Funded by KAS, the Global Aid for Development and Rights (GADR) organized in last October a workshop on food security in Yemen and training course on fund raising for a selected number of CSOs in Hadhramaut. The importance of this cooperation between the two organization stems from the concerns of the increasing famine in the Yemen, attributed to the lack of food security and to the conflict that has been ravaging the country, which has multiplied by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Hadhramaut was chosen for this project because it has great agricultural potential, with 3 % of total arable Yemeni land.

The workshop on the importance of food security intended to raise awareness, identify challenges and develop solutions to strengthen the state of food security in Hadhramaut. Food security was defined first via brain storming with the participants. Participants were then divided into three groups, each in charge of suggesting projects to address one of the three dimensions of food security. The training pertained to responding to international donor requirements, by developing the abilities of eight CSOs to respond to the requirements of international donors, particularly in terms of food security projects. The training highlighted the importance of the fit between the CSOs’ capacities and international donor requirements. Participants were also informed on available access channels to donors in addition to the eligibility criteria for the Youth Hunger Free (YHF) fund. Participant from CSOs were also invited to engage in a self-assessment. Lastly, a training on proposal writing was also provided for 15 participants, with the goal of enhancing the knowledge and skills of participants to develop professional and competitive proposals for food security projects that are in adherence to international standards. A number of societal needs identification mechanisms were also highlighted, in addition to a variety of design and analytical tools. Lastly, trainees were also trained in developing business plans, preparing progress reports as well as in establishing accountability measures.

The outcome of this project resulted in seven proposals that will contribute to achieving food security in Hadhramaut. Moreover, seven CSOs are now capable of identifying food security challenges and developing solutions by their ability to respond to international donor requirements and solicit funding. Above all, 15 young Yemeni males and females are now equipped with the skills needed to write professional and competitive project proposals and be actively engaged in addressing the food security issue in their governorate. 

The participants engaged well with the workshops and the training and expressed their satisfaction in terms of the training organization as well as effectiveness of employed stationaries and aids.

At the beginning of the training, a knowledge gap was noted by the trainers in terms of the skills and expertise needed to identify societal needs and solicit funding. However, a remarkable improvement was noted by the end of the training and part of the knowledge gap was addressed.

Global Aid for Development and Rights (GADR) is a non-profit organization established in 2021 in the Republic of Yemen that seeks to develop and empower targeted societal groups through achieving the Millennium Development Goals and striving for the development of individuals and raising awareness on public rights.