, ethnicity or gender”.

We want our reset system of poverty reduction to be accessible to all our members regardless of their disability, age, ethnicity, gender, profession, earning ability, etc.

e) Build Climate-resilient Future

To adapt and mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change, it requires resilience by the current and future generations. Building a climate-resilient system of poverty reduction is also needed. But, what do we mean by climate resilience?

The International Panel for Climate Change (18) explains this:

“Striving for Climate Resilient Development means reducing exposure and vulnerability to climate hazards, cutting back greenhouse gas emissions and conserving biodiversity are given the highest priorities in everyday decision-making and policies on all aspects of society including energy, industry, health, water, food, urban development, housing and transport”.

We would like our reset system of poverty reduction to be free from exposure and vulnerability to climate change adverse impacts and effects.

The above are the properties of our reset system of poverty reduction; properties which will be part of the activities, projects and programmes we have planned to deliver this Spring. What are those activities, projects and programmes?

• • Spring Relief 2024 Activities, Projects and Programmes

CENFACS is delighted to present its New Season’s (Spring) Collection of Selected Activities, Projects and Programmes with a choice of relief and climate smart services. For each of these activities, projects and programmes; you will find climate resilient development ambition as well as user-friendly and –centred relief. They are designed with the scents of inclusivity, cleanness, safety, sustainability and resilience.

These are the activities, projects and programmes to rebuild lives, infrastructures and institutions as we move forward better together greener, cleaner, inclusive and safer towards a net-zero world. They are free, but we do not mind donations. The more you donate, the more we can help relieve lives.

Please find below the selection of Spring Relief 2024 Activities, Projects and Programmes.

• • • April: Protection Month

There will be two initiatives to deliver and sustain protection in April 2024, which are:

Protection of Women and Children against Societal Polarization, and Protection of Household Life-sustaining Expenditures.

a) Women and Children Projects (3W & PPS Reflection Day):

Reflection on Protection of Women and Children against Societal Polarization (Protection project)

On our Reflection Day, we will reflect on ways of tackling societal polarization. What is societal polarization?

According to the World Economic Forum (19),

The same World Economic Forum tells us societal polarization is the third-most severe risk over the short term and consistent concern amongst the groups it surveyed.

σ acting on people’s misperceptions about issues [of women and children] and about the groups that they do not affiliate with

σ enhancing cross-cutting social ties that transcend group divisions (or creating space to bridge divides)

σ Addressing perceptions of insecurity.

Additionally, we shall reflect on rebuilding trust and a sense of shared values out of the context of polarizing rhetoric on our network and system of protection in the process of building forward better together greener, cleaner, inclusive, safer and climate-resilient future.

b) Protection of Household Life-sustaining Expenditures. (Protection and Expenditure project)

There has been squeeze on household spending and on living standards, as evidence suggests. Household spending needs to be protected and ring-fenced. We shall look at measures to protect household life-sustaining expenditures.

• • • May: Stories Telling Month

The plan for May 2024 is made of two main features:

Stories Telling and Sharing project, and the continuation of our Rebuilding Africa project/campaign.

a) All in Development Stories (Volunteer’s Stories Telling & Sharing project)

Tell Your Story of Resetting the System – Tell it!

Entries for Stories on Poverty Relief and Development for May 2024 (May Stories) are now open. To tell and share your story of change for change to CENFACS, please contact CENFACS for story telling terms and conditions.

This year’s All in Development Stories will be about how people and communities are trying or have tried to reset the system to fast-forward to an inclusive, climate resilient and sustainable future.

This year’s stories are those of:

σ giving tools to direct economic recovery

σ driving sustainable growth

σ aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement in the process of resetting systems.

They are the tales of physical, social, environmental, financial and economic reset of systems.

For example, there will be stories of transition to climate-resilient development.

b) Rebuilding Africa: Building Systemic Resilience with Communities and Africa-based Organisations (Advocacy programme)

Resilience will be viewed in a broad sense as Masten, quoted by Ungar (21), explains it. Masten defines resilience as

“The capacity of dynamic system to adapt successfully to disturbances that threaten system function, viability, or development. The concept can be applied to systems of many kinds at many interacting levels, both living and non-living, such as a micro-organism, a child. a family, a security/system, an economy, a forest, or the global climate”.

Building systemic resilience with communities and Africa-based Sister Organisations will be about adapting our system of poverty reduction with both of them to any potential disturbances that may threaten this system.

In the process of building systemic resilience, we shall have two types of building as highlighted below.

b.1) Building Systemic Resilience with Communities and Africa-based Sister Organisations (ASOs) will be based on the broad sense of resilience.

b.2) Building Resilience of Our System of Poverty Reduction with Communities and ASOs will specifically deal with the resilience of our system of poverty reduction (like financial resilience of our community members).

In both building processes (b.1 and b.2), we are going to use the three parts of systemic resilience as suggested by ‘practiceplan.co.uk’ (22). These parts are:

1) The responsibility of everyone in building resilience

2) The insurance that our interactions with others do not make life harder for them

3) Our contribution to other people’s resilience.

• • • June: Creation & Innovation Month

This June 2024 will be special as we are celebrating CENFACS as a Tricennial Creation. The plan for June 2024 includes the initiatives below.

a) Tricennium and Project 30 (History and Creation project)

Tricennium or CENFACS’ Tricennial Year (1994 to 2024) will be the first creation we will deal with in June 2024. Project 30 is an initiative set up to deliver CENFACS’ Pearl Jubilee or Tricennial Year.

Besides the Tricennium, we shall have creations and innovations that we need to transition to climate-resilient development and to reset our system of poverty reduction. So, this coming June, we shall deal with creations and innovations that help to transition to climate-resilient future and to reset our system of poverty reduction.

b) Creations and Innovations to transition to climate-resilient future (Creation and Innovation project)

Forming from nothing ideas or introducing changes to transition to climate resilient future and continue to move forward together will be the main activity during the month of June 2024. These creative ideas and innovative ways of working will enable to find the means to meet the level of ambition we have for the kind of sustainable development and future we want, which we hope will be climate-resilient and net zero one.

Using our experience, skills, knowledge and talents to find techniques, technologies and new methods to deal with the currently pressing and immediate needs of the time of squeezed household spending may not be enough unless we create and innovate to prevent or at least to mitigate future crises. It means there could be another need to bring into existence ideas and introduce changes and new methods to address future crises if they happen when they happen.

c) Creations and Innovations to deal with squeezed household life-sustaining spending (Creation and Innovation project)

Squeeze on household spending means that one needs to find some creative and innovative ways of dealing with this squeeze if one wants to avoid the deepening of consumption poverty. It also means one may work out to develop an alternative in terms of ideas, skills and new knowledge to meet the basic expenditures of those who are unable to spend enough to avoid consumption poverty.

The above summarises the programmes, projects and activities we have planned to deliver this coming Spring. To request further information about Spring Relief 2024 Activities, Projects and Programmes; please contact CENFACS.

Note:

The above initiatives are only a selection of what we have planned for Spring Relief Season 2024. We may introduce new initiatives and or upgrade the existing ones depending on the circumstances as we have from time to time to respond to emergencies and urgent humanitarian issues like we did with the sanitary crisis (the coronavirus) and the cost-of-living crisis crisis. In which case, we shall let you know.

Also, in every work we do to try to help reduce poverty, there is always a cost to bear. If you could help alleviate some of our costs, we would more acknowledge your support than just appreciate your gesture.

_________

• References

(1) https://archive.uneca.org/sites/default/files/PublicationFiles/building_forward_together.pdf (accessed in March 2024)

(2) https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/08/building-blocks-of-the-great-reset/ (accessed in March 2024)

(3) https://moralfibres.co.uk/best-environmental-charities-in-the-uk/ (accessed in March 2024)

(4) https://www.ourendangeredword.com/african/ (accessed in March 2024)

(5) cenfacs.org.uk/2020/03/11/the-2020s-agenda-and-programme/ (accessed in March 2024)

(6) https://www.COP28.com/en (accessed in March 2024)

(7) https://www.parentcenterhub.org/guide-to-implementation-process/ (accessed in March 2024)

(8) https://unfccc.int/COP29 (accessed in March 2024)

(9) https://www.climatelinks.org/sites/default/files/asset/document/2020_USAID_Minerals-and-Conflict-A-Toolkit-for-Intervention.pdf (accessed in March 2024)

(10) Giugale, M. M. (2014), Economic Development: What Everyone Needs to Know, Oxford University Press, Oxford & New York

(11) ncvo.org.uk/help-and-guidance-/running-a-charity/financial-management/tax-and-trading/trading-and-charities/ (accessed in March 2024)

(12) https://www.charityretail.org.uk/key-statistics/ (accessed in March 2024)

(13) https://tradecouncil.org/exploring-the-relationship-between-international-trade-and-poverty-reduction/#

(14) https://greengroundswell.com/what-is-green-building-and-why-is-it-important/2013/04/08/ (accessed in March 2024)

(15) https://buildclean.com.au/what-is-a-build-clean-2/(accessed in March 2024)

(16) https://www.britsafe.org/safety-management/2023/building-a-safer-future# (accessed in March 2024)

(17) https://www.thenbs.com/knowledge/inclusive-design-and-the-riba-plan-of-work (accessed in March 2024)

(18) https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/about/frequently-asked-questions/keyfaq6/(accessed in March 2024)

(19) https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-risks-report-2024/ (accessed in March 2024)

(20) https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf (accessed in March 2024)

(21) Ungar, M. 2028. Systemic resilience: principles and processes for a science of change in contexts of adversity. Ecology and Society 23 (4): 34. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-10385=230434 or https://www.psychologytoday.com/sites/default/files/ungar-systemic_resilience-ecology_society_2018.pdf (accessed in March 2024)

(22) https://www.practiceplan.co.uk/blog/practice-management/hr-team-development/what-is-systemic-resilience-and-how-can-it-help-you-and-your-employers/ (accessed in March 2024)

_________

• Help CENFACS Keep the Poverty Relief Work Going this Year

We do our work on a very small budget and on a voluntary basis. Making a donation will show us you value our work and support CENFACS’ work, which is currently offered as a free service.

One could also consider a recurring donation to CENFACS in the future.

Donate to support CENFACS!

FOR ONLY £1, YOU CAN SUPPORT CENFACS AND CENFACS’ NOBLE AND BEAUTIFUL CAUSES OF POVERTY REDUCTION.

JUST GO TO: Support Causes – (cenfacs.org.uk)

Thank you for visiting CENFACS website and reading this post.

Thank you as well to those who made or make comments about our weekly posts.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits and continuing support throughout 2024 and beyond.

With many thanks.

Permalink

Matching Organisation’s Considerations to Planning Restrictions and Budget with Property Investor’s Exit Strategy

Posted by ctsh@in2015 on March 20, 2024 in Uncategorized

Welcome to CENFACS’ Online Diary!

