On 4th October 2017, key stakeholders to the Local Competitiveness Facility (LCF) grant fund undertook a one day joint field visit to LCF beneficiary projects in Gakenke District. Participants to the visit included representatives (composing the Investment Committee) from LODA, MINALOC, Belgian Development Agency (BTC), Belgium Embassy in Rwanda, Rwanda Governance Board, Ministry of Youth, RALGA and District officials The purpose of this study tour was to visit some projects which have already received the first instalment of the LCF funding, and which are currently implementing their proposed projects, in order for the members of both the LCF Investment Committee and the RDSP Steering Committee to meet with the BDEU staff, the LCF beneficiaries, and see in practice how the implementation and monitoring of the funds is happening. The overall goal of this learning visit for the investment committee and/or RDSP SC Committee and District Evaluation Committee is for the members of those committees to learn more about the on-going implementation of the projects benefitting from LCF funding. Nine partnership projects in Gakenke District were selected on competitive basis and were awarded a total grant of 215.68 million Frw. The nine applicants include IMPU Z’IWACU cooperative (Gakenke Sector), COATA (Busengo Sector), IMBAKA (Gakenke Sector), INTEGE (Mugunga Sector), KOKKA (Kamubuga Sector), ICYIZERE IWACU (Gashenyi Sector), SINDUBAZA TASK LTD (Janja Sector), IMANZI GIRUBUKI (Minazi Sector), and COVAFGA (Gakenke Sector). Of the above, three cooperatives involved in agro-processing projects were visited, namely IMBAKA (dealing with Honey, Candle & Vaseline), COVAFGA (involved in pineapple and pension fruits processing: juice and wine), and INTEGE (producing banana wine). Upon arrival at one of the host cooperative named COFAFGA, the delegation headed by Mrs. NKUNDA Laetitia, the Director General of LODA, was warmly welcomed by Mr. NIYONSENGA Aimé François, the Vice Mayor in charge of economic affairs in Gakenke District. He lauded the efforts of LODA and the Belgium Cooperation in Rwanda to improve on Gakenke inhabitants’ welfare. Mr. SIBOMANA Saidi, the Division Manager in charge of Local Development Planning and Monitoring & Evaluation at LODA, stated that the objective of this learning visit is to visit some of the LCF beneficiary projects and engage with relevant District authorities who take part in the monitoring and evaluation of the projects.  The learning visit provides the opportunity to assess, discuss, the impact of LCF funding on the lives of beneficiaries and discuss with District authorities how the implementation of the LCF programme is going. Testimonies by LCF beneficiaries who just received the first instalment of the funds are positive and their  ambitions remain high. Mr. MANIRAGABA Emmanuel, the representative of IMBAKA Partnership (cooperative dealing with honey processing, making candles, body cream, soap, shoe polish, and wine) acknowledged that they were able to form a cooperative union thanks to LCF funding, and they shifted from traditional to modern beekeeping, thus increasing production and income. Through a competitive selection, they got a 40 million funding, and have already received 16 million as the first instalment thanks to which they bought modern beehives, honey processing equipment, and recruited a Managing Director and cooperative staff. He expressed gratitude to LCF stakeholders who supported their partnership. Emmanuel SENZIRA, the representative of UBUFATANYE INTEGE (uniting SENZEMA SUPPLY AN D SERVICES LTD and EAST AFRICAN SERVICES JOB RWANDA LTD) which deals with banana wine processing, revealed that their capital has risen from 4 to 30 million in the last five years. Thanks LCF funding, they are purchasing modern banana processing machine and are recruiting more competent staff for effective management. At INTEGE PARTNERSHIP, the manpower employed amounts to 23 males and 13 females, and is to be increased up to more 11 males and 11 females). In addition to the just received training in marketing procurement and reporting, Mr. SENZIRA expressed the need for more training in terms of peer learning and coaching to enable UBUFATANYE INTEGE become a more competitive banana processing plant. After visiting the three aforementioned LCF beneficiary projects, the delegation gathered at Musanze for a wrap-up for sharing experiences and findings. The identified challenges are generally those linked with hygiene & sanitation, project elaboration, long term planning, training and coaching. It was resolved that District BDEU staff ought to regularly monitor the implementation of projects under LCF flagship, and that similar joint filed visit be conducted twice a year by the whole team and district per quarter. LCF was purposely initiated to fund innovative economic partnership projects to enhance pro-poor local economic development (LED). After its pilot phase in Gakenke, Gisagara, Nyagatare and Rutsiro, LCF is expected to be expanded in more Districts in the future.