Capacity Strengthening Research Articles

Influence of COVID-19 Epidemic on Family Economic Vulnerability

The COVID-19 epidemic not only limited the consumption space of families, but also indirectly affected their sports consumption mode and motivation through income and other factors. Moreover, this is a complex dynamic process, which needs further analysis from more micro perspectives. In the short term, the COVID-19 has a large short-term impact on China's family economy; In the long run, with the further optimization of China's economic structure, the further strengthening of market regulation capacity, and the rapid introduction of a number of favorable measures by government departments to deal with the epidemic of pneumonia. During the COVID-19 epidemic, a large number of flexible employees were unable to obtain policy support such as free salary payment and layoff protection. They had no security such as vacation salary and health insurance, and received relatively limited social support. During the COVID-19 pandemic, informal workers generally faced health crisis and income reduction, and a large number of informal workers were on the verge of unemployment. The essence of these goals is to gain income and increase family wealth through financial management.

Industrial infrastructure and economic platform development for social and sustainable enterprise encouragement of cottage industries: case study of Bishnupur West Bengal

Indian rural cottage industries have been a significant income source for non-farming populace but have faced numerous problems related to collaboration of the state and business to pursue SDGs, including lack of facilitation of pro-active contribution of MSMEs towards sustainability through capacity building and strengthening of sustainability element to reach various possibilities of growth and management. Conceptualising the need for infrastructure development in the sector for involvement of both supply chain and community level through stakeholder identification is lacking. Bishnupur is encountering similar circumstances and thus losing artisans to urbanisation and negligible profit. They are not only economically dependent but also infrastructurally indigent. The research aims at analysing the economic involvement scale and sustainability of Bishnupur municipality's cottage industries through socio-economic impact assessment outlining problems, their covariance and regression to business principles as well as difference using ANOVA analysis; helping generate framework of policy and understand applicable ways to achieve SDGs.

An Experiential Exploration of a Quality-based Framework for Knowledge Co-production

This paper introduces a quality-based conceptual framework for planning and conducting research and developmental projects within the knowledge co-production continuum. The paper uses a longitudinal self-study methodology to analyse six case studies over a decade and identify comparative and cumulative trends. The analysis shows the importance of inputs, processes, and outputs in knowledge co-production and reveals intangible benefits such as deep engagement and capacity strengthening relationships. The paper also demonstrates how diverse teams can effectively convert tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge through knowledge co-production. The paper adopts an innovative approach of cross-linking cases along a timeline to provide insights into comparative and cumulative trends and suggests future research directions to explore the interconnections among the framework’s components. The paper argues that the careful design of inputs and processes is essential for successful knowledge co-production outcomes and that the proposed framework can be applied to address complex developmental issues. The paper contributes a novel conceptual framework and a unique cross-linking approach, offering a comprehensive and practical tool for researchers and practitioners.

COVID-19: BUSINESS RESILIENCE AND DEMAND STIMULATION IN INFORMAL SECTOR IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA.

The informal sector is instrumental in the economic structure of a country. It is associated with a high population as well as increased demand for products sold within this sector. Unfortunately, its inability to remain resilient amidst the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the sector. Therefore, this paper investigates the impact of business resilience on demand stimulation in the informal sector in Anambra State. The study identified risk assessment as an aspect of business resilient measures which involves three processes: risk identification, risk analysis, and risk evaluation. The above-listed resilient measures demand high financial commitment which most times these informal sector businesses cannot afford. This affected the informal business’ ability to withstand the pandemic shock. The paper, therefore, recommended the provision of credit to firms in this sector to keep them alive and ensure demand stimulation of their products. It also recommended capacity building and strengthening in both institutional and individual spheres to keep businesses in this sector afloat in the event of a disruption.

