Landell Mills trains NGOs on EU financial management procedures under the Sudan Food Security Programme – Rural Smallholders Component

Landell Mills' technical assistance team based in Khartoum recently organised a five-day training event for all NGO project partners of the Sudan Food Security Programme - Rural Smallholders Component. The NGOs include the Charity Organisation for Rehabilitation & Development (CORD), SOS Sahel, World Vision, WHH, Zenab and ZOA. Other external NGO EU contract-holders also attended, including ADRA, Concern, COOPI, International Aid Services, Islamic Relief, Plan International, Practical Action and the Red Crescent.

The training focussed on EU financial management procedures and was delivered to the NGOs' finance managers and senior accountants to help them prepare for the closure of their projects. It informed participants about general aspects, procurement, asset management, closure, accounting, reporting and auditing. The Project's Finance and Contracts Advisor, Ildefonso Ramos, led the event. He has a wealth of experience in EU financial management procedures and devised a programme that was 40% theory and 60% practical, with interactive group exercises.

31 participants attended, and each was awarded a training certificate on the final day. The EU Delegation's Head of Finance, Contracts and Audit Section, Johannus Welten, attended the opening and closing ceremonies and joined a Q&A session with the participants at the end of the workshop. The one-hour Q&A session was particularly useful, as the EU's NGO partners could discuss common problems with the Finance and Contracts team at the Delegation. Attendees also benefitted from interacting with staff from other NGOs implementing similar projects and facing the same problems and challenges.

Participant feedback on the event was positive:

• "Mr Alfonso's preparation of the methodology and material was very good. His selection of material helped make the training fun while learning."
• "Mr Alfonso has sound knowledge of EU policies and procedures. He also shows great interest in his audience and is always available for any clarifications."
• "I am happy about the trainer. He is one of the most experienced trainers I have ever seen."

Find out more about the project here.