Seminar helps Red Cross raise funds
The side of non-governmental agencies that the public usually sees is when their projects are inaugurated, ribbons cut and cheques presented. What you don’t see on the television is what the NGO went through to get the money in the first place. This week in Belize City Red Cross Societies from across the Caribbean are learning how to raise funds more effectively. Jacqueline Woods reports.
The Belize Red Cross runs a number of important programmes to help communities and people during times of disaster. However, the process of getting that money to do that good work is not always easy.
Marylee Ellis, Deputy Director General, Belize Red Cross
“It has to be understood that funds are very limited out there now and therefore even good proposals get returned. So you really do have to have your proposal put together very well. All the elements need to be in place, all your assumptions, all your objectives, your goal has to be right on the mark and you have to make sure that everything ties in properly.”
The Belize Red Cross like other national societies depends on donor agencies like the Spanish Red Cross, Canada Fund, ECHO, CEDERA, CIDA and others to support its programmes. These agencies must have a very clear understanding about proposed programmes and their objectives before approving any money. That’s why the Belize Red Cross society and others from the Caribbean region are making sure that when the need arises, they are equipped to apply for funds.
Marylee Ellis
“We are now using what’s call the logical frame work and it has to show that the process flows both unilaterally and horizontally so that if you look at the project, you can see where things flow, where you are staring off at and where you plan to end up, so that when these proposals are presented, it can be reviewed and clearly understood and it has a clear outcome.”
The Deputy Director General of the Belize Red Cross says the training they are receiving this week from the Spanish Red Cross will help them to better plan for future projects.
Ana Urgoiti, Facilitator, Red Cross Workshop
“We have been doing training since 1995, its not something new, its also because we have had the opportunity to do this now with the Caribbean region because we have been doing this in Central America, so now we had the opportunity and we felt that it as a good initiative.”
The Spanish Red Cross has funded the Belize Red Cross in the past during times of hurricanes. Today it has sent representatives, Ana Urgoiti and Ruben Cano to facilitate the one week Project Planning Process Workshop for representatives from thirteen Caribbean Red Cross societies including Belize. The societies will not only be able to use the logical framework for disaster relief but other programmes as well.
Ruben Cano, Facilitator, Red Cross Workshop
“In this regard, it will be used not only when there is an emergency which is something very common in this part of the world but also when they are trying to approach communities to develop communities, all groups of population, which are in need of our support, the support of the Red Cross.”
The workshop officially opened on Monday and will come to a close on Friday at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel. Jacqueline Woods for News Five.
The project planning process workshop is funded by the Spanish Government.
