Qualifications Frameworks
Developing National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs) has become an important field of development cooperation. NQFs are related to competency orientation in education and training, life long learning and increased labour migration. The development of NQFs has been dominated by national governments and donor organisations so far. This bears the risk of artificial and "academic" competency profiles in VSD. Participatory approaches incorporating organisations of the world of work are more promising in terms of producing NQFs relevant to the labour market needs and thereby fostering employability.
Introduction [by Markus Maurer, senior lecturer, University of Zurich] Download Introduction (incl. bibliographic references) as PDF The growing importance of National Qualifications Frameworks The first frameworks were developed in Great Britain from the 1980s onwards and then spreading to a number of – mainly Anglo-Saxon – OECD countries in the 1990s. Since 2000, the model has also been promoted in developing and transition countries, particularly in Eastern Europe and in many parts of Asia. Annex 1 provides an overview of European countries implementing NQFs and documents the degrees of implementation.
Organisational Features of National Vocational Qualifications Frameworks In general, the frameworks lay out a hierarchical sequence of skill levels (normally between 5 to 10) that are related to the skills intensity of work processes in the labour market. Thus, lower levels in this grid generally relate to working processes which are limited in range and repetitive and familiar; in contrast, the highest skill levels normally relate to work tasks that require a command of highly specialised technical skills that may also include competencies to solve job-related problems by engaging in research and development. Against the backdrop of this grid, occupation-specific skill profiles are being developed, which then serve to allocate the existing TVET programmes to the different skill levels; in many cases, this process is coordinated by public authorities that fall back on the advice by representatives of the world of work. In any event, skill formation programmes generally need to be officially accredited by the public authorities before the respective organisation becomes eligible to impart training that leads to a qualification at a given skill level. In contrast to traditional skill standards and curricula, the NQFs are focussing on outcomes of training, i.e. on occupation-specific skills, rather than on inputs such as the contents of specific training programmes. Thus, different types of training programmes may lead to the same occupational skill level, and, in many countries, skill acquisition may also be certified when training has exclusively taken place in the workplace. The Rationale Underlying National Qualifications Frameworks Policy documents point out that the outcome orientation of the frameworks reflects the requirements of the labour market and thus positively contributes to the relevance of training programmes and increases the employability of trainees. In most countries where NQFs are started to be implemented only recently, reference is being made to other countries that have embarked on similar reforms. What generally is lacking, however, are references to successful implementation.
Figure 1 on EQF, source: http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/2010/doc/presentation_eqf_en.pdf National Qualifications Frameworks in Development Aid Today, one of the most important international organisations promoting NQFs is the European Training Foundation, a technical agency of the European Union. ETF contributes particularly to the development of NQFs in South-Eastern European countries and in the Middle East. It provides technical assistance to governments but also nurtures the development process by producing a high number of manuals and monitoring reports. The work of ETF in EU pre-accession and EU candidate countries takes place in the context of strong expectations from the side of existing EU member states that these countries soon implement the frameworks. In other parts of the world, the NQF movement was mainly driven by the multi-lateral development banks and the Commission of the European Union that are often falling back on the technical support by the ILO.
Challenges in Designing NQFs in Developing and Transition Countries Even though the development of NQFs has become of one the key features of current reforms in the domain of VSD the world over, there is still very little evidence with regard to the impact of this remarkably rapidly diffusing model. The comparatively few retrospective contributions to the literature point out that, in most cases, the NQF reforms in developing and transition countries are strongly government-led; organisations of the world of work have remained comparatively passive (in this context see also Annex 2 that provides an overview of NQF systems on the implementation of which there exist ILO case studies). Given the fact that NQFs are designed to contribute to the educational and social mobility of the workforce, there would be reason for labour unions to be interested in the model; however, many of such organisations both in developing and transition countries traditionally have little experience in lobbying in the field of VSD. On the other hand, employers’ associations may be considered to be welcoming more transparency in the provision of training but they are generally reluctant to support reforms that increase the opportunities for the mobility of the workforce because they may finally lead to more labour turnover at the firm level. Furthermore, the literature on the political economy of skill formation suggests that employers, particularly those from smaller and medium enterprises (SME) that are lacking internal labour markets, will not be eager to provide training to employees along the lines of qualifications frameworks, as the certified provision of industry-specific skills increases, in their eyes, the risk of newly trained employees being poached by competing firms in the sector. Evidence from the literature on qualifications frameworks also documents that employers have been involved only half-heartedly into the development of skills standards since these developments were often considered to be mainly driven by the interests of policy makers and development agencies and not by the world of work. In fact, skill standards developed in the context of the development of NQFs often become inflated lists of skills