CFI to Support ALPs for Technology Needs
Technology Transfer to Establish Successful Innovative Solutions
Livelihood BASIX Inc. (LBI) is now an Affiliate Partner of Center For Innovation (CFI), an organization acting as information node for widespread use of technologies developed by US government labs. LBI was hoping that this partnership may result in meeting the technology needs of farmers and entrepreneurs in ALPs countries where both the US Department of Agriculture and the Foreign Agricultural Service are active.
The Center supports a strategic approach to the formation of an open innovation network, by facilitating and enabling the integration of industry, academic and government research and discovery with venture capital and talent & knowhow. CFI is focused on the commercialization of technology‐based research outcomes from universities, industries and federal labs, leading to the evolutionary development of integrated industry clusters.
There may also be some scope for LBI partners in testing out of some untried technologies useful for African farmers and agro-processors, with funding support from these agencies or the USAID, which the CFI and LBI would try to raise jointly. An MoU with CFI with an investment of USD 25,000 was proposed. The Board approved the proposal to partner with CFI for one year and possible extensions after review.
Affiliate Partner Network
CFI’s Affiliate Partner Network is open to corporate, industry, academic, economic development, trade association, venture fund, municipality, and governmental partners throughout the U.S. and abroad.
Members of the Affiliate Partner Network function under formal agreements with CFI as “Affiliate Partners.” They provide direct guidance and direction to CFI in the development of the Federal Agency Network as well as CFI’s other programs and initiatives. In return, they receive direct support from CFI on an ongoing basis, as well as direct access to and preferential participation in all CFI activities.
CFI works with and through its Affiliate Partner Network to connect the Affiliate Partners to the 10 Federal Agencies and 334 labs CFI represents under federal partnership agreements, thereby enabling technology transfer and commercialization on a broad, national and international scale.
CFI’s Affiliate Partner Network is also international in scope; currently working with organizations in Africa, Australia, Central America, India, Israel, and New Zealand.
Technology Transfer to Establish Successful Innovative Solutions
Livelihood BASIX Inc. (LBI) is now an Affiliate Partner of Center For Innovation (CFI), an organization acting as information node for widespread use of technologies developed by US government labs. LBI was hoping that this partnership may result in meeting the technology needs of farmers and entrepreneurs in ALPs countries where both the US Department of Agriculture and the Foreign Agricultural Service are active.
The Center supports a strategic approach to the formation of an open innovation network, by facilitating and enabling the integration of industry, academic and government research and discovery with venture capital and talent & knowhow. CFI is focused on the commercialization of technology‐based research outcomes from universities, industries and federal labs, leading to the evolutionary development of integrated industry clusters.
There may also be some scope for LBI partners in testing out of some untried technologies useful for African farmers and agro-processors, with funding support from these agencies or the USAID, which the CFI and LBI would try to raise jointly. An MoU with CFI with an investment of USD 25,000 was proposed. The Board approved the proposal to partner with CFI for one year and possible extensions after review.
Affiliate Partner Network
CFI’s Affiliate Partner Network is open to corporate, industry, academic, economic development, trade association, venture fund, municipality, and governmental partners throughout the U.S. and abroad.
Members of the Affiliate Partner Network function under formal agreements with CFI as “Affiliate Partners.” They provide direct guidance and direction to CFI in the development of the Federal Agency Network as well as CFI’s other programs and initiatives. In return, they receive direct support from CFI on an ongoing basis, as well as direct access to and preferential participation in all CFI activities.
CFI works with and through its Affiliate Partner Network to connect the Affiliate Partners to the 10 Federal Agencies and 334 labs CFI represents under federal partnership agreements, thereby enabling technology transfer and commercialization on a broad, national and international scale.
CFI’s Affiliate Partner Network is also international in scope; currently working with organizations in Africa, Australia, Central America, India, Israel, and New Zealand.
ALPs Knowledge Exchange Visit for Cameroon; June 02-06, 2014 - India
Under south-south knowledge exchange initiative, ALPs organized a Knowledge Exchange Visit for nominated participants from its Cameroonian partners, to India. The specific objective of this exchange visit was to exchange knowledge on Inclusive Financial Services, Smallholder Productivity Enhancement and Commodity Value Chains, Young Entrepreneurs in Agroprises and micro-franchisee business model; the thematic areas of ALPs program.
