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EcoPeaceMiddleEast StrategicPlan2016-2020 2

StrategicPlan2016-2020

UpdatedSeptember,2016


TableofContentsIntroduction......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3AboutEcoPeace.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3

OurCoreValues.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3WhoWeAre......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3OurVision..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3OurMission.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3OurCoreCompetency:EnvironmentalPeacebuilding......................................................................................................................................................................................................4WhereWeWork................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................4TheEcoPeaceApproach....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................4

AdjustingtoCurrentChallenges....................................................................................................................................................................................................................5OverarchingObjectivesofthisStrategicPlan...............................................................................................................................................................................................5

Programs...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................6ImpactingDecision-Making...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................7

WaterCannotWait............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................7WaterEnergyNexus..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................7JordanValleyRehabilitation..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................8

EngagingCommunity....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................9GoodWaterNeighbors......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................9Eco-Facilities....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................10

EnhancingCapacity.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................11CenterforEnvironmentalPeacebuilding.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................11

ExternalRelations............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................12ImprovingVisibility......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................12

Online..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................12InLocalCommunities......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................12

CommunicatingaUnifiedImage.................................................................................................................................................................................................................13InternalOperations.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................14Governance.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................14Finance........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................15

Securing&Diversifying....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................15Streamlining&Empowering............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................15


IntroductionAboutEcoPeaceWhoWeAreEcoPeaceMiddleEastisauniqueorganizationthatbringsJordanian,Palestinian,andIsraelienvironmentaliststogether.Ourprimaryobjectiveisthepromotionofcooperativeeffortstoprotectoursharedenvironmentalheritage.Insodoing,weseektoadvancebothsustainableregionaldevelopmentandthecreationofnecessaryconditionsforlastingpeaceinourregion.EcoPeacehasofficesinAmman,Bethlehem,andTelAviv.

OurVisionEcoPeace’svisionistosecureasustainable,prosperous,andpeacefulfuturefortheMiddleEastandallhumanity.

OurMissionEcoPeacedevelopstransboundaryenvironmentalsolutionsthroughconstituenciesandpartnershipsbydevelopingincreasedcollectivecommitmenttoasustainable,prosperous,andpeacefulfuture.

OurCoreValues• Integrity• DiversityandMutuality• Respect• Professionalism• Integration• Creativity• Justice• ImprovingLives

