 |
|
|
| Modified: 4/10/2012 10:19 AM |
|
|
|
|
CARE has recently launched an e-course on market analysis and value chain program design. Developed with support from USAID, the course provides learners with an introduction to market-based approaches, an overview of how value chain programming links to CARE's program approach and a detailed, step-by-step introduction to the market analysis and value chain program design process. The new course is unique in many ways but particularly in that it integrates a gender lens across every step, ensuring CARE's programs continue to focus on and aim to enhance women's empowerment.
To register for the course visit: www.careacademy.org.
Contact Christian Pennotti ( cpennotti@care.org) with any questions.
|
| Modified: 4/10/2012 10:17 AM |
|
|
|
|
In 2008, CARE launched an ambitious Market Engagement Strategy that aims to empower 10 million women and girls to transition from poverty to prosperity by 2015 by improving their ability to access and benefit from markets and employment.
This report represents a first assessment of how we are doing. The report begins by recapping the rationale for our strategic focus and our objectives. This is followed by a summary of CARE’s global achievements and highlights from some of our most progressive programs and partnerships. The report also reviews current activities and concludes with an outline of key issues to focus on as we move forward.
Downloads:
|
| Modified: 11/18/2011 7:44 AM |
|
|
|
|
The winners of the first ever CARE Market Engagement Innovations and Impacts Competition have now been identified. Having received 19 entries, the decision-making process was not easy but the multi-sectoral review team that included colleagues in CARE US and CARE UK has selected 5 winner entries.
Each project that won demonstrates a high-degree of alignment with the principles in the Market Engagement Strategy and holds unique lessons for others looking to replicate innovations and improve their work in this area. In the coming quarters we will be developing detailed case studies on each of the these. In the mean time, the winning entries are:
-
Dac Achana Project in Kenya - An integrated food security initiative that brought together VSLA, food for work, agriculture and market engagement interventions. The model holds unique lessons for CARE's growing portfolio of food security programs.
-
AgroDealer Project in Zambia - An effort to establish a sustainable network of 500 rural agrodealers to increase access to quality, affordable inputs for 91,000 rural smallholders - and identify a highly scalable model in the process.
-
Tsunami Response Project in India - Through this work, CARE implemented a series of interventions ranging from immediate post-disaster response to longer-term economic development interventions, navigating complex social and political dynamics in the process. Particular innovations emerge in the salt, fisheries and dairy sectors. A description of interventions in each sector is in the attachment.
-
Sustainable Dairy Value Chain Project in Bangladesh - "SDVC" as it is called, is a dynamic value chain project intervening in multiple points in the dairy sector in Bangladesh in order to double the incomes of 35,000 smallholders. They are well on their way to success, and building partnerships with a range of private sector, research and governmental actors to achieve this.
-
Beef Value Chain Project in Peru - An intervention to enable smallholders in the Puno region to increase product quality and market share, which improving incomes and breaking down barriers to women's empowerment. Results include a 500% increase in income for 3000 smallholders, the creation of nearly 1000 FTE jobs and increased respect for women in the central markets in Lima.
Congratulations to all of the applicants and particularly to the winning entries for the incredible work you are doing. We look forward to helping you share this with colleagues across CARE.
|
| Modified: 2/3/2011 11:59 PM |
|
|
|
|
Best Practices & Innovations (BPI) Initiative: Agriculture & Rural Livelihoods
InterAction, with support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), launched the second round of the Best Practices & Innovations (BPI) Initiative on July 15, 2010. The initiative promotes information sharing on effective program approaches and improves practice standards by boosting the efficiency and impacts of field programs in the agriculture and rural livelihoods sectors.
Organizations are invited to submit information on interventions that have succeeded in improving food security, reducing poverty, increasing resilience and/or improving productivity. Interventions in a wide number of program areas are eligible, from climate change adaptation to pest and disease management to value chain development. All submitted interventions will be featured on InterAction’s online map of NGO food security and agriculture projects. Those receiving “best practice” and “promising innovation” designations will also be featured in InterAction’s monthly publication, Monday Developments. In addition, best practice and promising innovation programs will be presented at a technical approaches workshop in late 2010.
