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Who we work with
Universities Frankilin & Marshall College Univ. of Connecticut Univ. of Notre Dame DukeEngage The College of William & Mary Columbia University (CTICE) Miami University
Local Partners Soluciones Comunitarias Yachan Colegio Tecnico
You will not find any team that brings a greater level of passion nor higher degree of professionalism to everything that they do. New Development Solutions Group (NDSG) professionals have an acute understanding that success or failure of any venture will be determined by the level of attention to detail. Consequential development work has a profound impact on individuals and communities. That impact will be either negative or positive. It is rarely benign. Who better to trust to create a positive outcome than NDSG? Our proven success working on myriad projects with world-class organizations speaks for itself.
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Guatemala and Paraguay
(http://www.iadb.org/)
In 2009 and 2010, the Inter-American Development Bank contracted New Development Solutions Group, together with Tech4Development, to conduct surveys and analysis for the IDB project entitled "Opportunities for the Majority: supporting business in Guatemala and Paraguay."
- The Opportunities for the Majority Initiative promotes and finances market-based, sustainable business models that engage private sector companies, local governments and communities in the development and delivery of quality products and services for the majority of the population of Latin America and the Caribbean. Its purpose is to improve the quality of life of low-income communities.
- NDSG identified potential companies interested in developing, promoting and distributing products and services to low-income communties in Guatemala and Paraguay.
USAID, Guatemala
(http://www.usaid.gov/about_usaid)
In 2003 and 2004 USAID, The United States Agency for International Development, contracted NDS Consulting to lead a number of projects. The scope of work performed by NDS Consulting included delivery of the following professional products and services:
- Design, organization and execution of Expo Ixil. This was the first ever economic forum of its kind to be held in Nebaj, Quiche. Guatemalan President Oscar Berger was in attendance as the keynote speaker.
- Creation of a small business guide distributed to rural small business entrepreneurs throughout Guatemala to help them improve their administrative and marketing skills
- Creation of a directory/database of businesses and development organizations in the Ixil Region to facilitate communication and efficient collaboration
- Design and construction of the web site www.laregionixil.com and its English version
www.ixilregion.com . These sites incorporate the directories/databases and have a business to business focus. The sites also include information and promotion about the area with the goal of attracting more tourism income.- Small business training in 15 rural internet centers where NDS worked with local small business people throughout the country, teaching them how to effectively use technology to create profitable business opportunities.
Soros Foundation, Guatemala
(http://www.soros.org)
In 2004 NDS Consulting was contracted to assist management structure and develop the overall business plan and hiring strategies for The Soros Foundation Rural Investment Fund in Guatemala. The Soros Foundation was in the process of starting a $4 million venture fund for small and medium sized business in rural Guatemala . This contract is another example of NDS Consulting's trusted and proven capabilities offering a broad spectrum of services and products to development organizations and entrepreneurs in the developing world. NDS Consulting offers a truly unique skill set that combines developed world skills and analytical strengths with successful on the ground experience.
Chemonics International, Guatemala
(http://www.chemonics.com)
In 2004 NDS Consulting completed a broad contact with Chemonics International/USAID designed to facilitate communication, increase efficiency and enhance marketing opportunities for businesses and organizations in the tourism, small business development and technology sector throughout rural Guatemala. By intelligently leveraging its own resources and by training and employing local, motivated people on a project basis, NDS Consulting was able to successfully accomplish the following in less than a two month period:
- www.visitchisec.com - NDS Consulting gathered the necessary information and designed this website to help promote tourism in this spectacular region in northern Alta Verpaz. From start to finish this website was completed in less than three weeks.
- Databases of hotels, restaurants, technology companies and development organizations working in small business development – NDS Consulting trained and sent a group of talented, young people from the Ixil region throughout the country to compile the most comprehensive databases in existence for these four categories. NDS compiled databases of over 700 hotels, 500 restaurants, 175 technology companies and 300 development organizations working in small business development.
- Best practices and implementation guides for rural internet centers - Based on our extensive experience working with rural internet centers, NDS Consulting wrote manuals covering such topics as administrative control, marketing and advertising, human resources, pricing and WIFI technology implementation.
