MCT holds project system workshop with local partners

Wayne Andrew from Palau and Christina Stinnett from Chuuk during day 2 of the workshop

CCS May 4, 2017:  The Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT) completed a 2-day workshop that brought together around ten local partners from all over Micronesia, including the Chuuk Conservation Society, the Chuuk Women Council, the Conservation Society of Pohnpei, the Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organization, the Yap Community Action Program, the Palau Conservation Society, the Marshall Islands Conservation Society and few few others.

With administrative help from the Nature Conservancy and the University of Guam Marine Lab, MCT organized the interactive workshop to enhance project systems that have guided the various components in the administration of project grants among its grantees over the years. Internal changes in the organization catalyzed in most part by the recruitment of highly professional staff in finance as well as the monitoring and evaluation sections, has affected its subgrantees in significant ways. By interfacing around the table to discuss system changes and roll out enhanced reporting requirements, the big conservation network in the region hopes to elevate institutional integrity, effectiveness, and success-boosting prospects.

According to Mr. Anthony Hele, monitoring and evaluation expert, relevant MCT personnel will conduct follow up visits to all the partner organizations during the June/July timeframe to deepen compliance and address other specific needs separately.

Mr. Charles Meeme, MCT CFO, presenting on improved financial reporting system

According to Mr. Willy Kostka, Director of MCT, the gathering also coincided with a significant concluding moment worth celebrating. When conservation was only a strange ambition for a very few individuals more than twenty years ago, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation was one of the few pioneering donor partners whose vital support helped propelled such unpopular movement. A few representatives of the foundation made themselves available on a trip that marked Packard Foundation's last appearance in Micronesia. At least for the foreseeable future. Hence, the workshop, which was funded by the foundation itself, also served as a time to bid farewell and celebrate the twenty years of productive partnership with the Packard Foundation. The foundation has had decided to cease operations in Micronesia.

As a spin-off for most participants, the Pohnpei meeting also provided opportunities to work on peculiar needs with MCT, undertake visits with offices in Pohnpei, and, for some, take a break from ordinary home-tasks.

Participants begin to return home on Friday.

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