Action plan and intervention model from Mujeres Autosustentables program

Overall Approach

Mujeres Autosustentables Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

Agradecemos a Itziar Iñárritu Pérez, licenciada en Pedagogía, por su valiosa colaboración para la traducción de este documento al idioma inglés.

Contacto: iciperez@yahoo.com.mx We thank Itziar Iñárritu Pérez, Degree in Pedagogy, for her valuable collaboration in the translation of this document to the English language.

Contact: iciperez@yahoo.com.mx

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Work Plan for Social and Economic Development of Communities in Mexico

Overall Approach

Mujeres Autosustentables Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

Intervention in Rural Communities Methodology for Social and Economic Development Overall Approach For Mujeres Autosustentables (Self-Sustaining Women) human development is based on community social and economic development.

The Program focuses on providing tools to build opportunities in a more equitable world where women and men take part in their personal development and that of their families and communities.

To achieve this, we have developed a methodological framework for the technical implementation of productive, trade and service undertakings, with emphasis on specialized training and individualized mentoring to ensure the profitability of the Project, in addition to actions oriented towards legal awareness, responsibility and solidarity. This framework is available to the state governments to serve as executing arm of the Social and Productive Development policies of communities in the states.

The successful implementation of dozens of projects in different locations in Mexico is the Organization’s best introductory letter: these projects have been carried out with specific methodology, proper logistics and prior knowledge of each region and group of beneficiaries.

Work is accomplished through the efforts of a multidisciplinary team from various fields in our organization, such as Clinical and Social Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Industrial and Textile Engineering, Manufacturing Techniques, Business Administration, Marketing, Industrial and Fashion Design, Systems Engineering, Graphic Design, Photography, Communication and Agricultural Sciences to coordinate the actions of hundreds of skilled professionals and field workers in the implementation and training of diverse projects throughout the Mexican territory (see extended information on pages 6 and 7).

To coordinate project implementation, the organization creates alliances with State Universities to make local youth partners in the process and let them learn from life and working experiences with Agencies and Organizations that have participated in similar projects in other parts of the country and are willing to share knowledge and experience for an integrated social and economic development, both at regional and nationwide levels.

Work Plan for Social and Economic Development of Communities in Mexico

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Valoración Valoración del Desarrollo del Desarrollo de la comunidad de la comunidad a a Overall Approach partir departir la Intervención de la Intervención Económica Económica y Social y Social

Mujeres Mujeres Autosustentables Autosustentables Social Development Social focused Development on Training focused and Productivity on Training and Productivity

About Mujeres Autosustentables de las Comunidades Rurales A.C. Taxpayer Identification Number MAC120716IK1

Civil Society Organizations Individual Registration Code

MAC1207160901S

Internal Revenue Authorization to Issue Receipts for Tax Deductible Donations

600-04-05-2013-10827

Mission

Support people in marginalized communities in Mexico so they are able to achieve an adequate level of human and social development through training, individualized mentoring and implementation of Productive Projects that generate self-employment options and opportunities, helping to fulfill their families’ needs, in coordination with Federal, State and Municipal authorities and the assistance of Specialized Professionals, Civil Society Organizations and the Private Sector.

Vision

Become the Social Organization leader in creating management and implementation methodologies for productive projects applicable to diverse socio-economic sectors in order to reduce poverty and marginalization, driving development and social inclusion.

Why we do it

Because poverty and marginalization in modern society are multifactorial issues and their solution requires integrated proposals, structured with the right methodology. These proposals arise from a needs analysis in a community and include training and productivity processes focused on Self development, promoting entrepreneurial spirit among groups of people willing to set off different ventures with an emphasis on the Social and Economic Development of their communities, allowing participants to become active players in their own story and at the same time promoting development in the state and in the country.