brought together by a heterogeneous group of stakeholders, thus even contributing to training programmes becoming longer and – paradoxically – more academic. Potential Emphasis of Future Aid to the Development of NQFs To make sure that the development of NQFs does not remain solely the objective of public authorities and donors, there is a need to involve organisations representing the world of work. The first kind of organisations to be involved may be employers’ associations, potentially those representing economic sectors that are particularly skill-intensive. This sort of cooperation, against the backdrop of very broadly defined overarching national skills levels, may lay the foundation of sector-specific qualifications frameworks that can be implemented by some of the leading firms in the respective economic sectors. Such cooperation needs to be based on a serious analysis of the sector that considers whether the industry leaders are both genuinely committed to skills training and in a position to convince fellow entrepreneurs to similarly promote training. There may be scope to also involve foreign investors into the development of sector-specific qualifications frameworks. Yet, it is absolutely vital to avoid that the development of such frameworks starts to be viewed as a model only appropriate for foreign firms that are generally more technology and skills intensive. If the industry sector is well chosen and the sector-specific framework starts to be successful, this provides an important starting point for convincing representatives from other sectors as well. In any event, an incremental approach to the implementation of NQFs may be more promising. A further type of organisation may be labour export agencies which are, for obvious reasons, highly interested in their employee-clients developing skills in ways that are recognised by overseas employers. Many agencies involved into developing VSD systems often face the difficulty that sector-specific employers’ associations or trade unions are either non-existent or lacking interest in VSD. In some cases, as for instance in the Kosovo banking sector, donor organisations have been involved into setting up respective organisations; in some countries, for instance in Kenya, donor agencies have also attempted at strengthening associations in the informal sector. In other cases, such as in the Bangladesh textile sector, external assistance has been aimed at improving the capacity of existing associations in the field of training. With regard to the development of NQFs, particularly the latter type of support seems to have some potential; donors may, however, be careful enough to make sure that the supported organisations do have a genuine interest in human resources development and are not engaging in policy talk only in order to get access to funding from abroad.
As pointed out above, the literature suggests that employers are not likely to invest into regular employees developing industry-specific skills that will be certified and thus allow workers to move on to other firms. For this reason, policy makers may think about developing specific training schemes that allow firms to pay lower wages to those employees who profit from being imparted skills that can be used elsewhere. If employers realise that employees may become productive already during the training phase and thus contribute to profits, they will, thus, also start to cope with the fact that some of them will leave the firm upon training.
One of the most important aspects while developing qualifications frameworks is to ensure that the approach to the development of such frameworks needs to be incremental and flexible. NQF reforms have long-term structural implications and thus entail a whole deal of systemic risks. It is only through this type of approach that the quality and relevance of training increases, thus paving the way for higher employability of graduates of training organisations.
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Pro-Poor Cluster Development Methodology August 2010 Author: Foundation for MSME Clusters, New Delhi This methodology document was sponsored by UNIDO- it draws extensively from a previous document: "Making Clusters Work- A UNIDO methodology (2006)". The author, Dr. Tamal Sarkar, is the director of the Foundation for MSME Clusters, New Delhi. As the title implies, unlike others, it has a special focus on pro-poor clusters.
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List of references from the Savings and Credit Forum July 2010 Author: Intercooperation Compilation of relevant references, handed out on the occasion of the Savings & Credit Forum on "Mainstreaming Social Performance in Microfinance - Implementing the Double Bottom Line" on 2 July 2010
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Project Flyer 2008-2012 June 2010 Author: Helvetas
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National Qualifications Frameworks: Key Features, Underlying Rationales and Role in International De June 2010 Author: Markus Maurer
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Public Private Partnership in Vocational Skills Development May 2010 Author: Markus Maurer Public private partnership (PPP) has been employed by policy makers and donor organisations as a panacea to solve many challenges related to vocational skills development. Experience, however, shows that effective and sustainable forms of PPP are difficult to implement overnight. In this context, this contribution looks at different schemes of collaboration between public authorities and representatives of the garment industry in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Against this backdrop, the author suggests that any effort related to PPP needs to be based on a careful analysis of existing training programmes offered by the public sector and of human resources development strategies of specific industrial sectors. |
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The implementation and impact of National Qualifications Frameworks: Report on a study in 16 countri May 2010 Author: Stephanie Allais
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Results for Inspiration: A highly successful Microfinance Project improves the Livelihoods of the Po May 2010 Author: Alfred Geiger in collaboration with Marianne Sulzer (Swisscontact) This case study summarizes the outcome of the ten years experience of the project COOPFIN/CREAR. Concluded in December 2009, it achieved important results by substantially contributing to the development of Savings and Credit Cooperatives in Ecuador.
