How We Work

Regional to National Implementation and Governance structures
MFF undertakes collective actions to build knowledge, strengthen empowerment, and enhance governance through fifteen broad programmes of work (PoWs) implemented through a series of on-the-ground projects, based on small and large grant modalities. In addition to the 15 thematic PoWs, climate change considerations have been adopted as a cross-cutting issue applied to all MFF projects and other actions, together with gender considerations and communication needs.

At the level of regional implementation, the 15 PoWs are being implemented through/or in partnership with MFF focal country national governments, MFF institutional partners (CARE, FAO, IUCN, UNDP, UNEP, and Wetlands International), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and community organizations, as well as the private sector. Implementation is directed by a Regional Steering Committee (RSC), while the National Coordinating Body (NCB) in each country has oversight at national level.  Each NCB is assisted by a local secretariat managed by the UNDP or IUCN country office These structural features of the MFF ensure accountability, transparency and good governance, and offer information-sharing and learning opportunities among diverse, countries, sectors, and agencies.

The RSC is co-chaired by UNDP and IUCN, with national government representatives and institutional partners as its members. RSC meetings are held bi-annually. The MFF Secretariat works closely with the NCBs, and UNDP/IUCN country offices to ensure smooth running of the initiative and its activities. The mandate for directing, regulating, and coordinating development and project activities in country is steered through each NCB in coordination with existing national mechanisms for coastal management. The NCBs select and recommend appropriate projects and programmes eligible for grants. Each MFF focal country has developed its own MFF National Strategy and Action Plan (NSAP) to guide implementation at the national level.  Only projects that are closely aligned with the priorities of the National Strategy and Action Plan (NSAP) receive funding. In the case of large projects, these are submitted as project proposals to an independent Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) for appraisal.  The project appraisal reports are then used by the RSC to decide on the allocation of funds.

Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation
MFF has developed a monitoring, learning and evaluation (MLE) framework for monitoring its operations and implementation over the longer term. This was a direct response to the need for a proper logical and strategic framework raised at the MFF Regional Review Forum (which marked the completion of the MFF inception phase) in Sri Lanka, April, 2008. The aim is to have an ongoing and systematic collection of information for demonstrating changes resulting from MFF interventions; to capture of lessons learnt, while implementing the specific elements of the initiative; and able project managers to test their assumptions on changing the dynamic context of their work. The MLE framework will provide real-time feedback through the monitoring systems on the implementation enabling the RSC to take policy decisions on re-directing or re-prioritising the focus of the Initiative. In addition, the evaluative, analytical and adaptive nature of the framework will enable emerging trends and issues to be identified by and accommodated into the MFF.

The MFF Regional Steering Committee is responsible for ensuring that regional initiatives are on track using the strategic framework. NCB’s have a role in ensuring that the country-level activities are on track. The periodic monitoring of MFF projects and related on-the-ground actions will be undertaken by a three to four member team of MLE specialists comprising of an external MLE expert, member of the IUCN Asia Regional Programme Coordination Unit and a member from the MFF partners or the Secretariat. In addition, national experts would be co-opted to expose them to MFF project sites in other countries across the region for cross-country learning.

Capacity development
MFF builds technical capacity through study tours, secondments and by providing regional and international consultants to complement local expertise. MFF has also supported regional and national training courses in collaboration with training and academic institutions, such as courses on the use of practical tools and methods applicable to the field/project level, including climate proofing and sustainable livelihood approaches in Indonesia. Regional training courses will be complemented by follow up national training courses. Each NCB has held several meetings and workshops to develop and finalise their NSAPs as well as to create specific working groups for example a working group to develop a national communications strategy and one on project proposal screening. Many of these workshops have been complimented by either an international consultant or an IUCN or UNDP staff member.