• SustainableEnvironmentalandSocioeconomicProsperity

• Education• RegionalStability• EqualCommitmentAcross

Parties• ATwo-StateSolutionand

Regionalism


HaifaNazareth

Bethlehem

Beir Sheva

Gaza

Amman

Muqata/Kishon RiverWadi Hadera

Wadi Abu NarWadi Alexander

Yarkon River Wadi Kane

Tel aviv

Wadi Beer Sheva

Yarmuch River

Wadi Harod Wadi Ziglab

Wadi FaraWadi Zarka

Wadi Auja

Wadi Qelt

Wadi Nar/Kidron

Jord

an R

iver

Sea

of

Galil

ee

Dea

d Se

a

"Good Water Neighbors" Communities

Jordan

PalestineNablus

Legend

Wadi Zomar

Wadi He

bronWadi Azza

Jordan Valley

Beit Shan

Gilboa

Baka Gharbia-Jat

Emek Hefer

Muaz Bin Jabal

Al-Hemma

Tabkat Fahal

Sharhabil bin Hassnah

Jalameh, Jenin

Baka Sharkia

Tulkarem

Fasayel

Jericho

Auja

East JerusalemAbu Dis

Deir Alla

South ShounaWest Jerusalem

Tsur Hadassah

Wadi Fukin

Yatta

South Ghour

Gour Fifa

Tamar

AbasanEshkol

Israel

Mountain Aquifer – Recharge Zone

Mountain Aquifer – Confined Area

Coastal Aquifer

Jordan River – Dead Sea Basin

Lake

Stream/River

Israeli Communities

Palestinian Communities

Jordanian Communities

EcoPeace Office

EcoPark/Center

Peace Park

EinGedi

OurCoreCompetency:EnvironmentalPeacebuildingEcoPeaceisaninternationallyrecognizedtrailblazerinthepracticalimplementationofenvironmentalpeacebuilding,whichacknowledgesthatsharednaturalresourcescanbeanimportantopportunitytounderstandexistingandpotentialareasofinterdependenceacrossconflicts.ThefoundationofEcoPeace’smethodologyisthatsolutionstoenvironmentalproblemsarerarelyzero-sum.Forallpartiesinvolved,solutionstotransboundaryenvironmentalproblemscancreatebetterecologicalsituationsaswellasimprovedsocialandeconomicstandings.Throughjointeffortsandcooperation,itispossibletosolveenvironmentalproblemsand,intheprocess,developincreasedunderstandingofandopennesstowardinterdependenceamongstconflictingparties.Thissetsthestageforjointdevelopmentofprosperity,trust,andultimately,peace.

TheEcoPeaceApproachTwenty-twoyearsofoperationsandinvolvementintransboundarywaterissuesinourregionserveasthestrongfoundationofouruniqueapproach,whichutilizes• Win-winsolutionsthatspeaktostakeholders’self-interests• Complementarytop-downandbottom-upapproachesbasedon

education,advocacy,andresearch• Disseminationofexpertisetootherareasofconflictworldwide• Leveragingoffinancialresourcestoprovideinfrastructureandother

initiativesinlocalcommunitiesinneed• Localstaffwhoareengagedin,acceptedinto,andfamiliarwiththe

communitiesinwhichtheywork

WhereWeWork

GovernmentEngagement

Education Advocacy Research

Grassroots&CommunityEngagement


AdjustingtoCurrentChallengesInahighlynationalistic,violent,andconflict-riddenperiodofthehistoryoftheMiddleEast,EcoPeaceseekstopromotemutualrespectandidentitybeyondnarrow“tribal,”nationalistic,orreligiousidentities.Instead,EcoPeaceseeksmutualandrespectfulconnectionsbasedonbroadersharedinterestsofenvironment,heritage,economy,andgeopolitics.WhatdifferentiatesEcoPeacefromotherpeacebuildingorganizationsisourfocusonthesharedenvironmentandouraimtoadvanceequitableresourceallocationandsustainablemanagementofsharednaturalresources.Thisservesasameanstodevelopmutualrespectbetweenboththedifferentnations,andpeopleandnatureingeneral.EcoPeace’sunique,proactiveapproachcreateshealthyinterdependence,asseeninnature,acrosspoliticalborders.Thisisespeciallyimportantintoday’spoliticalandenvironmentalclimates,whicharebothsteepedinalackofconsensusandprogress.EcoPeaceviewsthecurrentcyclesoffrustrationasopportunitiestofacilitatepositivepoliticalandenvironmentalchangesthatwilldirectlyimpactthecommunitieswithwhichwework.

OverarchingObjectivesofthisStrategicPlanEcoPeaceMiddleEastoperatesundera5-yearstrategicplanningprocess.Thisnewstrategicplanfortheyears2016-2020buildsonearliereffortsandrespondstofeedbackfrompreviousinitiativesandnewrealities.Extensiveinterviewsanddiscussionswithstaff,boardmembers,andexternalstakeholdersserveasthebasisforthedevelopmentofthisstrategy.OuroverallgoalsasstatedinthisStrategicPlanareto:

Expand&

Improve

ourexistingtop-downandbottom-upapproachprograms

Developourcapacityforglobal

leadershipinthefieldofenvironmentalpeacebuilding

Promote aunifiedorganization-widebrandandmessage

organizationalgovernanceandincrease

transparencyanddiversificationof

finances

Consolidate


Programs

Breakingdowntheoverarchingobjectivesintoprogram-orientedgoalsenablesthealignmentandenhancementofexistingprograms.EcoPeaceaimstoimproveand

expandtheseprogram-basedactivitiesinordertobetterservethecommunitieswithwhichweworkbothlocallyandglobally.Theprogramsarenotindividualtracksof

work,butratherelementsinawidecontinuumofeffortsthatsupportEcoPeace’svisionandmission.Severalprogramshavebeenconsolidatedintomorecomprehensive

categoriesinordertoprovideamorewell-roundedapproach.Forexample,ourGoodWaterNeighborsprojectnowincludestheProtectingGroundwaterInitiativeandthe

GreenEconomyInitiativeoutsideoftheJordanValley.Additionally,JordanValleyRehabilitationnowincludesJordanRiverRehabilitation,theJordanValleyMasterPlan,

andtheGreenEconomyInitiativewithinthevalley.