How to Apply
Submission forms will be available on InterAction’s website starting July 15, 2010 at www.interaction.org/ best-practices-innovations. The deadline for submissions is September 15, 2010.
Who is eligible to participate?
InterAction member organizations and members of IFAD’s Working Group on Agriculture and Rural Poverty are eligible to submit interventions for consideration.
To learn more about the Best Practices and Innovations (BPI) Initiative and see winning submissions from the first round, please visit: www.interaction.org/best-practices-innovations. Please contact Danielle Heiberg, dheiberg@interaction.org, with any questions.
|
| Modified: 8/19/2010 5:05 PM |
|
|
|
|
The Nourishing the Planet project will assess the state of agricultural innovations—from cropping methods to irrigation technology to agricultural policy—with an emphasis on sustainability, diversity, and ecosystem health, as well as productivity. The project aims to both inform global efforts to eradicate hunger and raise the profile of these efforts. The Nourishing the Planet blog features regular updates on innovations in the field and ways in which CARE and other organizations are advancing agricultural practices.
Access the Blog here!
State of the World 2011: Agricultural Innovation for Food Security and Poverty Reduction
|
| Modified: 4/28/2010 10:15 AM |
|
|
|
|
ATLANTA, March 10, 2010 – CARE Bangladesh is honored to be the unanimous choice for the Public Affairs Asia Gold Standard Award under the Sustainability category for its project “Sustainable Women Empowerment on the Road to Export Markets.” This innovative CARE project supports the development of rural rug-making enterprises where 400 marginalized women are employed and then linked with profitable export markets in Europe through Kik, a German retailer.
The rug-making enterprises not only increase the incomes of women in the project - allowing them to save more and invest more in their families - but they also dramatically transform the women’s social positions by enhancing their decision making power, voice and participation in their families and society.
According to Radha Muthiah, vice president of strategic partnerships at CARE, “This award is an affirmation of the good work of CARE Bangladesh and the indigent Bangladeshi women who succeeded when they were provided the opportunity and resources to do so.”
CARE and Kik brought together poor female artisans and then incorporated them into a profitable rug-making value chain that was directly linked to international markets. The women in the project received support in everything from quality training, to accessing raw materials, improving workplace safety, and of course linking with a secure market. The deep partnership with Kik ensured the impact of CARE’s work would be sustainable over the long term.
This project in Bangladesh has the potential to benefit many marginalized women across the country if taken to a larger scale.
Muthiah adds, “CARE aims is to establish more partnerships with the private sector, such as the one with Kik, to yield better and more sustainable results for the communities in which we work. If we can leverage the strengths of corporate partners, including connections to their global supply chains, even more women, families and communities around the world will benefit.”
CARE has a goal of economically empowering 10 million women and their families by promoting dignified employment and sustainable incomes by 2015.
Read Stories from Project Particpants:
|
| Modified: 3/12/2010 4:11 PM |
|
|
|
|
From 2004 – 2009, CARE implemented the Livestock Marketing and Enterprise (LIME) Project and, subsequently, the Livestock Purchasing (LIP) Fund Project in the Garissa District of Kenya. The project objectives were to improve the livelihoods of pastoralist livestock holders in the drought prone and heavily impoverished region.
This Case Study examines CARE’s experience under LIME and LIPFund to illustrate lessons learned about effective NGO interventions in value chains. Packaged as a business school case, the document is a teaching tool for NGO staff and business school students, focused on three key concepts central to effective strategies for making markets work for the poor from an NGO perspective: Stakeholder Engagement, Private Sector Partnerships and Value Chain Facilitation.
