Dynamics of the Case Study 2015

IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
The Case Study:
"Are stakeholders ready for Community-Led Local
Development? - Slovakia Case"
Case study Nitra, 2015
Final Report
Jela Tvrdoňová, 2015
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IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
List of acronyms
CLLD
CMEF
CMES
EAFRD
EMFF
ESI Funds
EP
EU
FG
ICT
IMRD
LAG
LDS
LEADER
KSF
MA
NR
NRN
PA
RDP
PPT
SUA
SWOT
TNC
Community Led Local Development
Common Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
Common Monitoring and Evaluation system
European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development
European Maritime and Fishery Fund
European Structural Investment Funds
European Parliament
European Union
Focus Group
Information and Communication Technology
International Master for Rural Development
Local Action Group
Local Development Strategy
Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l’Économique
Rurale
Key Success Factor
Managing Authority
Nitra Region
National Rural Network
Paying Agency
Rural Development Programme
Power Point Presentation
Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
Transnational Cooperation
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IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
CONTENT
The Context ....................................................................................... 4
Objectives, portfolio and tasks of the case study Nitra
2015 ..................................................................................................... 5
Dynamics of the case study 2015 ................................................ 7
Participants of the case study 2015 ..........................................10
Outcomes of the case study ......................................................... 11
The Overview of the methodological approaches ................... 11
Case study findings .........................................................................15
Remarks to the case study: ......................................................... 20
List of Annexes ................................................................................21
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IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
The Context
This case study is an organic part of the 2 - year Course in International
MSc. in Rural Development - IMRD (supported by the EU Erasmus Mundus
Programme) organized by the Network of Universities led by Ghent University
(Belgium)1 for international students. The qualification obtained by IMRD is an
internationally recognized Master of Science degree jointly awarded by
5 universities of the IMRD consortium.
A practical four-week case study, is an important compulsory part of the IMRD
study and it has to be attained by students after the 1st year of the Master
Study, with the award of 10 ECTS. The Slovak University of Agriculture in
Nitra (SUA) is one of the participating universities, which offers this possibility
on annual base.
Among important learning objectives of the IMRD is to:
 gain the knowledge of different approaches to rural development and
skills for their application in diverse situations in developing, developed
and transition countries
 learn about instruments, methods and innovative tools to analyze,
evaluate and solve problems related to the rural development and
countryside management
Reflecting these two learning objectives of the IMRD the Slovak University of
Agriculture in Nitra (SUA) has prepared the case study on the preparedness of
stakeholders in Slovakia to EU Community–led Local Development2.
Organizers of the Case Study in Slovakia were:


The Faculty of European Studies and Regional Development - IMRD
Local Coordinator - prof. Anna Bandlerová, PhD., the Dean of the
Faculty,
The Center of International Programmes of the Faculty of the EU
Studies and Regional Development, SUA (Assoc. Prof. Loreta
Schwarczová, PhD, Head of the Centre of International Programmes).
1
Other involved universities and institutions: Agrocampus Ouest Rennes (France), Humboldt
University of Berlin (Germany), Wageningen University (Netherlands), University in Pisa (Italy),
SUA in Nitra (Slovakia),
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Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, Art.32 - 35
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IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
The case study of 2015 was built on previous experiences in assessing the
practical implementation of Leader approach in Slovakia3, when students have
evaluated Leader approach, local development strategies and local action groups
as public-private partnerships in rural areas (2009 – 2012), and the Leader
approach delivery mechanism (2014).
Objectives, Portfolio and Tasks of the Case Study
Nitra 2015
The teaching objectives of the case study were:






learn the EU CLLD/Leader approach,
learn the practical application of Leader Axis in Slovakia and Nitra Selfgoverning Region, in the programming period 2014 – 2020,
learn practices in integrated governance in rural development in SR and
preparedness of stakeholders active in Leader for coming CLLD approach
as the successor of Leader,
be familiar with common monitoring and evaluation framework for EU
rural development,
experience design and usage of qualitative evaluation tools (interviews,
focus groups),
learn how to work in teams and perform results in synthetic way.
