References International Cooperation (selection)
2015-2016 Sierra Leone | GIZ - Project "Employment Promotion in the cocoa and coffee sector"
As a subcontractor of AFC Consultants International GEFAK develops the Integrated Farmers Training program for the qualification of cocoa and coffee farmers. It covers the areas of production technology, farm economics and entrepreneurial skills. For the first time elements of the training approaches Farmer Field School (FFS), Farmer Business School (FBS) and BUS (farmers entrepreneurial training of the GEFAK partner Andreas Hermes Academy) are integrated into a modular training program. The GEFAK qualifies about 45 local trainers who in turn qualify approximately 5,500 cocoa and coffee farmers and advises the implementation of the training in the field.
2015 Ethiopia | GIZ - Project "Supporting sustainable agricultural productivity (SSAP) and Ethio-German Agricultural Training Centre (ATC)"
For this GIZ project the GEFAK partner Andreas Hermes Academy and GEFAK developed a qualification program for farmers. By using the BUS-training approach in particular the personal development of participants is improved and their entrepreneurial competencies are strengthened. GEFAK and AHA primarily qualify professionals of the Ethio-German Agricultural Training Center (ATC) as BUS and consult the application of the training in the field
2014-2015 Ivory Coast | GIZ and GISCO - Project "Pro Planteurs", Förderung von Genossenschaften im Kakao- und Kaffee-Sektor
GIZ and the German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa (GISCO) since May 2015 implement the project "Pro Planteurs". It aims at developing 50 producer organizations with a total of approximately 20,000 members. The cooperatives are supposed to provide better and more sustainable services to their members who are cocoa and coffee farmers. In order to plan and prepare the project GEFAK has implemented a comprehensive study of the sector of cocoa and coffee cooperatives, including the political and organizational framework conditions. 40 cooperatives were analyzed as regards their suitability as a partner in the project and 20 cooperatives were proposed for cooperation.
2014-2015 Tunesia | GIZ project "Promoting sustainable agriculture"
For the GIZ project "Promotion d'agriculture durable (PAD)" GEFAK together with the partner Andreas Hermes Academy has developed a qualification program for farmers. By using the BUS-training approach, in particular the personal development of participants is improved and their entrepreneurial competencies are strengthened This allows the participating farmers to identify and use new business opportunities in the agricultural sector and to generate employment and inco
2014-2016 Mongolia | SDC project "Green Gold - Component 4 Marketing"
In consortium with the GFA Consulting Group GEFAK implements a multi-annual project of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) to promote agricultural value chains (WSK). Through consultations and training all actors in the value chains from nomadic farmers and their cooperatives up to processors and manufacturers are supported to supply yak air, camel hair, meat and hides/skins with higher quality and extended volume. This creates higher incomes for herders, ensures the supply for processors and provides consumer with organic products of higher quality and improved designs. As a special feature of the project marketing is also supported at the domestic and international markets.
2013-2015 Mongolia | SDC project "Vocational Education and Training in the Western Region"
In consortium with the GFA Consulting Group GEFAK implements a multi-annual project of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) for the improvement of professional training in six western provinces of Mongolia. Through curriculum development, organization development, regional networks and improving the political and legal framework six occupational fields are supported: animal husbandry and agriculture, dairy, vegetable processing, road construction, concrete processing and car repair. GEFAK in particular supports the integration of the private sector into vocational education and training as well as the personality development of vocational students through the BUS training program of the GEFAK partner Andreas Hermes Academy.
2012-2015 Belarus | Project of the IHK Erfurt: "Promotion of chamber of commerce and industry in Belarus"
Since 2012 GEFAK supports the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) in Erfurt to implement its project for chamber promotion in Belarus. The cooperation first with the Chamber of Commerce in Minsk and later with the regional chamber in Mogilev the project aims at ensuring that the Chamber meet the requirements on modern economic organizations: e.g. in the areas of strategic direction, public relations, contributions to national and regional economic development, services and support for as well as external economic relations in particular to Germany. GEFAK conducts qualifications for members of the chamber as well as for representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises on the subjects "Renewable Energies", "cooperation between German and Belarusian enterprises” as well as "technology transfer and innovation promotion".
2012-2014 Ivory Coast | GIZ - Projekt "Adaption to climate change and stabilization of living conditions in southwest Ivory Coast (PACCS)"
For the GIZ project "Project adaptation au change management climatique et stabilisation of the bases de vie de la population dans le Sud Ouest de la Cote d'Ivoire (PACCS)" has the GEFAK together with the partner Andreas Hermes Academy has developed a training program for farmers. By using the BUS training approach, in particular the personal development of participants is improved and their entrepreneurial competencies are strengthened. This is intended to allow the farmers to be more responsive to the changing production conditions in the wake of the climate change and to improve their living conditions. An evaluation of GIZ has shown that the BUS training has comprehensive positive effects for the target groups.
2012-2013 Benin | GIZ - Project "Programme de promotion de l'agriculture (ProAgri)"
For the GIZ project "Programme de Promotion de l'agriculture (ProAgri)" the GEFAK together with the partner Andreas Hermes Academy has developed a training program for farmers. By using the BUS training approach, in particular the personal development of the participants is improved and their entrepreneurial competencies are strengthened. This allowed approximately 500 women as producers in the value chain karité to strengthen their productivity and income. As a special feature of this project the GEFAK also implemented the BUS training in villages in cooperation with a local partner.