20 March 2024

Post No. 344

The Week’s Contents

• Matching Organisation-Property Investor Winter/Spring 2024 Activity – Fragment 4 (from 20 to 26/03/2024): Matching Organisation’s Considerations to Planning Restrictions and Budget with Property Investor’s Exit Strategy

• Spring Relief 2024: Rebuilding and Renewing Lives, Infrastructures and Institutions in the Context of Squeezed Household Spending

• Coming This Spring 2024: FACS Issue No. 83 which will be titled as Charity Trade, Investment and Poverty Reduction in Africa

… And much more!

Key Messages

• Matching Organisation-Property Investor Winter/Spring 2024 Activity – Fragment 4 (from 20 to 26/03/2024): Matching Organisation’s Considerations to Planning Restrictions and Budget with Property Investor’s Exit Strategy

The last episode of our 4-week Matching Organisation-Property Investor Winter/Spring 2024 Activity is about Matching Organisation’s Considerations to Planning Restrictions and Budget with Property Investor’s Exit Strategy.

Both parties (i.e., Africa-based Sister Housing Charitable Organisation and Not-for-profit Property Investor) have worked hard in every step of the way of the serialisation and fragmentation of this Activity. They have so far made noticeable progress, as they have continued to score points. These scored points are enough to enable them to enter the last stage of the matching talks.

They are excited and have started to dream to pass Easter Season 2024 with a new investment for Africa-based Sister Housing Charitable Organisation (ASHCO) and a new asset in portfolio for not-for-profit (n-f-p) property investor. However, each of them still has some work to do to complete the matching process.

• • What ASHCO Can Do at This Stage of Matching Talks

For ASHCO, this Fragment 4 is about paying attention to the planning restrictions and explaining its any budget constraints. It is about showing how mindful ASHCO is about regulations and housing legal matters. It is also about being open regarding the plan for money to be coming in and going out.

This last stage is the last opportunity for ASHCO to elevate its pitch and application in line with housing project planning theories, processes, practices and legalities. It is the stage at which ASHCO has to sell its project unique point to stand out amongst competing projects and organisations, while highlighting impactful aspects of its project in terms of poverty reduction.

• • What Not-for-profit Property Investor Can Do at This Stage of Matching Talks

Concerning the n-f-p property investor, Fragment 4 is about explaining how he/she will quit the process in the end. It is about for him/her to own the structure of his/her investment by, for instance, keeping the control of their portfolio or transferring it. It is the stage at which he/she will have to explain his/her vision whether he/she wants to minimise the costs of investing in ASHCO (or ASHCO’s project) or maximising the benefit in terms of the number of people who will will be lifted out housing poverty.

It is also the level of evaluation whereby n-f-p property investor will look at qualitative (facts) and quantitative (numbers) data, metrics and indicators to help him/her in its investment decision-making process or case. The n-f-p property investor can test the project’s replicability. This insight will indicate to him/her whether or not to back the project and the ASHCO that initiates this project.

Where the two (i.e., investee and investor) need support, CENFACS will work with each party to fill the gap or narrow their distances.

More on Fragment 4 can be found under the Main Development section of this post.

• Spring Relief 2024: Rebuilding and Renewing Lives, Infrastructures and Institutions in the Context of Squeezed Household Spending

The Winter Season of Light, which is ending today, gives us an opportunity to bring some lights and hopes to those in most need so that they can find the reasons to believe in life again. The Season of Light tackles poverty as a lack of hope and expectations. However, our work does not stop there.

Spring is the Season of Rebirth and Rejuvenation. We call it Spring Relief within CENFACS. Generally, the key theme for Spring within CENFACS is Rebuilding or Renewing Lives, Infrastructures and Institutions. In other words, Spring Relief is the season of rebuilding from what has been destroyed by wars, natural disasters, economic mismanagement, mistakes from the past, other disasters (like the cost-of-living crisis, health crisis of Ebola or COVID-19), etc.

We need to rebuild in order to reduce poverty, stop its re-appearance and avoid the emergence of new types of poverty and new generations of poor people. We want to move away from the endemic structures and institutions of disadvantage, discrimination and inequality towards the poor. During this period, we take the challenge of working with those in need to rebuild their lives, infrastructures, buildings, development of relationships, communities, etc. from damages, losses and worse changes experienced or caused.

So, the key words for the Spring Season are rebuilding and renewing. We shall come back on these words at different occasions as we step into Spring and progress towards its end; especially with our advocacy project of Rebuilding Africa.

• • Build Forward Better Together to a Greener, Cleaner, Safer, Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Future within the Context of Squeezed Household Spending.

In order to build forward, it is wise to take into account the context of doing it and how to exactly build forward.

• • • Context of building forward this Spring 2024

Last Spring, we helped reduce poverty and rebuild lives within the context of Falling Real Household Disposable Incomes.

This Spring 2024, our focus is on rebuilding and sustaining lives, infrastructures and institutions within the context of Squeezed Household Spending. But, what is household spending.

~ Basic understanding of household spending

According to Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (1),

“Household spending is the amount of final consumption expenditure made by resident households to meet their everyday needs, such as food, clothing, housing (rent), energy, transport, durable goods (notably cars), health costs, leisure, and miscellaneous services”.

As the World Bank (2) puts it,

“Household consumption is typically the core concept at the centre of any attempt to measure living standards, inequality and poverty in the developing world”.

~ Squeeze on household final Consumption expenditures

In recent months, there has been a squeeze on household spending and living standards. For example, according to the Office for National Statistics (3) in the UK,

The Office for National Statistics (4) in the UK also argues that

“In Quarter 3 (July to Sept.) 2023, household spending growth (adjusted for inflation) was negative 0.5%. Compared with Quarter 2 (Apr. to June) 2023”.

Squeeze on household spending can be an impediment in the process of continuing the building forward work. Given these context and impediment, how can we build forward?

• • • How to continue the work of building forward in the current context

We are going to continue our work on building forward where we left it last year. Last year, it was much about recovery in the building forward process.

Like any process, building forward process has phases or steps. For instance, ‘uneca.org’ (5) identifies three steps linked to build forward; steps which include: response, recovery and re-set.

Following the perspective of ‘uneca.org’, we are going to continue our work of building forward by re-setting the system. As ‘uneca.org’ states it, re-set aims at giving tools to direct economic recovery to drive sustainable growth that will be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.

Therefore, the theme for this Spring Relief 2024 is still “Build Forward Better Together to a Greener, Cleaner, Safer, Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Future” but within the context of Squeezed Household Spending. We will be working on resetting the system, our system of poverty reduction.

The announcement of Spring Relief’s theme comes with that of projects and programmes making it or the notes composing this theme. In our next post, we shall provide the projects and programmes we have selected to make this Spring – Spring Relief season.

As we have just announced, it is a selection. Consequently, one should expect the introduction of new activities and the continuation of on-going initiatives like our All-year Round (or Triple Value) projects. That is also to say, there will be additional projects and programmes as we progress throughout this coming Spring season.

• Coming This Spring 2024: FACS Issue No. 83 which will be titled as Charity Trade, Investment and Poverty Reduction in Africa

Trade and investment can make a lot difference in the lives of those living in poverty. Trade does not always to be for profit. Charites and voluntary organisations do trade and can trade, but not to make or distribute profit. Their ability to trade is limited (6). Also, there are rules in the UK on what types of activities count as trading. Charities can run and/or own shops (e.g., charity shops). Charities can trade by setting up a separate trading company or subsidiary or ancillary.

Charity trade can help to back charities’ mission and charity objects like the reduction of poverty. For example, according to ‘charityretail.org.uk’ (7),

The 83rd Issue of FACS will be about trade and investment run by Africa-based Sister Charitable Organisations to help reduce poverty and hardships amongst those in need. It will also include trading activities carried out by the members or beneficiaries of these organisations, who are engaged in trade to reduce poverty or simply to make ends meet. Amongst these people are those poor who cross borders on a daily basis to sell goods and services to make ends meet. The 83rd Issue of FACS will focus on these organisations and individuals selling goods and services for the purpose of coming out poverty.

The 83rd Issue of FACS will inspect contemporary theories of trade and the space they provide to explain trade in the charitable and voluntary sector, particularly in Africa. Far from being a simple theoretical account of these theories or models, the 83rd Issue of FACS will aim at providing the justifications or cases for trade within the charitable and voluntary worlds. One of these justifications comes from International Trade Council (8) which argues that

The 83rd Issue of FACS will deal with intra-regional trade carried out by Africa’s charities and how this trade is helping to reduce poverty. As a treaty of intra-regional trade, the 83rd Issue of FACS will envisage cases of trade within the region of Africa and the space given by African Continental Free Trade Area with all the advantages and disadvantages that area contains. In doing so, the 83rd Issue of FACS will not undermine the value of trade conducted beyond Africa’s borders.

The 83rd Issue of FACS will be a story of trade creation, rather than trade diversion, in order to reduce poverty and enhance sustainable development. From this perspective, the 83rd Issue of FACS will be an illustration of how Africa-based Trade Charitable Organisations are trying to capture the window of opportunities provided by a free trade regime to reduce poverty in various sectors of human empowerment.

In practical terms, the 83rd Issue of FACS will be a handy piece of work explaining how poor and vulnerable beneficiaries are trying to create usable means to live off and push poverty away. To push poverty away via trade, these beneficiaries need trade skills. So, investing in these beneficiaries to acquire or improve these skills will be dealt within the 83rd Issue of FACS, just as the transmission and sharing of trade skills.

To read more about this new Issue, please keep checking on CENFACS incoming posts this Spring 2024. To reserve a paper copy of this 83rd Issue of FACS, please contact CENFACS with your mailing details.

Extra Messages

• ICDP (Individual Capacity Development Programme) Resource, Holiday with Relief – In Focus for Spring 2024 Issue: Holiday with Restricted Budget

• Climate Action 3: Support Crowdfunding Campaigns and Poverty Reduction (18 to 24/03/2024)

• All-year Round Projects Cycle (Triple Value Initiatives Cycle) – Step/Workshop 5: Negotiating and Agreeing Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

• ICDP (Individual Capacity Development Programme) Resource, Holiday with Relief – In Focus for Spring 2024 Issue: Holiday with Restricted Budget

How to make your holiday plan with restrictions on your holiday funds

The next Issue of our ICDP Resource entitled as ‘Holiday with Relief’ will focus on Holiday with Restricted Budget. The Issue will deal with limited spending for holiday, with a family’s or household’s immediate needs rather than wants during holiday.

Holiday with Restricted Budget can happen in the following circumstances:

a) “When a family is on a restricted budget, it means it is limiting its spending “, according to ‘pocketsense.com’ (9)

c) If the person who sponsored your holiday project does it through a policy on restricted funds budget.

Many people on low income will have their holiday budget restricted to essential spending. With restricted budget for your holiday you have some challenges to deal with.

This year, ‘Holiday with Relief’ will provide wealthy advice, tips and hints to overcome these challenges and find opportunities to finance your holiday. Through this wealth of information, we will try to tackle holiday poverty or poverty linked to restricted or limited means to enjoy a decent holiday whether at home or away from home.

