Phase 1: Build provincial coalition

OVERVIEW

Drawing from available data, provinces will be prioritized based on poverty incidence and existence of local formations of civil society organizations. 

 

Magnitude of Poverty by Province in 2015
Note: Intensity of color represents poverty incidence

Source: Explorations on Philippine Poverty Data

Desired Results:

1. Identification of priority ZEP2030 provinces
2. Commitment of local key stakeholders to ZEP2030
3. ZEP2030 provincial agenda, priorities and strategy formulation
4. Recruitment of local convenor 
5. Establishment of operation management and system
6. Community empowerment and partnership building

Options for Action: 

To achieve these results, the following actions may be pursued under this phase: 

• Prioritize Provinces Based on Poverty

Selecting and prioritizing provinces is primarily based on the poverty incidence of that specific area. At this point, Lead Convenors have the responsibility to review the latest poverty data and compare with provinces already covered by ZEP2030 and take stock of where they are currently operating. 

With the identification of priority provinces, Lead Convenors then identify among themselves and commit to initiate the process of organizing and supporting the ZEP2030 movement in each target province. 

Lead Convenors can also consider the presence of existing local CSO formations or similar formations and existing relationships with local CSOs not to reinvent but expand the reach of the movement.

• Mapping and scoping local stakeholders 

ZEP2030 is a CSO-led initiative. This action requires that the Lead Convenor or a partner/member of a Lead Convenor conducts mapping and profiling of all existing civil society organizations (CSO), CSO networks or federations, similar formations such as but not limited to people’s council, business groups or academic institutions, and other stakeholders that is interested in addressing local poverty issues. It is also recommended that a review of existing government programs and/or projects will be done to provide context on government efforts to combat local poverty.

Mapping and scoping will provide the Lead Convenor data on the type of CSO and CSO formations in the province, their existing programs/projects as well as establish the relationship they have with stakeholders such as the government.

• Introduction of ZEP2030 to local stakeholders

This activity can be done either before or after the mapping and scoping of local stakeholders. 

Identified key stakeholders will be convened to introduce the ZEP2030 coalition, its objectives, structures, and processes. Existing partners/members of the Lead Convenor can facilitate the organizing of such activity. 

It is highly recommended that commitment from invited participants be secured at the end of the activity and identification of the organization that will lead the local convergence process.

• Identification of ZEP2030 agenda of target province

Stakeholders come together based on a common need to discuss and agree on their points of collaboration and produce a common vision, goals, and strategies in achieving their objectives. 

At this point, interested stakeholders undergo a visioning exercise where they identify their agenda and where they will focus their collaborative efforts. Existing and needed resources should also be identified as well as the strategies to be adopted to achieve set goals. A sprint plan will be helpful to guide the next steps of the convergence.

• Identification and recruitment of Local Convenor

Identifying and recruiting whoever will commit their organization as local convenor of the ZEP2030 coalition may happen simultaneously during the orientation of interested stakeholders and during the visioning activity for the local agenda. 

At this stage, roles, responsibilities, and expectations should be clarified with all the actors.

• Establishing local operations and processes

With the establishment of the local agenda, points of collaboration and local convenor, the next step is to establish a system for coordination and communication among members of the coalition. 

Aside from establishing the operations, it is equally important to agree and define key result areas and indicators of the collaborative efforts of the coalition. A monitoring and evaluation system must be in place to guide the coalition on the achievement of set goals.

• Community empowerment and partnership building

The local convergence as a community of CSOs must constantly communicate and coordinate with one another to build effective partnership in ending extreme poverty in the province.

The strength of the local convergence is the combined strength of its members. The convergence therefore should mutually share their resources and technology to collectively respond to community needs.

 

SUCCESS STORIES FROM THE FIELD