Дотаційність бюджетів територіальних громад як фінансовий механізм інклюзивного сільського розвитку

Equalising the financial capacity of different settlements and territories was in the spotlight of the state authorities at all stages of development. In the context of decentralisation and focusing on goal achievement of sustainable, inclusive development, the principles of horizontal equalisation of the tax capacity of territories were changed, and a new model of budgetary relations was introduced. The article analysed the results of the new model implementation, investigated the transfer dependence of local budgets with centres in villages, towns, and cities, and considered subsidies as a mechanism for inclusive rural development. It was determined that due to financial decentralisation and strengthening of the fiscal capacity of communities through increased tax revenue by an average of 27%, the share of subsidised local budgets decreased from 95% in the pre-reform period to 75% in 2021. It is estimated that rural territorial communities are the most transfer-dependent, and among the recipients of the basic subsidy as a tool to support the territory`s fiscal capacity, their share is 45,3 %; among township communities – 31%; and among urban communities – 21,9 %. It is substantiated that the lack of financial resources and significant dependence on central budget support is due to the weak rural labour market and the predominance of informal employment (employment without taxes). And the dispersed rural settlement network, the higher cost of services per capita, the long-term decline of infrastructure and, accordingly, the higher cost of its restoration, requires additional subventions to maintain the multifunctionality of rural areas. This underlines the need to introduce special mechanisms of financial support for villages, considering the shortcomings of previous year’s subsidies. Using the example of infrastructure subvention of territorial communities, the amount of which depended on the number of the rural population, proved that the distribution of funds is inconsistent with the principles of inclusion. Further research will focus on the financial resources of communities and the development of mechanisms for equitable distribution and use among all settlement units to enhance the inclusiveness of rural development. The new challenges caused by russian federation’s war against Ukraine will require the development of updated methods of state financial support for territorial communities. It will be based on a realistic estimate of the number of people living in communities at the end of the war, the value of destroyed and damaged property, etc. In the short term, local self-government bodies will prioritise efforts for rapid and qualitative recovery, redefining community development strategies with stronger inclusiveness and realistically estimating the number of people for whom and with the help of which the development of the country will take place.

Empowerment of Super Village Chicken Breeder Groups in Baruga District

Watubangga Subdistrict is one of the subdistricts in Baruga District, Kendari City which has a very potential area for the development of livestock businesses, specifically the super free-range chicken business. The service aims to provide understanding to the Mahika Mandiri livestock group regarding Strengthening Capacity and Group Dynamics, Maintenance Management, Housing and Sanitation, and Technical Guidance on Making Hatchery Machines and Their Use with the duration of the service from September to October 2022. The results of the service can provide benefits regarding strengthening capacity and group dynamics, changing the way farmers manage maintenance, housing and sanitation, and livestock groups that are members of the Mahika Mandiri group can make hatching machines and how to use them.

Strengthening and measuring monitoring and evaluation capacity in selected African programmes

Background: Strengthening the capacities of countries and organisations to perform monitoring and evaluation (ME) functions is gaining momentum in the Global South. However, there is limited literature on the effectiveness and impact of these capacity strengthening initiatives in Africa. Across the continent, there has been a global push to strengthen ME capacity both within the state and non-state sector. The rationale for the push and investments is based on the premise that ME capacity is critical for assisting public officials, non-state sector development managers, non-governmental organisations, and donors to improve the design and implementation of their projects, improve progress, increase impact, and enhance learning. Despite considerable investments to build ME capacity in the African context, literature shows that the measurement of these initiatives is non-existent.Objectives: To explore ME capacity strengthening initiatives and how their effectiveness is being measured.Method: The study adopted a qualitative research approach, specifically using semi-structured interviews to gain an in-depth understanding of capacity-strengthening approaches and how capacity strengthening activities are measured. A sample was drawn from Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.Results: This study found that ME capacity strengthening in the selected countries is ad hoc, indiscriminate, haphazard and mainly focuses on developing individual skills and abilities.Conclusion: The significance of strengthening ME system capacity in Anglophone Africa has been strongly supported by this study, considering the critical impact that effective ME systems have in enabling countries to reach their development goals.

