DGRV/GKCD Training of Trainers on Strategic and Business Planning for Co-operatives

Strategic planning is critical to any co-operative success; it gives the organization an opportunity to develop its strategic thinking, decision-making and planning skills in order to provide overall direction to the co-operative on how the set goals will be achieved.

DGRV/GKCD in partnership with Narok CETIC, Kakamega CETIC and the newly formed Kipkelion Youth Service Co-operative [KYSC] came together for a 9 days’ Strategic and Business Planning for Co-operatives workshop from 8th to 17^th September 2021 facilitated by DGRV/GKCD team. The activity took place in Sentrim Elementaita Lodge, located at the shores of Lake Elementaita.

The first week of workshop entailed training of the existing CETIC trainers to enhance their skills, CETIC Managers, representatives from the Youth Service Cooperative as well as co-operative officers from Kakamega and Narok Cooperative Departments. In attendance were the CETICs Education Chairpersons, in their capacity as quality inspector for education and training products provided by CETIC trainers.

The training of trainers explored key topics in the development and implementation of both Strategic and Business plans. The aim of the training was to enhance the skills of CETIC trainers to conduct Strategic and Business Planning Consultancies on behalf of CETIC.

The Training of Trainers had three main objectives:

• Passing new knowledge on Strategic and Business Planning to participants,
• Guiding them on how to professionally facilitate Strategic Plan Development and
• Practically facilitate the development of a Strategic Plan for 2 selected Cooperatives.

The exercise was carried out using a combination of both theory sessions and well-balanced practical exercises provided within a manual developed by DGRV / GKCD. The manual itself provided an opportunity to test various facilitation methods suitable for adult learning such as; group works done in a participatory manner, games, video/ audio play, picture puzzles, among other methods that enabled interaction with participants.

Co-operative organizations in Kakamega County, Narok County and beyond can now access professional Strategic and Business Plan development consultancies through the CETIC organizations on the ground: https://ceticnarok.co.ke/ and https://cetickakamega.co.ke.

After the first week of intensive training, the trainees were given opportunity to demonstrate their newly acquired skills as trainers. This was done during the second week where two active co-operatives (Health Partners SACCO from Narok CETIC) and (Sunrise Farmers’ Co-operative Society from Kakamega CETIC) had been invited to participate in development of Strategic Plans for their cooperatives.

The two quest co-operatives were taken through strategic and business planning trainings sessions. At the end of the 5 days, both the quest co-operatives had successfully developed Strategic Plans for their co-operatives.

Upon completion of the 9 days training workshop, the trainers were issued with certificates of completion. Attending this training, qualified the trainees to now offer Strategic and Business Planning for Co-operatives trainings within their regions and beyond. The Strategic and Business Planning consultancy is now offered by the CETICs as a product to co-operatives looking for facilitators to develop their own Strategic and Business Plans.

Below are some of the photos for the various exercises during the training: