Page Content 2015-09 eiNewsletter  First edition of the joint Newsletter of the Networkse+i and A&FS Dear members of the e+i as well as the A&FS newsletter, It is a great pleasure to present to you the first joint newsletter of two networks that have many contents in common. With this merger 600 to 800 network members can access easily interesting information. In this edition the e+I will present to you in particular two spotlights, a) on TVET in Mongolia and b) the BEAM Exchange. Although we thought all of you would have heard already about the latter we were surprised by the contrary. BEAM is a useful community, kind of network like ours, but specialized and with much more resources. Have a look, even if you are not strictly e+i. Market system development approaches can be applied to many more projects. From the A&FS Network we receive a series of information of a process that focused on RAS in South- and East Asia asking the question: How to reach millions? - Five Project evaluation studies that benefit more than 1.5 million people with SDC investment of more than 70 Million CHF.
- Two country studies of China and India explaining how these large countries reach millions of small holders.
- One Summary paper presents practices that work but also addresses issues that did not show satisfactory results
- One document of the Hanoi Statements presenting sound principles of RAS that every intervention should follow.
We wish you good reading and remain with kind regards, Peter Beez Felix Fellmann
Focal Point e+i Focal Point A+FS
Brigitte Colarte-DürrSDC Berne, Policy Advisor Employment and Income; Vocational Skills Development Specialist  What do you love about your work, what is special about it? Facilitating the transition from education to employment (or self-employment) trough relevant vocational training means empowering people and is thus an exiting working area at the crossroad of society, economy and the public sector. Bringing along my experience in the fields of education, vocational training and private sector development, I am fascinated by the complexity of vocational education (systems) and hope to support this SDC-network with my dedicated work in this thematical area. Which are your favorite instrument(s)?
Bringing together private sector actors and the world of vocational education is a challenge, but an important element for increasing the relevance of training. Refraining from choosing a specific instrument, I would advocate for dedicated brokers or systems integrators who are able to step into both worlds, understanding the different logics and enable collaborative action. Your message for your colleagues:
I am looking forward to working with you, to hearing about your experiences, insights and lessons learned, to providing support to your projects and facilitating your work through the e&i network (test)
Maria Antonia Zelaya BlandonNational Program Officer, SDC Nigaracua  What is your background and your current job?
I am an economist, specialised in rural development and agrarian systems. I studied in Nicaragua. After my bachelor degree I did my specialization (Magister) in the “Institut National Agronomique Paris-Grignon” in France. Currently I am National Program Officer for SDC. For how long have you been in your current job and what are your tasks? What was your previous job?
I have been working with SDC for eleven years now. I started in June 2004. My responsibilities were to ensure the project cycle management of projects linked to agriculture, rural development and more recently, climate change and agriculture. Since 2013 I coordinate the activities of the domain “Environmental Vulnerability and Climate Change” of the cooperation strategy for Central America of SDC. My responsibilities are: a) prepare concept note, b) entry proposal; c) credit proposal, d) government dialogue, e) donor dialogue; f) monitoring and follow up of projects. Before 2004 I worked with the European Union as Cooperation Adviser for three years; and before that, I coordinated a project called “Food Security European Network” (RESAL) What do you love about your work, what is special about it?
I am very happy to contribute to the reduction of poverty, give opportunities to excluded families and promote gender equality. I also appreciate the professionalism and rigueur of work in SDC. I am always learning and I feel that my work is recognized. What are your interests and expectations towards the A+FS Network?
I am especially interested in: a) the results of studies and research driven by the network, b) the knowledge management (know experiences of the other countries, lessons learned, good practices); c) being up-to-date with new trends of smart agriculture and climate change, rural advisory, etc
 03 Sep 2015 no new information available 30 Aug 2015 You remember having heard about BEAM, don't you? exactly BEAM Exchange is the new one-shop for sharing knowledge and learning about market systems approaches for reducing poverty. DFID and SDC have lunched it just last year.Now discover who the BEAM community is how BEAM can help you and how to you can contribute to it and why BEAM needs you!