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Work Plan Work for Social Planand for Social Economic and Economic Development Development of Communities of Communities in Mexico in Mexico

Overall Approach

Mujeres Autosustentables Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

Contents: Overall Approach, Mission, Vision and Network of Professional Field Workers

Stages: 1. Identification of Leaders, Participative Analysis and Diagnosis and Creation of Groups 2. Incubation of Productive Projects and Training

3. Implementation, Consolidation and Self Sustainability 4. Assessment of Community Development as a result of Economic and Social Intervention

Work Plan for Social and Economic Development of Communities in Mexico

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Overall Approach

Mujeres Autosustentables Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

Productive Projects Implemented since 2011 State Aguascalientes Estado de México Guerrero

Jalisco

Morelos

Nayarit

Puebla Querétaro Sinaloa Tabasco Zacatecas

Municipality or Location El Llano El Llano II Malinalco Ometepec Campo Acosta Chacala Cihuatlán I Cihuatlán II Miguel Hidalgo San Rafael Villa Purificación Achichipico Ayala Jantetelco Jojutla Temixco Tepoztlán Yecapixtla Zacatepec Jala Jesús María Mayorquín San Rafael Calpan Jonotla Tehuacán Zautla Jalpan de Serra Jalpan de Serra II Los Mochis Macuspana Villahermosa Zacatecas

Total

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Work Plan for Social and Economic Development of Communities in Mexico

Number of Beneficiaries 1 6 6 8 7 30 17 30 19 11 18 15 11 9 7 7 8 11 21 90 15 97 10 4 10 19 28 8 5 3 6 2 3

542

CURRENT NATIONAL PRESENCIA NACIONALPRESENCE ACTUAL ZACATECAS TABASCO SINALOA QUERETARO PUEBLA NAYARIT MORELOS JALISCO GUERRERO AGUASCALIENTES ESTADO DE MÉXICO

Source: Prepared based our own records of communities served by Mujeres Autosustentables Human and Social Development Program.

Overall Approach

Mujeres Autosustentables Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

Network of Professional Field Workers and Social Organizations with National Coverage working for the Program, made up by 1968 Field Workers State

We believe that Social Development in Mexico should be driven by professionals. Therefore, our organization has a network of Technical Promoters and Field Workers who add up to 1968 professionals.

This network covers 100% of the most deprived municipalities and locations in Mexico and is made up by hundreds of professionals and academics with doctorates, master’s degrees, college degrees and specializations, in addition to vast expertise and knowledge on different fields such as agriculture, animal raising, fishing, industry, trade and services, with presence all over the country.

The commitment of these professionals to Mujeres Autosustentables and to the communities they serve is to contribute to Mexico’s development, regardless of where they are or how they work. They are always ready to move, to transfer their technologies and to share their knowledge and experience, generating integrated and harmonious solutions in different regions for the benefit of all the families and individuals who participate in Projects aimed to the Human and Social Development of the Mexican people.

Aguascalientes Baja California Baja California Sur Campeche Coahuila Colima Chiapas Chihuahua Distrito Federal Durango Guanajuato Guerrero Hidalgo Jalisco Estado de México Michoacán Morelos Nayarit Nuevo León Oaxaca Puebla Querétaro Quintana Roo San Luis Potosí Sinaloa Sonora Tabasco Tamaulipas Tlaxcala Veracruz Yucatán Zacatecas

Field Workers or Organizations 20 8 7 36 13 10 181 29 78 42 53 119 91 58 144 110 62 35 12 173 157 23 30 24 70 35 52 19 45 145 60 27

