TWINNING

What is twinning?

Twinning is FFD’s way of applying farmer-to-farmer approach in practice. FFD defines twinning as institutional development by creating a peer-to-peer relationship between organizations with similar values with the purpose of working together for a common goal and learning from each other. Thus, twinning is peer-to-peer cooperation between smallholder associations. The Finnish twinning organizations are available for strategic and managerial support, but not for daily supervision of project activities.

This long-term relationship requires that both organizations have:

• Common objectives (local participation and demand)

• Shared understanding on working methods (project document)

• Clear understanding and appreciation of the responsibilities

• Mutual trust, respect and regular communication

• Voluntary participation

• Personal contacts and events

• Positive encouragement by superiors of both organizations and financial support.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the twinning arrangement is mutual learning and exchange of experiences. Through the twinning approach the farmer organizations receive technical assistance and peer-to-peer support from Finnish agricultural, fishery, forestry and horticultural experts. Likewise, the approach strengthens the capacity of Finnish professionals and associations to work in an international field. For the members of FFD, the twinning approach strengthens the commitment of their rural constituencies to development cooperation and is also a part of their contribution for sustainable development.

The projects to support farmer organizations are designed to respond to their requests and needs. A FO in a developing country requests support from FFD. On the basis of availability of funding and the priorities of funding, FFD decides in collaboration with AgriCord if FFP is the funding source and if they can commit themselves to supporting this particular FO.

The projects support the organizing, networking and lobbying capacity of agricultural and forestry producers in developing countries, with the aim of improving livelihood and reducing poverty. The partner FOs can be local agricultural producer organisations, forest owners’ organisations or co-operatives. If necessary, FFD then assists the FO in developing a project proposal that also meets the criteria of AgriCord.

Responsibilities

Each twinning organization points out an expert (in some cases a team of experts) who is responsible for the coordination of partnering with the farmer organisation in the South and supporting their project (twinning expert). The persons for which the twinning organizations delegate the day-to-day twinning include both elected members, technical staff and other members. They are selected by the organization and mandated by their board.

The role of the appointed person is to support the Southern organization and be responsible for overseeing the implementation and monitoring of the project. Finnish experts advise and follow their colleagues' work at a grassroots level. The Finnish experts comment and approve the technical and financial progress reports and guide the partner organizations in their institutional and capacity building. They provide technical assistance in the field of their expertise and as planned in the FO’s project. The inputs of the twinning organization can be grouped into four main categories, namely project management, technical advice (including institutional and capacity building), study tours and project planning. Active twinning participants also inform others about their project and keep in touch with their colleagues at counterpart organisations.

Current Twins

MHY - METSÄNOMISTAJAT

Interest group which represents forest owners in Finland, promotes the profitability of forest ownership and the well-being of forests. The organization provides extension services to forest owners and monitors the wood market so that the forest owner has the best information. It is divided into regional associations. Experts come from different regional associations.

Currently, we collaborate with MHY Savotta in Vietnam and Nepal, MHY Keski-Suomi in Ethiopia and MHY Päijät-Häme in Tanzania.

MTK - MAA- JA METSÄTALOUSTUOTTAJAIN KESKUSLIITTO

MTK is an interest organization representing farmers, forest owners and rural entrepreneurs in Finland. MTK has over 324 000 members in local agricultural producers’ organisations and regional forest management associations. All of the occupations and businesses of our members are based on renewable natural resources and their utilisation in a sustainable and economical way.

Currently, we collaborate with MTK in Tanzania.

PUUTARHANAISET RY -

Puutarhanaiset ry is an organization working to develop a horticultural culture and increase the use of horticultural products. They provide a female perspective for gardening. They focus on the development of community and exchange of horticultural knowledge. The association was founded in 1949.

Currently, we collaborate with Puutarhanaiset ry in Tanzania.

PROAGRIA

ProAgria is a Finnish national agricultural advisory and development organization. It provides services to agricultural and rural entrepreneurs all over Finland and works closely with various actors throughout the food chain.

Currently, we collaborate with ProAgria in Tanzania.

Finnish Fish Farming Association (FFFA)

Finnish Fish Farming Association (FFFA) is a national fish farmers' advocacy organization. In its activities, the association monitors and promotes the interests and operating conditions of the fish farming industry as part of the entire fisheries sector and creates the conditions for sustainable growth of aquaculture. The task is to monitor and influence the legislation, administration and market development of fish farming and to address the shortcomings in the operating environment of the sector. In addition, the association contributes to, among other things, research and education that develops the field and shares information about the industry. We cooperate with the Finnish Fish Farming Association in Nepal.