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III. TRAINING PROGRAMME AND ACTIVITIES The training programme has been carefully designed, prepared and carried out so as to match the current dynamism of microfinance development in developing countries, especially in establishing and managing microfinance institution (MFI). Apart from the technical training, other extra-curricular activities were also organized to complement the learning environment and experience. 1. Training Purpose and Objectives The purpose of the training is to provide participants from African countries with an opportunity to improve their knowledge and techniques in the field of microfinance, especially in establishing and managing microfinance institution (MFI). The training will also provide participants with an opportunity to exchange ideas, information and experiences among them. The objective of the training is to provide an instant benefit to the microfinance practitioners, especially those from African region. Upon completion of this training the trainee is expected to be able to: (i) comprehend the philosophy of microfinance; (ii) explain different kinds of microfinancing services; (iii) apply different techniques to develop various microfinancing products; (iv) apply appropriate method in establishing and managing microfinance institution operations; (v) develop business plan; and (vi) gather and learn the experience of other microfinance institutions and adopt for back home application. 2. Training Substance, Methodology and Expected Output Substance The training substance was focused on technical aspects of microfinance development. There were 8 (eight) training modules delivered and discussed, namely: (1) General Overview on the Indonesian Economy and Banking System; (2) Microfinance Development; (3) Establishing and Managing MFI; (4) Financial Strategy; (5) Business and Strategic Planning; (6) Accounting for MFI; (7) Management Information System; and (8) Introduction and Exercises on Loan Application and Management. Methodology The training sessions were conducted participatory and the teaching methodology was based on adult learning techniques that include case studies, group exercises and discussions. Very little lecturing was used as this training was meant to be practical and of immediate benefit to the participant. Participants were required to bring country reports from their institutions for further sharing and analyzing various relevant data and information and, to some extent, using financial information to lead management decisions towards financial sustainability. Expected Output Each trainee is expected to: § acquire a complete comprehension on technical aspects of microfinance; § acquire necessary skills to mobilize microfinance practices in his/her country; § produce an action plan to be followed-up upon his/her return to his/her organization; and § learn from each others’ experiences across the region. The training comprised of 8 (eight) effective working days for theories in Class Session and 4 (four) effective working days for exercises at Field Session. It started daily at 08:30 am until 05:00 pm with 15-minute interval break twice a day at 10:00 am and 03:00 pm, and 60-minute break at lunch hour (12:00 noon). The training covered three major clusters to accommodate: (a) practical-based theories on 5 to 12 November 2007; (b) field studies on 13 to 16 November 2007 to Cimahi and Bandung; and (c) lessons shared and preparation of back-home plan on 19 to 20 November 2006. Basically there were Class Session and Field Session. The class session covered the subjects of: (a) Role of Microfinance to Improve the Quality of Life of Community; (b) Indonesian Economic Development and Banking System; (c) Indonesian Policy on Microfinance Development; (d) Microfinance for Micro and Small Business Development; (e) MFI Models in Indonesia: Microbank, Cooperative, Non Bank – Non Cooperative; (f) Establishment of MFI; (g) Community-based MFI; (h) Sharia Financial Institution; (i) Saving Mobilization; (j) Loan Analysis; (k) Basic Accounting for MFI; (l) Asset-Liability Management; (m) Risk Management; (n) MFI Rating System; (o) Theory of Business Strategic Planning; (p) Implementation of Business Strategic Planning; (q) Product Development; (r) Standard Operating Procedure; (s) Management Information System: Case Study of MMS; (t) MFI Network, Linkages and Strategic Alliances; (u) Internal Control; and (v) MFI Supervision. The field session covered various practical subjects related to the operation and management of microfinance based on two different basic schemes, namely conventional and sharia schemes. During the field visits the participants were also facilitated to exercise loan application and loan management of two different schemes. Two MFIs visited were: (1) Rural Credit Bank of BPR Kencana located in Cimahi that practices the conventional scheme; and (2) Sharia Financial Institute of BMT Barrah located in Bandung that practices sharia scheme. A total of 11 participants were successfully selected from 8 African countries. Due to the demanding nature of the microfinance development, the participants came from different disciplines and backgrounds that also have the requirements to capture the skills and knowledge of the current evolving microfinance mobilization. 5. Training Instructors/Facilitators Selection of the training instructors/facilitators was based on the feedbacks of the past TCTP participants and critical evaluation on the past implementation of the three TCTPs; through which careful consideration and decision were made by the Organizing Committee. The basic criteria are that the facilitators should have appropriate skills and knowledge on microfinance, either as bank official or professional instructor/facilitator for microfinance development. The Organizing Committee for this training comprised of Teamwork for Training Substance and Teamwork for Administration & Supporting Logistics from the joint-organizers. The members are from the State Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia, Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, JICA, and NAM CSSTC. 7. Training Orientation Session An orientation session was conducted prior to the training session activities where all participants were assembled for an informal ‘ice-breaking session’ held at the NAM CSSTC meeting room on 10th floor. The informal session was fully facilitated by Mr. Achmad Rofi’ie, the Assistant Director for Programme of NAM CSSTC. During this session participants introduced themselves by describing their names, jobs, organizations, and experiences in microfinance or microfinance-related fieldworks. Before concluding the session, the facilitator made a briefing on the training agenda, subjects, instructors/facilitators, methodology, field session, administrative and financial arrangements, as well as the logistics. 8. Expectation of Participants For the purpose of evaluation and acquiring the participants’ expectations, an appropriate form was prepared and distributed to the participants. The form was filled up to indicate their respective expectations on (1) understanding the development of microfinance and MFI, (2) substances (either policy and/or technical aspects) to be delivered be related to the participants’ country’s context, (3) possible application of knowledge and experience on microfinance to the participants’ country development, and (4) other expectations considered important by participants. The objective was basically to evaluate whether learning acquisition has met the expectations of the participants. 9. Post-Class and Post-Exercise Surveys Post-class and post-exercise surveys were conducted each time after training subject and field visit accomplished. The objective of these surveys was to evaluate the perception level of learning acquisition of the participants. The surveys basically comprised of objective (multiple-choice) questionnaires covering various elements from the training subjects and supporting aspects. In addition to the post-class and post-exercise surveys the Committee also conducted an overall evaluation at the end of the training session. The structured questionnaires were distributed to participants for their comments, followed by an open discussion among participants. 11. Extra-Curricular Activities Apart from attaining skills and knowledge through intensive technical training sessions, participants were also welcomed and exposed to other extra-curricular activities that involved exchange of individual and group’s relationships and cultures, as well as understanding the culture of the local communities. On the sixth day of the programme (Saturday, 10 November 2007), the Committee organized a tour visit around Jakarta from 09:00 am until 05:00 pm assisted by PNM officials. The participants had chance to experience shopping at several malls and shops. During visit to Bandung, the participants were also facilitated to see around the City. Shopping sessions to various factory outlets in Bandung were also organized to accommodate the participants’ repeatedly requests for another shopping experiences in Bandung. |