Total Coverage of Municipalities per State 11 / 11 ( 100.00% ) 4 / 5 ( 80.00% ) 5 / 5 ( 100.00% ) 11 / 11 ( 100.00% ) 15 / 38 ( 39.47% ) 10 / 10 ( 100.00% ) 111 / 118 ( 94.07% ) 31 / 67 ( 46.27% ) 16 / 16 ( 100.00% ) 30 / 39 ( 76.92% ) 44 / 46 ( 95.65% ) 72 / 81 ( 88.89% ) 77 / 84 ( 91.67% ) 100 / 125 ( 80.00% ) 117 / 125 ( 93.60% ) 99 / 113 ( 87.61% ) 33 / 33 ( 100.00% ) 20 / 20 ( 100.00% ) 16 / 51 ( 31.37% ) 261 / 570 ( 45.79% ) 199 / 218 ( 91.28% ) 15 / 18 ( 83.33% ) 8 / 9 ( 88.89% ) 44 / 58 ( 75.86% ) 18 / 18 ( 100.00% ) 41 / 72 ( 56.94% ) 17 / 17 ( 100.00% ) 35 / 43 ( 81.40% ) 56 / 60 ( 93.33% ) 192 / 212 ( 90.57% ) 93 / 106 ( 87.74% ) 29 / 58 ( 50.00% )

Mujeres Autosustentables Program has coverage in 100% of the 500 most deprived municipalities in Mexico.

Source: Prepared based our own records of Professional Field Workers or Organizations accredited by Mujeres Autosustentables de las Comunidades Rurales A.C., as of August 20, 2013

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Identification of Leaders, Participative Analysis and Diagnosis and Creation of Groups

Mujeres Autosustentables Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

General StagePlanteamiento 1

1. Identification of Leaders, Participative Analysis and Diagnosis and Creation of Groups 1.1. Preliminary study and area delimitation 1. 2. Identification of community leaders 1. 3. Training for Professional Field Workers and community

leaders 1. 4. Participative analysis and diagnosis for Productive

Projects 1. 5. Creation of community groups

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Work Plan for Social and Economic Development of Communities in Mexico

Mujeres Autosustentables

Identification of Leaders, Participative Analysis and Diagnosis and Creation of Groups

Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

1.1 Preliminary study and area delimitation Importance of the preliminary study and delimitation of the area The program generates documentation for each specific area to: Learn about previous conditions in the working area, as well as the geography, the social and economic background and projects that have been previously implemented Clearly define the working area. This definition is done in relation to the index of poverty established for intervention and to the conditions required by potential projects for implementation.

Identify and develop viable and innovative project proposals that respond to the area’s specific needs and conditions, according to the information collected.

How we do it Specialists from Mujeres Autosustentables will conduct this study, consulting diverse bibliographic sources. The duration of the preliminary study will be of approximately 4 weeks and will be aimed to have an outline for the intervention to be carried out by the Organization.

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Identification of Leaders, Participative Analysis and Diagnosis and Creation of Groups

Mujeres Autosustentables Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

1.2 Identification of community leaders Who intervenes?

The Professional Field Workers Network made up by Professional Service Providers and Independent Field Workers who are part of Mujeres Autosustentables, will work together with the Program’s Human Development Area psychologists.

Community Outreach: Gathering community leaders.

To begin field work, first we need to reach leaders with the ability to generate positive actions for their communities.

We do this with the assistance of the Program’s Professional Field Workers Network who invites women and men living in the delimited areas. Field Workers identify community members who could be good at attracting and selecting people with potential to participate actively and responsibly in the implementation of productive projects. These projects will create skilled labor positions and promote human and social development in the community, which will support social and economic growth.

Additionally, the professional team of clinical and social psychologists of the Human and Social Development Area will support and guide the proper selection of community leaders.

We have estimated a period of 4 weeks to choose and set up the group of leaders.

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Work Plan for Social and Economic Development of Communities in Mexico

Identification of Leaders, Participative Analysis and Diagnosis and Creation of Groups

Mujeres Autosustentables Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

1.3. Training for Professional Field Workers and community leaders Who receives training and why?

Community Leaders, Professional Service Providers and Independent Field Workers involved in the process.

Finding and training community leaders and Field Workers is essential for the community Development intervention process. In this stage, clinical and social psychologists are in charge of the training process to increase awareness on the importance of group work. Training provides guidelines for integration of working groups and an introduction to community participation, as well as tools for participative analysis and diagnosis focused on the implementation of Productive Projects that respond to community needs.