Key Learnings
Some of the key learnings made by participants are:
Outcomes Achieved
At the end of this visit, participants acquired knowledge on the following:
Participating Institutions - Cameroon
a) PAMIGA (Participatory Microfinance Group for Africa)
PAMIGA is a non-profit company created in 2006, and headquartered in Paris, France. PAMIGA is an initiative by CIDR and leaders in African microfinance. Its mission is to contribute to unlock the economic potential in rural Africa, by promoting the growth of existing financial intermediaries that serve rural areas. In 2013, PAMIGA partnered with BASIX to implement the “African Livelihoods Partnership” (ALP) program.
b) MIFED (Microfinance & Development)
MIFED was created in 1998 as a development organization specialized in the provision of technical assistance in microfinance as well as in the operational implementation of microfinance programs in rural Cameroon. Since its creation, MIFED has been managing the Program for Decentralized Rural Credit (PCRD) on behalf of the Government of Cameroon. At the same time, MIFED has been involved in various development programs focusing on financial inclusion in rural areas in Central Africa (Cameroon, Chad). MIFED is the national, strategic partner of ALPs in Cameroon.
c) GRIAGES-UCAC (Catholic University of Central Africa)
Created in 1989, the Catholic University of Central Africa is a regional academic institution with students coming from all parts of Central Africa. It is based in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The University hosts a Research Institute, called GRIAGES (Research Group on Intelligence and Management Science), that comprises University teachers and Researchers specialized in IT, Management and Finance. GRIAGES-UCAC is the Knowledge Partner of ALPs in Cameroon.
d) ICS (Institution de Crédit Solidaire du Nord)
ICS was created in 2007 through a joint initiative by CIDR and MIFED, and following a feasibility study carried out in 2005 in the Northern Region. Two branches were first opened in Garoua and Maroua, and in 2011 a third branch was established in the town of N’Gaoundéré. ICS covers the entire Northern Region, and has plans to expand countrywide. While ICS started its operations as a project, the institution engaged in a transformation process in 2013 to become a limited liability company. Women represent 100% of ICS’ clients; which is one of the reasons why ICS was selected as a FIT partner for ALPs in Cameroon.
e) SWAVIB (South-West Association of Village Barns)
SWAVIB is the other FIT Partner for ALPs in Cameroon. A network of 55 village banks that has been in existence for 5 years only, SWAVIB covers the entire Southwest Region, and provides financial services for 12,349 members (most of them smallholders and women petty-traders).
f) A3C (Association of CVECA and CECA of the Central Region)
A3C was created in 2006 from the merger of several stand-alone rural cooperatives that have been in existence since 1995. Today, it is a network with about 80 village banks covering the entire Central Region of Cameroon (presence in 7 out of the 10 districts/departments of the Central Region). Most of the branches in the A3C network are in rural areas; only 4 branches are in urban areas. The focus is mainly on financing smallholders and marginalized women in Central Region.
g) PADMIR (Program for the Support and Development of Rural Microfinance)
PADMIR is a government-initiated program, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER), with funding and technical assistance from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). PADMIR’s overall goal is to contribute to poverty alleviation, food security and improvement of livelihoods in rural areas. Many potential synergies exist between PADMIR and ALPs, especially thanks to the focus of both programs on similar target beneficiaries, namely smallholders, women and youth in rural areas.
Visits Made to
Name of Participants
Eight (8) participants took part in the exchange visit program in India.
Under south-south knowledge exchange initiative, ALPs organized a Knowledge Exchange Visit for nominated participants from its Cameroonian partners, to India. The specific objective of this exchange visit was to exchange knowledge on Inclusive Financial Services, Smallholder Productivity Enhancement and Commodity Value Chains, Young Entrepreneurs in Agroprises and micro-franchisee business model; the thematic areas of ALPs program.