Evaluating Change Behaviour Training Model for Improving Nutrition Knowledge and Counseling Skill among Peer Couselors in Malang District

Capacity strengthening and interpersonal communication are important in social behavior change communication and would support accelerating the reduction of stunting in Indonesia. Participating actively in learning during the training model can increase capacity among the family support team and the community health workers as peer counselors. The study evaluated the changed behavior training model for nutrition knowledge and counseling skill among peer counselors. The nutrition training using active participation learning was conducted through participants' small discussions on complementary feeding problems and counseling practice. The total participation is 125 from family support teams and community health workers. The study used a mixed methodology with cross-sectional study and open interviews to explore perceived participant training on child feeding problem and couseling skills. A pre-post evaluation of nutrition knowledge showed a significant improvement score (p<0.005). At the end of the training, participants' nutrition knowledge score increased to 17 points, and the proportion of the high category of nutrition knowledge improved from 0.4% to 13.5% (p<0.005). The change behavior training model can increase counseling skills and identify barrier factors of breastfeeding and complementary feeding among peer counselors. 

A roadmap integrating research, policy, and actions to conserve Afro‐Palearctic migratory landbirds at a flyway scale

AbstractThe populations of Afro‐Palearctic migratory landbirds (breeding in Europe and overwintering in Africa) are declining and conservation efforts to halt or reverse their decline have failed to meet their targets. Yet, most studies and conservation measures focus on migratory landbirds’ breeding grounds, whereas knowledge about threats, drivers of their decline and conservation actions in their nonbreeding grounds, where they spend most of their annual cycle, is largely limited. Here, we provide a four‐step roadmap to integrate research, policy and actions for conserving Afro‐Palearctic migratory landbirds at a flyway scale: (1) assessing and monitoring population trends and defining priority species accordingly; (2) maximizing tracking data to identify important areas for the conservation of priority species; (3) conducting ground‐based studies on the nonbreeding grounds to identify conservation challenges; (4) implementing conservation measures, for the benefit of both the avifauna and the local human communities. Alongside these steps, international conventions may facilitate new collaborations across range‐states and institutions to engage diverse stakeholders and involve local communities, with particular emphasis on evidence‐based policymaking, law enforcement in addition to capacity strengthening and knowledge transfer of new technologies. This four‐step roadmap provides guidance for future work on Afro‐Palearctic migratory landbirds and will ultimately contribute to their conservation.

Equitable Research Capacity Towards the Sustainable Development Goals: The Case for Open Science Hardware

Changes in science funders’ mandates have resulted in advances in open access to data, software, and publications. Research capacity, however, is still unequally distributed worldwide, hindering the impact of these efforts. We argue that to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), open science policies must shift focus from products to processes and infrastructure, including access to open source scientific equipment. This article discusses how conventional, black box, proprietary approaches to science hardware reinforce inequalities in science and slow down innovation everywhere, while also representing a threat to research capacity strengthening efforts. We offer science funders three policy recommendations to promote open science hardware for research capacity strengthening: a) incorporating open hardware into existing open science mandates, b) incentivizing demand through technology transfer and procurement mechanisms, c) promoting the adoption of open hardware in national and regional service centers. We expect this agenda to foster capacity building towards enabling the more equitable and efficient science needed to achieve the SDGs.

Public diplomacy and construction of communicational spaces. The Cuban experience

Global events, such as climate change, the food crisis, or the advance of the COVID-19 pandemic, show that the world needs new integrated dynamic processes. In dealing with the pandemic, exchanges between the scientific community, trained personnel, and the training of professionals, as well as the strengthening of local capacities to deal with the health crisis, the dispatch of health material, medical personnel, etc., have been very useful.

CONTENT AND LANGUAGE INTEGRATED LEARNING (CLIL) TO DEVELOP WRITING SKILLS IN ENGLISH.

In a world of permanent change, traditional language teaching methods do not solve the communicative needs in foreign languages ​​that favor knowledge and adaptation to changing educational contexts. The CLIL method is widely used to develop skills both in the learning language and in other areas of knowledge, it allows for the strengthening of teaching capacities to assume the teaching of contents of the different subjects in a foreign language. The objective of this bibliographic review is to collect significant and existing information on the CLIL method and contribution of this method in the educational field. The documentary descriptive approach of recent research related to the subject of study is used, based on the theoretical foundations of bilingual education. The literature review shows that by teaching the foreign language as a vehicle to instruct content from other subjects, students understand the need to learn the language to seize the knowledge of the subject and allows teachers to explore their own teaching context, reflect and identify factors that can improve their teaching practice, especially in the inclusion of writing activities in English.

