Lessons Learned
SKEPPIES works to ensure that project beneficiaries have access to project development support and are working within the systems being tested and developed via SKEPPIES' innovative strategic methodologies and techniques.
What was the most important lesson learned?
The very important strategic lesson was affirmed, namely keep your eyes and activities fixed on the long term strategic vision and objectives while being flexible enough to adapt your operational activities to the challenges you face in the medium and short term.
Describe how you learned this and whether / how you have adapted your approach or specific project elements as a result.
SKEPPIES started out as an idea of the partners CEPF, Conservation International, the Development Bank of South Africa and SKEP (Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Program).
The broad idea was that SKEPPIES would be a small grants fund that supports small projects which benefit nature conservation and the socioeconomic development of the previously disadvantaged communities in our area of operation. I was appointed because I came armed with an MBA and other social qualifications, commitment and experience of working with stakeholders at various levels such as government, and a love for grassroots people.
Supported by a management committee that trusted me and allowed me tremendous freedom, we set out to tackle the challenge. We, or rather the only grassroots group and warm body on the ground, had to source projects while at the same time having to construct the SKEPPIES idea in the form of drafting a vision, objectives, putting in place structures such as application forms, monitoring forms and guidelines, risk policies etc. – where there were none. We did not have a partner whose structures we could simply copy and adapt. All this had to be done in a short time span.
I must immediately acknowledge the support of many stakeholders assisting us and the vital role our champions played. Paradoxically, our diverse management team, the lack of additional labor, time, source material we could simply copy, the wide geographical area we had to cover, and the fact that our clients often lack skills, gave rise to what makes SKEPPIES unique and to many of our innovative approaches. Amongst others, these innovative approaches include our database for monitoring projects from inception until closure; our photographic application and monitoring; use of partners and linkages with them; the balance between social development and nature conservation; and our emphasis that projects must try to develop entrepreneurs and be sustainable and link in with other partners.
The heart of the SKEPPIES idea we try to keep alive today while we extend and strengthen SKEPPIES. This innovative spirit is alive in our attempts to implement mobile technology as a tool in project development and implantation in under-developed communities.
- December 12, 2009