The successful completion of this diverse group of deliverables in a very short period of time demonstrates NDS Consulting's varied skill set, superior project management capabilities and strength in training and creating high quality income generating opportunities for people in rural communities.
Vision Spring (Latin America)
(www.visionspring.org)
VisionSpring, a development organization dedicated to the creation of rural entrepreneurship opportunities for women through the sale of affordable reading glasses in developing countries, employed NDS Consulting as Director of Latin America and Head of Franchise Strategic Development from 2005 through 2008. VisionSpring has adopted the NDS Group designed MicroConsignment Model for their world-wide expansion.
Water For People, Guatemala
(http://www.waterforpeople.org)
NDS Consulting was contracted by Water for People in 2005 as Assistant Country Directors for Guatemala. NDS Consulting's primary responsibilities focused on administration, marketing and logistical support. As well, in November of 2005, NDS Consulting signed a contract with Water for People to conduct a pilot to create greater awareness about key health and hygiene issues in the rural Western Highlands of Guatemala and to create high impact, practical training methodologies. The goal of this pilot was to build the capability of Water for People and CE Solutions and select local men and woman and Peace Corps volunteers to execute appropriate outreach campaigns to teach and create awareness about health and hygiene issues ( water treatment and storage, fecal oral cycle, hand washing, latrine use etc) in their communities and nearby villages.
Fundacion Solar, Guatemala
(http://www.fundacionsolar.org.gt/)
In 2005 and 2006 NDS Consulting fulfilled a contract with Fundación Solar, a Guatemalan environmental NGO. Under the terms of the contract, NDS Consulting completed a website guide on Guatemala and the mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol. Further aspects of the contract included a website and booklet for international investors on renewable energy investment opportunities in Guatemala.
Agexpront, Guatemala
(http://www.export.com.gt)
In 2004 NDS Consulting successfully completed a contract with Agexpront, a Guatemalan NGO funded by USAID, to provide consulting services for four hotels and two restaurants in the towns of Rabinal, Baja Verapaz and Chisec, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. The focus of the contract was to analyze current operations and competition and to create practical work plans, marketing strategies and investment plans in order to draw more tourism-based business. Both of these communities were amongst the most negatively impacted during the 36 year civil war. Agexpront contracted NDS Consultingafter having observed the success of the Nebaj tourism businesses (www.nebaj.com ).Church World Service (Guatemala)
(www.churchworldservice.org)
In 2006 NDS Consulting was contracted by Church World Service (CWS) to analyze an income generating initiative funded by CWS and implemented by partners working in Totonicapan, Guatemala. CWS sought to gain a better understanding of the business models, market strategies, planning process and implementation procedures being utilized in a greenhouse project being executed with indigenous populations. In addition, CWS hoped to use the knowledge gained and work product resulting from this contract in order to begin producing both feasibility study and business planning methodologies and templates to be used with similar village-based income generation projects in which CWS is involved.
The specific objectives of this contract are as follows -
- To analyze the income generating potential and self-sustainability of a greenhouse -based food production project in Totonicapan , Guatemala
- To investigate the potential keys and obstacles to success of stated project from a business planning and implementation perspective
- To investigate the methodology used for business decisions in stated project
- To design a basic feasibility study and business plan format with an eye towards creating templates which can be used for similar projects being funded by Church World Service worldwide
- To use the analysis, combined with previous experience, for the development of a training course module for related projects
Church World Service (West Africa)
In 2006 and 2007 NDS Group was contracted by Church World Service to work with local partners in Senegal and The Gambia. CWS is endeavoring to create greater income generating activities in a variety of ways in each country. In particular, in Senegal CWS was working with local micro finance organizations and contracted the NDS Group to evaluate the best practices and develop a guide for assessing the organizations on the whole and identify key partners with whom to move forward. In The Gambia CWS endeavored to expand its community vegetable garden initiative with local partners to get beyond food security and begin creating local income. The NDS Group worked with local partners to design and methodology and donor proposals to facilitate this effort.back to top>>>
Church World Service (Bosnia Herzegovina)
In 2006 NDS Group was contracted by Church World Service to work with its partners in Bosansko, Grahovo, Bosnia-Herzagovina to create income generation projects in this region which is still struggling to emerge from the recent civil conflict. This is part of a larger is part of a larger initiative, “Build a Village”, which seeks to improve the livelihoods of individuals in targeted rural communities with high concentration of returnees in a sustainable, holistic and participatory manner. The multi-year Income Generation program focuses on stimulating economic development, increasing income, attaining food security and creating employment in the municipality through various sustainable activities based on identified and prioritized local needs.