This resource will be packed with Spring-like poverty-relieving ideas about how to reduce poverty linked to restricted means while being on holiday. Although the contents of this year’s Holiday with Relief will be for holiday, they can be used at any other time of the year.

To enquire about the 2024 Issue of Holiday with Relief, please contact CENFACS.

• Climate Action 3: Support Crowdfunding Campaigns and Poverty Reduction (18 to 24/03/2024)

Net-zero emissions reduction of greenhouse gases by 2050 can be achieved by backing an organised series of actions designed to support net zero goals. Some of these actions are called crowdfunding. But, what is crowdfunding?

• • Basic Understanding of Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding can be defined in many ways. The website ‘thebalancemoney.com’ (11) defines it as

“The method of financing a business venture, project, or cause by collecting small monetary contributions from large group of people through online platforms”.

There are pros and cons about crowdfunding. However, what we are interested in is their pros arguments. Those who would like to take climate actions can support these platforms which are of various types.

• • Types of Crowdfunding

It is said on the website ‘oberlo.com’ (12) that there are many types of crowdfunding available on the market, which include reward-based crowdfunding, equity-based crowdfunding and donation-based crowdfunding.

If we focus on donation-based crowdfunding, the ‘oberlo.com’ explains that this type of crowdfunding, which is usually employed by charitable causes, is when supporters freely donate money without reward or monetary incentive. The Campaign on Fundly to support a food recovery project for the Happy Kids Cancer is one of these charitable causes. One can even start their own crowdfunding to support a charitable cause.

Different types of crowdfunding provide various examples of crowdfunding.

• • Examples of Crowdfunding

Examples of environmental protection crowdfunding platforms in the UK include: Energise Africa, Energy 4 Impact, Abundance, Triodos Crowdfunding, etc.

Other examples of environmental crowdfunding projects are Take#Savethebees to the Streets, Join the fight to save Coul Links, Blooming Wild Devon, We are building a machine to remove beached plastic, etc.

Further examples of crowdfunding platforms for impact on the environment are Indiegogo, Startsomegood.

The above are just few of the many examples. What matters here is to support these campaigns or platforms. There are ways of supporting them.

• • Ways of Supporting Crowdfunding Campaigns and Poverty Reduction

They include the following:

√ Respond to their product surveys with poverty-reduction contents

√ Sign-up for their email campaigns

√ Find trustworthy crowdfunding campaigns dealing with both net-zero issues and poverty reduction

√ Be aware of their brands

√ Become one of the active or loyal followers

√ Provide feedback about their campaigns

√ Check their pricing policies whether or not they are affordable for all income budgets

√ Verify their results in terms of poverty reduction and other benefits to the poor

Etc.

The above is our note for Climate Action 3.

Those members of our community who would like to work with CENFACS on Supporting Crowdfunding Campaigns and Poverty Reduction, they can take climate actions as well as actions on reducing poverty with us.

For any queries or enquiries about Climate Action 3 and Climate Actions Month, please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

• All-year Round Projects Cycle (Triple Value Initiatives Cycle) –

Step/Workshop 5: Negotiating and Agreeing Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

Step/Workshop 5 contains two tasks: negotiations and agreement.

• • What Is Negotiation?

Negotiation is part of humans’ everyday life. To explain it, we are going to refer to what ‘pmi.org’ states about it. The website ‘pmi.org’ (13) provides three features about negotiation, which are

“[a] Communication back and forth for the purpose of making a joint decision

[b] A way of finding a mutually acceptable solution to a shared problem

[c] Achieving an ideal outcome: a wise decision, efficiently and amicably agreed upon”.

Negotiation can be hard, soft and principled. As an all-year-round project user, your negotiation needs to end with negotiated agreement to put your all-year-round project into action, whereby there could be a win-win outcome for you and those engaged with you in the negotiation. Negotiation can lead to an agreement.

• • What Is an Agreement?

An agreement is simply a joint decision after negotiation or discussion, and can be translated into a contract or promise to carry out what has been negotiated or discussed. The agreement helps to outline the terms and conditions between all-year-round project user and the other party.

• • Example of Negotiated Agreement: Your Project about Playing the CENFACS’ League of Poverty Reduction

Let say you want to run a tournament over this coming Easter season with friends or relatives in order to find which African country is making commendable progress in terms of poverty reduction. You need to negotiate with friends and/or relatives the terms and conditions of this tournament.

• • • What to include into your negotiated agreement

Your negotiation could revolve around the following:

~ the number of African countries making your Easter tournament

~ the criteria or metrics to rate them in terms of performance relating to poverty reduction

~ the analytical period you would like to consider (e.g., 01/01/2024 to 31/03/2024 or first quarter of 2024)

~ the roles each of the participants to the game would like to play

~ the length of the tournament

~ the time and day of the Easter holiday to play

~ the way of recording and communicating your results

etc.

You can think whether or not to insert a fundraising element (such as crowdfunding) into your tournament.

• • • Crowdfunding your tournament

You can start crowdfunding for the tournament so that any money donated by friends and relatives go to good causes such as CENFACS‘ noble and beautiful ones. You can set up a minimum or maximum amount as target to raise as money, and share crowdfunding tasks to achieve this target.

• • What Will Happen after Negotiation

After negotiation, you need to agree on certain terms, conditions and rules to follow during the play. Depending on your skills, knowledge, experience and resources; you may decide to turn your game into a play station or use a game theory to solve some of the hurdles you may encounter.

For those who would like to dive deeper into the negotiation and agreement relating to their Play or Run or Vote project, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

Message in French (Message en français)

• Ressource du PDCI (Programme de Développement des Capacités Individuelles), Vacances avec soulagement – Gros plan pour le numéro du printemps 2024 : Vacances avec budget restreint

Comment faire votre plan de vacances avec des restrictions sur vos fonds de vacances

Le prochain numéro de notre ressource de PDCI , intitulé «Vacances avec soulagement», portera sur les vacances avec un budget restreint. Le numéro portera sur les dépenses limitées pour les vacances, sur les besoins immédiats d’une famille ou d’un ménage plutôt que sur ses désirs pendant les vacances.

Les vacances avec budget restreint peuvent se produire dans les cas suivants :

a) «Lorsqu’une famille a un budget restreint, cela signifie qu’elle limite ses dépenses », selon « pocketsense.com» (9)

b) Lorsqu’un bailleur de fonds ou donateur qui finance vos vacances ajoute des restrictions à son don en vous disant que les fonds dont vous avez besoin pour les vacances doivent être utilisés aux fins convenues entre vous et la personne qui finance vos vacances, conformément au site internet « pairsoft.com » (10)

c) Si la personne qui a parrainé votre projet de vacances le fait par le biais d’une politique sur le budget des fonds restreints.

De nombreuses personnes à faible revenu verront leur budget des vacances limité aux dépenses essentielles. Avec un budget restreint pour vos vacances, vous avez quelques défis.

Cette année, «Vacances avec soulagement» vous fournira des conseils, des astuces et des indications pour surmonter ces défis et trouver des opportunités de financer vos vacances. Grâce à cette mine d’informations, nous tenterons de lutter contre la pauvreté liée aux vacances ou à la pauvreté liée à des moyens restreints ou limités pour profiter de vacances décentes, que ce soit à la maison ou à l’extérieur.

Cette ressource sera remplie d’idées de soulagement de la pauvreté pendant le printemps, sur la façon de réduire à la fois la pauvreté liée à des moyens limités tout en étant en vacances. Bien que le contenu des «Vacances avec soulagement» de cette année soit pour les vacances, il peut être utilisé à tout autre moment de l’année.

Pour en savoir plus sur l’édition 2024 de «Vacances avec soulagement», veuillez contacter le CENFACS.

Main Development

• Matching Organisation-Property Investor Winter/Spring 2024 Activity –

Fragment 4 (from 20 to 26/03/2024): Matching Organisation’s Considerations to Planning Restrictions and Budget with Property Investor’s Exit Strategy

Both parties (i.e., Africa-based Sister Housing Charitable Organisation and Not-for-profit Property Investor) have made considerable progress so far, as they have continued to score points. These points are sufficient to enable them to enter the last stage of the matching talks, Fragment 4.

At the level of Fragment 4, the matching talks will be about finding ways to reach an agreement between Housing Organisation’s Considerations to Planning Restrictions and Budget with Property Investor’s Exit Strategy.

To explain what is going to happen at this last stage or Fragment 4, we have organised our notes around the following headings:

σ Africa-based Sister Housing Charitable Organisation’s Considerations to Planning Restrictions and Budget

σ Not-for-profit Property Investor’s Exit Strategy

σ The Match or Fit Test

σ Concluding Note on Matching Organisation-Property Investor Winter/Spring 2024 Activity.

Let us look at each of these headings.

• • Africa-based Sister Housing Charitable Organisation’s Considerations to Planning Restrictions and Budget

To approach ASHCO’s Considerations to Planning Restrictions, let us first explain planning restrictions and budget, then what ASHCO needs to do to have its considerations approved by the n-f-p property investor.

• • • What is a planning restriction?

The website ‘lawinsider.com’ (14) explains that

“Planning restriction means any restriction on the use or development of the land under any planning scheme, statute, regulation, local law or permit condition or imposed by the Council or any other authority empowered to control the use or development of the land”.

The website ‘farmandcountryfinance.co.uk’ (15) adds that

“The effect of a planning restriction is to limit those persons who are entitled to occupy a property and this in turn limits the market to which the property may be sold”.

A planning restriction may have an impact on the property investor and the property evaluation. This is why ASHCO has to take serious considerations to the planning restrictions that may apply to the property.

• • • What is a budget?

Using the definition of ‘nerdwallet.com’ (16),

“A budget is a spending plan based on income and expenses”.

A budget can be constrained. According to ‘open.oregonstate.education’ (17),

“The budget constraint is the set of all the bundles a consumer can afford given that consumer’s income. We assume that the consumer has a budget – an amount of money available to spend on bundles”.

ASHCO, that has a budget, needs to consider any restrictions or constraints that may apply to its budget. The good news for ASHCO is that the n-f-p property investor as a donor is not adding any financial restrictions to its gift of investment to the housing project.

ASHCO is also required to do more in order to reach an agreement.

• • • What ASHCO can do to reach an agreement

There is number of tasks ASHCO can undertake in order to reach an agreement with the n-f-p property investor. They include the ones given below.

ASCHCO needs to balance income, expenses and the goal of acquiring a new investor.

ASCHO has to make a comprehensive list of expenditures and explain them.

ASCHO can use the 50/30/20 budget rule, which suggests that you spend about 50% of your monthly after-tax income on necessities, 30% on wants and 20% on savings and paying off the debt. Within this budget rule, housing costs are needs or necessities or expenses you cannot avoid .