Key Learnings
Some of the key learnings made by participants are:
- Credit alone is not a sufficient instrument for poverty alleviation and improvement of livelihoods
- Taking ownership of information technology tools and opportunities is key for financial inclusion and livelihoods’ enhancement
- Importance of developing soft skills, ethics and moral values for youth entrepreneurship and self-employment initiatives
- Importance of norms, procedures and contract enforcement, for institutional and community developme
- Role of enabling and proactive regulatory framework, Banks are more comfortable downscaling to reach out to the poorest, and more synergies are possible with different stakeholders (MFIs, mobile network operators, etc.)
- The promotion and enhancement of livelihoods goes hand in hand with developing strong rural microenterprises
Outcomes Achieved
At the end of this visit, participants acquired knowledge on the following:
- BASIX’s Livelihood Promotion Strategy
- Agricultural Commodity Value Chain
- Financial Inclusion
- Self-employment and Entrepreneurship
- Technology embedded Financial Inclusion
- Microfinance Operation
- Cooperative structure, functions and model for growth
Participating Institutions - Cameroon
a) PAMIGA (Participatory Microfinance Group for Africa)
PAMIGA is a non-profit company created in 2006, and headquartered in Paris, France. PAMIGA is an initiative by CIDR and leaders in African microfinance. Its mission is to contribute to unlock the economic potential in rural Africa, by promoting the growth of existing financial intermediaries that serve rural areas. In 2013, PAMIGA partnered with BASIX to implement the “African Livelihoods Partnership” (ALP) program.
b) MIFED (Microfinance & Development)
MIFED was created in 1998 as a development organization specialized in the provision of technical assistance in microfinance as well as in the operational implementation of microfinance programs in rural Cameroon. Since its creation, MIFED has been managing the Program for Decentralized Rural Credit (PCRD) on behalf of the Government of Cameroon. At the same time, MIFED has been involved in various development programs focusing on financial inclusion in rural areas in Central Africa (Cameroon, Chad). MIFED is the national, strategic partner of ALPs in Cameroon.
c) GRIAGES-UCAC (Catholic University of Central Africa)
Created in 1989, the Catholic University of Central Africa is a regional academic institution with students coming from all parts of Central Africa. It is based in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The University hosts a Research Institute, called GRIAGES (Research Group on Intelligence and Management Science), that comprises University teachers and Researchers specialized in IT, Management and Finance. GRIAGES-UCAC is the Knowledge Partner of ALPs in Cameroon.
d) ICS (Institution de Crédit Solidaire du Nord)
ICS was created in 2007 through a joint initiative by CIDR and MIFED, and following a feasibility study carried out in 2005 in the Northern Region. Two branches were first opened in Garoua and Maroua, and in 2011 a third branch was established in the town of N’Gaoundéré. ICS covers the entire Northern Region, and has plans to expand countrywide. While ICS started its operations as a project, the institution engaged in a transformation process in 2013 to become a limited liability company. Women represent 100% of ICS’ clients; which is one of the reasons why ICS was selected as a FIT partner for ALPs in Cameroon.
e) SWAVIB (South-West Association of Village Barns)
SWAVIB is the other FIT Partner for ALPs in Cameroon. A network of 55 village banks that has been in existence for 5 years only, SWAVIB covers the entire Southwest Region, and provides financial services for 12,349 members (most of them smallholders and women petty-traders).
f) A3C (Association of CVECA and CECA of the Central Region)
A3C was created in 2006 from the merger of several stand-alone rural cooperatives that have been in existence since 1995. Today, it is a network with about 80 village banks covering the entire Central Region of Cameroon (presence in 7 out of the 10 districts/departments of the Central Region). Most of the branches in the A3C network are in rural areas; only 4 branches are in urban areas. The focus is mainly on financing smallholders and marginalized women in Central Region.
g) PADMIR (Program for the Support and Development of Rural Microfinance)
PADMIR is a government-initiated program, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER), with funding and technical assistance from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). PADMIR’s overall goal is to contribute to poverty alleviation, food security and improvement of livelihoods in rural areas. Many potential synergies exist between PADMIR and ALPs, especially thanks to the focus of both programs on similar target beneficiaries, namely smallholders, women and youth in rural areas.