The Impact of Microcredit on Promoting Female Entrepreneurship: The Case of the Cooperative of Women Merchants in the Municipality of Gao

This work is based on a questionnaire intended for women entrepreneurs in the municipality of Gao. This research therefore aims to measure the effect of microcredit on the development of income-generating activities for these women.It is based on a particular case, namely the impact of credit on the activities of traders in the commune of Gao. The methodology used for this research is the descriptive method which is based on a statistical analysis through graphs, and cross tables, with version 20 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software and the R (4.2.1, our sample was made up of 100 women, all members of the cooperative of women traders in the commune of Gao.Our results indicate that microcredit has a positive effect on the income-generating activities of beneficiaries. Thus, women's access to this credit has enabled them to increase their turnover and their profits, while meeting the conditions for the sustainability of their income-generating activities through the strengthening of organizational capacities. Keywords: female entrepreneurship, micro credit, tradeswoman, multinomial logit. DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/14-24-01 Publication date: December 31 st 2022

Zero Water Day: seizing the opportunity from a public health perspective

Abstract Water is a finite natural resource. Zero Water Day(s) scenarios are challenging people and communities in Europe and worldwide. The public health community must seize the opportunity to prepare for Zero Water Day(s) through strengthening capacity and capability to respond to rapidly emerging emergencies as well as protected crises. Collaboration across sectors on water conservation and public health is key to tackling the consumptive environment and extractive economic systems.

Strengthening public health systems in China

Strengthening public health systems in China

Stitching a new garment: Considering the future of the speech-language therapy profession globally.

Providing equitable support for people experiencing communication disability (CD) globally is a historical and contemporary challenge for the speech-language therapy profession. A group of speech-language therapists (SLTs) with ongoing and sustained experiences in Majority and Minority World contexts participated in five virtual meetings in 2021. The aim of these meetings was to develop provocative statements that might spur a global discussion among individuals and organisations that support people experiencing CD. The following questions were discussed: What is our vision for the future of the profession globally? What are the global challenges around access to speech-language therapy services?Four main themes emerged: (1) the need to centre people experiencing CD as the focal point of services, (2) participation, (3) equity and (4) community. The themes relate to the need for a process of de-imperialism in the profession. Suggestions were made to develop more suitable terminology and to establish a global framework that promotes more equitable access to communication services. We seek the adoption of approaches that focus on reciprocal global engagement for capacity strengthening. Alternative models of culturally sustaining and equitable service delivery are needed to create impact for people experiencing CD, and their families worldwide.Contribution:Provocative statements were developed to prompt global conversations among speech-language therapy professionals and associations. We encourage readers to consider the questions posed, share their viewpoints and initiate positive change towards a global strategy.

PENINGKATAN KAPASITAS PENGELOLA PERIKANAN WPPNRI-718 TERKAIT EAFM: PEMBELAJARAN DI KABUPATEN KEPULAUAN ARU

The implementation of fisheries management in Indonesia is guided by EAFM concept. Aru Islands, an area in WPPNRI-718 that contributes fishery production in Maluku and Indonesia significantly. Fishery activities dynamic in this region are high, requiring the strengthening of management capacity. Fisheries managers in this area do not yet have a strong understanding and capacity in implementing EAFM. Strengthening fisheries managers capacity was mandated by the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Regulation Number 9 of 2015, as well as responding to the need for EAFM competency standards. The activity was attended by 14 participants from 11 institutions in Dobo. Five stages process including: pretest; presentation of introductory material and the six EAFM domains as well as discussions; field trip and data collection; analysis, results presentation, formulation of recommendations; and post test. The results showed an increase in EAFM knowledge around 92.86%, with the level of understanding change of 71.43%

Impact-Resistant Hydrogels by Harnessing 2D Hierarchical Structures.