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Les Greniers Communautaires Villageois comme garants de la sécurité alimentaire et du crédit - Etude March 2010 Author: Isabelle Dauner Gardiol, Intercooperation avec la contribution d’Antoine Rakotondrasoalimangavelo, Directeur de TITEM
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IZB Stellenausschreibung Institutsleitung February 2010 Author: IZB
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New Version for Consultation of The DCED Standard for Measuring Achievements in Private Sector Devel January 2010 Author: DCED The DCED Standard for Measuring and Reporting Results has attracted much interest and feedback. Based on this feedback, the Standard has now been further enhanced and streamlined. This new version is now available for consultation. You are welcome to provide your feedback to the DCED!
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IZB Stellenausschreibung Senior Consultant EZA January 2010 Author: IZB
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A Manual on Managing Cooperation in Financial Sector Development- update January 2010 January 2010 Author: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC This Manual for Strategic and Operational Project Cycle Management (PCM) aims at improving Accountability for Results in SDC Financial Sector Development cooperation projects. The manual provides practice-oriented guidance to development professionals dealing with FSD projects. The manual focuses on planning, monitoring, evaluating and steering FSD initiatives. Its main audience is SDC programme management staff and partner representatives with whom projects are planned, monitored and evaluated.
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Audit of the Social Performance of Microfinance Institutions: the SPI Questionnaire 3.1 January 2010 Author: Cerise This is a questionnaire that assesses principles, actions and corrective measures implemented by the MFI to achieve its social mission. It is composed of three main elements: 1) the identity of the MFI 2) the institutions’ own social mission and strategy. 3) the organizational processes in the light of four dimensions: a) outreach to the poor and excluded; b) adaptation of services and products to the target clients; c) improvement of the economic and social benefits for the clients and their families; and d) the institution's social responsibility The questionnaire is compatible with the Mix Market reporting and complemented with a guide in English, French and Spanish(see below).
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Audit of the Social Performance of Microfinance Institutions: The Operational Guide to Questionnaire January 2010 Author: Cerise This operational guide complements the questionnaire aimed at supporting MFIs to assess their social performance. English Version 3.1 (Jan. 2010), French Vérsion 3.0 (to be translated soon), Spanish Versión 3.0 (Nov. 2009)
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The Organic Business Guide - Developing Sustainable Value Chains with Smallholders 2010 Author: Bo van Elzakker, Frank Eyhorn This guide provides several tools to practicioners who are engaged in setting up or in managing organic businesses. One chapter exclusively focuses on developing organic value chains as well as a tool on value chain facilitation.
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E + I : Medium-term orientation 2009 - 2012 December 2009 Author: Employment + Income, SDC for internal use only
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Regulations governing the work of VET Boards in North Eastern Albania December 2009 Author: PEM Consult / GTZ Key document concerning the creation of regional VET Boards in North Eastern Albania. bring together all stakeholders in the field of VET, such as the Regional Education Directorates, the Regional Employment Offices, the Regional Development Councils, the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Municipalities, VET schools and Syndicates.
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Minutes of the Working Group on Agricultural Insurance, Microinsurance Network November 2009 Author: Mark D. Wenner The minutes of the first meeting of the working group on Agricultural Insurance of the Microinsurance Network that was held on November 3, 2009 in Dakar, Senegal.
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F-SKILL Discussion Input on Private Sector Participation in VSD November 2009 Author: F-SKILL and SDC Cooperation Office Nepal
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Professional Development for Education Personnel in Serbia: Project Input by IZB November 2009 Author: Markus Maurer
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Grupo NyC - Regional Working Group on Occupational Standards, Assessment and Certification October 2009 Author: Franz Kehl The aim and the working method of the Grupo NyC are described here briefly.
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Private Sector Participation in VSD - Thematic Input October 2009 Author: Peter Stricker, Franz Kehl Introduction into the topic of private sector participation in Vocational Skills Development. It argues that VSD today requires close links with the private sector for quality education.
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Microinsurance that Works for Women - Making Microinsurance Programs Gender-Sensitive October 2009 Author: Anjali Banthia, Susan Johnson, Michael J. McCord and Brandon Mathews This briefing note provides an overview of good practices on how to design and deliver microinsurance services to women.
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Credible Evidence: Tackling the Challenges in Evaluating Agricultural VC support September 2009 Author: Giel Ton & Sietze Vellema & Marieke de Ruyter de Wildt Draft version (September 2009). The document gives a brief overview (16 pages) on the current state of the discussion of agricultural value chain support and provides you with an exhaustive list of references.
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The Making markets work for the poor approach September 2009 Author: SDC E+I This is a two page introduction to the topic provided by the E&I section of SDC. It includes a schematic view of a market system with its core function, supporting functions and rules. It also discusses implications and opportunities for SDC's work.