ImpactingDecision-MakingEcoPeace’stop-downapproachutilizesadvocacy,education,andresearchtoengageandinformgovernmentsonimportantenvironmentalissuesatthelocal,national,andregionallevels.

WaterCannotWaitThisprogramfocusesonpromotingpoliticalawarenessofurgentissuesrelatedtothecurrentwatersituationwiththeintentionofcreatingpoliticalwilltosolvewater-relatedproblemsasacomplementto,andnotasubstitutefor,thepoliticalpeaceprocess.Theapproachdirectsthemessagetohigh-levelpoliticiansandinformsthepublicaboutwaterissueswiththehopesofreachingaFinalIsraeli/PalestinianAccordonWater.Inordertocontinueworkingtowardthisfinalagreement,WaterCannotWaitwillfocusonbringinggovernmentalministriesandagenciestogethertofindcommongroundoncoordinatedwatermanagement,withspecialattentionbeinggiventoIsraeliandPalestinianwaterministries.AnotherpriorityistoadvancesanitarysolutionsbyfacilitatingagreementsbetweenIsraelandPalestinethatwillallowfortheexchangeofenergynecessarytobuildandoperatefuturesewageandwatertreatmentplantsinPalestine.EcoPeacealsoaimstoprovidesolutionstoGaza’swaterandsanitationcrisisbyfacilitatinganincreaseinwaterandenergyaccess,aswellastheexploitationofGazamarinegasfields.

WaterEnergyNexusTheWaterEnergyNexus(WEN)projectseekstodevelophealthyinterconnectednessthroughnationalinterdependenceonwaterandenergywithpotentialpositivesecurityeffectsinLevantcountries.TheprojectincludesaconsortiumofresearchersacrossPalestine,Jordan,andIsraelthatwillidentifythetechnical,economic,andgeo-politicalfeasibilityofJordanasaprovideroflarge-scalerenewableenergyandthecoastalregionofIsraelandGazaastheproviderofdesalinatedwaterforthethreecountries.Giventhepresentrealityofclimatechange,desalinatingMediterraneanseawaterisanecessaryadaptationmeasure,andinvestmentsinrenewableenergyareimportantmitigationmeasures.TheresultinginterconnectednessandinterdependencebetweenIsrael,Jordan,andPalestinecouldbeofhighpoliticalvalueandassistinthedevelopmentofpoliticalstability.Inaddition,thisaspectoftheprogramleadsacoordinatingefforttoallowGazaaccesstomarinegasasamedium-termenergysourcetoalleviatethewater/energycrisisinGaza.CreationofaregionalworkinggroupaswellasaseriesofinternationalmeetingsarenecessarytosecuretheregionalandgovernmentalsupportneededtoadvancetheWEN.


JordanValleyRehabilitationAuniquenaturalandculturaltreasure,theJordanRiverandsurroundingvalleyaresituatedintheGreatRiftValleyflowing250kilometersfromtheSeaofGalileetotheDeadSea.TheJordanValleyhasalwaysbeenaplaceformigrationandexchangeofplantsandanimals,withover500millionbirdsmigratingeachyear.However,theJordanRiverisvanishingduetoexcessivewaterdiversionandpollution.Diversionof95%oftheoriginalflowhasresultedintremendouslossofbiodiversityandeconomicopportunities.JordanValleyMasterPlanTheJordanValleyMasterPlanlaysoutavisionfortheJordanValleyifitisprovidedtherightactionsinregardstoecologicalandeconomicdevelopment.TheplanwaswellreceivedbyIsrael,Jordan,andPalestinein2015,anditsimplementationwillcontinuetobeactivelypursued.Ofthe127interventionslaidoutintheMasterPlan,11wereidentifiedaspilotinterventionsbasedontheirpotentialforimmediateinitiation.ItisparamounttocontinueadvocacytoseekpoliticalcommitmenttotheMasterPlanthatwillhelpleveragefundingfromfinancialinstitutions,investors,anddonors.EcoPeacemustalsoengagethebusinesscommunityinordertodrawthissupport.Aconferenceorhigh-levelmeetingwherethetwotracksconvenecanattractpowerfulleaderswhileadvancinginternationalattention.ThiseventwouldensurecommitmenttoregionaldevelopmentasdescribedintheMasterPlanandleapfrogtheregionpastcurrentpoliticalconstraints.

