Facilicom Consult (Research, Training, Consultancy in Community Development)

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	What is the relation between African masks and facilitation? A lesson about the significance of masks and its meaning in the African context. This was one of the practicals which was done during the training 'Facilitation methods' ...
	Co-creation through creative writing! 'One day a freelance consultant sat behind the computer......' This was one of the starting sentences in writing a creative story on how to use social media as a tool for learning ...
	Twelve factors for successful online facilitation Last week the Magazine 'E-Organisations and People' published an article about the 'Art of online facilitation: sustaining the process' in their edition Vol 18, No 3, August 2011. This article I wrote with support from Jet Proost, Bob MacKenzie and Rosemary Cairns ...
	Twitter! A great tool for networking and expanding your knowledge base! Recently I have been reading the publication #Twitter works! - author Fiona Stoop (@werkcoach). In this Dutch written publication Fiona Stoop shares some hintful tips on how to use Twitter successfully for your work ...
	Factors for having successful Large Scale Interventions n March 2011 I had the pleasure to visit the Phd Graduation ceremony of Tonnie van der Zouwen at the Tilburg University. There she presented the main conclusions of her publication "Building an evidence based practical guide to Large Scale Interventions" ...
	The value of doubting Having doubts is part of our daily lifes. If I am cycling to Amsterdam, I assume that the signboards are guiding me towards the right direction. But what if I did not notice a signboard on the road? ...
	A question is a motor for development! 'A question is a motor for development!' This is the main phrase which struck me, while reading the 'Handbook Developing as Professional' written by Carolien de Monchy. The handbook is very useful for professionals who have a passion for learning and developing ...
	The art of making short video messages The last couple of weeks, I have been involved in making one-minute video messages as part of the preperation of the IAF-Benelux Conference 'Facilitation as a {2nd} profession ...
	Most Significant Change: How to measure behavioural change? 'The literacy rate has increased with 20 % in five years!' 'Fifty percent of the young people, who participated in reading and writing classes have acquired a job within a year after their studies!' ...
	One-minute video messages 'Present your workshop in one minute!' or 'Share a Testimonial - an inspiring story in one-and-half minute!' It is a new experiment Simon Koolwijk launched recently with Video-maker/ Facilitator, Marc van Seters ...
	How to deal as facilitator with an unsafe group? It is five minutes before finalizing a Team Workshop on how to renew the approach of its service delivery for social work to the community. Sofar the group has created an 'inspirational vision' and has worked out the strategies. You feel that everything is okay ...
	Making the unconscious conscious in facilitation and training "For years I was the chairman of a working group; I guided young children and organised workshops with youngsters; I assisted youngsters with home work classes and language training. However, it was all done intuitively." ...
	Capacity development: NGOs versus Church Development Organisations What makes a capacity development intervention with a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) different from one with a Church Development Organisation? ...
	The art of asking questions 'The person who is doing the talking, is the one who is learning the most! ' It is an 'old wisdom' still applicable, when a training or facilitation event is conducted ...
	Building capacities by Participatory Video (PV) Young people building relationships with adults in their community! Showing your identity as a youngster by initiating activities in the community! Creative thinking and teambuilding! Expressing hopes and dreams as a youngster!'...
	The online versus the face-to-face facilitator If you are a good and effective facilitator in face-to-face meetings, does it mean you are also a high performing online facilitator? Online facilitation requires another way of thinking, acting and communication. You don't see the facial expressions ...
	Capacity development is about building relationships! Listening to what keeps people involved! Getting to know people and create the right conditions, which help people to build their identity, realize their hopes & dreams are the main important things a capacity development advisor can do in building local sustainable structures for development ...
	Organisational development advisors as a biologist Organisational development advisors can take more the role promoting the art of a biologist. This is one of the conclusions I drew in discussions with my colleagues from Nedworc Association and research I conducted the last couple...
	Outcome Mapping versus Logical Framework Approach Since recent years Outcome Mapping has been winning recognition and popularity amongst donors and international development organisations as a new tool for Project Cycle Management. Sofar the Logical Framework Approach (LFA) has been the...
	Moldovan youngsters present participatory videos "Young people interviewing adults in their community about the life as a youngster...." "I want to become a journalist and go to New York!" - Youngsters share their dreams in a sleigh. "Dancing, taking care of the ecology, cultural festivities" ...