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Implementing the Client Protection Principles. A Technical Guide for Investors. September 2009 Author: S.Forster, E.Lahaye and K.McKee for CGAP Client protection is a key issue in microfinance. The Client Protection Principles are a set of global principles aimed at ensuring microfinance clients are treated fairly and responsibly and do not become over-indebted. This Guide offers simple and straightforward guidance and tools for investors seeking to incorporate the Principles into their investment processes. It was compiled by CGAP, drawing on contributions from across the microfinance investor community.
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CAPRURAL Peru - Project Abstract August 2009 Author: Franz Kehl Short description of the project along some key issues (needs, goals, target groups, activities, etc.)
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VSD Topics Prioritisation Results August 2009 Author: Franz Kehl
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Discussion Input on Private Sector Participation: SDP Uzbekistan August 2009 Author: Hans-Dieter Hoepfner
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International Handbook of Education for the Changing World of Work: Bridging Academic and Vocational August 2009 Author: Ruper Maclean, David Wilson |
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Skills Development Project Uzbekistan - Project Abstract July 2009 Author: Franz Kehl, KEK-CDC Consultants
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Quantifying Achievements in Private Sector Development - Implementation Guidelines July 2009 Author: Donor Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED) This provides practical guidelines to support projects to manage their results measurement process. It provides practical steps on: result chains, indicators, measurement of indicators, attribution and relating impact to programme costs.
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Monitoreo y evaluación de acciones de desarrollo orientadas al impacto July 2009 Author: Philippe de Rham, Lorena Mancero This guide developed by the knowledge management network ASOCAM gives methodological guidance on monitoring and evaluation (M&E)and presents a six-step tool for effective M&E.
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Challenging the “trade off theories”? The links between Financial and Social Performance. June 2009 Author: INCOFIN and Cerise This presentation outlines the link between social and financial performance by means of an empirical study using data from Cerise and INCOFIN. The presentation concludes that although poverty targeting can be costly, other social performance dimensions have positive effects on financial performance.
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The Relationship Between Social and Financial Performance in Microfinance June 2009 Author: W. Angora, F. Bédécarrats, C. Lapenu Microfinance is driven by two objectives, social and financial: This brief analyses the relationship between these two objectives: is strong social performance a business asset, an unproductive expense, or a fashionable term with no effect on financial viability? The analysis is based on social and financial data from 126 MFIs (data on SPI audit tool and financial performance of a representative range of MFIs worldwide).
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Making economic Growth more Pro-Poor: Role of Employment & Social Protection May 2009 Author: DCD DAC (OECD) POVNET Policy Statement endorsed by DAC High level meeting of 27/28 May 09.
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Quantifying Achievements in Private Sector Development - Control Points and Compliance Criteria April 2009 Author: Donor Committee for Enterprise Development / Jim Tanburn This document outlines key elements in a practical process of estimating results of PSD that can be managed by programmes internally. It is complemented by practical guidelines (see above). This methodology helps projects to make it easier to measure and report on their results; to work towards a shared understanding of reasonable quality in the estimation of results; to measure a very small number of “universal indicators”.
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Evaluation of Two Rural Finance and Employment Programmes in India - «SERI 2000» and «SIDBI» March 2009 In 2008, SDC commissioned an external evaluation on the SDC support to two rural finance and employment programmes in India, SERI and SIDBI. The evaluation report contains lessons learnt, the detailed evaluation report and case studies.
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Value Chain Development for Decent Work 2009 Author: Matthias L. Herr, Tapera J. Muzira, ILO This guide for development practitioners, government and private sector initiatives gives guidance on how to address the underlying causes of failures in the performance of market systems, rather than looking at symptoms in individual chains. This guide addresses Value Chain development from a market development perspective with a unique focus on how to achieve Decent Work.
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Swiss South African Cooperation Initiative SSACI - Project Abstract 2009 Author: Franz Kehl
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Microfinance India: State of the Sector Report 2008 2009 Author: N. Srinivasan SDC co-financed the State of Sector Report of the Indian microfinance sector 2008. It presents major trends in the Indian microfinance sector in 2008, Highlighting current issues, investments and innovations.
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SDC Employment and Income: Medium-Term Orientation 2009-2012 2009 Author: SDC
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Social Performance Standards Report 2009 Author: MIX This Social Performance Standards Report was created by MIX to collect information on the 22 core indicators selected by The Social Performance Task Force. Part I of the report contains 13 indicators which mainly focus on an MFI's mission, products and services offered, social responsibility to clients and to staff, and clients outreach. Part II contains 6 indicators which focus on employment outreach, social responsibility to community and to environment, and children education. Finally, the table for poverty measurement contains the remaining 3 indicators on poverty levels. MFIs that want to update their profile on MIX Market with the social performance indicators are expected to be able to report information on the 13 indicators contained in Part I of the report. Finally, a glossary has been created to link those indicators which are most difficult to conceptualize and conform to a standard definition.
