The initial phase of the Coastal Community Development Project in East Kalimantan, Indonesia (ended 3/30/2005) consisted of three activities: (1) staffing and orientation, (2) participatory work planning, and (3) capacity building and mentoring. Staffing and Orientation: Save the Balikpapan Bay Foundation (YSTB), with the assistance of advisors from the CRC-led and USAID-funded Coastal Resources Management Project (CRMP)started a process to hire staff for this initiative in February 2003. It was recognized that staff skills needed to be strengthened in 1) improved local NGO management, 2) program development and networking experience, and 3) community organizing. More specifically, staff needed professional managerial-level skills in financial management, planning methods and proposal writing and needed improved technical skills in participatory assessment methods and community organizing. Detailed job qualifications were developed and four managerial positions were recruited — Finance and Administration Manager, Program Officer for Program Development, Program Officer for Technical Assistance, and Executive Secretary. YSTB developed formal personnel policies in April 2003 and non-governmental (NGO) partners also put these same policies in place for implementation at the end of May 2003. Guidelines used for personnel policies were based on regulations issued by the Indonesia Ministry of Workers and Transmigration.

The Finance and Administration Manager developed the finance and accounting system based on accounting procedures widely accepted in Indonesia. The system was designed to fit the current organization’s needs, taking into account its size, staff capacity and minimum project requirements.

1. YSTB boards were established in April 2002 — a Board of Trustees, a Board of Supervisors and a Board of Directors. Staff and associates of CRMP’s East Kalimantan site dominate the composition of the boards. However, to meet the requirement of wider stakeholder representation, YSTB has developed a management committee consisting of all the executives of the NGO partners, the CRMP East Kalimantan, UNOCAL Indonesia, government officers, and legislative members, as well as public and other local NGO representatives.As part of a staff orientation program, cross-visits were conducted to three CRMP community-based management and development sites in North Sulawesi Province. Four participants (project officers from YSTB and NGO partners) attended a workshop on the establishment and management of community-based marine protected areas.
2. Participatory Work Planning Based on information gathered during start-up and orientation activities, executive directors of all four NGOs initiated a multi-stakeholder planning workshop in February 2003 to develop the overall work plan. The workshop produced recommendations for the program implementation. A wide range of stakeholders — government officers, legislative members, projects, the private sector (UNOCAL Indonesia in particular), community representatives, and other NGOs — was involved during the work planning process.
3. Capacity Building and Mentoring: While developing sub-agreements with NGO partners, there was extensive discussion regarding the funding source — the UNOCAL Foundation. This led to development of partnership principles contained in a Charter of 19 articles. The Charter includes background information, and designates YSTB as the lead coordinating institution for this initiative. Formal written sub-agreements on YSTB and NGO partner roles and responsibilities were also developed. Five trainings were provided to partner NGOs to build their capacity in three key areas — program management, finance and administration, and technical aspects of community organizing and livelihood development. The Finance and Administration Manager also conducted two training packages on finance and administration and personnel management. In May and June 2003, training was provided on the development of micro-credit schemes. Participants included NGO staff responsible for developing micro-credit schemes in each of the partner institutions as well as other supporting personnel. The training provided information on the theory of micro-credit systems and management mechanisms. The training was conducted by YMBL, an NGO with experience in micro-credit financing. This training was followed by another training conducted by two partner NGOs — Lingkup Sepaham and AMaN (Fishermen Community Alliance) — and focused on the development of beneficiary group management.  Field officers of CRMP East Kalimantan provided training and mentoring to YSTB and NGO partner field staff on the development of bay integrated management planning in Kariangau and Gersik. CRC and the CRMP provided additional mentoring and advice to YSTB and the partners — prompted by assessments undertaken periodically throughout the program. Assessment reports were disseminated to YSTB and NGO partners for internal review and action.