>here 03 Sep 2015  The SCBF is SDC’s major public-private development partnership with the Swiss financial sector to promote financial inclusion in the South.
Activities under management since inception in 2011:
Product Up-scaling interventions: Approved interventions: 50 / Overall volume: CHF 10.5 mio / Approved SCBF contributions: CHF 6.4 mio / Self-contribution by partner financial intermediaries and third parties: CHF 4.2 mio (36%)
Feasibility Studies: Approved studies: 13 / Overall volume: CHF 1.8 mio / Approved SCBF contributions: CHF 1.3 mio / Self-contribution by partner financial intermediaries and third parties: CHF 0.5 mio (30%)
Financial Education Campaigns: Approved campaigns: 8 / Overall volume: CHF 1.7 mio / Approved SCBF contributions: CHF 1 mio / Self-contribution by partner financial intermediaries and third parties: CHF 0.7 (40%)
Highlights: Completion of product up-scaling interventions in Palestine, Honduras, El Salvador/Honduras, Guatemala and Nepal. Multiple interventions are currently in the pipeline for fall. You might also want to have a look at the Annual Report 2014.
30 Aug 2015
[by André Dürr, SDC] There are multtiple causes for malnutrition in emergency and transitional contexts. Hence understaing the pre-emergency and emergency-specific causes of malnutrition is essential to plan a sensible intervention. Humanitarian agencies are increasingly using cash transfers to address acute malnutrition.
But what does the evidence say? 03 Sep 2015 The project “Programme d’Appui à la Formation Professionnelle” (PAFP4) implemented by Swisscontact, supports the development of a new system of information and career guidance. Six newly information areas welcome youth seeking information on their professional integration. >Read more in French The third global seminar will offer different sessions which include plenaries and break-outs, with time for discussion between the expected 100 participants. >> more information and >>application form ![]() This course will assist you to apply the Donor Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED) Standard and monitoring and results measurement methods and tolls in your organisation and PSD projects. ![]() Copying with Complexity: Towards a more systemic approach to Project Cycle Management, organized be the International Training Centre ILO The Springfield Centre is organising a two-week training programme that focuses directly on a key challenge facing governments and development agencies: how to improve market systems for businesses and for poor people? >Read more The course will provide you with the skills and knowledge to use the DCED Standard for Results Measurement >Read more ![]() Workshop: An orientation to market systems development and its implementation in the Asia –Pacific. Hosted by GRM International and Swisscontact, the workshop introduces the market systems development approach by using the examples from the fields. Participants will get to know the principles of the MSD approach as well as obstacles and realities across the Asia Pacific.
>Read more This will be a peer learning event for programmes that have made progress toward complying with the Standard. More information: write to Admin@Enterprise-Development.org The day is open to any agency or programme interested in learning what the DCED Standard is and how it can help improve programmes' monitoring systems. More information: write to Admin@Enterprise-Development.orgTwo-day course that covers on the first day in-depth key microfinance aspects like financial and social performance, risk management, funding strategies, and selected case studies at the level of microfinance institutions. The second day covers financial and social performance as well as risk management at the level of microfinance investment vehicles
>Read more This course covers selected topics of strongly growing market for «Socially Responsible Investments» (SRI), in particular privat equity, sustainable infrastructure, sustainable bonds, and engagement strategies. (no SDC involvement)
>Read more European Microfinance Week is the major annual event of the microfinance industry hosting high level and in-depth discussions by all sectors of the European microfinance community (banks and financial institutions, government agencies, NGO's, consulting firms, researchers and universities) working in developing countries. >Read more An important moment of reflection and discussion with international experts on the development of microfinance solutions for smallholder farmers through plenary sessions and parallel workshops. >Read more
Two recent studies. More Information on PHZ.Migration and vocational education training”. More information on PHZ.FoBBIZ annual conference - Vocational education and training:
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