1) Training as an “Introduction to Community Participation�

Psychologists teach basic principles and tools for the work that will be carried on later. Both Field Workers and community leaders will provide support during the group Analysis and Diagnosis at their communities. This assessment will take into account any person interested in the community. Participants will learn a Participatory Methodology, in addition to promoting group dynamics, assuring the analysis is as accurate as possible.

This training is the beginning of a process that will allow defining the most appropriate Project for a specific community.

Length: 2 4-hour sessions

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Identification of Leaders, Participative Analysis and Diagnosis and Creation of Groups

Mujeres Autosustentables Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

2 ) Training in “Leadership and Group integration” The intention is to strengthen the leaders’ skills as change agents. The major goal is to guide their actions towards forming groups with an assertive approach, democratic principles and legal awareness Additionally, with the Psychologists’ assistance, we aim helping participants to gain knowledge and skills to identify, form and lead groups oriented to community development.

Length: 5 4-hour sessions

1.4. Participatory analysis and diagnosis for Productive Projects Importance of the participatory analysis and diagnosis A participatory methodology involves community players in: Identifying data that determine social dynamics, Evaluating local issues, and Assessing the viability of trade or services-projects for each group.

The basic goal is to obtain accurate information on the community’s situation to develop sustainable Productive Projects.

This methodology encourages the people’s commitment in their community’s growth, taking responsibility and participating in their future.

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Work Plan for Social and Economic Development of Communities in Mexico

Mujeres Autosustentables

Identification of Leaders, Participative Analysis and Diagnosis and Creation of Groups

Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

How is it done?

This activity involves the community as a whole, the leaders and Field Workers trained by our Organization and the team of Mujeres Autosustentables who will guide the process.

Plenary meetings will be scheduled to gather significant information in order to learn about the community’s specific and unique needs. The intention is to have the community determine feasible development options. This way, the analysis and diagnosis is participatory.

The next step is to outline and evaluate the projects considered necessary and feasible by the community.

Length: 10 3-hour sessions (*This time may vary according to group needs and assessed issues)

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Incubation of Productive Projects and Training

Mujeres Autosustentables Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

Stage 2 2. Incubation of Productive Projects and Training 2.1. Creation and implementation of each Productive Project 2. 2. Specialized Training 2. 3. Legal Establishment of Cooperative Associations

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Work Plan for Social and Economic Development of Communities in Mexico

Incubation of Productive Projects and Training

Mujeres Autosustentables Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

2.1. Creation and implementation of each Productive Project Project creation procedure Once the participatory assessment, diagnosis and results have been integrated, a market research is conducted and the potential trade, sales and distribution channels for the products or services are examined in order to ensure the project’s success and long life for the community’s benefit.

The next step is to analyze the costs and investment structure and the available options to get resources and/or funding for project implementation.

Each Community Productive Project description must contain: Project data and overall goals Product definition Market research and analysis Technical Assessment and Project Engineering SWOT analysis Financial and Economic analysis Business Plan Environmental Impact and Damage Mitigation analysis and report This allows defining the necessary logistics planning and the appropriate funding strategy for the Productive Project.

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Incubation of Productive Projects and Training

Mujeres Autosustentables Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

Implementing and Starting Productive Projects Mujeres Autosustentables and specialists on the corresponding field will be in charge of implementing the productive projects.

Project implementation considers adjusting the space needed, as well as acquiring tools, equipment and raw materials. Each project promotes mobilization and the creation of direct and indirect jobs, which, from the beginning, will benefit both the community and the related product and services businesses.

The ultimate goal is having a functional project.

This stage should take approximately 4 weeks. Its length varies according to each project’s complexity.

2.2. Comprehensive and Specialized Training for Project Development Our social intervention derives from a constructive teaching/learning process which will serve to tackle the specific needs of the beneficiary groups. Learning is achieved through practice in the work place.

Mujeres Autosustentables relies on a comprehensive training process to instruct beneficiaries, monitoring their progress consistently to establish appropriate educational methods that will lead to improved skills focused on productivity. This will allow a better integration of these groups to the community with technical, emotional and social tools and improved critical judgment that will enrich their living environment.