This could an opportunity to negotiate the greatest need of the housing project in conversation with the n-f-p property investor so that the latter can increase its gift to project beneficiaries, especially if ASHCO’s budget is restricted. ASHCO can a bit bend or tweak certain parameters in the building of its budget. It can make some of the housing costs to appear as a want not just a need in the budget. However, ASCHCO must be careful about its language during this solicitation for increased gift. Otherwise, ASCHCO will blow everything away.

ASHCO is required to check if the planning permission to perform certain types of work is within the consent from the local authority for the proposed building.

ASHCO has to make sure that it has permitted development rights for the enlargement, improvement or other alterations of a house for their home building and/or renovation.

Briefly, ASHCO must show that is leading the way and the project has something noble to offer and can generate tangible and palpable results in terms of housing poverty reduction. The project is worth undertaking and commends a genuine case or value for investment and for poverty relief.

• • Not-for-profit Property Investor’s Exit Strategy

The final stage of the investment property lifecycle is the exit phase. It is as well the phase where the n-f-p property investor will look at the results in terms of the number of people to be lifted out of poverty because of his/her contribution to the project. He/she will test the replicability of the housing model. He/she will check if ASHCO includes in its considerations to planning restrictions and budget any plans to gather lessons learned, evaluate results and disseminate findings. He/she may want to know if the housing project will prove to be a successful model for similar projects in the future. In the light of this bulk of information, he/she has to unveil his/her own exit strategy. But, what is exit strategy?

• • • Meaning of exit strategy

According to ‘propertygeek.net’ (18), exit is

“Exiting the stage of being an active investor and turning your thoughts towards retirement”.

For ‘opencorp.com.au’ (19),

“An exit strategy is all about minimising tax and maximising returns”.

There are many strategies or ways of exiting property investment.

• • • Types of exit strategies

The above mentioned ‘opencorp.com.au’ explains that it is critical to have a vision or to start with the end in mind. The same ‘opencorp.com.au’ provides four exit strategies, which mostly apply to for-profit property investors. Amongst these strategies, there is one which consists of handing over your property investment portfolio to your children.

As part of an exit strategy, the n-f-p profit property investor can transfer control of their portfolio. He/she can as well keep its portfolio at a positive (or neutral) cash flow position and leave it to increase in value of poverty reduction titles, in turn allowing them to live off their good reputation of funder/donor who helps lift people out of housing poverty.

Additionally, the exit strategy can depend on whether or not ASHCO possesses a trading harm or subsidiary or ancillary trading. In which case, the n-f-p property investor may prefer to exit by moving its investment to this harm or subsidiary.

• • • What Not-for-profit Property Investor can do to reach an agreement

He/she will need to show he/she has a clear strategy to exit the property investment cycle. He/she can indicate if he/she is giving a one-off donation or he/she is willing to be contacted for any further appeals. He/she will make sure that his/her Exit Strategy will have the chance to match the Considerations to Planning Restrictions and Budget from the organisation’s perspective. He/she needs to address any questions or issues that ASHCO may raise in relation to the exit strategy, especially if the n-f-p property investor would like to become long term supporter/donor/funder.

• • The Match or Fit Test

As part of the match or fit test, n-f-p property investor’s Exit Strategy needs to match ASHCO’s Considerations to Planning Restrictions and Budget. The match should be perfect or close in order to reach an agreement. If there is a huge or glaring difference between the two, the probability or chance of having an agreement at this fourth round of negotiations could be null or uncertain.

• • • Impact Advice to ASHCO and Guidance to n-f-p Property Investor

CENFACS can impact advise ASHCO to improve its Considerations to Planning Restrictions and Budget. CENFACS can as well guide n-f-p property investors with impact to ameliorate their Exit Strategy to a format that can be acceptable by potential ASHCOs.

CENFACS’ impact advice for ASHCOs and guidance on impact investing for n-f-p property investor will be impartial and help each of them (i.e., investee and investor) to make informed decisions and to reduce the likelihood of any significant losses or misunderstandings or mismatches.

• • • The Rule of the Matching Game

The rule of the game is the more property investors are attracted by ASHCOs’ Considerations to Planning Restrictions and Budget the better for ASHCOs. Likewise, the more ASHCOs are willing to accept property investors’ Exit Strategy the better for investors. In this respect, the matching game needs to be a win-win one to benefit both players (i.e., organisation and investor).

The above is the fourth fragment of the Matching Organisation-Property Investor Winter/Spring 2024 Activity.

Those potential housing organisations seeking investment and n-f-p property investors looking for organisations who are interested in it, they can contact CENFACS to arrange the match or fit test for them. They can have their fit test carried out by CENFACS’ Hub for Testing Hypotheses.

For any queries and/or enquiries about this fourth fragment of Matching Organisation-Property Investor Winter/Spring 2024 Activity and/or the programme itself, please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

• • Concluding Note on Matching Organisation-Property Investor Winter/Spring 2024 Activity

To close this activity, let us recognise that although this activity has been based on a 4-stage model of property investment lifecycle and a 4-step approach to house design , there could be more than four stages in any property investment lifecycle and in house design.

The match probability can be high or average or low depending on how much ASHCOs’ needs meet property investors’ interests.

CENFACS is still available to work with ASHCOs that are looking for Impact Advice and Not-for-profit Property Investors who need Guidance with Impact so that the former can find the investment they are looking for and the latter the organisation to invest in, and both of them can realise their respective Easter dreams.

To work together to make your matching dream come true by finding your ideal investee or investor, please contact CENFACS.

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• References

(1) https://data.oecd.org/hha/household-spending.html (accessed in March 2024)

(2) https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/265491468312013923/pdf/WPS5501.pdf (accessed in March 2024)

(3) https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/bulletins/onshouseholdexpendituredatainsightsintotheeffectsofcostoflivingpressure (accessed in March 2024)

(4) https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/nationalaccounts/satelliteaccounts/bulletins/consumertrends/julytoseptember2023 (accessed in March 2024)

(5) https://archive.uneca.org/sites/default/files/PublicationFiles/building_forward_together.pdf (accessed in March 2024)

(6) ncvo.org.uk/help-and-guidance-/running-a-charity/financial-management/tax-and-trading/trading-and-charities/ (accessed in March 2024)

(7) https://www.charityretail.org.uk/key-statistics/ (accessed in March 2024)

(8) https://tradecouncil.org/exploring-the-relationship-between-international-trade-and-poverty-reduction/#

(9) https://pocketsense.com/restricted-budget-8444362.html (accessed in March 2024)

(10) https://www.pairsoft.com/blog/nonprofit-budget-restricted-funds/ (accessed in March 2024)

(11) https://www.thebalancemoney.com/what-is-crowdfunding-5188116 (accessed in March 2024)

(12) https://www.oberlo.com/blog/complete-guide-crowdfunding (accessed in March 2024)

(13) https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/negotiating-project-outcomes-develop-skills-6781 (Accessed in March 2023)

(14) https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/planning-restriction# (accessed in March 2024)

(15) https://www.farmandcountryfinance.co.uk/agricultural-restrictions-also-known-as-agricultural-ties/# (accessed in March 2024)

(16) https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/what-is-a-budget (accessed in March 2024)

(17) https://open.oregonstate.education/intermediatemicroeconomics/chapter/module-3/# (accessed in March 2024)

(18) https://propertygeek.net/article/exit-strategies-property-investors/ (accessed in March 2024)

(19) https://opencorp.com.au/property-investment-4-exit-strategies-2/# (accessed in March 2024)

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• Help CENFACS Keep the Poverty Relief Work Going this Year

We do our work on a very small budget and on a voluntary basis. Making a donation will show us you value our work and support CENFACS’ work, which is currently offered as a free service.

One could also consider a recurring donation to CENFACS in the future.

Donate to support CENFACS!

FOR ONLY £1, YOU CAN SUPPORT CENFACS AND CENFACS’ NOBLE AND BEAUTIFUL CAUSES OF POVERTY REDUCTION.

JUST GO TO: Support Causes – (cenfacs.org.uk)

Thank you for visiting CENFACS website and reading this post.

Thank you as well to those who made or make comments about our weekly posts.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits and continuing support throughout 2024 and beyond.

With many thanks.

Permalink

Matching Organisation-Property Investor Winter/Spring 2024 Activity – Fragment 3

Posted by ctsh@in2015 on March 13, 2024 in Uncategorized

Welcome to CENFACS’ Online Diary!

13 March 2024

Post No. 343

The Week’s Contents

• Matching Organisation-Property Investor Winter/Spring 2024 Activity – Fragment 3 (13 to 19/03/2024): Matching Organisation’s Plan for Building Footprint (or Style) with Property Investor’s Undertaking of Improvement Works

• Climate Action 2: Spend on Net Zero Brands and Poverty Reduction (11 to 17/03/2024)

• CENFACS’ Tricennial Year

… And much more!

Key Messages

• Matching Organisation-Property Investor Winter/Spring 2024 Activity –

Fragment 3 (13 to 19/03/2024): Matching Organisation’s Plan of Building Footprint (or Style) with Property Investor’s Undertaking of Improvement Works

Both Africa-based Sister Housing Charitable Organisation (ASHCO) and Not-for-profit (n-f-p) Property Investor scored enough points in the Second Fragment of the Matching Organisation-Property Investor Winter/Spring 2024 Activity. They would like to continue their talks and move to the third round of negotiations, which is Fragment 3.

This third round of talks consists of agreeing on Plan for Building Footprint (or Style) to be presented by ASHCO, and on the Proposals to be made by the n-f-p Property Investor to Undertake any Improvement Works that deem necessary for the housing project. To reach an agreement, each side of this Fragment 3 needs to clarify what they are offering in the negotiation to meet the matching terms and conditions.

If this Fragment 3 is successful, they will move to the next/last fragment. Where the two (i.e., investee and investor) need support, CENFACS will work with each party to fill the gap.

More about Fragment 3 can be found under the Main Development section of this post.

• Climate Action 2: Spend on Net Zero Brands and Poverty Reduction (11 to 17/03/2024)

To achieve net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050, it requires spending on net zero brands. It equally implies investing in poverty reduction. In other words, it is possible to spend at the same time on net zero products and poverty reduction if one needs to have climate transition action that is inclusive.

For instance, ‘cambridgeassociates.com’ (1) suggests “a more holistic and ambitious approach that integrates a climate lens across all investments [that could] lead to better real world and investment outcomes”.

The holistic and ambitious approach needs to include climate poverty reduction or inequality in climate transitions. This will as well help to transition to a more inclusive and sustainable future.

However, to spend on net-zero products or brands, one needs to know what they are.

• • What Is a Net Zero Brand?

Net zero brands are types of products manufactured by a particular organisation having a net zero strategy, under a specific name. According to ‘megradyclarke.com’ (2),

“Net zero strategy aims at reducing business operational emissions as much as possible, and combined with carbon offsetting balances overall emissions to zero”.

Those who would like to take climate action, they can spend on these brands. Spending on these brands can have some implications for them.

