ZEP Local Convergences

From thematic cluster approach, the coalition pivoted towards focusing efforts on area-based convergence in key areas of the country. ZEP2030 aims to strengthen its role as a collaborative platform that links together organizations with the same goals of alleviating poverty and promoting sustainable development. The objectives of the initial meetings are to initiate ZEP2030 local convergence by bringing together existing members and inviting new ones to commit to working together and address extreme poverty. In doing so, it will translate to increased reach and membership for the coalition.

The first convergence meetings in Cebu, Davao, Bohol, and Marawi were organized by the Head Secretariat and Cluster Lead organizations and covered an orientation on ZEP2030 and its implementation processes and tools such as the ZEP2030 Poverty Probability Index (PPI) and the Family and Community Visioning (FCV).

The membership guidelines and the roles of local convenors were discussed to give organizations an idea of what it entails to be part of the ZEP2030 Movement. Part of the activity was a mapping exercise done by the participants for an overview of where in the areas are they most or least present and what types of programs are being implemented. The result of the activity serves as a springboard for future synchronization and consolidation of efforts toward collective impact.

The first local convergence meeting this year was held in Cebu Province. The Central Visayas Network of NGOs (CENVISNET) took on the challenge of becoming the Local Convenor. This was followed by a series of meetings to identify priority areas, agree on the conduct of profiling using the ZEP2030 PPI tool, among others. Ongoing activities are continuing recruitment of other Cebu-based organizations and conducting courtesy calls with local chief executives to introduce ZEP2030 and look for ways to collaborate. They will also formally launch ZEP2030 Cebu in February 2020.

Succeeding convergence meetings took place for Davao Region, Bohol Province, and Marawi City. Given the regional coverage of the Davao convergence, individual organizations or networks volunteered to lead in their selected pilot areas. For Bohol, the Bohol Integrated Development Foundation (BIDEF) agreed to lead the convergence with the Provincial Government pitching in its support for ZEP2030. The first Marawi City local convergence had initial discussions on the local context and possible convergence activities. They plan to invite more organizations in the next meeting, get commitments and do mapping of programs.