In 2015 the case study portfolio was extended into:
 Assessment of the key success factors for the correct implementation
of the CLLD approach at national and LAGs levels in light of 7
features/principles of the EU Leader approach: area based and bottom
up development, public private partnership, multi-sector strategies,
networking, cooperation and innovation,
 Identification of strengths, weaknesses, opportunity and threats with
respect to CLLD approach which will be implemented in Slovakia in 2014 –
2020,
 Provision of conclusions and recommendations for the RDP and LAG
level to improve the readiness of stakeholders to apply CLLD approach in
rural development.
3
Case study 2009,2010,2011
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IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
The major task of the students was to answer the leading evaluation question:
“To what extent are stakeholders in Slovakia ready to implement the CLLD?
(at RDP and LAG level)?”
To answer the evaluation question students had to accomplish the following
tasks:
1. To study Leader and CLLD approach and the EU common monitoring and
evaluation framework for rural development of 2007-2013 (CMEF) and
common monitoring and evaluation system of 2014 – 2020 (CMES).
2. To discuss the CLLD guidelines in Slovakia,
3. To design the evaluation framework to assess the readiness of
stakeholders in Slovakia for the CLLD,
4. To develop and test evaluation tools: interviews and focus groups,
5. Conduct the field research with representatives of national/regional
administration and in selected local action groups and examine the
readiness of stakeholders for successful implementation of the CLLD,
6. To conduct the SWOT analysis on the CLLD implementation in SR,
7. To draft conclusions and recommendations in relation to CLLD
implementation at national and LAG level,
8. To prepare and present PPT on case study findings and present them in
plenary (final event of the case study),
9. To draft the final report on case study findings.
The biggest added value of this year case study was that all the students
have been able to visit several LAGs in 5 of 7 regions, where the EU Leader
approach was implemented in programming period 2007-2013. Students could
discuss with local people their experiences with the Leader approach and how
they perceive the coming CLLD. Additionally, students could talk to important
national and regional experts, responsible for Leader implementation and
involved in the CLLD preparation. The opportunity to design and use the
evaluation tools was also seen as very positive part of the case study.
Results obtained during the case study were offered to local action groups and
other stakeholders involved in Leader during the final presentation on 30th July
2015 during the final conference in Nitra and in the form of report.
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IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
Dynamics of the Case Study 2015
The case study was divided into following parts:4
 Theoretical lessons – general orientation in Slovakia, macroeconomic
situation, the EU rural development policies, the Common Monitoring
and Evaluation Framework of Rural Development Programs, the EU
CLLD and Leader approach, the state of the art of the Leader Axis in
Slovakia. CLLD guidelines and Leader implementation in Nitra Selfgoverning Region as example of the regional best practice in the field.
 Development of evaluation framework – discussing the CLLD
guidelines and identification of key success factors (KSF) in the
implementation of the CLLD. KSF were developed with the help of
matrices, crossing 7 principles of Leader (predecessor of CLLD) and
steps in delivery mechanism. Two matrices have been developed, one
for national and one for local/LAG level.
 Design of evaluation tools: The matrices served as the input to
design the interview to be used at national level and the screenplay
for the focus groups to be used at the local level.
 The field research – application of evaluation tools was as follows: 3
people have been interviewed: Mr. Majerech- responsible for Leader
approach at the Ministry of Agriculture/RDP Managing Authority, Ms.
Baková from the National Paying Agency and Mr. Králik from the
office of the Nitra Self-governing Region. Focus groups have been
applied at the local level in following LAGs – Radosinka and Tekov-Hont
(Nitra region), Vršatec (Trenčín region), LEV (Prešov region),
Muranska planina and Malohont (Banská Bystrica region) and KRAS
(Košice region). Alltogether 78 people have participated in the focus
groups.