• • Implications for Spending on Net Zero Brands

Spending on net zero brands can imply the following:

√ Being award of and considering these brands when making purchasing decisions

√ Reviewing net zero brands’ content assets

√ Participating in brand test and learning more about their strategy in terms of branding or brand channels

√ Getting to know their campaigns in relation to poverty reduction

√ Monitoring and analysing these brands as well as how good they are compared to brands that are not net zero

√ Staying in tune with their latest developments and their ability to reduce poverty

√ Being informed on their platform updates and news

etc.

Briefly, in keeping informed about the performance of these brands, it helps to make a good decision whether or not to spend on them. Being informed means also not working alone. Working with people around you can help to maintain the net zero momentum.

• • Working with the Community on Spending on Net Zero Brands

As explained in our last post, the all purpose of writing this note is to guide our climate action. In other words, what is key here is to take action. The note is only a guided principle.

For instance, taking action together on spending on net zero brands can be on applying initiatives for this spending to happen; initiatives such as opening up an eco-conscious account with cash back rewards, developing a net zero commitment, taking actionable steps to meet targets on net zero expenses or purchases, transitioning behaviour and practice regarding net zero brands or products, etc.

Those members of our community who would like to work with CENFACS on Spending on Net Zero Brands and Climate Poverty Reduction, they can take climate actions as well as actions on reducing poverty with us.

For any queries or enquiries about Climate Action 2 and Climate Actions Month, please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

• CENFACS’ Tricennial Year

2024 has been dedicated as a Transition Year within CENFACS. 2024 is also a Tricennial Year for the idea of CENFACS as 2024 is the year during which we are celebrating the establishment of CENFACS as a Tricennial Creation. In other words, it is now 30 years since the idea of CENFACS was born.

This Tricennial Celebration or the Tricennium kicks off this March 2024. It is a celebration of the remarkable journey of CENFACS as an idea for good. We are remembering CENFACS for its four existential features, which are:

a) CENFACS as a Sustainable Creation

b) CENFACS as a Unique Creation

c) CENFACS as an Inspiring and Transformative Creation

d) CENFACS as a Creation for Hope and Future.

Through Project 30, we will be progressively sharing with our supporters, followers and audiences some information about CENFACS milestones so that they can (re)learn a bit more about CENFACS. We would like as well those who have recently joined us and those who may want to join us, to learn something about CENFACS on the occasion of this Pearl Jubilee.

This coming Summer, we shall come back on CENFACS as a Tricennial Creation, particularly in June which is the Creation Month for CENFACS.

In meantime, those who would like to know more about the Tricennial Creation, they can contact CENFACS. Likewise, we shall keep informed our supporters, followers and members about any Tricennial events that may take place and the way of supporting and engaging with these events.

Happy Pearl Jubilee to CENFACS!

Extra Messages

• Nature Projects and Nature-based Solutions to Poverty – In Focus for Week Beginning 11/03/2024: Protection of Environmental Human Rights Defenders

• Financial Controls 2024 – In Discussion for Wednesday 13/03/2024: Cash Management

• All-year Round Projects Cycle (Triple Value Initiatives Cycle) – Step/Workshop 4: Appraising Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

• Nature Projects and Nature-based Solutions to Poverty – In Focus for Week Beginning 11/03/2024: Protection of Environmental Human Rights Defenders

This activity will deal with the full protection of environmental human rights defenders. As ‘ohchr.org’ (3) puts it

“They need and deserve the protection given to their activities by the Declaration on human rights defenders” (p. 5)

To explain this activity, let us summarise its aim and what it consists of.

• • Aim and Constituting Elements of Activity 4

a) Aim of Activity 4

The aim of this activity is about stopping any perpetrators of violations against human rights defenders, particularly (but not limited to) those working nature issues and nature-based solutions to poverty.

b) What Does Activity 4 Consist of?

This Activity is a qualitative research which consists of gathering information in-depth insights and opinions from a group of our members about people acting to address any human rights on behalf of individuals or groups, as well as people who promote, protect and realise economic, social, cultural and environmental rights.

For those who would like to engage with Activity 4 and/or any of the activities covered so far in our presentation of Nature Projects and Nature-based Solutions to Poverty, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

• • Concluding Words about Third Series of Nature Projects and Nature-based Solutions to Poverty

Activity 4 closes our Third Series of Nature Projects and Nature-based Solutions to Poverty. But, it does not end our work on nature.

We hope that those who have been following our work on nature have found this third series contributing to the debate over nature and the wellbeing of nature. Since work on nature is unfinished business, we shall resume it with the fourth series. We shall inform our followers, supporters and audiences about the working plan on this fourth series when we are ready. In meantime, for those who would like to find out more about Nature Projects and Nature-based Solutions to Poverty, they can communicate with CENFACS.

• Financial Controls 2024 – In Discussion for Wednesday 13/03/2024: Cash Management

The last financial control we planned for this Winter 2024 Financial Controls Project is Cash Management. Indeed, all households and families manage cash to run their daily lives. To understand what we are talking about let us look at the aim of this financial control, the meaning of cash management and how CENFACS can work with the community on cash management.

• • The Aim of This Financial Control

The aim of learning this financial control (or cash management) is to reduce household/family poverty through the building of cash flow statement which will show how much cash is available for households/families, and which will include cash from three types of activities: operating, investing and financing activities.

Households/families can use cash management to get the best result in managing their cash assets. They can even refer to financial instruments involved in cash management. Some households/families can undertake this exercise. Those ones that have some difficulties in doing it, CENFACS can work with them.

• • Brief Understanding of Cash Management

According to ‘corporatefinanceinstitute.com’ (4),

“Cash management, also known as treasury management, is the process that involves collecting and managing cash flows from the operating, investing and financing activities of a company”.

Like a company, households or families manage their cash. They can use cash management to achieve the most efficient and effective use of their cash to meet their needs.

• • Work with Households/Families on Cash Management

Working with those households/families making our community could be about the following:

√ Improving their understanding of the cash flow cycle

√ Developing cash flow management skills

√ Helping them to make a good capital investment

√ Supporting them to use cash management to settle debt obligations

√ Assisting them on how to handle cash management to deal with their daily or operating expenses

√ Showing them how to allocate their cash assets or cash to invest when opportunities arise

√ Finding solutions to build savings from cash

√ Building cash statements with them to record all their cash inflows and outflows

etc.

Working with them could also be about suggesting to them cash management online tools and resources for those who would like to dive into self-study.

The above is the fifth financial control we wanted to share with our users or beneficiaries who may be households. If anyone of our members need support regarding their financial controls and in particular Cash Management within their household, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

• • Concluding Note about Winter 2024 Financial Controls

Cash Management as financial control closes what we planned to work with the community during this Winter 2024. We hope the notes presented including the exercises and suggestions made so far, with respect to the Financial Controls project, have been useful and poverty-relieving. We are still working on this project. If there are any updates or events or even news about it, we shall inform you/the community.

• All-year Round Projects Cycle (Triple Value Initiatives Cycle) –

Step/Workshop 4: Appraising Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

To carry out this step/workshop 4, we are going to briefly explain what this step/workshop is about and give an example about it.

• • Appraising Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

It is about assessing the feasibility, viability and potential impact of a proposed project. It means that an all-year-round project user will proceed with the following:

identify the project, screen it, scope it, analyse its market, technically study it as feasible, assess its financial viability and its economic impact, analyse risks, examine environmental and social impact and report its appraisal.

Because All-year Round Projects are such small and practical initiatives, there is a need to simply the appraisal relating to it. To simply the matter, we are going to limit to financial appraisal.

• • Example of Financial Appraisal: Your Project about Running for Poverty Reduction

Let say you want to run 4 km.

You have two options.

~ Option 1

You could simply get out your home start running without thinking of any financial appraisal.

~ Option 2

You can conduct a basic financial appraisal by asking yourself if you need to buy a bottle of water, a pair of trainers, a clock or watch to time yourself, the frequency of your run activity (e.g., once a week or every particular day of the week), decide whether you want run alone or as a group or even join a local group of runners where you live, etc.

You can even work out how much it costs to run in open space like a park compared to a close space such as a gym.

You can as well assess the benefit of running in terms of your health and general wellbeing.

You can even include a fundraising element so that money to be raised through your running hobby goes to good causes such as CENFACS’ noble and beautiful ones.

In this second option, you can carry out more appraisal and come out with a sort of financial plan in terms of basic costs and benefits of running. In project planning terms, it means you have financially appraised Your Project about Running for Poverty Reduction.

For those who would like to dive deeper into the appraisal of their Play or Run or Vote project, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

Message in French (Message en français)

• Contrôles financiers 2024 – En discussion pour le mercredi 13/03/2024: Gestion de la trésorerie

Le dernier contrôle financier que nous avons prévu pour ce projet de contrôles financiers de l’hiver 2024 est la gestion de la trésorerie. En effet, tous les ménages et toutes les familles gèrent de l’argent liquide pour gérer leur vie quotidienne. Pour comprendre de quoi nous parlons, regardons l’objectif de ce contrôle financier, la signification de la gestion de trésorerie et comment le CENFACS peut travailler avec la communauté sur la gestion de trésorerie.

• • L’objectif de ce contrôle financier

L’objectif de l’apprentissage de ce contrôle financier (ou gestion de trésorerie) est de réduire la pauvreté des ménages ou familles grâce à l’établissement d’un tableau des flux de trésorerie qui indiquera combien d’argent est disponible pour les ménages ou familles, et qui comprendra des liquidités provenant de trois types d’activités : les opérations, les investissements et les finances.

Les ménages ou familles peuvent utiliser la gestion de trésorerie de manière optimale dans la gestion de leurs avoirs en espèces. Ils peuvent même faire référence à des instruments financiers impliqués dans la gestion de trésorerie. Certains ménages ou familles peuvent entreprendre cet exercice. Ceux qui ont des difficultés à le faire, le CENFACS peut travailler avec eux.

• • Brève compréhension de la gestion de trésorerie

D’après le « corporatefinanceinstitute.com » (4),

« La gestion de trésorerie, également connue sous le nom de gestion des espèces, est le processus qui consiste à collecter et à gérer les flux de trésorerie provenant des activités d’exploitation, d’investissement et de financement d’une entreprise. »

À l’instar d’une entreprise, les ménages ou les familles gèrent leur trésorerie. Ils peuvent utiliser la gestion de trésorerie pour obtenir l’utilisation la plus efficiente et la plus efficace de leur argent pour répondre à leurs besoins.

• • Travailler avec les ménages ou familles sur la gestion de la trésorerie

Travailler avec les ménages ou les familles qui forment notre communauté pourrait porter sur les éléments suivants :

√ Améliorer leur compréhension du cycle des flux de trésorerie

√ Développer des compétences en gestion de trésorerie

√ Les aider à faire un bon investissement en capital

√ Les assister à utiliser la gestion de trésorerie pour régler leurs dettes

√ Les conseiller à gérer la gestion de leur trésorerie pour faire face à leurs dépenses quotidiennes ou d’exploitation

√ Leur montrer comment allouer leurs liquidités ou leurs espèces à investir dans le capital de leurs ménages ou familles

√ Trouver des solutions pour épargner à partir de liquidités

√ Établir avec eux des états de trésorerie pour enregistrer toutes leurs entrées et sorties de trésorerie

etc.