Training in Human Development The beneficiary groups have regular meetings with a team of specialists in Human Development. The staff of psychologists prepares a series of activities according to the topics to review.

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Work Plan for Social and Economic Development of Communities in Mexico

Incubation of Productive Projects and Training

Mujeres Autosustentables Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

Group Cohesion and Teamwork. The aim is to promote teamwork through communication and participation of members in a safe and tolerant environment Social Skills. Participants learn to respond assertively within their cultural context developing social skills, managing emotions and communication, and stressing the importance of equity and individual rights and obligations.

Identity and Legal Awareness. The activities in this module focus on providing practical tools and rules to promote social dynamics and legal awareness, strengthening values and social interaction.

Solidarity Economy and Responsible Consumption. The topics deal with strengthening local economy by encouraging responsible consumption, bartering activities and direct production.

Length: 20 4-hour sessions

Administration and Management Training Training in this area includes topics on:

Administration

Accounting

Human Resources

Marketing and Sales

In a broad manner, beneficiaries gain skills to structure business areas and define functions, learn about planning, control measures and wise decision making for their businesses. They learn basics on accounting, market research and assessment, sales and distribution channels and the most convenient advertising tools and methods.

Length: 20 4-hour sessions

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Incubation of Productive Projects and Training

Mujeres Autosustentables Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

Training in Production Techniques for Export Quality: This activity aims to contribute to the specialization and professionalization of productive projects through education and training. Highly experienced specialists in different kinds of trade and productive projects from all over the country who work for Mujeres Autosustentables are ready to intervene and empower participants and beneficiaries to ensure the successful implementation of projects.

A course outline will be prepared according to each project. This will allow consolidating the group, providing members the knowledge they need to make their venture successful.

Length: 4 to 12 weeks with 8-hour daily sessions. (This time is variable, depending on the topics to be covered and the group’s progress).

2.3. Legal Establishment of Cooperative Associations Co-ops as the foundation of work in the groups established Mujeres Autosustentables encourages the creation of Cooperative Associations as the legal foundation for each work group, stressing the value of solidarity, cooperation, mutual support and teamwork.

After establishing a cooperative, the group receives training and support and is monitored on managing and accounting issues to ensure sustainability.

The cooperative is a socio-economic model that promotes the organization of people to jointly meet their needs.

This model has presence all over the world, as it allows disadvantaged populations to have a business of their own.

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Work Plan for Social and Economic Development of Communities in Mexico

Incubation of Productive Projects and Training

Mujeres Autosustentables Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

One of the purposes of the cooperative system is to eliminate human exploitation, bringing more fairness, equity and equality of rights to people’s daily lives.

The cooperative model, based on solidarity, sets forth philosophical principles of a more humane and understanding coexistence. The cooperative movement is based on values and principles that promote the individual’s full development.

It is worth mentioning that the organization uses “Cooperative Learning”, a teaching strategy based on real life and hands-on experiences that allows for joint responsibility among the group members. This way, each individual learns according to his or her own personality and culture.

Procedure 1) Training in Cooperatives The cooperative model training seeks to raise awareness among the program beneficiaries on the contribution of co-ops to economic and social development.

The goal is to encourage the creation and growth of cooperative associations made up by people and institutions to address their mutual economic needs, in addition to achieving full economic and social participation. Training will cover the following topics: - What is a business?

- Different types of businesses - Cooperatives -Origins of Cooperative Associations - Cooperative Philosophy - Values - Concept Definitions: - According to UN - According to LGDSC (General Law on Cooperative Associations)

- Differences between traditional businesses and cooperative associations - Legal establishment - Rights and Obligations - Internal Rules - Organizational structure - Entrepreneurial culture - Appointments and Committees - Required legal procedures

2) Legal Establishment Each group is legally established as a Cooperative Association before the Tax Administration Service (SAT). This process requires close supervision, advice and support. The Program will lead the group process, making sure that the association established is based on a social consensus, which responds to a commitment to the community and is founded on the principles of Cooperative Associations. The length of this process is 7 weeks.

