TECHNOSERVE, SMALL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PVO - OPG

Technoserve will implement this project by providing technical assistance to private, grass-roots organizations to identify, implement, and operate new and ongoing business activities. Technoserve will also seek to strengthen the capabilities of other public and private Nicaraguan institutions dedicated to the development of such small enterprises. Enterprises will be assisted on the basis of their economic viability, potential social impact, and likely contribution to the economy"s growth. Technoserve"s professional staff will be increased from 9 to 11 (at least) to permit an increase in the number of project requests from 14 to 20 per year and the number of plans/projects implemented from 4 to 6 per year. During the life of the project, Technoserve will: (1) investigate and review 61 projects presented to it; (2) gather 16 formal project-related legal agreements, which may consist of letters of agreement, letters of understanding, or technical assistance contracts; (3) perform socioeconomic analyses of 22 total projects and activities, including analyses of markets, raw materials, fixed assets, financial and legal obligations, potential project beneficiaries, pilot tests, or pre-feasibility studies; (4) develop 16 project implementation/operation plans, such as project studies and business or marketing plans, which usually accompany a given project; (5) implement 16 plans/projects, such as those to introduce new products, purchase and install new machinery, and establish and utilize new lines of credit. Technoserve will also provide six formal courses or seminars to enterprise development institutions, with subjects ranging from agricultural techniques to accounting. Technoserve will conduct 10 joint activities with indigenous private institutions and 24 other joint activities with Nicaraguan governmental institutions. These shared undertakings will consist of such activities as survey development, pre-feasibilty and feasibility studies, and contractual agreements.