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Report on Qualifications Frameworks 2009 Author: Council of Europe, Coordination Group for Qualifications Framework
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SmartAid for Microfinance Index - SDC Results 2009 Author: CGAP The CGAP SmartAid for Microfinance Index measures and rates the way microfinance funders work. Its indicators assess five areas: strategic clarity, staff capacity, accountability for results, knowledge management, and appropriate instruments. An independent, external assessment, the Index highlights strengths and areas for improvement; it does not, however, evaluate the quality of programs on-the-ground. Ten funders—AECID, AFD, AfDB, EC, GTZ, IFAD, ILO, MIF, SDC, and UNCDF—participated in SmartAid 2009. These are the results of the assessment of SDC. More information on http://www.cgap.org/p/site/c/template.rc/1.11.7956/
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SSACI Capitalisation of Experiences (2008) December 2008 Author: Alexandre Boin
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Developing markets for dairy production through service development and PPP in rural Armenia December 2008 Author: The Springfield Centre This case study explains the M4P approach and illustrates how it can be practically applied. It describes the interventions of the project namely working with mild processors and building rural services for farmers.
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The Bordeaux Communiqué November 2008 Author: European Union This communication by the European Council represents the third review of the Copenhagen process initiated in December 2002 with the Copenhagen communication.
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Perspectives on the Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P) Approach October 2008 The M4P Perspectives paper explores the application of M4P in different fields including finance, agriculture, water, labour and climate change. It aims at exploring in more detail specific issues associated with M4P and potential areas of development endeavours wher M4P may have application.
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A Synthesis of the Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P) Approach October 2008 Author: The Springfield Centre The M4P synthesis paper explains the essence of the M4P approach – its rationale, including evidence of impact, and key features in implementation of M4P. It is the basis for anybody whishing to know more about M4P.
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The Operational Guide for the M4P Approach October 2008 Author: The Springfield Centre This guide provides an operational resource to help put the M4P approach into practice. It builds on the publications "A Synthesis of the M4P Approach" and "Perspectives on the M4P Approach" The guide aims at: - identifying key considerations for organisations wishing to implement M4P programme - explaining the frameworks and principles which guide the process of M4P implementation - identifying important management and governance considerations - providing an overview of good practices
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Market Approaches that Work for Development September 2008 Author: Urs Heierli This paper is drawing the lessons from a series of seven case studies conducted in stages between 2004 and 2008. Reviewing a rich set of experiences in nutrition, sanitation, safe water, malaria control, water control, organic cotton and brick production, this study deals with the issues of harmonising the best mix of public and private sector interventions. A series of practical and theoretical discussions and recommendations show how public and private sectors can jointly achieve development objectives. The case studies are also available on this site under the publications "M4P general approach" and "Value Chain Development".
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Marketing Safe Water Systems September 2008 Author: Urs Heierli This case study asks the question of why it is so hard to get safe water to the poor and so profitable to sell it to the rich. The study provides insights from the varied perspectives of users, disseminators, producers and retailers into the marketing challenges of point-of-use water treatment devices. In addressing the main marketing challenges, Marketing Safe Water discusses the 5 Ps of marketing: Product, Price, Place, Promotion and People. It puts forward a mix of marketing and social marketing strategies which can raise the dissemination of household water treatment systems to the level required for achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
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Should Bednets be Sold, or Given for Free? September 2008 Author: Urs Heierli, Christian Engeler This case study of the Tanzanian National Net Programme discusses the role of the private sector in Malaria control. It highlights a combined approach between a catch-up and a keep-up strategy for bednets distribution. 1. 'Catch-up' strategies: There is a need to increase coverage fast and this may only be possible through free, or highly, subsidised mass distributions. 2. 'Keep-up' strategies: Massive free net distributions are time-bound and hence a sustainable and continuous system is also required to reach the masses.
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Lessons Learned and Recommendations for Donors Supporting Microinsurance September 2008 Author: Chandani, Taara This note prepared on behalf of the CGAP working group on microinsurance summarises lessons learnt in microinsurance and provides recommendations for donors working in microinsurance on micro, meso and macro level.
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Professional Development for Education Personnel in Serbia: Project Overview (2002-2009) September 2008 Author: SDC
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Skills Development Project Uzbekistan - Project Document - Phase II 2008-2010 August 2008 Author: SDC
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Where Farmer and Fashion Designer Meet August 2008 Author: Urs Heierli This case study explores the economics of organic cotton production, by analysing how to absorb higher costs of production, certification and farmers’ premiums. The study describes several projects that managed to link farmer with mainstream markets. The paper presents projects in India, Tanzania, West Africa and Kyrgyzstan and discusses how to adapt fair trade practice to meet new challenges in highly complex value chains.