2011-2013 Mongolia | GIZ-Program “Regional Economic Development“
Implementation of a component and other consulting services for the GIZ-Program “Regional economic development” in a consortium with GFA Consulting Group Gmbh. In the focus are the conceptual and institutional development of short-term training measures, the development of the value chains wool and leather, the training of bank employees in the field of lending, as well as the rural development planning and the quality management in public institutions.
2009-2012 Nepal | Cooperative development and economic inclusion
Implementation of the project "Consultation for cooperative development" in the GIZ Program Inclusive Development of the Economy (INCLUDE): Training of Trainers for cooperative management; strengthening the role of cooperatives in value chains; training and application of the Value Links approach of the GIZ; advising the government and regional/local administrations on value chain and cooperative development; public-private dialog on legislation and policy for the cooperative sector; contribution to development fora at regional and local level.
2009 Nepal | Farmers entrepreneur training
Implementation of the project "Introduction of the BUS training program for GIZ program INCLUDE in cooperation with the Andreas Hermes Akademie.BUS stands for farmers and entrepreneurs training and is a widely used approach for the training of rural entrepreneurs in Germany. Services which were provided include: topical and methodological adaptation; training of trainers for representatives from municipalities and Chambers of Commerce; Coaching of trainers.
Burkina Faso 2006-2015 | Farmers entrepreneur training
Implementation of the project "Entrepreneurial training for rural producers on the basis of the training approach BUS from Germany" for the GIZ-program “Agricultural development (PDA) in cooperation with the Andreas Hermes Akademie. Services which were provided include: topical and methodological adaptation; Training of Trainers, Coaching of trainers, whoch qualified about 6,000 farmers as producers in various value chains. BUS stands for farmers and entrepreneurs training and is a widely used approach for the training of rural entrepreneurs in Germany. Since 2014 the BUS training has been integrated in the qualification measures of the Ministry of Agriculture and is implemented mainly with state budgets. Also a certification system for the BUS trainers has been established. This ensures the sustainable application of the innovative training approach BUS in Burkina Faso.
2005-2007 Moldova | Establishment of regional development agencies
Implementation of the project "Support to regional development agencies in Moldova" (EU Tacis) in consortium with Helm Corporation and GFA Consulting Group mbH. The project supports at national level and in all areas of the country the implementation of the policy of regional development. In the focus were the formulation of development strategies, the setting up of development agencies and the establishment of the regional development fund.
2006 Philippines | Setting up the SME business portal
Implementation of the project "Advice for setting up a business portal of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce" in the program "Small and Medium Enterprise Development for Sustainable Employment Program (SMEDSEP)" of the GIZ.
2005-2006 Mongolia | Development of cooperatives in the veterinary sector
Training and consulting in the GIZ project "Privatization of veterinary services in Mongolia" with focus on the development of cooperatives of veterinarians and the development of a supply system for the veterinary medicines in Mongolia.
1998-2004 Mongolia | Promotion of rural development and of cooperatives
GEFAK implemented the entire technical backstopping and provided very comprehensive consulting and training services in the GIZ project "Promotion of organized self-help in the rural areas of Mongolia" at all levels: cooperative legislation and policy, training agencies, training of trainers, cooperative management.
2004 Mongolia | Methods of economic promotion
International workshop on regional economic promotion and support for business start-ups. Focus was on strategies and instruments in the Federal Republic of Germany and their applicability in Mongolia" for the GIZ.
2002-2003 Mongolia | Rural Development
Design and implementation of the project "Promotion of cooperatives and of business start-ups in rural areas of Mongolia" for the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS).
2001-2003 Russia | Regional Economic Development
Comprehensive technical and organizational consultations as well as training in the project "Regional economic promotion in Yaroslavl Oblast" for the GIZ. Implementation of the project "Introduction of the KWIS economic information system in Yaroslavl Oblast for GIZ”.
2001 Mongolia | Internet portal for Mongolian Cooperatives
Design and development of the internet portal for the Mongolian cooperative sector in the project "Promotion of organised self-help in the rural area" for GIZ. For more details see www.mongolia.coop.
2000 Thailand | SME promotion
Development of the "Concept for a joint information center for SME in selected sectors of Thailand" for GIZ.
2000 Poland | IT support for economic development
Implementation of the project "introduction of the information system KWIS for regional economic development in the region of Opole, Poland" for the ISB Rhineland-Palatinate Investment-and Structure-Bank.
2000 Mongolia | IT information systems on SMEs in rural areas
Implementation of the projects "Introduction of the KWIS information system in the GIZ project SME consulting service" as well as "Introduction of the KWIS information system in the GIZ project promotion of organized self-help in rural areas".
1998-1999 Russia | Seminars on democratic state organization
Seminars in Russia and study tours in Germany for senior executives from regions of Russia on the subject of federalism, local self-government and cooperative sector in the Federal Republic of Germany for the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
1996-1997 Mongolia | Cooperative Development
Expert advice for the development of a new cooperative law for the project "Economic Law Reform" of the GIZ.
1996-1997 Russia | Information system for economic development of St Petersburg
Implementation of the project "Introduction of an information management system for the promotion of economic development in the Committee for External Relations of the Mayor's Office in St. Petersburg" for the KfW transform program.
1995-1996 Russia | Seminars on local government affairs
Implementation of the project "Training on local government affairs for specialists and executives from the town hall and the district administrations of St Petersburg for the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.