Travailler avec eux pourrait également consister à leur suggérer des outils et des ressources en ligne pour la gestion de trésorerie pour ceux qui souhaitent se lancer dans l’auto-apprentissage.

Ce qui précède est le cinquième contrôle financier que nous voulions partager avec nos membres ou bénéficiaires qui peuvent être des ménages. Si l’un de nos membres a besoin d’aide concernant ses contrôles financiers et en particulier la gestion de trésorerie au sein de son foyer, il ne doit pas hésiter à contacter le CENFACS.

• • Note de conclusion sur les contrôles financiers de l’hiver 2024

La gestion de trésorerie en tant que contrôle financier clôt ce que nous avions prévu de travailler avec la communauté au cours de cet hiver 2024. Nous espérons que les notes présentées, y compris les exercices et les suggestions faites jusqu’à présent, en ce qui concerne le projet de contrôle financier, ont été utiles et permettront de réduire la pauvreté. Nous travaillons toujours sur ce projet. S’il y a des mises à jour ou des événements ou même des nouvelles à ce sujet, nous vous en informerons, vous ou la communauté.

Main Development

• Matching Organisation-Property Investor Winter/Spring 2024 Activity – Fragment 3 (13 to 19/03/2024): Matching Organisation’s Plan for Building Footprint (or Style) with Property Investor’s Undertaking of Improvement Works

Both parties (i.e., Africa-based Sister Housing Charitable Organisation and Not-for-profit Property Investor) have made some steady progress so far as they continue to score points; points which are enough to enable them to enter the third stage of the matching talks. These matching talks will be about finding ways to reach an agreement between Organisation’s Plan for Building Footprint (or Style) with Property Investor’s Undertaking of Improvement Works.

To explain what is going to happen in this Fragment 3, we have organised our notes around the following headings:

σ Africa-based Sister Housing Charitable Organisation’s Plan for Building Footprint

σ Not-for-profit Property Investor’s Undertaking of Improvement Works

σ The Match or Fit Test.

Let us look at each of these headings.

• • Africa-based Sister Housing Charitable Organisation’s Plan for Building Footprint

This is the stage for ASHCO to establish two key points: the amount of accommodation required and project beneficiaries’ preferred building style.

To begin this stage, let us explain building footprint.

• • • What Is Building Footprint?

To explain it, we are going to refer to what ‘cdema.org’ (5) argues about it, which is

“A building footprint provides the outline of a building drawn along the exterior walls, with a description of the exact size, shape and location of its foundation. Building footprint is the most basic information necessary for evaluating the vulnerabilities of a building for a specific hazard. It represents the total area of a building and provides a better description of its spatial characteristics compared to a point representation in terms of spatial location, form distribution, floor space ratio, and relationship between buildings and other objects (topological, orientation, proximity, etc.)”.

What is important is not only to have a well designed plan for building footprint, but to present a building footprint that can help to win the argument to attract property investment or investor. It makes sense as well to consider in this plan net zero elements conducing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions that may arise directly from building activities or indirectly from the purchase of energy linked to the property.

This well crafted plan for building footprint will serve a basis for negotiation by Africa-based Sister Housing Charitable Organisation (ASHCO) in order to reach an agreement with potential not-for-profit (n-f-p) property investors.

• • • What ASHCO Can Do to Reach an Agreement

In this Fragment 3, ASHCO needs to show that the different elements of the building footprint stick together. ASHCO also has to provide both qualitative and quantitative evaluation dealing with any issues that may arise from possible vulnerabilities to the building. ASHCO owes as well to specify how any hazards or potential threats to the building will be addressed. In other words, ASHCO is required to demonstrate that it has a well organised plan ready to address any unpredictable and potential events to the building, rather than reacting under the influence of these events when they occur.

Since the n-f-p property investor is looking for a coherent and well structured plan for building footprint, ASHCO must make sure that its plan stand out of the crowd. ASHCO is therefore required to provide a high-quality crafted plan for building footprint as well as uphold openness and transparency for any questions that n-f-p property investor may raise in relation to the plan.

It is the stage at which ASHCO needs to unhesitatingly speak and without fear about the architecture and structural survey of the building in terms of the building structure and soundness. ASHCO can as well mention the number of people who will benefit from the project, how many amongst them will be lifted out of poverty because its intervention, the impact of the project on local area and local people, etc.

Additionally, ASHCO can explain the approach or methodology it has used to factorise external variables (such as economic, environmental, engineering, construction and political factors or indicators) in the building footprint.

In this design of the plan for building footprint, ASHCO can speak about the advice and guidance received from house designers, property surveyors, property developers and architects. This can indicate that it has consulted and listened to experts and professionals in the field of house design.

It can further add testimonies, evidence of need and any research findings from and about the people where the project will be implemented to demonstrate that the project has baseline documents and is based on genuine local needs and demand. This will demonstrate that ASHCO is not working alone.

Briefly, throughout its plan for building footprint ASHCO must show that is leading the way and the project has something noble to offer and can generate tangible and palpable results in terms of housing poverty reduction. The project is worth undertaking and commends a genuine case or value for investment and for poverty relief.

• • Not-for-profit Property Investor’s Undertaking of Improvement Works

Depending on the property investment strategy and goals, the n-f-p property investor may decide to undertake works regardless of the type, size and readiness of the property. These investment works can be of various kinds. But, what are improvement works from the property investor’s point of view.

• • • Basic Understanding of Improvement Works

According to ‘property-tax-portal.co.uk’ (6), an improvement is any item that enhances the value of the overall asset.

The same ‘property-tax-portal.co.uk states that for tax relief purpose, improvement works are also considered as capital expenditure (or capital improvement), which is a permanent or long-lasting enhancement to an asset or its outright replacement.

The n-f-p property investor may decide to provide an item that is a capital where it enhances the value of the overall asset. In such case, the n-f-p property investor needs to ensure that whatever he/she provides as item, he/she will have the chance to find an organisation that will accept his/her model of undertaking of improvement works. But, what do improvement works include?

• • • Types of Improvement Works

Improvement works, which should not be confused with repair works, include the following ones:

Structural works, brickwork, internal improvements, external fabric work, general builders’ work, flooring works, painting and decoration, alterations and conversions, windows and doors, electrical works, bathroom and kitchen installations, roof works, guttering, etc.

To undertake these improvement works, the n-f-p property investor needs to show that they will be compliant with local legislation and he/she will make a good choice of contractors and is clear about what he/she wants. He/she will make sure that his/her undertaking of improvement works will have the chance to match the plan for building footprint from the organisation’s perspective.

• • The Match or Fit Test

As part of the match or fit test, n-f-p property investor’s undertaking of improvement works needs to match ASHCO’s plan for building footprint. The match should be perfect or close in order to reach an agreement. If there is a huge or glaring difference between the two, the probability or chance of having an agreement at this third round of negotiations could be null or uncertain.

• • • Impact Advice to ASHCO and Guidance to n-f-p Property Investor

CENFACS can impact advise ASHCO to improve its plan for building footprint. CENFACS can as well guide n-f-p property investors with impact to ameliorate their undertaking of improvement works to a format that can be acceptable by potential ASHCOs.

• • • The Rule of the Matching Game

The rule of the game is the more property investors are attracted by ASHCOs’ plan for building footprint the better for ASHCOs. Likewise, the more ASHCOs are willing to accept property investors’ undertaking of improvement works the better for investors. In this respect, the matching game needs to be a win-win one to benefit both players (i.e., organisation and investor).

The above is the third fragment of the Matching Organisation-Property Investor Winter/Spring 2024 Activity.

Those potential organisations seeking investment and n-f-p property investors looking for organisations who are interested in it, they can contact CENFACS to arrange the match or fit test for them. They can have their fit test carried out by CENFACS’ Hub for Testing Hypotheses.

For any queries and/or enquiries about this third fragment of Matching Organisation-Property Investor Winter/Spring 2024 Activity and/or the programme itself, please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

_________

• References

(1) https://www.cambridgeassociates.com/insight/investing-for-a-net-zero-world-a-guide-for-investors/ (accessed in March 2024)

(2) https://www.megradyclarke.com/our-services/net-zero-strategies/?msclkid=6a7e45ebfa4b127fe68f2001e981ba40 (accessed in March 2024)

(3) https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-human-rights-defenders/about-human-rights-defender# (accessed in March 2024)

(4) https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/career-map/sell-side/capital-markets/cash-management/ (accessed in March 2024)

(5) https://www.cdema.org/virtuallibrary/index.php/charim-hbook/data-management-book/5-elements-at-risk-data/5-2-building-footprint-maps# (accessed in March 2024)

(6) https://www.property-tax-portal.co.uk/repairs-vs-improvements-why-its-important_shtml (accessed in March 2024)

_________

• Help CENFACS Keep the Poverty Relief Work Going this Year

We do our work on a very small budget and on a voluntary basis. Making a donation will show us you value our work and support CENFACS’ work, which is currently offered as a free service.

One could also consider a recurring donation to CENFACS in the future.

Donate to support CENFACS!

FOR ONLY £1, YOU CAN SUPPORT CENFACS AND CENFACS’ NOBLE AND BEAUTIFUL CAUSES OF POVERTY REDUCTION.

JUST GO TO: Support Causes – (cenfacs.org.uk)

Thank you for visiting CENFACS website and reading this post.

Thank you as well to those who made or make comments about our weekly posts.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits and continuing support throughout 2024 and beyond.

With many thanks.

Permalink

Climate Actions 2024

Posted by ctsh@in2015 on March 6, 2024 in Uncategorized

Welcome to CENFACS’ Online Diary!

06 March 2024

Post No. 342

The Week’s Contents

• Climate Actions 2024

• Matching Organisation-Property Investor Winter/Spring 2024 Activity – Fragment 2 (06 to 12/03/2024): Matching Organisation’s Analysis of the Site with Property Investor’s Investment Financing

• Activity/Task 3 of the ‘t’ Project: Help Combat Inequality in Climate Transitions

… And much more!

Key Messages

• Climate Actions 2024 –

Theme: Investing in the Environment and Poverty Reduction

Climate Actions 2024 within CENFACS will be about environmental and poverty reduction investing with impact, about acting on the projects that positively contribute to the environment and the reduction of poverty at the same time. Environmental investing just as investing in poverty reduction have been around quite a while. Not often, they have been linked together.

This March 2024, we are essentially trying to link them by bringing together climate investors and poverty reduction investors, by trying to advocate to climate investors that their investments can do more than just limiting to dealing with environmental issues. Their investments can also help reduce or end poverty, especially part of poverty stemming from the adverse impacts of climate change and the impacts of mitigating it..

