Project Coordination



Visualizing some of the conference proceedings,
"We are One People" conference, Uganda.     photo: M. Leggett

Terms such as "management" and "direction" take on new meanings in the project that contrast with those that usually characterize dominant development projects between actors in the North and South. Coordination of the project occurs through a close collaboration between a project team currently based at the University of Guelph and national teams in each of the three African countries. The national teams devise their own concept notes out of reflection on the needs and opportunities of their respective regions. Teams then move through the process of refining concept notes, seeking out and writing finalized proposals for relevant project grants, and then carrying out and monitoring their action plans and building new networks of support at the national level.

The project team based at the University of Guelph in Canada serves as a channel for support, networking, and communication. Teams are initially assisted with the support of small start-up funds obtained through the project. The project team has played an important role in encouraging and providing feedback to teams on their concept notes and proposals and with resource packages identifying potential funding sources and grants. The project team has also had the mandate of promoting learning and communication between the teams within and across countries, by way of project updates, reports, regional meetings, and an open, and multi-directional communication strategy.