JordanRiverBasinGovernanceAspartoftheMasterPlan,EcoPeaceisdevelopingvariousgovernancemodelsincludingaModelBasinCommissionfortheJordanRiver.TheobjectiveistoproposeagovernancestructurefortheJordanRiverbasedonbestpracticesandfeedbackfromexistingtransboundarybasincommissions.TheModelBasinCommissionwillproposealegalframeworkanddescriptionsofgovernancebodieswithinthespecificpolitical,financial,andscientificcontexts.ThisworkistobecompletedandpresentedintheFallof2016.GreenEconomyInitiativeEcoPeacedesignedthisprogramtoadvancecross-bordereconomicincentivesforenvironmentalprotectionandtoadvancetheunderstandingofregionallysharedenvironmentalresources.Nextstepsforthisprogramaretofurtherenhancelocaltourguides’resourcesandunderstandingoftheenvironment,aswellastopursueUNESCOWorldHeritagecertificationfortheJordanRiverValley.Faith-BasedInitiativesManyChristian,Jewish,andMuslimcommunitiesarecurrentlyminimallyawareoftheJordanRiver’spoorecologicalcondition.Withtheriver’sstrongsignificancetomanyreligions,thisprovidesadirectopportunityforfaith-basedengagementinrehabilitation.EcoPeaceseekstodeveloprelationshipswithindividualChristian,Jewish,andMuslimcommunitiesandleadersbothlocallyandinternationally.Developingrelationshipswithpowerfulinterfaithleadersisalsocrucialforcreatingconsensusthroughoutthereligiouscommunity.Havingprominentreligiousleaderssignour“JordanRiverCovenant”willdisseminateourmessageandcreatepowerfulsupportforourmission.JordanRiverRehabilitation(JRR)WiththeobjectivetorehabilitatetheJordanRiverthroughawarenessandadvocacy,JordanRiverRehabilitationimplementslocalinvolvementanddeliversimpactfulresearchandpolicypublications.Thecreationofconferencesthatbringministriestogetherfromallthreegovernments,aswellasworkingcommitteesfromeachwatershedgroupthatmeetonaregularmonthlybasisarenecessaryfortheadvancementoftheproject.Involvinglocalandinternationalmediamustalsobeprioritizedinordertogainnecessarypublicsupportfortheinitiatives.


GoodWaterNeighborsAcrosstheregion,GoodWaterNeighbors(GWN)developsjointsolutionstowaterresourceissuesandlaysthefoundationformoresustainablepeaceamongPalestinians,Jordanians,andIsraelis.TheGWNmethodologyisbasedonidentifyingcross-bordercommunitieswithmutualdependenceonsharedwaterresourcesandhelpingthemseekcommonsolutionswhileestablishingcontactsacrossbordersandmakingtremendousstridesinthepeople-to-peopleeffortsofpeacebuildingthroughouttheconflictzone.Ninety-fivepercentofparticipantsconfirmthatthesecross-borderactivitiesstrengthenacquaintancesacrossbordersandsupportdevelopmentoftrustandtheabilitytoworkforthecommongoalofsustainablepeace.UnderthisStrategicPlan,GWNwillseeseveralimprovementsincludingexpansionoftheexistingWaterTrusteeprogramandinstallationofgreywatersystemsinschoolsandcommunitiesthatwilldemonstratelow-costwaystoconservewater.EcoPeacealsoplanstodevelopamodelfarmintheregiontoshowcasebestpracticesandnewtechnologiesforagricultureaccordingtotheneedsofeachcommunity.TheGWNprogramwillalsobeexpandedtocultivateanewbasin-wideapproachwhichwillincreasetheeffectivenessofstakeholders’forumsaswellaslocalleadership.ProtectingGroundwaterGroundwaterisoneofthemostcommonandvitalnaturalresourcesforpotablewater,butisoftenoverlookedbygovernmentsandthepublicduetoitshiddennature.Becausegroundwaterresourcesalsomoveacrosspoliticalboundaries,EcoPeaceseekstodevelopregionalcoordinationforgroundwaterprotectionbyfocusingonthefollowing:capacitybuilding,inspectionandenforcement,cross-borderandcross-authoritycoordination/cooperation,initiationofsolutionsincludingtreatmentandreusewater,reductionofhazards,andrecommendationsonsustainablefinancing.