Access the case >> |
| Modified: 12/14/2009 1:58 PM |
|
|
|
|
The two-page version of the market engagement strategy for 2008-2015 is now available in French, Spanish and Portuguese.
|
| Modified: 12/12/2009 8:24 AM |
|
|
|
|
An article on CARE Bangladesh’s Rural Sales Program was published as the cover story of the Retail Digest- the leading international magazine published by Oxford University. The article entitled, Aparajitas of Bangladesh, praised CARE Bangladesh for their work on the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) scheme that echoes socially responsible business.
|
| Modified: 12/11/2009 6:04 PM |
|
|
|
|
CARE Bangladesh’s program with home furnishing value chains has been selected as a nominee for the annual Public Affairs Asia Gold Standard award. This is a tremendous accomplishment for CARE Bangladesh and showcases the cutting edge work they are inspiring! |
| Modified: 12/11/2009 4:06 PM |
|
|
|
|
CARE's 2008 - 2015 Market Engagement Strategy will scale Up our work in Value Chains with a goal of empowering 10 million women and girls and their families to lift themselves out of poverty by 2015 by promoting dignified employment and sustainable incomes through the development of agricultural and other high-potential value chains.
The strategy represents a significant step forward in consolidating and building upon CARE's long history of economic development.
Learn more by downloading the:
|
| Modified: 12/2/2009 11:14 AM |
|
|
|
|
A Place to Grow was an 18-month effort to establish a strong understanding of the ways in which CARE includes or fails to include women and girls in agriculture and agribusiness initiatives. The project incorporated the development of a Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Framework, a portfolio review and a series of Circles of Learning and informational interviews to validate initial findings. The results include a series of case studies on specific country projects, an aggregated toolkit for women’s empowerment through agriculture programming, a synthesis paper highlighting the overall strengths and weaknesses of CARE's work in this area and a series of related input documents with additional information on particular country or project activities.
Access all A Place to Grow reports in the EDU Document Library. |
| Modified: 10/22/2009 9:40 AM |
|
|
|
|
The Economic Development Unit manages SEADChat - a listserv for all CARE enterprise and financial services practitioners.
Already a member? Update your information and help us improve by taking this brief user survey. |
| Modified: 10/22/2009 9:40 AM |
|
|
|
|
On September 7th, 2009 CARE announced the sale of its shares in Financiera EDYFICAR to Banco de Crédito del Perú. The sale represents a significant accomplishment for CARE, which founded EDYFICAR 11 years ago. The EDU congratulates all those who worked to help build EDYFICAR into a sustainable financial services provider reaching over 195,000 low-income entrepreneurs and households across the country. Read the full press release below.
_________________________________________
BANCO DE CREDITO DEL PERU TO ACQUIRE FINANCIERA EDYFICAR
LIMA, Peru (Sept. 7, 2009) - CARE and Banco de Crédito del Perú today announced an agreement has been reached for Banco de Crédito del Perú, Peru’s oldest and largest financial institution, to acquire CARE’s majority stake in Financiera EDYFICAR. Founded by CARE 11 years ago, EDYFICAR has grown to become Peru’s second-largest microfinance institution by number of clients, serving over 195,000 micro-entrepreneurs.
This agreement will mean no changes to EDYFICAR’s business. EDYFICAR will continue as an independent entity, preserving its business model, its brand and personnel. It will continue to provide financial services to the same lower-income segment of the population of Peru.
“We firmly believe EDYFICAR is a success story in its market segment and we want to provide the capital, funding and technology for it to continue growing beyond its current capabilities and in implementing its strategic plan.” said Walter Bayly, CEO of Banco de Crédito del Perú, who also emphasized, “We want to learn from the best in microfinance, and the best are all those who are part of EDYFICAR’s team.”
The acquisition reflects Banco de Crédito del Perú’s strategy to lead all segments of retail banking in Peru. It is also in line with its commitment to contribute to increasing access to banking services in the country. EDYFICAR and Banco de Crédito del Perú’s loan portfolios are absolutely complementary, so there will be no changes either for Banco de Crédito del Perú’s strategy or its loan offers for small companies.
