Project Work
Communities requesting the church to work with them. © LWF/J. Schep |
While global and regional programs relate to more than one member church, projects relate to individual member churches. DMD ensures coordination and assessment of project applications and fund raising to support approved projects, as well as accompaniment and monitoring during implementation.
Project Work through DMD includes the following areas:
- Distribution of Project Support
- LWF Project Committee
- Project Scope and Criteria
- LWF Guiding Principles for Sustainable Development
- Coordination and Administration
- Implementation and Monitoring
- Capacity Building
- Projects and Examples
Distribution of Project Support
Through a system of multilateral international resource sharing, DMD coordinates an annual budget of around USD seven million to support projects endorsed and prioritized by the LWF member churches. In any given year, DMD accompanies LWF member churches in the implementation of between 200 and 250 projects.
The regional division of the annual project expenditure (2000-20006) is:
The average distribution of resources per continent is:
LWF Project Committee
Young landless farmers greening the mountains. © LWF/J. Schep |
The LWF Project Committee approves projects for funding and recommends to the LWF Council policies and project criteria after consultation with member churches and related partners. The committee meets annually to review projects and applications, and submits its report through the Program Committee for Development and Mission.
Click for more information on the Mandate of the LWF Project Committee. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) 
Project Scope and Criteria
The Dar Al-Kalima School offers participatory
creative learning for small groups in a variety
of subjects. |
Projects implemented by member churches, in the area of sustainable development, include agricultural initiatives, income generation, water supply and other basic needs, especially in rural areas. Projects in evangelism and proclamation focus on quality enhancement. New understandings of diaconal ministries receive special emphasis.
In general, DMD aims to bring project work in line with programmatic themes as practical follow-up of current issues. High priority is given to initiatives focused on women’s empowerment, work against violence and for peace building, HIV and AIDS, water, and children and youth programs. Building projects are not a priority.
Click for more information on Criteria for Projects. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
LWF Guiding Principles for Sustainable Development
The LWF Guiding Principles for Sustainable Development articulate a holistic approach in addressing general principles of sustainable development as well as specific dimensions of human rights, gender, environment and communication.
Click for the LWF Guiding Principles for Sustainable Development. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Coordination and Administration
Sustaining life - El Salvador © Salvadoran Lutheran Synod / Communication Services |
Project proposals – from initial inspiration through planning to formal requests – are developed by member churches in close collaboration with the DMD area secretaries. DMD also works closely with member churches and related agencies that are able to commit financial resources and support for projects.
The main pillars for DMD financial support are the member churches and related agencies in Germany, the Nordic Countries and North America. Support from mission agencies is normally linked to specific projects for member churches where a bilateral relationship exists. Smaller churches are also regular contributors and supporters of projects.
Project applications must be prepared and submitted according to guidelines. Legal agreements define relationships and mutual obligations for approved projects, as well as auditing requirements.
Click for more information:
(All links require Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Implementation and Monitoring
An integrated planning, monitoring and evaluation (PME) system, based on a defined project cycle, is followed for all DMD projects. The PME includes a Project Agreement and an Audit Agreement, which define project relationships and the key features of mutual accountability. Guidelines elaborate the basic features of accountability, including specific requirements of the diverse DMD supporter/donor base.
The planning phase uses a result-oriented approach to clearly define goals with related objectives, activities, budgets and indicators for evaluation.
Click to view a diagram of a result-oriented process. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Click to view a presentation on the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) system. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
© LWF/J. Schep |
Implementation and monitoring help ensure that projects are being implemented according to plan, and provide a basis for making necessary adjustments. Narrative and financial reports are required for each six-month period of implementation.
Click for the DMD Guidelines for Project Implementation and Monitoring. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
DMD staff in Geneva provide essential support: accompanying the project holders in the process of achieving the agreed goals; facilitating projects through the timely transfer of financial resources; and overseeing projects by ensuring appropriate control, auditing and accountability.
Click for more information on Implementation and Monitoring.
Capacity Building
Creating added value with wool. © LWF/J. Schep |
With the aim to empower communities to develop their own capabilities, and to support the project planning and implementation cycle, capacity building workshops are presented each year. The workshops are tailored to specific local needs, with topics including needs assessment, analysis of contexts, planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation. Workshops in 2006 will be held in Bolivia, Ethiopia and Indonesia (to be confirmed). Training in specific PME requirements relating to HIV and AIDS have been provided in 2006 in Nairobi (for the Africa region) and Bangkok (for the Asia region).
Click for Examples of objectives that include indicators. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Projects and Examples
Water development, Bolivia © LWF/J. Schep |
The aim of projects is to empower communities to create for themselves a dignified life based on peace with justice. Strategies to achieve this aim focus, for example, on food security, water development, women’s empowerment, outreach and communication. In recent years, the dimension of response to the impact of HIV and AIDS has become a prominent focus in DMD projects.
Click for lists of projects approved by the LWF Project Committee in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. (Links require Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Click for selected projects from the regions supported by DMD. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
For further information please contact:
Secretary for Project Coordination and Administration
Vacant
Secretary for Project Implementation and Monitoring
Drs Jaap Schep
E-mail: jks@lutheranworld.org
Administrative Assistant
Ms Marlise Egli
E-mail: meg@lutheranworld.org
Administrative Assistant
Ms Catherine Currat
E-mail: ccu@lutheranworld.org
