IFOAM – Organics International implemented four Organic Leadership Courses (OLC) in Togo, Burkina Faso, Ghana and São Tomé and Príncipe

 

IFOAM – Organics International through the Organic Markets for Development (OM4D) project hosted Organic Leadership Courses (OLC) in West Africa

The OLC was hosted in Togo, Burkina Faso, Ghana and São Tomé and Príncipe. The OLCs consisted of two Face-to-Face (F2F) sessions roughly six months apart. During the F2F1 and the F2F2 a webinar series was hosted. At the end of the OLC the participants submitted a Development Plan (DP). Three of the trained leaders would receive grant funding for their DPs to implement the plans described from establishing a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) to supporting the development of local organic markets. 

Organic Markets for Development (OM4D) aims to create opportunities for the smallholder farmers by inclusion into domestic and international organic markets. The OLCs were funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BUZA) in cooperation with Agro Eco – Louis Bolk Institute and local partner organisations. 

Ghana: 

Course: 21.04.2018 - 03.11.2018 

 

Togo:

Course: 01.03.2019 - 06.11.2019

 

Burkina Faso: 

Course: 09.03.2019 - 06.11.2019

 

São Tomé and Príncipe: 

Course: 01.04.2020 - 31.05.2021 

 

 

The OM4D - OLC program is intended to facilitate the development of leaders in organic agriculture, giving them the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to lead and assist the organic movement in a global and/or local context. The content and approach of the course is not to develop topic specialists, i.e. agriculture or extension experts, certifiers, etc. – but to identify and develop leaders who have a global understanding and exposure to topics and challenges facing the organic sector. The aim is to attain this through three components or pillars:

  • The Face-to-Face (F2F) sessions: The two sessions, are the key components where most of the work will be done, through the means of presentations, participatory work, exercises and excursions. 
  • The Webinars: The monthly webinars are intended to deepen specific topics and maintain contact with peers and trainers. Full participation in all webinars is expected.
  • Individual Course Assignments (CA) and Development Plan (DP)

If you have any questions, please send an email to academy@ifoam.bio with the heading “OM4D OLC”.