The objectives of the contract were as follows:
- To assess and analyze the situation in the municipality of Bosanko Grahovo using, but not limited to, review of existing program documentation, secondary data, needs assessment and field visits.
- Advise CWS staff and local partners on the best appropriate income generation activities and models.
- Assist in designing and developing multi-year Income Generation program, which will incorporate ideas and feedback collected by CWS project team in Bosansko Grahovo.
- Develop a “Master Proposal”, for use in fundraising activities.
- Design templates e.g., business plan, business assessment tools, and other relevant templates, which can be used by CWS and local partners to build local capacity to plan and run business activities.
- Assess local training needs
Church World Service (Serbia)
In 2007, NDS Consulting was contracted by evaluate and effort by CWS/Europe to support displaced families from Kosovo in Serbia since 2000 by providing vulnerable people with agricultural machinery, seeds and tools, with the primary goal of improving food security.
The multi-year green house project was a major element of the CWS food security program. In its initial phase, the fifty families directly benefiting from this project improved their food security by achieving higher levels of food production through the provision by CWS of family greenhouses, seeds and technical assistance. The program’s focus in Phase Two sought to make greenhouse-based food production profitable by providing appropriate business training, small tools and equipment to greenhouse owners. The goal was to ensure that beneficiaries will have enough food to feed themselves year around, as well as cash income by selling excess produce in local markets when prices are highest (e.g. winter and early spring). In phase three, the project intended to mobilize local resources through establishment of a cooperative to pool their resources for mutual self-help toward a better life. In particular, NDS Consulting was tasked with assessing the impact of the CWS/FRB food security program in order to determine its projection for the future. The evaluation focused on the effectiveness of the CWS/FRB food security program, identify successes, constraints and gaps in the implementation.
NDS Consulting interviewed CWS staff at Belgrade Office; interviewed local implementing partners; interviewed displaced and host families; reviewed progress reports of CWS and local NGO, VOC and visited locations and households.OneRoof, Mexico
(http://oneroof.com/company/)
In 2007 NDS Consulting successfully completed a contract with OneRoof to conduct a feasibility study and pilot project in the state of the Yucatan, Mexico in order to ascertain the potential profitability of the VisionSpring reading glasses MicroConsignment initiative within OneRoof’s infrastructure.Fundacion Paraguaya (Paraguay)
(http://www.fundacionparaguaya.org.py/)
In 2007 and 2008 NDS Consulting successfully completed a contract with Fundacions Paraguaya to conduct a feasibility study and pilot project throughout strategic areas of Paraguay in order to ascertain the potential sustainability and impact of the VisionSpring reading glasses MicroConsignment initiative within Fundacion Paraguaya’s infrastructure.Cause for Hope (Nicaragua)
(http://www.causeforhope.org/cfh_esp/managua.htm)
In 2007 and 2008 NDS Consulting successfully completed a contract with Paraguay to conduct a feasibility study in Nicaragua in order to ascertain the potential sustainability and impact of the VisionSpring reading glasses MicroConsignment initiative within Cause for Hope’s infrastructure.Columbia University – Center for Technology, Innovation and Community Engagement (CTICE), United States
(http://ctice.columbia.edu)
The goal of Columbia University CTICE's Green Economic Development Initiative is to launch growth-oriented educational, workforce development, and business solutions that are driven by the desired outcome of lowering the costs/decreasing the carbon footprint of businesses/institutions through the sale of renewable energy/environmentally sustainable (“green”) products and services. In January of 2009, NDS Consulting was contracted by Columbia University CTICE to strategically develop programs in the areas of workforce development, new job and venture creation, youth education, and specific community based learning class projects in Upper Manhattan.
