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Encouragement of Exit Strategy Development

Thirty-six participants attended an annual project partner workshop organized by Heifer Cambodia in Siem Reap town from February 23-25, 2010. The workshop aimed at strengthening the capacity of project partners in progress report development, encouraging project partners to develop their own exit strategy before project phase-out, and improving implementation of Participatory Self-Review and Planning (PSRP) at partner organization and Self-Help Group (SHG) levels. The participants were directors, project coordinators, and community facilitators from 22 partner organizations who are implementing Heifer projects in 13 provinces throughout Cambodia. The workshop started with each partner organization presenting their achievements, challenges they faced, and solutions they found to the challenges over the past year of project implementation. They also set next year action plans including improvement of progress reports. During the workshop session, all participants agreed that when projects were phased out, they wanted to see the groups become self-reliant and strong, sustainable with Passing on the Gifts (POG), capable of group management, and farmer association formation. After an enthusiastic group discussion, the participants came up with focal points in development of their exit strategy, which included the following activities: Develop group’s vision, mission, and structure Develop group plans farmer association, small-scale business and marketing Build capacity and empower group Increase group saving fund and credit Encourage internalization of 12 Cornerstones Encourage implementation of PSRP every three months Strengthen implementation of group activities and rules Increase quality of group meeting Form new groups and foster POG Conduct exchange visit from one SHG to another SHG Assist groups in forming farmer associations Seek support and acknowledgement on farmer associations Build strong collaboration and networking within and outside groups, with local authorities, and with other relevant agencies Mobilize group resources and funds for group activities Monitor and evaluate group capability “Phase-out strategy is an important tool to guide my organization toward the right path and activity in achieving a goal of assisting SHGs with whom we work,” said Ms Phat Sokol, Director of Rural Children Saving Association, one of Heifer project partners. “The strategy also focuses on gradually reducing time and assistance until an appropriate circumstance when the groups are strong enough and no longer need help from us.”

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