Figure 1 LAGs and places visited by students (including Bratislava and Nitra to
interview officials)
4
In detail see part 3 of this report
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IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
Source: PPT of Jela Tvrdonova, adapted by students
The following figure illustrate the attendance statistics during the focus
groups:
Figure 2 Focus groups attendance
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IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
Source: final students´ PPT
 Conducting the SWOT analysis on current strengths and weaknesses
to implement the CLLD to follow the 7 features of Leader, as well as
opportunities and threats for its future development (Part 7 of the
report)
 Summarizing findings:
o Organizing and conducting the final presentation for
representatives of the local action groups and other Leader
related stakeholders on findings, SWOT, conclusions and
recommendations for CLLD implementation.
o Developing the final report - summarizing evaluation findings,
SWOT analysis, answering evaluation question, including
conclusions and recommendations for LAG and RDP level.
The outline of the case study method, dynamics and process to answer the above
evaluation question can be illustrated with the following figure:
Figure 3 The outline of the case study method
Source: Introductory PPT of Jela Tvrdonova
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IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
The complete agenda can be found in Annex 1.
Participants of the Nitra Case Study 2015
Participnat
Maria Boa,
Enrique Hernandez,
Kamrul Hasan,
Katarina Jakabsicova,
Tyler Knapp,
Matteo Metta,
Emily Nachtigal,
Nassim Njeim,
Abrahan Urbina,
Kazusa Yoshimura
Country
Mexico
Mexico
Bangladesh
Slovak Republic
USA
Italy
USA
Lebanon
Nicaragua
Japan
In addition three Slovak facilitators helped to conduct the case study
(facilitating and guiding students during the group works and the field
reasearch, translating, assisting in organisation etc.):

Monika Bumbalová,

Ivan Takáč,

Martin Valach.
Figure 4 – students of the IMRD case study 2015 in Nitra
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IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
Source: Students´ final PPT
Outcomes of the Case Study
The following outcomes of the case study 2015 have been produced and used in
writing the final report:
 Final students ‘report,
 Final PPT presented at closing event of the case study,
 SWOT analysis on Leader delivery mechanism.
The Overview of the Methodological Approaches
The method of the case study was based on series of interactive exercises
which can be outlined as follows:
 presentations/discussions and information sharing,
 desk research,
 constructing matrices of key success factors,
 developing evaluation tools,
 field research,
 analyzing evaluation findings, formulating judgments,
 reporting including conclusion and recommendations.
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IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
Information sharing happened during the first week of the case study, when
students have received the information on the overall situation in Slovakia with
special attention to the macroeconomic context and rural development. Further,
the EU rural development policy was explained, as well as the EU Common
monitoring and evaluation framework for rural development. Leader approach
and the CLLD was elaborated in more details, with the specific focus on its
implementation in the Slovak Republic. The best practice case of Nitra Selfgoverning Region was presented as a contribution to the successful
implementation of Leader approach by local action groups of Nitra Region.
Methods used during this part were as follows:
a. interactive presentations complemented by plenary discussion,
b. interactive discussion sessions.
In order to facilitate the subjects, the following literature as compulsory
reading prior to the Case study has been proposed:
 Europe 2020
http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/index_en.htm
 Leader Approach – theBbasic Guide, EC Fact Sheets, 2006
http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/publi/fact/leader/2006_en.pdf
 European Court of Auditors – Implementation of Leader Approach for
Rural Development, Special Report No. 5, 2010
http://www.eca.europa.eu/Lists/ECADocuments/SR10_05/SR10_05_EN.P
DF
 Guide for the Application of Leader Axis of the Rural Development
Programmes 2007 – 2013 Funded by the EAFRD,EC 2007
http://enrd.ec.europa.eu/enrd-static/leader/leader/en/furtherinfo_en.html
 The Working paper on Capturing Impacts of Leader and of Measures to
Improve the Quality of Life in Rural Areas, Helpdesk EEN RD 2009
http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/rurdev/eval/wp-leader_en.pdf
 CLLD Guidelines
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docgener/informat/2014/gui
dance_community_local_development.pdf
 CLLD Guidelines for Local Leaders
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docgener/informat/2014/gui
dance_clld_local_actors.pdf
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IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
 Regulation (EU) No. 1303/2013 http://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2013:347:0320:0469:
EN:PDF
 Regulation (EU) No. 1305/2013 http://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2013:347:0487:0548:
EN:PDF
IMPLEMENTATION OF THFORRURALEVELOPMENT
The suggested additional reading prior coming to the Case study
 European Strategic Guidelines for Rural Development, 2005
http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/agriculture/general_framework/l
60042_en.htm
 EC Regulation 1698/2005 on Support for Rural Development by EAFRD
ur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:32005R1698
 Commission Regulation 1974/2006 Lying Down the Detailed Application of
the EC Regulation 1698/2005, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/en/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32006R1974
 Annex VIII of the Commission Regulation 1974/2006 – The Common
Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the EU Rural Development
Programs, Handbook and Annexes – A, B, C, E, 2006
http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/rurdev/eval/index_en.htm
 Commission Regulation 434/2007 amending Com. Reg. 1974/2006
 Various publications of the Evaluation Helpdesk in 2007 – 2013
http://enrd.ec.europa.eu/enrd-static/evaluation/library/evaluationhelpdesk-publications/en/evaluation-helpdesk-publications_en.html
NTATION OF THFORRURALEVELOPMENT
As for desk research, students have discussed the CLLD guidelines in the
Slovak Republic, prepared by the Managing Authority for future LAGs. Desk
research was done interactively with Slovak experts. PPTs of presenters from
managing authority and paying agency have been also used as the source. One
part of this session was also the exercise on outlining the key steps in the
Leader implementation at LAG and RDP level.
