Exit and sustainability

Project-based programmes end when a goal is accomplished and external funding ends. However, an exit strategy for a TREE programme is often to leave behind a number of sustainable policy, infrastructure and capacity changes that will support the ongoing use of the TREE methodology.

Sustainability for TREE is not just about the programme approach itself and how it may be adapted, expanded and applied but also about the broader context, for example:
  • Development and application of skills and employment policies that take into account the needs of poor/rural women and men;
  • A favourable environment for micro-enterprise and cooperatives;
  • Gender equality
  • Physical and social infrastructure such as roads, childcare facilities and health centres;
  • Access for people with disabilities to all services and facilities
  • Promotion of social cohesion.
To the extent that the TREE programme has contributed to these broader frameworks, it will have a sustainable impact.

A TREE programme and the application of the TREE approach can be more sustainable if attention is paid to a number of factors, including:
  • Institutionalization of TREE within national, regional and local organizations;
  • Inclusion of TREE in national policies and strategies on education, skills development, lifelong learning and rural development;
  • Ensuring support for the programme from the community and the various partner organizations;
  • Effectiveness in identifying employment/economic opportunities
  • Quality and relevance of training and post-training
  • Motivation and interest of participants;
  • Financial viability of the training and post-training processes and adequate national, regional or local budgets to sustain and scale-up TREE;
  • Advocacy for conducive social, economic and political environment
Institutionalization of TREE means that relevant ministries, local development agencies, government and non-governmental organizations and training institutions incorporate the TREE approach into their planning and implementation of employment-oriented programmes. This can be observed in:
  • political commitment to institutionalize and finance TREE-related programmes;
  • development and reform of training and economic development policies and programmes to incorporate the TREE methodology;
  • political commitment to achieving equality of opportunity and treatment for men and women in education, training and employment;
  • reorientation of training institutions and instructors towards non-formal training approaches and village level advisory work;
  • the systematic introduction of business training and core work skills into all courses;
  • harmonization between long-term training programmes of training institutions and short-term training as promoted by TREE;
  • commitment and action to be inclusive of all members of the community including people with disabilities, and those living with HIV/AIDS, etc.
Institutionalization at the local level means a legacy of local committees that can advocate for continued investment in locally accessible employment development through training and support for new economic opportunities.