Visits Made to
- BASICS SEG; http://www.basixindia.com
- KBS Local Area Bank; http://kbsbankindia.com
- SUB-K; http://subk.co.in
- Mulkanoor Cooperative Rural Bank & Marketing Society; http://mcrbms.com
- BSFL Unit, Nanded; http://www.basixindia.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=40&Itemid=54
- RSETI; http://www.nird.org.in/rseti
Name of Participants
Eight (8) participants took part in the exchange visit program in India.
- Mr Racine Ly, Country Program Manager, PAMIGA
- Mr Simon Yon Tjega, General Manager, MIFED
- Mr Wolfgang Ossoa, Director of Training & Knowledge Mgt, MIFED
- Mr Jean-Robert Kala Kamdjoug, Teacher, UCAC
- Ms Charlotte P. P. Denewol, Managing Director, ICS
- Mr Harrison Atabong, General Manager, SWAVIB
- Mr Aloys Mballa-Assembe, General Manager, A3C
- Mr Zacharie Eloundou-Owona, Microfinance Manager, PADMIR
ALPs Knowledge Exchange Visit for Tanzania
March 03 - 08, 2014 - India
Under south-south knowledge exchange initiative, ALPs recently organised a Knowledge Exchange program for some nominated participants of its Tanzanian partners, to India. The specific objective of this exchange visit was to exchange knowledge on Inclusive Financial Services, Smallholder Productivity Enhancement and Commodity Value Chains, Young Entrepreneurs in Agroprises and micro-franchisee business model; the thematic areas of ALPs program.
Key Learnings during Exchange Visit
Program Schedule can be Downloaded from here.
March 03 - 08, 2014 - India
Under south-south knowledge exchange initiative, ALPs recently organised a Knowledge Exchange program for some nominated participants of its Tanzanian partners, to India. The specific objective of this exchange visit was to exchange knowledge on Inclusive Financial Services, Smallholder Productivity Enhancement and Commodity Value Chains, Young Entrepreneurs in Agroprises and micro-franchisee business model; the thematic areas of ALPs program.
Key Learnings during Exchange Visit
- Public Private Partnership (PPP), role of private sector as a key engine for social change, role of PPP in transformation of life’s with ease and supporting rural people to have a large impact on the economy;
- Knowledge development, youth entrepreneurship, micro-enterprise and enterprise development;
- Govt. policies and its implementation to bring change, application of thinkers models, exposure and training, Commitment and attitude of spreading rather than depth (while thinking at provision of services);
- Inclusive financial services, financial inclusion, promotion of savings culture, role of private sector to develop social community through financial inclusion, knowledge investment and self sustainable and pro poor models;
- Building a strong foundation, small holder value chain using simple techniques and starting from small level to achieve big and
- Role played by Rural Technology Park in introduction of appropriate technological inputs for enhancing the productivity and quality of farm and non-farm sectors, role of kisan call centre in agriculture extension management and production cum training of Boys Town Industrial Training Centre.
Program Schedule can be Downloaded from here.
ALPs Knowledge Exchange Visit for Mozambique
January 20 - 25, 2014 - India
Under south-south knowledge exchange initiative, ALPs recently organised a Knowledge Exchange program for some nominated participants of its Mozambican Strategic Partner, GAPI to India. The specific objective of this exchange visit was to exchange knowledge on Inclusive Financial Services, Smallholder Productivity Enhancement and Commodity Value Chains, Young Entrepreneurs in Agroprises and micro-franchisee business model; the thematic areas of ALPs program.
Outcome Achieved
At the end of this visit, participants acquired knowledge on the following:
Program Schedule can be downloaded from here.
January 20 - 25, 2014 - India
Under south-south knowledge exchange initiative, ALPs recently organised a Knowledge Exchange program for some nominated participants of its Mozambican Strategic Partner, GAPI to India. The specific objective of this exchange visit was to exchange knowledge on Inclusive Financial Services, Smallholder Productivity Enhancement and Commodity Value Chains, Young Entrepreneurs in Agroprises and micro-franchisee business model; the thematic areas of ALPs program.