EngagingCommunityEcoPeace’sbottom-upapproachseekstoengagecivilsocietytoparticipateinthedevelopmentofsustainablenaturalresourcemanagementmethods.Localmeetingsserveasnecessaryforumsforstakeholderinputinaprocessthatbuildscooperation,developstrustacrosstheconflict,andfosterslocalsolutions.EcoPeacehasfoundthatcivilsocietyengagementisessentialforthelong-termsustainabilityoflocalsolutions.


Eco-FacilitiesEcoCentersandParksprovideexpertiseonhowtodevelopsustainablepeace-focusedecotourismassetsbasedonpracticalexperience.Basedoninvolvementoflocalstakeholders,thisprogramexplorespracticalexpansionopportunitiesforinnovativeandsustainableeconomicinitiativesingovernment,municipalities,localcommunities,andtourism.EcoPeacecurrentlyhasthreeEcoCentersandonePeacePark.EcoCentersTheprimaryobjectivesofthethreeEcoCentersaretopreservebiodiversity,documenttheareas’naturalecologicalvalues,andeducatethecommunityandtouristsabouttheirenvironmentandwaystosustainablydevelopwithinit.EcoCenterswillincreasetheiremphasisontheroleofcommunityaswellastheimportanceofwomenandchildreninthepathtosustainabledevelopment.Gender-focusedleadershipworkshopsforwomenandtrainingsessionsinschoolswillhelpyouthandtheirfamiliesbetterunderstandthebenefitsofproperwastemanagement.Inconjunctionwithincreasedopportunitiesforthe

empowermentoflocaladvocacy,EcoPeacewillalsodevelopandadaptadditionalconservationandrehabilitationmethodsforandtothelocalenvironmentsthatourEcoCentersinhabit.JordanRiverPeaceParkTheJordanRiverPeaceParkwillbelocatedinthebeautifulareasofAlBakoora/NaharayimandJeserAlMajama/Gesher,wheretheJordanRiverandYarmoukRiverintersect.Endorsedbythemayorsandcommunitiesonbothsidesoftheriver,theparkoffersaconcreteregionalopportunityforrehabilitationoftheriverandcreationofa“borderless”zoneinwhichIsraelisandJordanianscanfreelyinteractandenjoytheirsharedenvironment.Inordertomoveforwardonthedevelopmentofthispeacepark,adocumentedregionalplan,includingspecificactionsneededtoconstructtheparkanditsfacilities,mustbeproducedandpresentedtotherelevantgovernmentbodies.SecuringaMemorandumofUnderstandingwithJordanandIsraelisalsonecessaryinordertodevelopregionalcommitmenttoprogressingwithparkdevelopment.


EnhancingCapacityEcoPeace’sinternationalreputationasaleaderinenvironmentalpeacemakinghasattractedothercommunitiesinareasofenvironmentalconflicttoseekouradviceandexpertise.Previously,EcoPeacehasheldseminars,writtenarticlesaboutouruniqueapproach,heldexchangevisits,anddelivereddirectsupportandadviceinordertodisseminateourexpertise.Now,wearelookingtoformallyexpandourservicestobetterservecommunitiesworldwide.

