¥1.65 billion was provided for 57 projects implemented in nine nations and one region. These projects included disaster assistance for victims of the cyclone in Myanmar, assistance for the earthquake victims in Sichuan, China, humanitarian assistance in southern Sudan, and humanitarian assistance in Iraq. Also, in 2009, NGOs conducted victim assistance activities in response to the earthquake that occurred on the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia and flooding in the Philippines.

In order to utilize the know-how of private organizations such as NGOs, from FY2007 JICA has conducted Project Formulation Studies (Note 50) based on private sector proposals for survey to collect a wide range of views at the project formulation stage. In addition, JICA commissioned private organizations with implementing 211 projects in FY2008 by utilizing technical cooperation. The expertise of a variety of organizations has been employed in recent years, as NGOs and universities have been commissioned to implement a variety of projects. Also, JICA is implementing projects of JICA Partnership Program (JPP), which are proposed by NGOs, local governments, and other bodies, and implemented on a contract basis, directly contributing to improvement of the lives of residents in developing countries, and related to the Country Assistance Programs. In particular, Partner Type of JPP includes assistance for developing countries that make use of the experience and expertise accumulated by NGOs and other entities that have a certain degree of experience in the international cooperation sector.

## (ii) Enhancing the Environment for NGO Activities

Additional assistance measures within NGO activities are the various projects for developing the environment for NGO activities. For instance, under the NGO Consultant Scheme, NGO staff commissioned by MOFA respond to consultations and inquiries from citizens and NGO personnel on issues pertaining to the establishment, organization management, activities, and international cooperation activities of NGOs. In addition, the Program provides consultations at international cooperation events and other venues while also offering services where personnel are dispatched to hold seminars. In this way, efforts are being made to promote NGO activities as well as understanding of NGO activities. Furthermore, efforts are being made to increase the management ability and expertise of NGOs. One example of these efforts is the NGO study group. This Program includes holding seminars to promote improving

Soil construction workshop in Jordan (Photo: Nippon International Cooperation for Community Development) (NICCO)

the accountability of NGOs, study groups held by NGOs themselves on various themes such as advancing partnerships with businesses, as well as symposiums.

JICA also provides a wide range of support for NGO staff. For example, JICA conducts 1) NGO human resource development training, where training is conducted on project management for improving the capacity of project implementation in developing countries, as well as on organizational management for enhancing the public relations and fund-raising abilities domestically, 2) project cycle management (PCM) training aimed at acquiring methods for planning, monitoring, and evaluating projects such as those implemented wider the JICA Partnership Program, and 3) dispatching advisors to NGOs domestic offices or overseas project sites to provide face-to-face advice on problems faced by NGOs.

## (iii) Dialogue and Cooperation with NGOs

In order to promote dialogue and cooperation with NGOs, since 1996 MOfA has held the NGO-MOFA Regular Meetings and engaged in active debate regarding the financial cooperation system for NGOs, such as Japan's assistance policies and the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects. Meanwhile, from 2002, as a forum for exchanging ideas and opinions with field-level NGOs, it opened the meeting between NGOs and embassies, which is often called "ODA Embassies." Embassy officials, aid implementing agencies, and NGO-related parties have thus far carried out discussion on the efficient and effective implementation of ODA in 13 countries, such as Nepal and Sri Lanka. JICA also holds the NGO-JICA Conference, which promotes the understanding and participation of citizens including NGOs in order to realize more effective international cooperation.