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Implementation, Consolidation and Sustainability

Mujeres Autosustentables Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

Stage 3 3. Implementation, Consolidation and Sustainability 3.1. Productive implementation – hands-on experience to increase productivity 3. 2. Support and advice

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Work Plan for Social and Economic Development of Communities in Mexico

Mujeres Autosustentables

Implementation, Consolidation and Sustainability

Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

3.1. Productive implementation – hands-on experience to increase productivity How do Projects gain productive experience and become economically independent?

At this stage, the groups have been trained, improved their skills, learned techniques and received the tools they need to improve productivity.

With continuous practice, carrying out the trade and production processes again and again, the groups nearly approach commercial production, reaching the maturity required to be competitive in the business environment.

This process is led by specialists from Mujeres Autosustentables supported by Leading Business Companies interested in promoting goods and services production to develop new suppliers in the domestic market, which would gradually replace product imports. These products, being manufactured in Mexico, bring social and economic benefits to the communities and to the country.

Productive implementation is a methodological process developed for each project. Mujeres Autosustentables oversees how each group evolves towards economic, productive and commercial maturity. This way the highest quality and productivity, with the highest international standards, is assured for a long business life of each project.

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Implementation, Consolidation and Sustainability

Mujeres Autosustentables Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

3.2. Support and advice Ongoing support Additionally, the groups receive ongoing support, which is essential for the proper operation of the project. From the beginning, Mujeres Autosustentables makes alliances with diverse businesses and institutions to support the productive projects. The goal is to have the groups work in real business situations so they can learn and master their own business operations and make some profits for a first financial support of the project and better living conditions for the families.

Support strategies are established in order to: Achieve self-sustainability and financial independence of the business, assuring social and economic progress of each individual in the project, the families and the community.

Identify specific business challenges and give immediate solution to the resulting needs.

Engage authorities, institutions and organizations to promote the country’s growth.

Make businesses provide assistance to communities and families in such areas as education, health, culture and economy.

Promote entrepreneurial spirit, making emphasis on newly acquired knowledge, vision and skills that allow ongoing improved performance for individual and community benefit.

The entrepreneurial spirit must be focused on achieving excellence through the skills acquired in Administration, Management and Control training.

Length: The Organization considers six months of continuous support. However, each group unfolds differently therefore, Mujeres Autosustentables commits to providing support until the project reaches certain stability.

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Work Plan for Social and Economic Development of Communities in Mexico

Mujeres Autosustentables

Implementation, Consolidation and Sustainability

Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

Work Plan for Social and Economic Development of Communities in Mexico

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Valoraci贸n del Desarrollo de la comunidad Assessment of Community Development asaa partirof deEconomic la Intervenci贸n Econ贸mica y Social result and Social Intervention

Mujeres Autosustentables Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

Stage 4 4. Assessment of Community Development as a result of Economic and Social Intervention

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Work Plan for Social and Economic Development of Communities in Mexico

Mujeres Autosustentables

Assessment of Community Development as a result of Economic and Social Intervention

Social Development focused on Training and Productivity

4. Assessment of Community Development as a result of Economic and Social Intervention Reasons to evaluate the effects of implementing a Productive Project One of the major concerns about intervening in a community is truly promoting the community’s wellbeing. That is why evaluating the effects and changes brought by a project allows identifying achievements in a more accurate way and developing joint strategies to actively strengthen both, the Productive Project and the community.

Procedure The methodology applied by Mujeres Autosustentables includes different assessments in each area to have systematic information on each project, which at the end of the intervention results in a comprehensive evaluation.

As mentioned, this procedure results in a comprehensive evaluation of each project that takes into account economic, social and environmental factors that have been positively or negatively affected by the implementation and execution of the project. This way, each group will be subject to a particular evaluation that will produce accurate data for a better monitoring and follow up of the process and the development of the right strategies to solve individual, project and community health, education, employment, and other issues.

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