We are thus working on environmental investments that positively impact the environment as well as the same investments positively impacting those people living in poverty or those who are looking for ways to get out of poverty. These are the climate actions that we would like to take this month. To act and explain that, we are going to develop four key notes for our theme (of Environmental and Poverty Reduction Investing) every Monday of March 2024 starting from 04 March 2024. However, these notes will be released or published every Wednesday of March 2024 through our weekly posts. The stated notes will be on four climate investment vehicles or actions, which are:

a) Investing in Green Bonds

b) Spending on Net Zero Brands

c) Supporting Crowdfunding Campaigns

d) Giving to Environmental Groups/Organisations.

Additionally, this year’s Month of Climate Actions will look at one of the outcomes from the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1). This outcome is the phasing away from fossil fuels. In particular, we shall discuss how this move away will contribute to our climate ask, which is ‘giving poor children a climate stake‘.

For those who would like to get more informed about this first key message, they can read under the Main Development section of this post.

• Matching Organisation-Property Investor Winter/Spring 2024 Activity –

Fragment 2 (06 to 12/03/2024): Matching Organisation’s Analysis of the Site with Property Investor’s Investment Financing

The second fragment or episode of our 4-week Matching Organisation-Property Investor Winter/Spring 2024 Activity is about Matching Organisation’s Analysis of the Site with Property Investor’s Investment Financing.

Both Africa-based Sister Housing Charitable Organisation (ASHCO) and not-for-profit (n-f-p) property investor have decided to move with the matching talks as they scored points each of them during fragment 1. They agreed to move to fragment 2 while finalising the little bits remaining from fragment 1 of the matching negotiations.

At this level of talks, ASHCO is dealing with the Analysis of the Site while the n-f-p property investor is preoccupied with the Financing of the Investment. To reach a deal at this round of negotiations, they may need a match or fit test.

To summarise what is going to happen at this fragment 2, we have organised our notes around the following headings:

σ Africa-based Sister Housing Charitable Organisation’s Analysis of the Site

σ Not-for-profit Property Investor’s Investment Financing

σ The Match or Fit Test.

Let us look at each of these headings.

• • Africa-based Sister Housing Charitable Organisation’s Analysis of the Site

ASHCO will provide its analysis of the site. What does it mean? To understand what it means, let us briefly explain the meaning of site analysis. Our meaning of it comes from ‘archisoup.com’ (2), which argues that

“A site analysis in architecture refers to the process of evaluating a specific location to understand its various characteristics and constraints”.

According to the same ‘archisoup.com’, key aspects of the site analysis include location and context, topography, climate, vegetation, soil type, hydrology, access and circulation, utilities and services, regulatory factors, views and vistas, noise and air quality, sunlight and shad, wind patterns, etc.

The site analysis should address the above-mentioned elements.

As ‘archisoup.com’ puts it, the outcome of a site analysis is typically a comprehensive report that guides the design process, ensuring that the proposed structure harmoniously to regulatory requirements and meets the needs of its intended use.

Depending on the type of ASHCO’s housing project, this report can be simple or complex. What is important is not only to have a short or complex report, but to have a report that can help to win the argument to attract property investment/investor. This well crafted report will serve a basis for negotiation that can enable ASHCO to reach an agreement with potential not-for-profit (n-f-p) property investors.

• • Not-for-profit Property Investor’s Investment Financing

This is about funding for property acquisition. The n-f-p property investor can use cash (or cash resources) from their earnings or savings and profits, dividends, capital gains, etc. The n-f-p property investor can appeal to alternative funding sources like the following ones:

~ new financing providers such as friends, families, crowdfunding or any untapped source of financing

~ creative financing (e.g., rent to rent)

etc.

We have expressly excluded loans as we think that loans will be inappropriate in our model of property investing and financing, particularly for those n-f-p property investors who would like to support homeless or those who would like rent or own a property for the first time in their life. It would inappropriate to take loans to support someone else to buy or rent home, especially in Africa.

Idealistically, our property or real estate investor is a n-f-p person who will donate his/her money or invest in property or real estate in return for a specific rate of housing poverty reduction. There is no loan, no lending involved. He/she can also be a crowd funder or a person willing to give small amount of money as being part of large numbers of people. He/she want to fund organisations that are actively and tirelessly working towards generating long-term solutions to housing poverty.

Additionally, we are going to refer to the model of World Bank(3) relating to investment project financing (IPF). Because of that, the prospective n-f-p property investor is engaged in providing some level of technical assistance, including technical support and expertise in the areas of environmental and social impacts of the housing project.

In doing so, the matching process will be on impact investment, that is an investment seeking a quantifiable social and environmental impact alongside return in terms of the number of people to be lifted out of housing poverty. This is only if the investee needs it to make the housing project succeed beyond sheltering aspects.

Just as it is important to match the correct finance product to the right property project, it is also crucial to match your investment financing with the site analysis. In other words, the cost-effectiveness of the n-f-p property investor’s investment financing model will be tested against site analysis if there is a problem to reach an agreement.

• • The Match or Fit Test

As part of the match or fit test, n-f-p property investor’s file for financing the property needs to match ASHCO’s site analysis. The match can be perfect or close in order to reach an agreement. If there is a huge or glaring difference between the two, the probability or chance of having an agreement at this second round of negotiations could be null or uncertain.

However, CENFACS can impact advise ASHCO to improve its site analysis. CENFACS can as well guide n-f-p property investors with impact to ameliorate their file about investment financing to a format that can be acceptable by potential ASHCOs. CENFACS’ impact advice for ASHCOs and guidance on impact investing for n-f-p property investor will help each of them (i.e., investee and investor) to make informed decisions and to reduce the likelihood of any significant losses or misunderstandings or mismatches.

The rule of the game is the more property investors are attracted by ASHCOs’ site analysis report the better for ASHCOs. Likewise, the more ASHCOs are willing to adopt property investors’ file for investment financing the better for investors. In this respect, the matching game needs to be a win-win one to benefit both players (i.e., organisation and investor).

The above is the second fragment of the Matching Organisation-Property Investor Winter/Spring 2024 Activity.

For any queries and/or enquiries about this second fragment of Matching Organisation-Property Investor Winter/Spring 2024 Activity and/or the programme itself, please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

• Activity/Task 3 of the ‘t’ Project: Help Combat Inequality in Climate Transitions

The third activity/task of the “t” Project is about helping combat inequality in climate transitions that affect the members of the CENFACS Community and others. This activity is also about maximising the benefits of climate action while minimising the negative impacts for those in need in the community.

Indeed, ‘lse.ac.uk’ (4) explains that the impacts of climate change on people are unequal, just as the impact of attempts to mitigate carbon emissions are dissymmetrical. The same ‘lse.ac.uk’ speaks about just transition, which is based on human rights approach and which aims at eliminating existing inequalities, enabling social inclusion and promoting different forms of equity.

So, those suffering from inequality in climate transitions require justice or just transitions. Helping them to combat inequality in climate transitions could be a way to establish justice in transitions.

The above is what activity/task 3 is about. For those who need any help before embarking on this activity/task, they can speak to CENFACS.

For any other queries and enquiries about the ‘t‘ project and this year’s dedication, please contact CENFACS as well.

Extra Messages

• Nature Projects and Nature-based Solutions to Poverty – In Focus for Week Beginning 04/03/2024: Respect of Cultures and Rights

• Financial Controls 2024 – In Discussion for Wednesday 06/03/2024: Reconciliation

• All-year Round Projects Cycle (Triple Value Initiatives Cycle) – Step/Workshop 3: Conducting a Feasibility Study on Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

• Nature Projects and Nature-based Solutions to Poverty – In Focus for Week Beginning 04/03/2024: Respect of Cultures and Rights

This activity will be about valuing people’s customs and ideas while appreciating people’s powers. Those who may be interested in it will take part to a survey or art or design work to express their skills on respecting people’s cultures and rights as far as nature and nature-based solutions to poverty are concerned.

To clarify this activity, it is better to explain its aim and what it consists of.

a) Aim of Activity 3

The aim of this activity is defend cultural diversity and human rights linked to nature matters. In doing so, one can find ways of valuing different cultures, different powers and differences.

As ‘ohchr.org’ (5) explains it:

“The defence of cultural diversity is an ethical imperative, inseparable from respect for human dignity. It implies a commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular the rights of persons belongings to minorities and those of indigenous peoples”.

b) What Does Activity 3 Consist of?

This Activity consists of gathering information through the use of relevant questions from a sample of our community members with the aim of understanding their perception of the respect of cultures and rights. Through this activity, we shall for instance have evidence on the way they strike a balance between curiosity and appreciation.

For those who would like to engage with Activity 3 and/or any of the activities covered so far in our presentation of Nature Projects and Nature-based Solutions to Poverty, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

For those who would like to find out more about Nature Projects and Nature-based Solutions to Poverty, they can also communicate with CENFACS.

• Financial Controls 2024 – In Discussion for Wednesday 06/03/2024: Reconciliation

This week, the financial control that we have planned to work with the community is Reconciliation.

Like any other organisation, households or families making the CENFACS Community need to reconcile their financial records against financial statements they receive from whoever they have financial relations or deals. Before going any further, let us explain reconciliation.

• • Basic Meaning of Reconciliation

Without going into any technical financial jargon, let us refer to what ‘thebalancemoney.com’ (6) says about reconciliation. The website ‘thebalancemoney.com’ explains that

“A reconciliation is the process of comparing internal financial records against monthly statements from external sources – such as bank, credit card company or other financial institution – to make sure they match up”.

For example, you received your energy bill statement from your energy provider. On the statement, the energy provider advised you that there are reversed charges whereby the energy provider recalculated your previous charges. You can compare the statement you received against the financial records you hold to find out if there is a need of reconciliation.

Some members of our community are familiar with this process. Those who are not familiar with it, CENFACS is available to work with them.

• • Working with Households on Reconciliation

For those who would like to work with CENFACS on Reconciliation, they are welcome to speak to CENFACS.

Working with households on Reconciliation could include the following:

√ checking with them that the two types of records they have are correct and in agreement

√ catching improper spending

√ checking outgoing and incoming funds

√ spotting financial errors

etc.

Working with them could also be about suggesting to them accounting software to reconcile their accounts for those who would to dive into self-study.

The above is the fourth financial control we wanted to share with our users or beneficiaries who may be households.

If anyone of our members need support regarding their financial controls and in particular Reconciliation within their household, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

• All-year Round Projects Cycle (Triple Value Initiatives Cycle) –

Step/Workshop 3: Conducting a Feasibility Study on Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

In this 3rd step or workshop, users will learn (for those users who are new to project planning) or revisit (for those who are familiar with project planning) the evaluation of the practicality of their chosen Play or Run or Vote project. In project planning terms, it means they need to conduct feasibility study. But, what is feasibility study?

• • Basic Understanding of Feasibility Study

Feasibility study is a ‘go/no-go’ decision time for any project planner. In other words, it is the time when an All-year-round project user will decide whether or not to continue with their proposed project.