U-Specs (Guatemala)
(http://www.u-specs.org)
In 2008 was engaged by U-Specs and the ROS Foundation to assess the viability and design the structure for selling field adjustable myopic glasses to children. In an affordable and timely manner, ROS Foundation sought to gain a high degree of insight into U-Specs’ durability, functionality, acceptance and possible distribution strategies to understand how best to provide U-Specs as an eye care solution for children. This field test consisted of training Vision Entrepreneurs to distribute U-Specs with support from staff and eye care professionals. This included:
- Results and analysis from a product survey
- Analysis of commercial acceptance
- Analysis of commercial strategies (including case studies on Vision Entrepreneurs)
- Product Survey (PS)
Desired Outcome: A high level of insight into how U-Specs function in rural areas of the developing world after being dispensed by Vision Entrepreneurs supported by staff and eye care professionals.
Franklin & Marshall College: The Ware Institute for Civic Engagement
(http://www.fandm.edu/ware)
Social Entrepreneur Corps began working with the Ware Institute for Civic Engagement at Franklin & Marshall in 2009, when they sent seven students to our Ecuador summer program. This year Franklin & Marshall students will be participating in our Ecuador and Nicaragua summer programs. The Ware Institute builds relationships between community partners and Franklin & Marshall College, supports student-led service initiatives, and collaborates with faculty in community-based-learning coursework. The Institue is committed to developing socially responsible graduates.NDS Consulting has also been contracted by Franklin & Marshall to assess the feasibility of creating volunteer/internship programs for Franklin & Marshall College students (and potentially students from other colleges and universities) in Cape Town, South Africa. NDS Consulting has visited Cape Town to analyze the resources available for student programs and meet with organizations currently working in the area.
University of Connecticut: Study Abroad Programs
(http://www.studyabroad.uconn.edu)
Social Entrepreneur Corps began working as strategic partner with the University of Connecticut’s Study Abroad department in 2007. The University of Connecticut offers over 200 study abroad programs in 65 countries on six continents.University of Connecticut students can apply through the study abroad website here: (https://secure.sa.uconn.edu/sap/studioabroad/)
and receive up to 9 credit hours for the eight week summer program in Guatemala. There are a designated number of placements being held open for University of Connecticut students.University of Notre Dame: MicroVenturing Program, Gigot Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Mendoza College of Business
(http://business.nd.edu)
In 2007, Social Entrepreneur Corps began working with the University of Notre Dame’s Social/MicroVenturing program within the Gigot Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the Mendoza College of Business. The MicroVenturing program is pioneering practical approached to creating successful community based micro-ventures through classroom, workshop, and in-market exercises. The program utilizes a consortium of educators, prominent members of both the public and private sectors, and Notre Dame students in the role of small-business mentors. The mission of the course is to promote the creation of sustainable communities equipped with the tools to improve lives and reinforce their commitment to the betterment of society by equipping college students with adequate training to make lasting contributions to the creation or expansion of select small businesses. The course will concentrate on defining the role of social entrepreneurship in solving the larger problems of domestic and global poverty.
University of Notre Dame students interested in participating in Social Entrepreneur Corps are encouraged to visit the Gigot Center for Entrepreneurial Studies to learn more about the application process. There are a designated number of placements being held open for MicroVenturing class students in both the Guatemala and Ecuador programs.Duke University: DukeEngage, Duke Center for Civic Engagement (DCCE) (http://dukeengage.duke.edu)
Social Entrepreneur Corps was an inaugural strategic partner of Duke University’s new DukeEngage program through the Duke Center for Civic Engagement (DCCE) in 2008. DukeEngage provides full funding and faculty and administrative support to all undergraduates who want to stretch beyond the classroom by tackling societal issues at home and abroad, and, in turn, learning from those real-world experiences. Projects range from learning about African education challenges while helping a rural school to gaining insights into natural disasters while working with Gulf Coast flood victims. The program provides Duke students with opportunities to collaborate with nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations that address poverty, housing, education, AIDS or other social issues; with a financial institution to explore how investment affects life in third-world countries; or an art museum to increase outreach to low-income children, among other things. The Duke Endowment of Charlotte and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation of Seattle are providing an endowment DukeEngage.
