Private sector development is a recognised engine of economic growth. Its economic and social impact can be very substantial, especially for developing countries, where, on average, the private sector accounts for more than 80% of GDP and 90% of jobs.

SMEs are a vital cog in the private sector engine, especially in developing economies: they can adapt quickly: they need less capital but have more intensive labour requirements; management costs are low. In other words, they are key to inexpensive production.

We have managed numerous projects supporting the development of SMEs and improving their competitiveness, promoting and facilitating trade, and helping their regional and international development.

• SME development and clustering
• Green growth
• Trade policy and facilitation
• Local economic development
• Regional development
• Improving competitiveness
• Private-public partnerships
• Branding
• Business development
• Micro-credits

Successful project management requires the sound management of project finances. Mismanaged finances lead to poor project outcomes.

We provide institutions and organisations with the support they need to manage their finances in line with internationally recognised principles of monitoring and evaluation.

As experienced fund managers we recognise that EU taxpayers’ money has to be seen to be used effectively in a transparent and accountable manner and that the EU’s interests depend crucially on how its funds are disbursed.

We have worked with a large number of CSOs, SMEs and other actors in receipt of EU funds to ensure that their procurement, management and project implementation processes are in order.

• Programme management
• Supervision of grant projects and beneficiaries
• Grant management
• Scholarship management
• Capacity-building for grant beneficiaries
• Expenses Monitoring
• Establishing Project Management Units (PMUs)

The importance of information and communication technologies (ICT) has increased in the business world over recent years, encouraging companies and organisations to improve their technological infrastructures and incorporate more ICT tools into their daily operations.

Effective use of ICT has also become increasingly important for donor-funded projects because of the obvious contribution it can make to service delivery and achieving the desired results.

We specialise in the design and development of software programmes, websites, portals, systems and other ICT tools customised to the specific needs of our clients in international donor-funded projects.

• Software development and maintenance
• E-learning
• Website development and maintenance
• Account management
• Web portal development and maintenance
• Social dialogue

Justice is a core element of welfare and peace building. It is one of the most essential human values and a precondition for equality, equity, fairness, and respect for others’ rights.

All stakeholders involved in pursuing socio-economic development need to embrace the concept of justice; and justice and respect for human rights must be integral to all systems created by the socio-economic development process itself.

We promote justice and better access to justice for all parts of society. We support legal reform processes and work to increase the capacity of public and private institutions in the justice sector, including prison institutions, ministries, courts, independent judicial institutions and civil society organisations. We also increase the quality of services in the justice sector by reviewing and helping to improve legal frameworks. All our interventions take full and careful account local dynamics.

Drawing on the experience gained in our projects relating to moral principles and norms, such as human rights and gender equality, we ensure these principles are applied as crosscutting issues in other projects in different fields.

• Judiciary and fundamental rights
• Modernisation and harmonisation of legislative frameworks
• Human rights monitoring and protection
• Democratic support
• Fighting organised crime
• Institutional bolstering of justice institutions
• Criminal policy
• Improvement of national law/justice systems
• Penitentiary and probation systems
• Legal alignment with the EU acquis

Getting the right messages across to the right target groups in the right way is key to achieving results and sustainable outcomes.

We specialise in the design and delivery of a large variety of communication tools, tailored specifically to the needs of clients under international donor-funded projects, including the full array offered by social media.

• Social Media
• Audio-visual/publicity/promotional/visibility materials
• Account Management
• Press Releases and E-newsletters
• Event Management
• Graphic Design
• Media strategies and awareness-raising
• Branding
• Communication strategies and action plans
• Public diplomacy and relations

Access to good quality education is crucial to social and economic development. Education standards, policies and curricula, as well teachers, have to keep pace with the advances in technology that are rapidly transforming this sector.

We are working with public and private institutions, civil society and social partners in the developing world to develop holistic approaches to both formal and informal education and throughout the education cycle, from the nursery through to higher and vocational education and training. This means not only increasing the access to education of diverse target groups, but also increasing the capacity of education providers.

• Pre-school, primary, secondary and higher education
• Access to education, including disadvantaged groups
• Adult/non-formal education/literacy
• Vocational education and training
• Lifelong learning
• Research and development
• Curriculum and scholarship development
• Teacher training
• Distance and e-learning/education technology
• Education reform