Methods used during this part were interactive discussion, brainstorming and
group work.
In constructing the matrices of key success factors, students have discussed
the seven principles/features of Leader and their definitions. The 7 principles
have been crossed with steps in delivery mechanism identified by students at
the national and local level (students worked in two groups for this purpose).
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IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
This exercise helped students to understand and frame the evaluation subject
and consequently develop evaluation tools.
Methods used during this part were interactive discussion in the small groups
(national versus local) based on the pre-prepared matrices, (see the Annex 4)
and plenary exchange/ finalisation of outcomes (see the table in Annex 4)
In developing evaluation tools, students have used previous exercises in
designing the interview and the focus group screenplay (Annex 5).
Methods used during this part were interactive discussion and brainstorming in
two small groups and plenary exchange and finalisation of outcomes.
During the field research students have collected evidence to answer the
evaluation question via using interviews and focus groups.
Methods used during this part were interviews implemented with
representatives on national and regional authorities and interactive focus groups
sessions conducted with local action groups.
Students have analyzed evaluation findings on readiness of stakeholders in
Slovakia to implement the CLLD, using the SWOT analysis. In the SWOT
analysis, the SW have been looked at from the point of current development and
OT from the point of future of CLLD approach.
Methods used during this part were small group work and plenary discussion
including finalising the SWOT findings.
Students have received the structure of the report, in which they elaborated
on all above-mentioned steps including answering the evaluation questions and
drafting the conclusion and recommendations for future successful
implementation of the CLLD in Slovakia.
Results of the field survey, SWOT analysis, conclusions and recommendations
have been presented during the final presentation of the case study.
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IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
Case Study Findings
During the Case study students have evaluated the readiness of stakeholders in
Slovakia for the implementation of the newly coming EU approach to integrated
development – CLLD. The main task was to answer the evaluation question: “To
what extent are stakeholders in Slovakia ready to implement the CLLD?
(at RDP and LAG level)?”
During the case study students have visited 7 LAGs. Two of them were located
in Nitra region, one was officially recognized by the Managing Authority of the
RDP Slovakia and one new LAG, which is undergoing the preparation to apply for
Leader funding within the RDP 2014-2020:
 Local action group Radosinka (recognized) and
 Local action group OZ Tekov-Hont (not recognized)
One LAG was located in Trenčín region - Vršatec (recognized), one in Prešov
region – LEV (recognized), one in Košice region – KRAS (recognized) and two
LAGs were located in Banská Bystrica region:
 Malohont (recognized) and
 Muránska planina (not recognized).
Students have analyzed these local action groups for the purpose of the case
study, using the evaluation tools and collecting evidence to answer the evaluation
question.
Students have also conducted the interviews with national and regional
authorities in Leader approach:
 Mr. Martin Majerech, RDP Managing Authority, responsible for Leader
approach,in Bratislava,
 Ms. Eva Baková, Agriculture paying agency, responsible for Leader
approach, Nitra,
 Mr. Štefan Králik, Office of the Nitra Self-governing Region, responsible
for Leader approach.