Outcome Achieved
At the end of this visit, participants acquired knowledge on the following:
- BASIX's TRIAD Strategy and its scope
- Scope and role of BASIX in overall livelihood promotion
- Financial Inclusion, youth entrepreneurship and agriculture value chain context of India
- Different methodologies and best practices for inclusive development
- Acquire new ideas and concept for accomplishing the ALPs outcome in Mozambique, with special emphasis on Smallholder Productivity Enhancement and Value Chains
Program Schedule can be downloaded from here.
Training of Trainers Program on Entrepreneurial Business Planning
14-18 January, 2014 - Mwanza, Tanzania
ALPs has recently conducted a five day Training of Trainers (ToT) program on Entrepreneurial Business Planning (EBP) for District Youth Officer (DYO) and Women Development Officer (WDO) of Mwanza region in Tanzania; it is organized to achieving the aim of promoting entrepreneurship, youth self employment and enterprises establishment in Tanzania. The initiative is result of mutual consensus with the Directorate of Youth Development along with ten week close monitoring of Youth Economic Groups (YEG), Women Development Groups (WDG) and the government machinery working very closely with the youth communities in their respective districts within Mwanza region.
The main objective of this ToT program is to develop the pool of professionally trained individuals who can be used for building capacity of potential young entrepreneurs, better is to train people working in government department under District Youth Office. The broad objective include roll on training of Ward Community Development Officers, YEG and WDG members and Youth SACCO leaders through trained DYO and WDO.
District Youth and Women Development Officers are directly assisting YEG and WDG in the day to today activities; they are also involved in assessment and recommendation of potential project proposals to Ministry through Regional office for financial assistance. Youth officers are assisting groups through ward level community development officers to come with economically viable and employment creation projects.
The program document containing schedule and list of participants can be downloaded from here.
14-18 January, 2014 - Mwanza, Tanzania
ALPs has recently conducted a five day Training of Trainers (ToT) program on Entrepreneurial Business Planning (EBP) for District Youth Officer (DYO) and Women Development Officer (WDO) of Mwanza region in Tanzania; it is organized to achieving the aim of promoting entrepreneurship, youth self employment and enterprises establishment in Tanzania. The initiative is result of mutual consensus with the Directorate of Youth Development along with ten week close monitoring of Youth Economic Groups (YEG), Women Development Groups (WDG) and the government machinery working very closely with the youth communities in their respective districts within Mwanza region.
The main objective of this ToT program is to develop the pool of professionally trained individuals who can be used for building capacity of potential young entrepreneurs, better is to train people working in government department under District Youth Office. The broad objective include roll on training of Ward Community Development Officers, YEG and WDG members and Youth SACCO leaders through trained DYO and WDO.
District Youth and Women Development Officers are directly assisting YEG and WDG in the day to today activities; they are also involved in assessment and recommendation of potential project proposals to Ministry through Regional office for financial assistance. Youth officers are assisting groups through ward level community development officers to come with economically viable and employment creation projects.
The program document containing schedule and list of participants can be downloaded from here.
ALPs Program for Experience Exchange (APEX)
October 22-28, 2013 – India
Towards its mission of supporting livelihoods of poor through a sustainable, scalable and innovative approach in Africa, ALPs recently organized first program under APEX series; an experience exchange program for senior VETA officials from Tanzania and diversified officials from private and government institutions including BASIX in India. The pivotal theme of this experience exchange program was vocational training, youth entrepreneurship and self-employment.
