Project Details.

The BCGIF project aimed to enhance sustainable cotton production in Pakistan, benefiting farmers, the environment, and the cotton sector. WWF-Pakistan leads the project in Punjab and Sindh provinces, focusing on sites like Sahiwal, Khanewal, and Sukkur. The project's six objectives were: Implementing Better Management Practices (BMP) to improve biodiversity. Applying BCI's decent work criteria for farmers and workers. Developing a sustainable system for Better Cotton Standard dissemination. Promoting water stewardship to prevent pollution and improve water quality. 

Establishing a farmer self-assessment mechanism aligned with the Better Cotton Standard. Creating an efficient procurement system for Better Cotton, supported by local, national, and international efforts. For this purpose, WWF employed a social mobilization strategy to engage farmers in Sindh for the BC project, partnering with four local NGOs: Sooraj Development Organization (SDO), Indus Farmer Welfare Association (IFWA), Rural Sunshine Social Welfare Organization (RSSWO), and Sustainable Agriculture Farmers Welfare Organization (SAFWO). 

The basic objective of this study was to map the existing capacities of WWF partners and develop organization-specific capacity development plans. 

HCPL adopted a participatory and consultative approach for the study, with key methodological steps described below: 

Inception Phase Kick-off Sessions: Meetings with WWF staff were held to understand the assignment's scope and expectations. WWF provided relevant project documents for a desk review. The methodology and tool for the capacity assessment were finalized after two online meetings. 

Implementation Phase Development of Capacity Self-Assessment Tool: HCPL conducted a thorough literature review of similar studies to prepare the assessment tool. The tool and its analysis sheet were reviewed and revised to enable automatic calculation and visualization of capacity ratings. 

Facilitation of Partners Capacity Self-Assessment: HCPL team facilitated a two-day assessment exercise with all partners, in consultation with WWF. Pre-orientation Activities: Consultants finalized the assessment tool in consultation with WWF, and the finalized tools were shared with partners a few days before the orientation workshop to prepare them in advance. 

Orientation Workshop: A one-day workshop for all partners began with a presentation on the assessment's objectives and methodology, followed by detailed discussions. By the end of the workshop, participants had a thorough understanding of the tools and completed the assessment. 

Participants were informed that consultants would facilitate the process without rating or judging partner capacities and that the assessment report would remain confidential. Expectations from Partners: The assessment should be representative of the organization, involving relevant key staff with diverse views (considering gender, position, age, profession, qualification, and disability). Adequate time should be devoted to discussions, supporting documents should be ready, and notes should be added if changes to statements were necessary.