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A Small Enterprise Development Project in West Africa -- Discussion

Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 03:23:00 PM EST

Aaron Barlow and Bronwyn Hughes authors of "Nothing New: A Small Enterprise Development Project in West Africa" introduce a methodology for sustainable success of projects in developing countries. The success record of development projects in general is questionable and the authors set out to explain the why of the failure.

The methods for a successful, sustainable project are described in great detail and the analysis of a project completed in the 1980s shows where success can be promoted and where the potential for failures lie.

For a long time many people saw the developing world as an empty pit, pouring in skills, goods, and money to fill it. More and more, this pit appears bottomless, basic human conditions within it only worsening. Project benefits are not lasting. Little seems sustainable.

Why?

Read the whole column on the ePluribus Media Journal and then come back here to discuss ....

commentary :: :: :: buzz-it!

A Small Enterprise Development Project in West Africa -- Discussion | 3 comments (3 topical, 0 hidden)

First look (5.00 / 2) (#1)

Distilled version: show respect for the people, and keep some common sense about you. Ask, don't tell, because you're there to serve the local population, not the other way 'round.

Oh yeah, and burn the three-hundred-page manual.

[Light is for more than reading: Surya Bijlee Project, India;
radios are for more than tunes: FreePlay Foundation].

by rba on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 01:00:51 PM EST

rba... thank you for finding and pointing out (5.00 / 1) (#2)

the freeplay organization.

by Cho on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 04:05:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

: Every (5.00 / 1) (#3)

wind-up device you see today pretty much started with that non-profit back in the late '90s. Basic concept by Faraday in the 19th Century.

by rba on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 05:54:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]