	Youth (R)Evolution - State of the Art of Youth Work in Moldova The today's youth worker should be modern, professional and should know about social media such as facebook, twitter and Odnoklasniki. Opportunities should be created for 'Youth Workers' to get credentials for their profession ...
	Music as tool for brainstorming; ten links at youtube Music provides some excellent opportunities to stimulate people to use their imagination and gain deeper thoughts. Especially during brainstorm sessions when people think individually, music can create atmospheres of...
	En_Nu_Online; Inspiring book providing tips about online facilitation! According to a wide based research of the American government around 80 % of learning is informal. People learn most when they do 'learning on the job' and do a 'critical self-reflection or in social interaction with others'...
	Ten online games for facilitation or training! Last week I attended a seminar about Gaming which was organised by Saganet, a platform promoting gaming for professional purposes (education, training, organisational development)...
	What a facilitator can contribute to effective teamwork? Building a good atmosphere was mentioned as one of the most important ways to build effective teamwork during the training facilitation methods on the 9th and 10th March, 2011 in Utrecht...
	How to facilitate Chimpansee behaviour in organisations? High performance! What are the key ingredients of an effective leader? High business performance! How to create entrepreneurship and more openess in the organisation? Many training courses and teambuilding workshops are focused...
	Energizers & games make facilitation fun! How to overcome a lunch dip? What to do when people are tired of using their heads? And how to get focus? Energizers and games are ways to refresh people's minds and get them active. The paper tiger is a popular one and fun to do...
	Young people active with video and social media: Participatory Video Making in Moldova Young people's lives today versus the lives of young people in the past from the mouths of adults. This was the main theme of the participatory video young people from Ulmu...
	Thinking through about a capacity development intervention! Which activities to select on how to guide an organisation in its process of development? 1. Exchange, 2. facilitation, 3. coaching, 4. research, 5. training, 6. advise, 7. management or 8. implementation?...
	Developing capactities of local organisations "'Build informal contacts', 'build good contacts with your supervisor', 'organise a cultural exchange party to build cultural understanding', 'conduct a participatory meeting with your colleagues guided by an external facilitator' "...
	Formulating indicators at policy & strategic level; Project Cycle Management The training was a mix of 'deepening understanding' about our strategic plan, teambuilding and receiving professional feedback on how to optimize our relations with our project partners...
	How to deal with cultural differences as a facilitator? 'Build up informal moments', 'Apply the indirect way', 'Use local discussion techniques', 'Humor', 'Move along and adapt to the situation'; These were some of the outcomes from the workshop...
	Facilitating resistance in a group discussion You are facilitating a lunch meeting in a big consultancy company. One of the key questions is "How to stimulate entrepreneurship in the organisation". One of your participants is showing a big resistance, because he was requested by the director to attend the meeting...
	Facilitating difficult people in a supermarket! It is 5 minutes to 8, just before closing the supermarket. Four people are queing. All of them are in a hurry and actually not willing to wait. Some of them do not behave properly. The casher is playing the role of facilitator...
	Creative facilitation in overcoming a lunch dip! Imagine your organisation is searching for an effective facilitator, who can facilitate and deal with learning and change processes in your organisation. Three practising facilitators of ICCOenKerkinActie guided their colleague participants in identifying...
	Similarities between an animal and a facilitator? How to come from an animal to the competencies of a facilitator? This question was answered by a group of 8 staff working with ICCOenKerkinActie, a Dutch development organisation which has one of its aims to contribute towards...
	Capacity development: A course putting theory into practise! "The fact that we worked our own project, made the course very practical!"; "The application of many diverse tools and methods of teaching made us to involve constantly"...
	Video Evaluation - short highlights about two weeks exchange on International Humanitarian Law "I have never experienced such a wonderful seminar", "My expectations have been met", "I know how to apply the four principles for International Humanitarian Law"...
	Public Participation in water and health related issues Having access to clean water is still one of the long lasting dreams in many countries. On 15-16 June, 2010 around 70 representatives from European governmental institutions and non-governmental organisations met in Bucharest, Romania...
	Promotion of rural entrepreneurship in Rwanda Promotion of rural entrepreneurship in Rwanda is the main focus of the IPER program, which is led and coordinated by AgriProFocus. Wageningen International, The Royal Tropical Institute, SNV, Larenstein, Agriterra,...
