Most of the current work of The Center for Initiatives on Community Empowerment and Rural Development (ICERD) is carried out by Partners. These are National and Local Government agencies such as Department of Crop Production, Plant Protection Department - Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development (MARD), Department of Continuing Education - Ministry of Education and Training; Ministry of Health including the Agency of Health Environment, and National Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health. Local Institutions are Crop Production and Plant Protection Sub Department (CP&PPSD) - Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), Community Learning Center (CLC), Women union, Youth Union, Cooperatives, farmer groups.
Partners have their own structures and activities, but they share many important characteristics, including:
a common vision of farmer empowerment and sustainable rural livelihoods;
expertise in ecological agriculture, experiential learning, advocacy and project management;
experience in conducting training and action research activities at the local, national level;
collaborative relationships with a wide range of government agencies, NGOs and community groups.
Partners also participate in the implementation of national activities of The ICERD, and act as hosts for national advisers, consulting or voluntary basis.
The ICERD aims to increase the number of Partners over the next couple of years, while maintaining the strength of vision and expertise which characterises the existing group.
Organisations join The ICERD by signing a Memorandum of Partnership with the Board of Directors. Subsequently, Partners participate in General Meetings of The ICERD.