During the program participants had an opportunity to:
At the end of this experience exchange program, participants:
Host Organisations
Organisations visited during APEX
List of Participants from VETA, Tanzania
1. Prof. Idrissa B. Mshoro - VET Board Chairman, VC, University of Land and Architecural Studies
2. Mr. Thomas D. Katebalirwe - Ag. Director for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Ministry of Education and Vocational Training
3. Ms. Mary O. Shuma - Director of Women Development, Children and Gender Program, Christian Council of Tanzania
4. Mr. Suleiman Lolila - Secratary General, National Muslim Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA)
5. Ms. Honoratha M. Chitanda - Principal Bustani Teacher College, CWT-Vice President
6. Mr. Enock Kibendela - Director of Labour Market Planning and Development, VETA HO
7. Mr. Geoffrey G. Sabuni - Director of Assessment and Certification, VETA HO
8. Mr. Steven T. Lazaro - Principal, Morogoro Vocational Teachers' Training College
9. Mr. Alois N. Shayo - Director of Human Resources and Administration, VETA HO
10. Mrs. Adeline I. J. Macha - Corporation Secretary, VETA HO
October 22-28, 2013 – India
Towards its mission of supporting livelihoods of poor through a sustainable, scalable and innovative approach in Africa, ALPs recently organized first program under APEX series; an experience exchange program for senior VETA officials from Tanzania and diversified officials from private and government institutions including BASIX in India. The pivotal theme of this experience exchange program was vocational training, youth entrepreneurship and self-employment.
During the program participants had an opportunity to:
- Exchange experience on vocational training and entrepreneurship promotion, particularly for rural and less-educated youth, covering the whole range of entrepreneurship from self-employment to micro-franchising to start-up enterprise to mature ones employing many persons.
- Visit various vocational training and entrepreneurship development institutions in India, from the policy to the implementation levels.
- Understand some of the advanced aspects of vocational training and entrepreneurship promotion including competence based training, qualification framework, micro-franchising and entrepreneurial mentoring.
- Identify steps to improve vocational training and entrepreneurship promotion in both the Tanzanian and the Indian context.
At the end of this experience exchange program, participants:
- Understood the scenario in Tanzania on vocational training and entrepreneurship promotion;
- Developed an appreciation of the various ways in which youth entrepreneurship in India and in Tanzania can be promoted after vocational training;
- Studied the detailed processes and materials used by various institutions for promoting entrepreneurship after vocational training; and
- Acquired new knowledge and ideas for implementation and improvement of entrepreneurship in the Tanzanian context.
Host Organisations
- BASIX SEG – www.basixindia.com
- Livelihood Basix Inc (LBI) – www.livelihoodbasix.org
- Basix Academy for Building Lifelong Employability (B-ABLE) – www.b-able.in
- Basix Consulting and Training Services Ltd (BCTS) – www.basix-consulting.com
- The Livelihood School (TLS) - www.thelivelihoodschool.org
Organisations visited during APEX
- Directorate General of Employment & Training (DGET), Ministry of Labour & Employment; Government of India; www.dget.nic.in
- Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI); www.ficci.com
- Foundation for MSME Clusters; www.fmc.org.in
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT- Delhi); www.iitd.ac.in
- National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBuD); www.niesbud.nic.in
- National Skill Development Corporation; www.nsdcindia.org
List of Participants from VETA, Tanzania
1. Prof. Idrissa B. Mshoro - VET Board Chairman, VC, University of Land and Architecural Studies
2. Mr. Thomas D. Katebalirwe - Ag. Director for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Ministry of Education and Vocational Training
3. Ms. Mary O. Shuma - Director of Women Development, Children and Gender Program, Christian Council of Tanzania
4. Mr. Suleiman Lolila - Secratary General, National Muslim Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA)
5. Ms. Honoratha M. Chitanda - Principal Bustani Teacher College, CWT-Vice President
6. Mr. Enock Kibendela - Director of Labour Market Planning and Development, VETA HO
7. Mr. Geoffrey G. Sabuni - Director of Assessment and Certification, VETA HO
8. Mr. Steven T. Lazaro - Principal, Morogoro Vocational Teachers' Training College
9. Mr. Alois N. Shayo - Director of Human Resources and Administration, VETA HO
10. Mrs. Adeline I. J. Macha - Corporation Secretary, VETA HO
GAPI becomes Mozambique National Strategic Partner with African Livelihoods Partnership (ALPs)
On August 30, 2013; Mr Antonio Souto, CEO of GAPI and Mr Vijay Mahajan, Founder of ALPs, exchanged the signed MoU between the two organisations in Maputo, Mozambique.
On August 30, 2013; Mr Antonio Souto, CEO of GAPI and Mr Vijay Mahajan, Founder of ALPs, exchanged the signed MoU between the two organisations in Maputo, Mozambique.