	Lots of inspiration in limited time! "We strengthened our team through joint analysis and practicals with new methods", "The teambuilding was a successfull instrument in coming to concrete results", "We learned a lot of diverse methods on how to support structured group processes"...
	E-Conference!? Technology for the good! Before the E-Conference I thought that technology was used more for the bad, than for the good. This event learned me that you can use modern technology for the good! I learned a lot about the field experiences from others and how to deal...
	Knight of the Order of Orange Nassau - 21st May 2010 "It is a big honor to receive a reward of the community for all the work I have been doing the last 21st years on development". On the 21st May 2010 Simon Koolwijk received the Knight of the Order of Orange Nassau (Ridder in de Orde van Oranje Nassau)...
	Digital video as a tool for learning! From 14 to 23 April 2010 a delegation composed of 20 people from Moldova attended The Netherlands to learn more about community youth development work in the Netherlands. The delegation included youth leaders, representatives of youth centers....
	Thinking through about a capacity development intervention! "The step-by-step approach helped me to think through how to prepare and be prepared to do my capacity development intervention. The training was logical and personal." This was the comment of one of the capacity development advisors...
	New ideas on how to do facilitation! "I gained new ideas on how to do facilitation, I learned a lot, both on skills and methods. The training had a good balance of theory and practise. The course had a good flow and we worked in a safe and relaxed atmosphere."
	Interactive! Through practicals you learn to facilitate! The training was fun! It was interactive and I was all the time involved. Especially the practicals and doing it yourself were stimulating. These were the comments from participants coming from ICCOenKerkinActie and Oogzorgnetwerk...
	Moldovans learn about Dutch community development work 'We got a clear perspective about community youth development in The Netherlands'. 'Youth workers spend much time on the street to make contact with youth', 'Youth participation is one of the keys to success! '...
	Building capacities - I have a broader perspective! "The training was complete. We tackled a lot of topics, but we had enough time to practise and internalise the concept of capacity development. I did not think about how to involve parents as part of the structure of the local school..."
	Youth in the Center - Moldova You might not expect that in one of the countries in Europe with one of the lowest GNP, the youth would be so active on internet. In the Matra funded project "Youth in the Center" youth from 4 villages in Moldova share actively experiences at a forum called Odnoklasniki.
	Facilitating Participatory Rural Appraisal - 27th January 2010 "Facilitation is not easy!" "I have gained more insight about the why of participatory rural appraisal methods", "I discovered more about my own facilitation style".
	Project Cycle Management - Capacity Development, 14, 15, 18 January "The training helped to get focus about my future job!", "The cases were very interesting", "The course had a good flow! We remained active and involved". "When the day started I regained my energy and got involved! ".
	Facilitation methods 6 - 7 January 2010 "The practical exercises were very useful", "Wow, we had a lot of exercises and received feedback", "we learned a structure on how to do facilitation", "the role plays about resistance were very challenging".
	Planning meeting 22nd December 2009 "The meeting was useful. It made implicit knowledge explicit! The competence table helped us to divide roles and responsibilities between the advisors, the regional and the central working office."
	Facilitation Methods 15 - 16 December 2009 "The course had a good balance of theory and practise!" "I enjoyed the diversity and participation of my fellow participants", "The role plays about resistance provided much more understanding about how to facilitate in difficult circumstances"
	Capacity Development - 7, 10, 11 December 2009 "The course was very practical! A good hands-on experience to get acquainted with capacity development of local organisations. I have learned some useful insights and tools on how to enter with a capacity development intervention"
	In-company training Project Cycle Management - Logicalframework, 2-3 December 2009 "The training was to the point, organized and within a short time you gain a lot!" "The training is helpful in deepening your insight in projectrelations, goals and results"
	Training Online Facilitation October 29 - November 5, 2009 To facilitate an online process is hard work! I have gained more insight in online exchange processes. The training was a good combination of online learning and face-to-face training.
	Facilitation - 13th & 14th October 2009 "The training had a good balance of theory and practise! The case studies about resistance generated a high dynamic of energy. Facilitation is not easy. However, I am very much motivated to apply the methods in my work."
	Capacity development 5, 7, 9th October 2009 "Very useful. Logical. The cases and dilemma's in capacity development were very interesting! The training was complete. It has a head, body and feet!"
	Facilitation methods - 9th September 2009 "Very practical! I became aware that I knew much more about facilitation, when I started with the course! I am definetely going to use some of the lessons learned in my work! I would like to make a follow-up appointment with Simon. It was a great training!"