CenterforEnvironmentalPeacebuildingEcoPeacerecognizestheglobalinterestforandtheopportunitytodevelopaCenterforEnvironmentalPeacebuildingasaninternationalhubofexpertiseonthepracticalapplicationofenvironmentalpeacebuilding.TheobjectiveforthecenteristoapplyEcoPeace’spracticalknowledgeandexperiencetofacilitateenvironmentalpeacebuildinginotherregionsoftheworld.EcoPeacewilldeveloptheCEPpeacebuildingbasedonitsownapproach,fine-tunedtheories,andpracticalexperienceacquiredoverits22yearsofoperation.ThegoalistodevelopacenterthatutilizesstaffwhoonadailybasisaredirectlyinvolvedinEcoPeace’sprogramsandcandelivertrainingtootherorganizationsandeducationalinstitutions.Astheprogramdevelops,thecenterwillcultivaterelationshipswithuniversitiesandthinktanksinordertodevelopacademicmaterialsthatwillinformawideaudienceontheeffectivenessofthetheoryofenvironmentalpeacebuildingassupportedbypracticallocalexperience.ThegenerationofthesematerialsaswellasMemorandumsofUnderstandingwithacademicandresearchinstitutionsarenecessarynextstepsinconjunctionwiththephysicalestablishmentoftheCenterforEnvironmentalPeacebuilding.Onceestablished,theCEPwillbeabletoconsulttoothercommunitiesworldwideworkingtoameliorateenvironmentalconflicts.


ExternalRelationsEcoPeaceneedsaclearstrategyforcommunicationwithtargetedmessaginginordertodeliveranaccurateperceptionofEcoPeace’sidentitywithafocusonitscorevaluesandmission.Thiswillnotonlypromoteourbrand,butalsosolidifyit.Identifyingtargetaudiencestocommunicatewith,developingconsistentmessagingacrossallkeymessages,andsecuringthatEcoPeacedeliverswhatispromisedwithoutcreatingunfulfillableexpectationsarethegoalsoftheoverallcommunicationstrategy.

ImprovingVisibilityAsEcoPeaceexpandsbeyondtheregionofIsrael,Palestine,andJordan,itiscrucialtodisseminatetheproperimagetopotentialclients,donors,andcommunitiesthatmaynothaveotherwiseheardofEcoPeace.Solidifyingouraccomplishmentsandpoliciesonlineaswellasinthecommunitiesinwhichwehaveworkedwillensurethatweareproperlyrepresentedtoanever-growingaudience.

OnlineEcoPeace’swebsiteisintheprocessofreceivingacriticalupdatethatwillallowthewebsitetoclearlydefineandcommunicatetheorganization’svalueswithtimelydeliveryofinformationaboutcurrentactivitiesandprojectstodevelopknowledgeandsupportforEcoPeace.Theredesignedsitewillprovideoutreachtosupporters,potentialsupporters,otherstakeholders,publicmedia,andfundraisingopportunities.Everyprojectpageshouldhaveaclearpurposeandacall-to-actionandbecloselymonitoredforfeedbackthatwillinformhowthewebsitewillbecontinuouslyupdatedwiththetimeliestinformationavailable.

InLocalCommunitiesEcoPeace’suniqueapproachthatempowerscommunitiestotakechargeintheimplementationphaseofitsprojectsoftenleavesEcoPeaceoutofceremonialactivitieswhenaprojectisfinal;therefore,EcoPeacemissesthefinalrecognitionofengagementandcontribution.ThisleadstoalackofunderstandingofEcoPeace’sroleandthebenefitsbroughttocommunitiesbytheorganization,aswellasresultingcriticismandblamefornormalization.EcoPeaceneedstoensureitsrecognitionofinvolvementsothatitcanadvertisesuccessstoriesandcapitalizeonopportunitiestodocumentitstrueeffectonlocalcommunities.MethodsmayincludeplacingpermanentsignageincommunitiesexplainingEcoPeace’swork,aswellasbeingmoreupfrontaboutensuringpermanentdedicationtoanyinvolvementinlocalcommunities.