As ‘simplilearn.com’ (7) puts it,

“A feasibility study is a comprehensive evaluation of a proposed project that evaluates all factors critical to its success in order to assess its likelihood of success”.

Referring to this definition or any suitable definition, All-year-round project users will look at the practicality of the Play, Run and Vote projects from the perspective of required cost and expected value. To proceed, they may outweigh different types of feasibility and select the ones that are affordable and suitable to their projects.

• • Types of Feasibility

Feasibility can cover many aspects of the project to be implemented; aspects like technical, economic, financial, operational, legal, etc. To simplify the matter, we are going to limit in this workshop to the technical and economic aspects of feasibility study; leaving to those who would like to dive deeper into feasibility study to let us know what other aspects of feasibility study they may be interested in.

The technical feasibility of your Play, Run and Vote projects will include the technical resources and capacities to convert your idea of playing, running and voting into a workable or working project. The economic feasibility will analyse the cost and benefit of the same projects.

• • Example of Feasibility Study: Your 2024 Vote for African Poverty Reduction and Development Manager

In order to conduct your feasibility study of your vote, you need to carry out the following tasks:

~ Evaluate if your Vote project is technically achievable by determining and steering the technical resources (like time, budget, technical skills, etc.) to be committed to drive you to the process of looking for your Poverty Reduction and Development Manager of the year and of voting him/her

~ Carry out a viability test in terms of the cost associated with your selection process and benefits linked with your Vote project

~ Financially work out the cost and benefit of your Vote project as you will do in the recruitment selection process of any personnel.

Feasibility study can be basic (simple) or complex depending on the type of your Vote project. In the above example, we have simplified the matter.

For those who would like to dive deeper into feasibility study, including the tools, metrics, examples, skills and steps in feasibility study of their Play or Run or Vote project; they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

Message in French (Message en français)

• Activité/Tâche 3 du projet «t»: Contribuer à la lutte contre les inégalités dans les transitions climatiques

La troisième activité/tâche du projet «t» consiste à contribuer à la lutte contre les inégalités dans les transitions climatiques qui affectent les membres de la communauté CENFACS et d’autres. Cette activité vise également à maximiser les avantages de l’action climatique et à minimiser les impacts négatifs pour les personnes dans le besoin dans la communauté.

En effet, «lse.ac.uk» (4) explique que les impacts du changement climatique sur les populations sont inégaux, tout comme l’impact des tentatives d’atténuation des émissions de carbone est dissymétrique. Le même «lse.ac.uk» parle de transition juste, qui est basée sur l’approche des droits de l’homme et qui vise à éliminer les inégalités existantes, à permettre l’inclusion sociale et à promouvoir différentes formes d’équité.

Ainsi, ceux ou celles qui souffrent d’inégalités dans les transitions climatiques ont besoin de justice ou de transitions justes. Les aider à lutter contre les inégalités dans les transitions climatiques pourrait être un moyen d’instaurer la justice dans les transitions.

Ce qui précède est l’objet de l’activité/tâche 3. Pour ceux ou celles qui ont besoin d’aide avant de se lancer dans cette activité/tâche, ils/elles peuvent s’adresser au CENFACS.

Pour toute autre question ou demande de renseignements sur le projet «t» et le dévouement de cette année, veuillez également contacter le CENFACS.

Main Development

• Climate Actions 2024

Theme: Investing in the Environment and Poverty Reduction

The following items are the ones shaping the contents of our Climate Action Month and its theme:

a) Meaning of the Climate Action

b) Direct and Indirect Climate Actions

c) Key Terms

d) Work plan for Climate Action March 2024

e) Action 1: Investing in Green Bonds and Poverty Reduction.

Let us look at the contents of our Climate Action Month.

• • Contents of 2024 Climate Action Month

Before kicking off our action, let us precise the working definitions to be used for climate action.

• • • Meaning of the Climate Action

Climate action is an activity of engaging and putting ideas into practice to deal with any natural or induced change in the long term average weather conditions of a place, especially when this change adversely affects people’s and communities’ lives and livelihoods. In other words, it is any effort to mitigate the adverse effects of this change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions while strengthening capacities and resilience to climate-induced impacts.

Climate action is also the 13th Goal of the United Nations’ (8) 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 2030 Agenda.

In the context of CENFACS’ Climate Action Month for this year, climate action is about acting on environmental investing while investing in poverty reduction with impact.

These climate actions or efforts could be direct or indirect.

• • • Direct and Indirect Climate Actions

Direct climate actions can directly lead to outcomes such as reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, poor quality air, pollution, etc. They could also include the increase in the number of poor people benefiting from carbon markets through projects generating greenhouse gas emissions reductions or removals.

As to indirect climate actions, they can help to keep the advocacy and campaign about measures and activities to be carried out to reduce the adverse impacts of climate change going. Examples of such indirect climate actions will include the prevention of the next pandemic to happen, a campaign to halt human-induced extinction of known threatened species, etc.

Without breaking climate actions into direct and indirect ones, the coming periods and sub-themes of climate action will guide our readers and audiences about the kind of climate actions CENFACS is conducting this month. This guidance will help those who may be interested to join in. But, before that let us try to briefly explain the key terms of our Climate Actions 2024, terms which are: environmental investing and investing in poverty reduction.

• • • Key Terms: Environmental Investing and Investing in Poverty Reduction

What is environmental investing, what is investing in poverty reduction?

• • • • Basic Understanding of Environmental Investing

There are many definitions of environmental investing. One of its definitions comes from ‘carboncollective.co’ (9), which explains that

“Environmental investing, also known as green or sustainable investing, is the practice of directing financial resources towards investments that prioritise environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors”.

According to the same ‘carboncollective.co’, these investments support businesses and projects that contribute positively to the environment and society while generating returns for investors.

As far as we are concerned, we are interested in those environmental investments supporting organisations and projects that positively contribute to the environment and society while reducing poverty. In other words, we are interested in those investors who would like to positively impact the environment and the lives of those living in poverty. Investing in the environment does not necessary lead to poverty reduction, unless the model/project of investment specifies it and efforts have been deployed to realise this result.

• • • • What Is Investing in Poverty Reduction?

It is about devoting your time, effort, energy, money, etc. in measures that are intended to economically, socially and environmentally lift people out of poverty on a lasting basis. These measures can be taken at various levels and by different persons (both moral and physical). Climate actions are also about investing in those measures to relieve those suffering from climate poverty or poverty induced by climate change and its consequences.

The above-mentioned understanding will help to better execute our working plan for Climate Action March 2024.

• • • Work Plan for Climate Action March 2024

The following Climate Actions and periods of March 2024 make up our work plan:

∝ Action 1: Invest in Green Bonds (04 to 10/03/2024)

∝ Action 2: Spend on Net Zero Brands (11 to 17/03/2024)

∝ Action 3: Support Crowdfunding Campaigns (18 to 24/03/2024)

∝ Action 4: Give to Environmental Groups/Organisations (25 to 28/03/2024).

Within the above broad actions, there will be specific actions to be taken. Because our 2024 Climate Actions are on Environmental Investing and Investing in Climate Poverty Reduction, each of these actions will be linked to climate poverty reduction.

Finally, there will be impact monitoring and evaluation on 29 and 30/03/2024 to end the Climate Action March 2024.

• • • Climate Action 1: Invest in Green Bonds (04 to 10/03/2024)

To enable to take the first action, we have organised the following notes:

σ What are green bonds?

σ Investing in green bonds to reduce climate poverty

σ Working with the Community on Green Bonds and Environmental Investing.

Let us explain the above-mentioned points.

• • • • What Are Green Bonds?

Green bonds can defined in many ways. The definition of green bonds we have selected comes from ‘gsam.com’ (10), which explains that

“Green bonds are standard fixed income securities with a green element. Their financial characteristics such as structure, risk and return are similar to those of traditional bonds. The main difference is that the goal for green bonds is to exclusively finance projects or activities with a specific environmental purpose”.

Although their goal is exclusively finance projects or activities with a specific environmental purpose, this does not stop them to positively impact those living in poverty because of the consequences of environmental impacts of climate change.

• • • • Investing in Green Bonds to Reduce Climate Poverty

Investing in green bonds can help finance green buildings and infrastructures for sustainable development and climate poverty reduction. It can contribute to maximise the benefits of climate action while minimising the negative impacts on those in need, the climate poor. It is possible to invest in green bonds to reduce climate poverty or inequality in climate transitions. This will as well help to transition to a more inclusive and sustainable future.

For example, despite limited financial infrastructure and capacity-building needs, Africa needs to develop and issue green bonds to reduce climate induced poverty. Africa needs to find innovative approaches to attract diverse climate investors who can both invest in the environment and in climate poverty reduction.

• • • • Working with the Community on Green Bonds and Environmental Investing

The all purpose of writing this note is to guide our action. In other words, what is key here is to take action. The note is only a guided principle.

For instance, taking action together could be on how to make green bonds market or the issuance of green bonds in Africa support the poor, particularly the climate poor ones.

Those members of our community in the UK and Africa-based Sister Organisations willing to work with CENFACS on Investing in Green Bonds and Investing in Climate Poverty Reduction, they can take climate actions with us.

For any queries or enquiries about Climate Action 1 and Climate Actions Month, please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

_________

• References

(1) https://www.cop28.com/en/ (accessed in March 2024)

(2) https://www.archisoup.com/architecture-site-analysis-introduction# (accessed in March 2024)

(3) https://www.worldbank.org/en/what-we-do/products-and-services/financing-instruments/investment-project-financing (accessed in March 2024)

(4) https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/explainers/what-is-the-just-transition-and-what-does-it-mean-for-climate-action/ (accessed in March 2024)

(5) https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/universal-declaration-cultural-diversity# (accessed in March 2024)

(6) https://www.thebalancemoney.com/what-is-account-reconciliation-1293657 (accessed in March 2024)

(7) https://www.simplilearn.com/feasibility-study-article (Accessed in March 2023)

(8) https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda (accessed in February 2024)

(9) https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/environmental-investing# (accessed in March 2024)

(10) https://www.gsam.com/content/gsam/global/en/market-insights/gsam-insights/perspectives/2022/green-bonds-fixed-income-capital.html (accessed in March 2024)

_________

• Help CENFACS Keep the Poverty Relief Work Going this Year

We do our work on a very small budget and on a voluntary basis. Making a donation will show us you value our work and support CENFACS’ work, which is currently offered as a free service.

One could also consider a recurring donation to CENFACS in the future.

Donate to support CENFACS!

FOR ONLY £1, YOU CAN SUPPORT CENFACS AND CENFACS’ NOBLE AND BEAUTIFUL CAUSES OF POVERTY REDUCTION.

JUST GO TO: Support Causes – (cenfacs.org.uk)

Thank you for visiting CENFACS website and reading this post.

Thank you as well to those who made or make comments about our weekly posts.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits and continuing support throughout 2024 and beyond.

With many thanks.

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Welcome to CENFACS’ Online Diary!

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