"A true measure of success for a poverty-fighting program is when our help is no longer needed to support it. EDYFICAR, with Banco de Crédito del Perú’s backing, possesses the ability to sustain itself and its mission without non-profit support, enabling CARE to deploy even more resources to fight poverty,” says Dr. Helene Gayle, president and CEO of CARE.
“EDYFICAR will be able to serve more low-income Peruvians, and CARE can reinvest the proceeds from the sale to expand our poverty-fighting programs in Peru and around the world. This is good for EDYFICAR, good for microfinance and good for the global fight against poverty.”
As the social mission of EDYFICAR continues, CARE will invest proceeds in to three key areas:
-
Continuing to impact poverty and social exclusion in Peru. Proceeds will provide long-term support to programs that fight poverty and address gender inequities across the poorest regions of Peru, where CARE has strong ties to communities.
-
Expanding microfinance globally. Proceeds will also go toward expanding microfinance and financial services more broadly for poor people around the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where the unmet need is greatest.
-
Serving more women and girls. Proceeds of the sale will also enable CARE to bolster programming that reaches marginalized women and girls around the world with education, maternal health care and access to financial services.
“In selling our shares of EDYFICAR, CARE sought not only a fair financial offer but also a commitment to the social mission that made EDYFICAR successful,” says Milo Stanojevich, CARE’s director in Peru. “This agreement is an opportunity for CARE to make an even greater contribution to the fight against poverty in Peru and other parts of the world in great need. We are proud of EDYFICAR’s accomplishments, and look forward to observing its continued success.”
Closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals, and is expected to occur in the coming weeks.
About EDYFICAR
Financiera EDYFICAR is a leading microfinance institution headquartered in Lima, Peru with a loan portfolio of approximately $210 million as of July 2009. EDYFICAR became a licensed financiera in 2008 after being first established as an EDPYME in 1998. Today, EDYFICAR has 1,170 employees and serves over 195,000 clients across 13 regions of Peru. In 2008, EDYFICAR was ranked ninth among microfinance institutions in Latin America by the Inter-American Development Bank.
About CARE
CARE fights root causes of poverty in the world’s poorest communities. In nearly 70 countries, CARE places special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. In Peru, CARE tackles poverty and social exclusion, contributing significantly to national priorities in nutrition, education, gender equity, maternal and child health, HIV and TB, water and sanitation, economic development and climate change. CARE projects in Peru benefit more than 500,000 of the poorest people in the country.
About BANCO DE CRÉDITO DEL PERÚ
Banco de Crédito del Perú is the major financial institution of the Peruvian financial system. Established in 1889, it has a well-recognized history and healthy tradition as a depositary and resources provider of 120 years. El Banco de Crédito del Perú leads the Peruvian banking system with 32% of the loans and 36% of the deposits as of June 2009. Banco de Crédito del Perú’s track record and leadership have been recognized multiple times by the most prestigious awards and rating agencies, including being named 2008 “Bank of the Year” in Peru by The Banker and Latin Finance Magazines.
####### |
| Modified: 9/18/2009 11:06 AM |
|
|
|
|
Updated documents on "A Place to Grow" have been added to the Document Library. "A Place to Grow" is an 18-month project that was developed by CARE to get a deeper organization-wide understanding of how we can support women and girls in taking key leadership roles in its agriculture-related programs. A conferenceis to be held the last weekend in March. Stay tuned for upcoming updates! |
| Modified: 2/18/2009 12:14 PM |
|
|
|
|
Country Profiles for over 15 African countries have been uploaded to the document library! These profiles by the Economist Intelligence Unit are great resources that provide an analysis of the country's economic and political history, as well as outlooks for 2009. |
| Modified: 2/18/2009 12:08 PM |
|
|
|
|
Two new dictionaries on microfinance have been added to the document library. One is in French, and the other in Spanish. |
| Modified: 2/13/2009 12:50 PM |
|
|