	Capacity Development training - dev't professionals 24 - 27 august "A very useful course! It is widened my perspective on how to develop capacities with local organisations. I have gained some useful tools, which I definetely going to use!"
	Summerschool Moldova 20th July - 2nd August 2009 "A great experience! I would have loved to stay a week longer. I very much liked the atmosphere, the games, it was a wonderful week of joy and learning!"
	Capacity development Starters & volunteers 2-3 July 2009 "This course is a good preperation as part of working in a development country in the area of capacity development", "During this course you learn how to support capacity development processes!", "These two days have clearified my job description and my role".
	Working with web 2.0 tools, 29th May 2009 "I will start my own netvibes link". "It will save me a lot of time!" "Netvibes and delicious are terrific tools for me." "I will further discuss the new ideas in my organisation and am considering to start up a Ning forum for discussion within our network!".
	Community participation, impact assessment & video making "The video making was very inspiring!", "You have to involve the youth in making the scenario and doing the video making", "I see many situations where I can apply the community development methods", "The idea on how to do impact assessment, is now much clearer now!"
	Start up project Youth in the Centre - Moldova From 4 - 8 May 2009 Procommunitate and Kontakt der Kontinenten met to start up the project Youth in the Centre in Moldova. This project aims to strengthen and build sustainable structures for youth work in Moldova.
	Project cycle management & Capacity development - 20, 23 - 24 april "Very useful course! The capacity development was not only about planning, we also got acquainted with the analysis and the monitoring & evaluation part. We have learned many useful tools!..."
	Facilitation Methods - 8th April 2009 "Ownership starts when people can write down their own ideas!", "People feel appreciated when they feel they are being listened to!", "I learned a number of new tools!", "Facilitation is not easy, but really necessary to get groups going!".
	Facilitation of online learning - 25th March 2009 "A very inspiring course! We have gained ideas and tools to start immediately. The combination of online communication and face to face meetings deepens our understanding about learning."
	Capacity Development for ICCO Desk officers 21-22 January 2009 This course was dynamic, informative, very useful and connected to our work! I can directly apply the tools in my work. I learned a lot from my colleagues. There was room for exchange and the input from the resource persons in the is course had an added value!
	A new organisational approach - WVP Ijsselmeergebied, Rijkswaterstaat - 12th January 2009 How to keep the knowledge in the organisation? How do we improve the quality of our work? And how do we organize ourselves to meet the challenges for the future?
	Training Facilitation Methods - 22nd December 2008 A very inspirational training. My toolbox has been filled, I am ready to go for the hands-on experience in the field. I am definetly going to use the workshop method and the caroussel for some multi-stakeholder interventions.
	Training facilitation methods at the University of Social Work - Utrecht - Amersfoort - 18th December 2008 Great course! The discussion method is a great tool for reflections and evaluations. The course was very useful and interactive. We were involved the whole day, and did not get time to loose attention.
	Training in coaching principles & methodologies in Macedonia 17th - 19th October 2008 Trainers and NGO representatives coming from Albania, Bosnia, Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro sensed a new way of learning and received new perspectives on how to do their work.
	Web 2.0 workshop - 10th September 2008 in Driebergen 'Very practical! I am able now to explain the advantages of Web 2.0 tools for learning processes. I feel enthousiastic on applying web 2.0 tools at my work!'
	Capacity Development for starters & volunteers 1 & 2 september 2008 'This training was like a hot vegetable soup! A clear training; it helps you to come step-by-step towards a workplan! Very practical! Sometimes the course was like a heavy meal, but it was very interesting!'
	Romania - training facilitation methods 14th - 15th July 2008 On the 14th and 15th July, 2008 members from 4 Romanian NGO's working on the implementation and promotion of Eco-San Toilets and Water Safety Plans participated in a training on community mobilization and facilitation methods.
	Strategy Meeting WECF, 1 - 2 July 2008 On the 1st and 2nd July 2008 I facilitated a strategy meeting for WECF (Women for Europe and a Common Future) who have their offices located in Netherlands, Germany and France. The event took place in Benediktbeurn, Germany.
	TOT Facilitation Methods Albania 30th May - 1st June 2008 From 30th May - 1st June, 7 trainers from MilieuKontakt Albania trained 7 participants from Civil Society Organisation in Albania in facilitation methods.
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