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The Role of Investors in Promoting Social Performance in Microfinance June 2008 Author: European Microfinance Platform This publication of the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP)discusses the role investors can play in introducing social performance. The publication was prepared by the Social Performance Working Group of e-MFP, and is partly based on a workshop for Microfinance Investment Vehicles (MIV) organised by SDC in Bern in March 2007. The French copy contains only the part on the MIV workshop - La copie française ne contient que les conclusions du séminare sur la pérformance sociale de mars 2007 à Berne.
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Making Markets Work for Poor: International development cooperation: seeking common principles June 2008 Author: Mike Albu This paper explores synergies, complementarities and divergences between the M4P and Sustainable Livelihoods approaches. It is complemented by case studies from Bangladesh.
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Comparing M4P and SLA frameworks: Case studies June 2008 Author: Mike Albu, Helen Schneider This case study is part of a comparison of the M4P framework and the Sustainable Livelihood Approach. It compares two projects in Bangladesh: KATALYST for the M4P framework and LEAF/SAAKTI for the Sustainable Livelihood Approach.
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Performance Indicators for Microinsurance - A Handbook for Microinsurance Practitioners April 2008 Author: John Wipf and Denis Garand This handbook summarises key principles and indicators for microinsurance providers. The handbook describes nine principles and ten key indicators, âs well as the considerations to be given in evaluating performance for certain products. It also introduces benchmarking and explores the topic of social performance.
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Microinsurance - What can Donors Do? April 2008 Author: Latortue, Alexia and de Montesquiou, Aude This CGAP donor brief gives an overview on how donors can effectively support microinsurance.
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Brick by Brick - The Herculean Task of Cleaning up the Asian Brick Industry February 2008 Author: Urs Heierli, Sameer Maithel This case study tells the story of cleaning up the Asian brick industry by introducing the Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln (VSBK). The brick and construction industry holds an enormous energy-saving potential that is of tremendous relevance to climate change. In addition, this new technology can also change the lot of the millions of poor workers in this sector. Introducing better technologies and social standards is a win-win situation for the workers, for the environment and for the society as a whole.
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How Does Local Economic Development (LED) Contribute to Poverty Alleviation? January 2008 Author: Swiss Agency of Development and Cooperation This information note discusses the relevance of monitoring and evaluation for LED. It summarises conclusions of a longer study "Evaluating Local Economic Development – In Search of Practical Solutions" and provides evidence of economic and governance gains from the programme APODER in Peru.
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Decent Work: a Target to Achieve the MDGs January 2008 Author: Swiss Agency of Development and Cooperation, Employment and Income Division This focus note provides an excellent summary about the decent work agenda and its contributions to the Millenium Development Goals. It provides information about SDC's position and links to further reading.
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Supporting Business Environment Reform - Practical Guidance for Development Agencies 2008 Author: DCED
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PSD Reader 2008: Measuring and Reporting Results 2008 Author: Jim Tanburn, ITC ILO This reader offers a brief overview of current understanding in the field of result measurement, including particularly the terms, indicators and methodologies in use. Examples are given of impacts measured in a standard format, including for example cost per job created. Case studies of different projects are provided.
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Accessing Financial Services in Rural Areas 2008 Author: Intercooperation This InfoResources Focus provides an overview on rural finance, describes the challenges of providing financial services in rural areas and proposes ways to address the dificulties.
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Outcome Monitoring Concept SDC South Caucasus 2008 Author: Beka Tagauri and Harald Bekkers This outcome monitoring concept provides guidelines on 1) meausring in quantitative terms the aggregated outcome of Swiss interventions in the field of E&I, 2) assessing and describe in qulaitative terms the achievements of rural development projects applying the M4P approach. It provides tools on how to develop a log frames, result chains and outcome "calculations", or on how to do reporting when using the M4P approach
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Handbook of Technical and Vocational Education and Training Reserach 2008 Author: Felix Rauner, Rupert Maclean (eds.) First handbook with a focus on research in VET. It treats all important fields of research including VET systems research (comparative), historical VET research, financing VET, research in vocational disciplines, occupational research, competence development, VET planning and policies, quality assurance, etc. including also methodological aspects. |
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Curriculum Development in Vocational and Technical Education: Planning, Content, and Implementation 2008 Author: Curtis R. Finch, John R. Crunkilton, Elizabeth Knowles This book offers useful information about how to plan, develop, implement, and succeed in vocational and technical programs. It is a practical support for practitioners in curriculum development and for people who need to decide on project proposals. |
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Tanzania Teacher Training Project: Project Document (2008-2012) 2008 Author: Helvetas / IZB / Diverse Tanzanian Partners
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Cluster Management – A Practical Guide. Part A: Overview December 2007 Author: Günter Scheer and Lucas von Zallinger This practical guide on cluster management was developed by GTZ. It offers an overview on all concepts of cluster development and cluster management.