CommunicatingaUnifiedImageInordertodisseminateastrong,organization-wideidentityandmessage,itisextremelyimportanttoproactivelydevelopregionalmessagingandstandardterminologywithhighestdegreeofalignmentinbothofficialandunofficialcommunicationbyallstaffandvolunteers.AsystemofstandardizationofvalueswillaidincombattingopportunisticpoliticaladversariescreatingdoubtsaboutEcoPeace’smissionandactions.Situationsquicklyarisewithanimmediateneedforappropriatereactionandresponse,anditisimportantthatstaffandvolunteersatalllevelsreceivetrainingtodeliverconsistentmessagingespeciallyinthecaseofanunexpectedencounter.


InternalOperationsAsaresultofitsexpansionandwelcomedsuccess,EcoPeace’slatestchallengeistomaintaincorecompetenciesinaneffectiveorganizationalculturethatdevelopshumancapitalwhileemphasizingethicalpracticesandbalancedorganizationalcontrols.EcoPeaceoperatesinanenvironmentwithlittleauthorityorexpectationsofconsensusamongstanincreasinglydiverseandexpandinggroupofstakeholdersinapoliticalenvironmentwherecommunicationisparticularlysensitive.Itisachallengetogrowaneffectiveorganizationwithlimitedresourcesandtraining,whilemanagingasituationwheremeasurementsofsuccessareinnovativeperformancemetricsofcomplexprograms.Strong,unifiedgovernanceacrosstheorganizationandimprovedtransparencyanddiversificationoffinancesarestepsthatcanbetakeninordertoensuremaximumeffectivenessofinternaloperations.

GovernanceTostrengthentheorganizationfurther,EcoPeaceisintheprocessofclearlydefiningrolesandresponsibilitiesofitsdifferentlevelsofleadership.MembersoftheBoardofDirectorsshouldtakeamoreprominentroletodirectandadvisetheorganizationonitsstrategicdirection,includingsupporttowardfundraisingeffortsandfinancialreporting.StrengtheningtheofrolesofBoardChairandBoardCommitteessuchasFinancewillutilizethemaximumpotentialforguidance.TheteamofthreeExecutiveDirectorsmustalsohavemoreclearlydefinedresponsibilitiestoensurepropercohesionacrossthethreeoffices.TheorganizationwouldbestrengthenedbyhavingtheBoardsetannualandlong-termobjectivesfortheDirectors,annualperformancereviews,andfacilitationoftheircapacitydevelopment.Increasingorganizationandstreamliningtheupperlevelsofgovernancewillsecureuniformoperationalenvironmentacrosstheorganization.


FinanceSecuring&DiversifyingTosecurelong-termstablefinancingandoperations,itisimportanttodevelopanannualplanningprocesswithathree-yearvisionincludingnewventuresandoverallbudgets.Duetothehigherriskofdependingonasmallnumberoflargeinternationaldonors,itisalsoimportantforEcoPeacetobroadenitsdonorbasethroughfurtherinvolvementoftheBoardofDirectorsandAdvisoryCommittee,aswellasothermethodsoffundraisingsuchascrowdfundingandpeer-to-peeronlinegiving.AstrategicplanfortheDevelopmentDepartmentspecificallyaddressingfundraisingwillbeavaluableadditiontothisorganizationalstrategybysystematicallyseekingtounderstandavailablegrantsandfundsthatmightbeapplicable,suchasnewandgrowingopportunitiesforfundraisinglikebequests,crowdfunding,orpeer-to-peeronlinegiving.

Streamlining&EmpoweringIn2015,EcoPeacebeganusinginternet-basedsoftwareNetSuiteinordertoincreasetransparencyandeaseofinformationaccessacrosstheorganization.Asimplementationadvances,thesystemwillcontainallbudgetinginformationandallowmonthlyreportingforindividualprojectsandentitiesacrosstheentireEcoPeaceorganization.Thiswillallowtheorganizationtodelivermoretimelyandaccurateinformationtoeveryoneresponsibleforfinancialmanagementofprojects,aswellastheopportunitytoincreasethefinancialresponsibilityofprojectmanagers,ensuringincreasedtransparencyandcontrolfortheprojectmanagers.

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