By Juliana Corredor
The Rotary Action Group for Community Economic Development (RAGCED) has been a crucial ally in advancing the mission of project fairs. The Rotary Foundation provides valuable resources to clubs and districts for successful project implementation worldwide. Among these resources is the Rotary Foundation CADRE of Technical Advisers, consisting of volunteer Rotarians who offer professional technical expertise and knowledge of Foundation procedures to guide sustainable project implementation.
The Cadre plays multiple roles, including assisting TRF with grant evaluations and helping Rotary partners, such as clubs, in planning and executing projects. In this regard, the Cadre serves as a strategic ally for project fairs.
Why is the Cadre a strategic ally for project fairs? Because Cadre members are professional experts in the seven areas of focus, as well as financial audit. Each member brings a unique specialization that can aid Rotarians in project design.
Cadre Latin America, with the support of RAGCED, has extensive experience in participating in and supporting project fairs across the region since 2020, when I took on the role of Regional Organizer of the Cadre.
From 2020 to 2023, we actively engaged in project fairs in the region, both in person and virtually. Collaborating with the organizing teams of project fairs in Paipa, Colombia, Barranquilla, and Armenia, we strengthened our position as strategic allies for these events. The participation of Rotary Foundation Staff and Cadre members from across the region, USA, and Canada, in person, greatly contributed to integration and highlighted our role as technical advisors.
Our collaborative efforts at project fairs have taken various forms, including speaking at main sessions, setting up booths to promote the Cadre, participating in structuring and instructing learning programs before the fairs, and advising projects from the planning stages. This guidance focuses on evaluating community needs, determining areas of interest, establishing project monitoring and evaluation indicators, budget item eligibility, and project sustainability.
Assigning projects to volunteer technical advisors for review depends on the number of projects registered and their areas of interest. We also assist participating clubs in applying for grants to the Rotary Foundation.
Before presenting projects at project fairs, extensive work has already been done. This is the result of collaboration between RAGCED, the Cadre, and fair organizers, which is a key factor in our success.
Our efforts have yielded significant results, including increased awareness among Rotarians about technical project design, reduced attrition between TRF and sponsors, higher percentage of projects financed and approved, inclusion of inexperienced clubs, motivation for prior learning, exchange of experiences, and stronger relationships between Rotary Foundation Staff, the Cadre, and Rotarians.
The presence of Rotary Foundation staff further enhances the relevance of the Cadre and fosters closer ties between Rotarians and the Foundation.
In addition to the above, collaboration between Rotary Foundation resources, staff, the Cadre, clubs, potential international sponsors, district leaders, and host Rotarians facilitates successful project implementation. This collaboration promotes the use of Foundation resources such as the Cadre and Rotary Action Groups like RAGCED, ensures continuity in guidance, enables project scaling, encourages idea and experience exchange, promotes best practices, focuses on achieving objectives, and motivates fund stewardship and transparency throughout the process.
This teamwork between project fair organizers, RAGCED, the Cadre, and Rotary Foundation Staff contributes to building blocks towards impactful projects, resulting in immediate, short-term, and long-term positive changes for communities.