With the strengthening capacity through harnessing multi-length-scale structural hierarchy, synthetic hydrogels hold tremendous promise as a low-cost and abundant material for applications demanding unprecedented mechanical robustness. However, integrating high impact resistance and high water content, yet superior softness, in a single hydrogel material still remains a grand challenge. Here, a simple, yet effective, strategy involving bidirectional freeze-casting and compression-annealing is reported, leading to a hierarchically structured hydrogel material. Rational engineering of the distinct 2Dlamellar structures, well-defined nanocrystalline domains and robust interfacial interaction among the lamellae, synergistically contributes to a record-high ballistic energy absorption capability (i.e., 2.1 kJ m-1 ), without sacrificing their high water content (i.e., 85 wt%) and superior softness. Together with its low-cost and extraordinary energy dissipation capacity, the hydrogel materials present a durable alternative to conventional hydrogel materials for armor-like protectioncircumstances.

Improving midwifery educators’ capacity to teach emergency obstetrics and newborn care in Kenya universities: a pre-post study

Background:International Confederation of Midwives and World Health Organization recommend core competencies for midwifery educators for effective theory and practical teaching and practice. Deficient curricula and lack of skilled midwifery educators are important factors affecting the quality of graduates from midwifery programmes. The objective of the study was to assess the capacity of university midwifery educators to deliver the updated competency-based curriculum after the capacity strengthening workshop in Kenya.Methods:The study used a quasi-experimental (pre-post) design. A four-day training to strengthen the capacity of educators to deliver emergency obstetrics and newborn care (EmONC) within the updated curriculum was conducted for 30 midwifery educators from 27 universities in Kenya. Before-after training assessments in knowledge, two EmONC skills and self-perceived confidence in using different teaching methodologies to deliver the competency-based curricula were conducted. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the before-after knowledge and skills mean scores. McNemar test was used to compare differences in the proportion of educators’ self-reported confidence in applying the different teaching pedagogies. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.Findings:Thirty educators (7 males and 23 females) participated, of whom only 11 (37%) had participated in a previous hands-on basic EmONC training – with 10 (91%) having had the training over two years beforehand. Performance mean scores increased significantly for knowledge (60.3% − 88. %), shoulder dystocia management (51.4 – 88.3%), newborn resuscitation (37.9 − 89.1%), and overall skill score (44.7 − 88.7%), p < 0.0001. The proportion of educators with confidence in using different stimulatory participatory teaching methods increased significantly for simulation (36.7 – 70%, p = 0.006), scenarios (53.3 – 80%, p = 0.039) and peer teaching and support (33.3 – 63.3%, p = 0.022). There was improvement in use of lecture method (80 – 90%, p = 0.289), small group discussions (73.3 – 86.7%, p = 0.344) and giving effective feedback (60 – 80%, p = 0.146), although this was not statistically significant.Conclusion:Training improved midwifery educators’ knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver the updated EmONC-enhanced curriculum. To ensure that midwifery educators maintain their competence, there is need for structured regular mentoring and continuous professional development. Besides, there is need to cascade the capacity strengthening to reach more midwifery educators for a competent midwifery workforce.

Development of Lake from Acidification to Eutrophication in the Arctic Region under Reduced Acid Deposition and Climate Warming

Small lakes are potentially effective environmental sensors; they react quickly to anthropogenic stressors. We studied the long-term response of water chemistry to reduced acid deposition and climate warming in the Kola Arctic region of Russia based on monitoring data from 75 lakes. Monitoring was carried out once every 4–5 years in 1990–2018, with analysis for major anions and cations, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and heavy metals (Ni and Cu). Analysis of archive data on the weather allowed us to reliably identify trends toward a systematic temperature increase over the past 28 years. The population of the lakes under study was proven to generally show a decrease in the concentrations of anthropogenic sulfates and the strengthening of the acid-neutralizing capacity (ANC) of the waters during this period. The concentrations of both DOC and nutrients (Ptot and Ntot) in the lake waters were determined to increase. This phenomenon can be explained by the following two mechanisms: a decrease in the deposition of strong acids and climate warming. We suggest that the effects of multiple factors on the surface waters result in an irreversible evolution of the lakes; hence, the term recovery does not adequately reflect the processes occurring in this industrially well-developed part of the Arctic.