The main findings of the case study can be summarized as follows:
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IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
7.1 Defining the key factors for successful implementation of CLLD in
Slovakia at RDP and LAG levels
As a first step, students identified the steps of delivery mechanism at national
and local level and place them in pair-wise matrices against 7 principles of
Leader. The result can be seen in the tables below:
LAG level:
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IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
National level:
As the second step, students filled the matrices with key success factors.
Both filled matrices – national and local level can be found in the Annex 4 in the
excel format. Snap shots examples from the students´ final PPT are below:
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IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
Source: students´final PPT
Source: students´final PPT
7.2 Designing the Interviews and Focus Groups and Collecting Evidence
Draft evaluation tools have been prepared by students after definition of key
success factors. Students have used key success factors as the base for
defining open questions in interviews and design the focus group screenplay.
In the case of the interview, open questions were used, each of them aimed at
addressing one aspect of the delivery mechanism, keeping 7 Leader principles in
mind. Interviews have been used to obtain information from national/regional
level. Interview format can be found in Annex 5.
In the case of the focus group, three questions were designed with the purpose
of retrieving in-depth and comprehensive information pertaining key success
factors. Focus groups have been used to obtain the information from local level.
Questions for the focus group evolved as students were applying the tool in the
field (see the final report of students in Annex 7). Focus group screenplay can
be found in Annex 5.
Collected evidence can be found in the final students ‘report in Annex 7.
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IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
7.3 Development of SWOT Analysis on Effects of Axis 4 Delivery on Leader
Approach
After collecting the evidence, students have synthetized their findings and
conducted the open SWOT analysis, where strengths and weaknesses are
determined by their connection to the system presently, while opportunities and
threats were determined by their linkages to the system in the near future. The
SWOT was organized at the national and local level separately and around of 7
Leader principles. The full SWOT is very well presented in the final report of
students and in the PPT. As an example of SWOT, the snap shot from the PPT
demonstrates the strengths and weaknesses at the national level.
7.4 Conclusions and Recommendations
At the end, students have drafted the conclusions and recommendations base on
the synthesis of evaluation results and SWOT analysis. Conclusions and
recommendations are well presented in the final students ‘report in Annex 7.
Again as an example here is one snap shot from the final students´ PPT how the
conclusions and recommendation were presented during the concluding session.
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IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
Remarks to the Case Study:
All selected local action groups were very helpful and assisted students in
obtaining necessary information in using the evaluation tools. The logistics
arrangements in territories of local action groups were satisfactory, well
supported by the local action group managers. Preparatory session and developed
evaluation tools were sufficient to carry on the task.
Students have shown high degree of dedication and involvement during the case
study and completed tasks in satisfactory manner. They took very positive
learning attitude during the whole time the case study was implemented. They
have shown the willingness to understand the topic and rural areas of Slovakia,
which they could experience personally being presented as guests of selected
local action groups.
Students have learnt about Leader and CLLD approach, its 7 features and they
had very good understanding of which factors have to be accomplished to
implement the CLLD correctly in the near future. Students examined practical
implementation of Leader in the Slovak context; they correctly identified its
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for the CLLD. They have
shown sufficient analytical skills and willingness to understand the situation as
well as the good group affiliation and positive group dynamics. Presentations
have proven satisfactory synthesizing skills. The understanding of the topic was
very good.
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IMRD Case Study 2015, SUA Nitra: "Are stakeholders ready for Community-led
Local Development? - Slovakia Case"
List of Annexes:
Annex 1: The Programme of the Case study
Annex 2: Presentations of Mr. D. Húska, Mr. P.Schwarcz, Ms. E. Baková,
Mr. M. Majerech and Ms. V. Juricová
Annex 3: Presentations of Ms. J. Tvrdoňová
Annex 4: Matrices of Key Success Factors for the CLLD Implementation –
National and Local Level.
Annex 5: Evaluation Tools: Interviews and Focus Group Screenplay
Annex 6: Final Presentation of Students
Annex 7: Final Report of Students
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