Update on the Swiss Development Agency

[May Habib]

Hi Everyone,

So I met with SDC and we had a fruitful discussion. I included everything that was mentioned about what we need based on all your contributions and explained the history of MWTF, activities we did etc. Of course, I was more partial to the classes because that is what I know best but I also emphasized all our activities.

That being said, this is the basic gist of our situation:

1) we are not an official NGO so that is an issue

2) Deadline for proposal is March 20

3) Ways to apply for funding in time for deadline - through another organization (as long as we are not on official status) - suggestions are: AltCity, Anti-Racism Movement, AMEL where the contractual basis is other organizations but the delivery is us maybe.

This required a large discussion I believe on where next for MWTF? Especially since most of us will not be available for MWTF by the summer. 

I know that Rana and Farah were at the info meeting this morning and so ARM is MAJORLY interested in handing in a proposal. Something to consider since ARM is closest to our vision and mission than most other organizations. 

I also know that AltCity is an option to discuss working on a proposal with since we use their space and maybe with funding we can actually secure money for their space. However, this can be discussed as well.

This is what I got out of the meeting. Let me know what you guys think!

May

[Omar Harfouch]

Great.
I think we should apply with Altcity. I don't think ARM would partner with us for projects and a coordinator of our own. They would probably be more interested in doing that for their own NGO, as it would naturally be...
I also think we owe it to Altcity to submit a proposal together.

Although I think this is an important issue, I think the more important one would be how can we submit a proposal in less than 20 days and if we have someone who knows how to write proposals who is interested in doing it. Also what are the ideas on the table?

Best

Omar

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[May Habib]

Altcity is a possibility if they are available and willing to put time with us to work on the proposal. 

I will leave Ramy to make the case for possible partnering with ARM since he is much more knowledgeable of ARM's role with the Swiss Development group.

As all of you know, the classes are my priority. I am not partial to the rest because I believe the classes (including the computer classes) should be placed at the top. To me, there is so much potential there that I see (computer space, computer laptops, curriculum development, volunteer recruitment, Language classes coordinator there were suggested generally) This would require meeting up and discussing I believe, or at least from what I can tell.

Other general ideas thrown out there:

Snow trips

Rahel's Play

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May Habib

Researcher

MA Candidate in Sociology, American University of Beirut

MA in Social Justice, School for International Training

Cell: 71-293470

E-mail: mays...@gmail.com
Blog - Land of Betweenia
http://mayless.wordpress.com/

[Ramy Shukr]

Hey peeps, 

I think there is so much potential in the people who come to AltCity each Sunday, and we've all seen it throughout the years. I think this should be about getting funds to secure the services/tools and not to secure MWTF as an identity.

Thus, I think partnering with AltCity could be an option if they want to write a proposal on this project (very short notice - Omar do you want to check? We need a serious Yes/No since this is a commitment, and they should know that none of us have the time to do it)

If not, we can check with ARM. I know that ARM needs more funds for the activities and plans for the upcoming year, but at the same time, I think ARM would love to take charge of the space, especially that we are all leaving, so this could be a responsible decision to make. What's sure is that if ARM agrees to support the MWTF activities, they might be under "ARM" and not "MWTF" (which makes sense) with ARM directors as the coordinators and with an on-ground Hamra coordinator.. anyways this needs to be discussed more, just sharing my personal thoughts.

Anyways, things like this take retreats to discuss, not emails. But given that we do not have the privilege to even meet for long, we have to communicate by email. We should have a meeting dedicated to a realistic future of MWTF to draft a Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C.. 

Cheers,

Ramy Shukr

Coordinator of the Migrant Community Center - Anti Racism Movement
Research Assistant - Lebanese American University

Mobile: 00961-70-738059

Website: www.antiracismmovement.com

“Every man can, if he so desires, become the sculptor of his own brain” ― Santiago Ramón y Cajal