Duke University students interested in participating in Social Entrepreneur Corps are encouraged to visit the DukeEngage website here http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/engage/proposal.html
and/or visit the Duke Center for Civic Engagement to learn more about the application process. There are a designated number of placements being held open for Duke University students in the Guatemala eight week summer program.The College of William and Mary: Office of Student Volunteer Services
(www.wm.edu/offices/oces/?svr=web)
In 2009, Social Entrepreneur Corps began its inaugural year partnering with the College of William and Mary. The Office of Student Volunteer Services exists to promote a culture of service at the College, increase participation in public and community service, and develop service involvement as an educational experience. Students engaged in community service activities will:
- Understand and practice behaviors associated with social responsibility, including interest in community issues, the welfare of others, and concepts of fairness and justice
- Develop a personal and sustainable commitment to serving others
- Understand the function of citizenship in our society and develop a willingness and ability to engage in civic life in ways that build and strengthen communities
- Use reflective thinking processes to establish connections between in-class and out-of-class experiences and make meaning of academic and career pursuits
There are a designated number of placements being held open for William and Mary students in our Guatemala and Ecuador summer programs. William and Mary students interested in participating in our programs should contact Drew Stelljes, PhD, Director, Office of Student Volunteer Services at adstel@wm.edu.
Columbia University - Center for Technology, Innovation and Community Engagement (CTICE)
(www.ctice.columbia.edu)
In 2007, Social Entrepreneur Corps began its first year as a strategic partner with the Center for Technology, Innovation and Community Engagement (CTICE). Social Entrepreneur Corps has a strong history working with Columbia University and previously worked with the Career Center. Over 20 students for Columbia have participated in Social Entrepreneur Corps programs.
Established in 2006, (CTICE) focuses on creating authentic university-community partnerships, promoting community-based learning, and building community capacity. There are a set number of placements open to Columbia students. Columbia students can apply for financial assistance through CTICE upon application acceptance.Miami University - Center for Social Entrepreneurship
(www.fsb.muohio.edu/centers/social-entrepreneurship)
2009 marked the first year for Social Entrepreneur Corps as a strategic partner with the Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Miami University, the alma mater of one of the co-founders of Social Entrepreneur Corps. The primary objective of the Center is to develop a world-class program in social entrepreneurship at the undergraduate level. This comprehensive program begins with the introduction of the ideas of social entrepreneurship (SE), continues through rigorous coursework and culminates with hands-on learning opportunities. There are a set number of placements open to Miami students. Miami students can apply for financial assistance through the Center for Social Entrepreneurship upon application acceptance.
Soluciones Comunitarias (SolCom), Guatemala
(www.solucionescomunitarias.com)
NDSG leadership concluded several years ago that, while we play a critical role in incubating new ideas, training and growth, a separate, financially and administratively sustainable organization needed to be created to perpetuate the MicroConsignment Model over the long term. As such, leadership established Soluciones Comunitarias (SolCom), a Guatemalan company. CE Solutions and Social Entrepreneur Corps continue to be a source of capital, training and ideas but SolCom is owned and managed by the rural entrepreneurs who have “risen through the ranks” as leaders in the MicroConsignment enterprises. SolCom manages and grows the hub (regional coordinators) and spoke (entrepreneurs) system that has been highly effective in achieving social, economic, health and environmental impact to date through our MicroConsignment Model. To date we approximate that SolCom activities have generated over $1 million in direct economic benefit for rural Guatemalans.Yachana Colegio Técnico, Ecuador
(http://www.yachana.org.ec)
Yachana Colegio Técnico (Yachana Technical School) is an innovative educational system in the Ecuadorian Amazon. New Development Solutions Group will be partnering with Yachana Colegio Técnico to provide us with in-country support during our expansion. We will be supporting their educational system through our product sales and will be helping them with promotion of their products (water filters and solar lamps). Yachana will also be a partner in our Social Entrepreneur Corps Ashoka Fellows program.
The Riecken Foundation
(www.riecken.org)
Soluciones Comunitarias has partnered with the Riecken Foundation as a 'socio comunitaria.' The Riecken Foundation lays the framework for community-run lending libraries with open stacks of books and free Internet access. Riecken libraries provide access to SolCom products through kiosks in their community locations, and use the profits of product sales to maintain the library. The success of the library network hinges on the active involvement of local committees and volunteers. Leadership training and community service are key components of the Riecken library model. Signature programs, including reading promotion, youth leadership workshops and Internet research instruction, are supplemented by services customized to meet local needs.
