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Strengths of IPA

 

The IPA Team offers an ideal combination of know-how, experience and diligent execution.


Two grammar school (history) teachers are part of the team. This is important given the fact that development work in the area of education remains a key activity of IPA. Their background enables them to quickly pick up the particularities and problems of the various regions IPA is engaged in. Furthermore, some of the members are experienced in development work. The team brings in the necessary teaching skills, expertise in working with young adults and social competences from their respective jobs.


IPA commenced its activities in Albania in 1994 and successfully completed a project in Rumania in 2004. Since 2004 the group is also engaged in Cameroon. Through the practical work in Albania we have learned the ropes from scratch. Regular assessments resulted in the move away from direct help in order to concentrate on projects which are self-sustainable and have a long term impact.

 

The structure of the organisation is continuously being adjusted to take into account changing needs. IPA has been able to transfer the know-how gained in Southern Europe to a totally different situation in northern Cameroon. In the plains of Waza-Logone, the region in which IPA is currently active, the organisation is enjoying an excellent reputation with both the authorities and the local population.


While travelling in the villages of Albania and Cameroon the members of the IPA team will stay with families rather than in hotels. This not only reduces cost but also provides important insights into the mentality of the partners, the daily problems and the structure of the respective societies. The co-operation with the local partners and the people is thus very much facilitated.


A key strength of IPA is its network of regional and local partners in the receiver countries. Their competency and reliability are equally important to guarantee success of specific projects as is their engagement and tight control during the implementation phase.

 


 

 

 

Awards

 

– Title "Honorary Friend of the Commune Ungrej" (March 2010)
– Title "Honorary Friend of the Region Milot"
(October 2008)
– Man Investments Swiss Charity of the Year 2008 (October 2007)
– Title "Honorary Friend of the Region Komsi"
(April 2007)
– Honorary Citizen of the Commune Dajç
(April 2007)
– Title "Friend of the Region Gjirokastër"
(October 2006)
– ZEWO-Certification
(May 2006)
– Profax-Price
(April 2005)

 

 

References


Institutions and Organisations

 

– Swiss Ambassador in Tirana, Albania
(since 2008 cont.)

– Directorate for Education of the Canton of Zurich
(since 2007 cont.)

– Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC (2006/2007)

– OSCE (2002)

 

Projects and Programmes
in Albania and Cameroon

 

– Renovation or construction of or equipment for 55 schools or nursery schools and 2 libraries in Albania as well as 10 schools and 1 library in Cameroon (since 2001 cont.)

– Execution of 8 courses for further training and projects for the support of disadvantaged people in the educational sector (since 2001 cont.)

– Allocation of 19 micro credits (since 2001 cont.)

– Implementation of 14 projects in the social and health care sectors (since 2001 cont.)

– Implementation of 17 projects concerning food production and drinking water supply in Cameroon
(since 2006 cont.)

– Setup of 2 savings banks in Cameroon (since 2008)

 

 

Cooperation with Swiss Schools and Adolescents

 

– Implementation of 14 junior-projects with adolescents from different grammar schools in Zurich (since 2001 cont.)

– External project support for 13 grammar schools and private high schools in the Cantons of Zurich, Aargau and Obwalden (since 2002 cont.)

– External project support for 6 secondary schools in the Cantons of Zurich and Aargau (since 2003 cont.)

– Implementation of 2 environmental assignments in the Swiss mountains (September 2005 and August 2008)