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Cluster Management – A Practical Guide. Part B: Tools. December 2007 Author: Günter Scheer and Lucas von Zallinger This practical guide developed by GTZ on cluster development and management provides useful tools on each step of preparing, implementing and monitoring cluster management projects.
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One Fly is Deadlier than 100 Tigers - Total Sanitation as a Business November 2007 Author: Urs Heierli, Jaime Frias, Soma Ghosh Moulik, Shafiul Azad Ahmed This publication analyses the secrets behind the sanitation miracle in Bangladesh and describes the methodologies of marketing and of total sanitation. It also looks at experiences in other countries (Ethiopia, India, Switzerland and Vietnam ) and provides a methodological help for practitioners who want to promote and implement successful market-driven sanitation strategies.
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Cheese, Industrial Dreams and Labour Market Realities: 50 Years of Swiss-Nepal Cooperation in the Fi November 2007 Author: Matthias Jaeger, Peter Stricker This publication summarises the last 50 years of cooperation between Switzerland and Nepal in the field of VET in an essayistic way. It ends with the daring conclusion that the diverse inputs of the last 50 years would all toghether form a modern and complex VET systems development programme.
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The Role and Impact of Radio in Reforming the Rural Business Environment in Africa October 2007 Author: Gavin Anderson, David Elliott This M4P case study is based on research aimed to understand the potential role of radio, and mass media more generally, in business environment reform processes and to understand the potential impact of radio at both policy and enterprise levels. Uganda was chosen as a case study because of its liberalized and diverse media. By analysing successful examples, the paper endeavours to understand the characteristics of success: what makes media effective in impacting on business policy, legislation and regulation and how donors can intervene to enhance the role of mass media in the business environment.
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CAPRURAL Project Document Phase I 2007-2010 September 2007 Author: SDC
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An Era of Innovation. Thirty Years of SDC's Involvement with Rural Finance in India September 2007 Author: EDA Rural Systems This report was commissioned to capitalize on SDC's experience made during thirty years of active involvement in rural finance in India and to document them for dissemination to a larger circle of interested practitioners. This report covers the main partners of SDC in the area of rural finance in India over the past thirty years, namely NABARD – the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development; SIDBI – the Small Industries Development Bank of India; BASIX – Bhartiya Samruddhi Investment and Consulting Services Limited; Sa-Dhan – the network of Community Development Finance Institutions in India; Non-government organizations – MYRADA, Outreach and WOTR.
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Donor Intervention in Value Chain Development July 2007 Author: Daniel Roduner, Agridea These guidelines highlight the most important issues that development agencies need to consider when they engage in value chain development in rural areas. The paper offers guiding principles for development practitioners and policy makers, and points to further useful material.
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External Review of the Skills Development Project Uzbekistan - Final Report June 2007 Author: Sabine Kaufmann, Murod Mirsaidov, Peter Stricker
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Le rôle des associations de microfinance dans le développement du secteur financier April 2007 Author: Joachim Kercan In 2006, a student of the University of Geneva evaluated the role of the national network of microfinance practitioners of Benin - Alafia (Association Nationale des Praticiens de la Microfinance au Bénin)- in supporting its members through capacity building and other support.
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The Landscape of Microinsurance in the World's 100 Poorest Countries April 2007 Author: J.Roth, M.J. McCord, D.Liber This report provides a description of how microinsurance works and a study of microinsurance in the world's 100 poorest countries.
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Transfert d’argent des migrants : un service intéressant pour une institution de microfinance? April 2007 Author: Albert Vázquez In 2006, a student of the University of Geneva carried out a case study on how FIE SA, an MFI in Bolivia, introduced money transfer services for Bolivians working in Argentina. The case study portrays the MFI, SDC's support to FIE SA through the programme PROFIN, the money transfer market in Bolivia, as well as the main challenges for FIE SA.
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Technical and vocational skills development April 2007 Author: Kenneth King and Robert Palmer Written by Kenneth King and Robert Palmer this brief report on TVET provides a very good overview of VET history and different approaches and modalities of delivery. Included in the report is a small but useful glossary and a quite profound bibliography and a list of resource both classified along major topics.
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Ending Poverty with Water Control and Market Access March 2007 Author: Urs Heierli, Elisabeth Katz Small farmers often have lower production costs but they are still not competitive because their transaction costs are high and they cannot produce what the market wants at the right time. Alongside other inputs such as seeds, they need affordable water control technologies and access to profitable markets. As more and more agricultural goods are sold through supermarkets, they need to deliver the qualities and quantities as and when they are needed. This publication discusses three pillars necessary to the support of small farmers: 1) access to affordable water control technologies, 2 ) private supply chains for irrigation hardware and agroinputs, and 3 ) access to new marketing channels.
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Sustainable Approaches to Combat Malnutrition - Small Scale Production and Marketing of Spirulina March 2007 Author: Urs Heierli, Denis von der Weid Spirulina, a microscopic algae, is an effective dietary supplement to combat malnutrition. This case study looks at sustainable solutions to combat malnutrition through Spirulina as business opportunity.
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D’organisation informelle de micro crédit à banque: vaut-il la peine de se transformer? March 2007 Author: Jacob, Jessica In 2006, a student of the Universtity of Geneva carried out this case study on a microfinance NGO that transformed into a formalised MFI and subsequently into a bank. The case study outlines the rationale for an NGO or MFI to transform.
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Des crédits pour les petits producteurs agricoles February 2007 Author: Sébastien Pittet A student of the University of Friburg carried out a case study of the Savings and Credit Co-operative San José. The case study focuses on credit risks linked to agricultural lending and identifies mechanisms to mitigate these risks.
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Buffalo, Bakeries, and Tractors: Cases in Rural Leasing from Pakistan, Uganda, and Mexico January 2007 Author: Ajai Nair, Renate Kloeppinger‐Todd This World Bank paper presents three leasing companies in three different countries. It highlights the relevance and potential of rural leasing as a financing tool.
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Mobilizing Savings in Rural Albania - An example from the Albanian Savings and Credit Union January 2007 Author: Alain Schläpfer and Michael Wohlfender, University of Bern, Switzerland with the contribution of Elena Kokthi, Agriculture University of Tirana, Alban
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Agricultural Credit Scoring System - an example from the FDL in Nicaragua January 2007 Author: María José Ramírez and Eli Weiss In 2005, two students from the University of Lausanne analyzed the possibility of introducing a statistical credit scoring system in the Fondo de Desarrollo Local (FDL), the most important credit provider for small producers and entrepreneurs in the agriculture and livestock sectors in Nicaragua. The resulting case study discribes the conveniences and challenges of introducing a credit scoring system in a rural microfinance institution.
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Using Palm Pilots to Reduce Microfinance Transaction Costs - An example from SafeSave Bangladesh January 2007 Author: Kathy Bugada The microfinance institution SafeSave in Bangladesh introduced the palm pilot technology in 2003 in order to reduce its transaction costs and increase its outreach. This case study was carried out by a student of the University of Lugano and analyzes how the palm pilot has changed the life of the staff and the clients of SafeSave in terms of transaction costs, security and confidence.
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Technical and vocational skills development (TVSD) - Norrag News No. 38 January 2007 Author: Norrag News No. 38 NORRAG News Issue 38 points to the fact that Technical and Vocational Skills Development (TVSD) is on the rise again, particularly in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. In this newsletter the impact of VET/labour force skills on the development of a countries/regions economic, social and knowledge situation is being discussed. A broad range of articles make technical and vocational education in many contexts and many countries their subject of discussion.
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Tanzania Teacher Training Project: External Evaluation, Short Version (2007) January 2007 Author: Rolf Gollob and Wiltrud Weidinger (IPE)
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ValueLinks Manual - The Methodology of Value Chain Promotion 2007 Author: GTZ The ValueLinks Manual provides guidance on the whole project cyclce of a value chain promotion project. It provides several modules on: 1)setting the project boundaries, 2)chain analysis and stragety, 3)project implementation, and 4)monitoring. It is a must for each newcomer to value chain promotion!
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Policy for Financial Sector Development - update 2007 2007 Author: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC SDC's financial sector policy describes the strategic orientation, operational prinicples and instruments of SDC's activities in financial sector development. A must for everybody working in an SDC financial sector project!
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Development Aid and Subsidies- an Art (conceptual foundations) 2007 Author: SDC This paper was written by Dr. Ruth Egger of Intercooperation at the request and with the support of the Employment and Income Division of SDC. Professor Manfred Zeller from the University of Hohenheim has commented the draft version. The final editing was done by Hansruedi Pfeiffer of SDC, taking into consideration the key points of a discussion in a thematic forum conducted by SDC. Only available in English.
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Microfinance in India. A State of Sector Report, 2007 2007 Author: Prabhu Ghate SDC co-financed the State of Sector Report of the Indian microfinance sector 2007. This is the second of a series of report on the microfinance sector in India, prepared for presentation to the annual Microfinance India conference organized by ACCESS Development Services.
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