Ashoka’s Changemakers, National Geographic and the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) are searching for innovative solutions for coastal, waterway, and island destinations that protect the environment and strengthen the heritage and livelihoods of local residents.
From September 8 through December 1, 2010, you can nominate or submit a solution to help save coastal and freshwater destinations.
Prizes: The top three entries will win US $5,000 each. The best two entries submitted by 6pm EST, October 20, 2010 will be eligible to each win US $500.
Through Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) Opportunity 2010, the IADB and MIF will provide up to US $5 million of co-financing for competition entries that provide innovative ideas for sustainable destination management by micro to medium companies in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region.
In addition, muchbetteradventures.com will select three winners from all of the Geotourism Challenge 2010 entrants to receive a free, lifetime membership to muchbetteradventures.com, as well as access to services and mentoring to build and improve their adventure tourism product.
For more information visit: www.changemakers.com/coasts
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
blog and make cash
You can start a blog on just about any topic: beauty and fashion, travelling on a budget, your favourite hobby, or anything else you can think of. And as you build up your audience, you can also monetize your blog so you can continue to write and provide service to your readers instead of going out and looking for another job.
Reviewing Products
One way of providing a good service to your readers while also benefitting yourself is to review products. It’s important to remember, however, that in order to give your honest and unbiased opinion, you can’t receive money for doing the review. However, you can keep the products you review, and if these are products you really want, that can be as good as money. What would you like to review? How about a coffee maker or a new computer? Or baby clothes? Whatever you want to review, if it’s in keeping with the topic of your blog, you can probably get it for free by contacting the company that makes it, as long as you can prove you’ve got a good blog, a solid audience and an established reputation.
Selling Advertising
The best way to make money with your blog is to sell advertising. And yes, you can sell advertising to the company whose product you just reviewed (after the review is published) if they wish to advertise on you blog.You can sell display advertising (banner ads or ads in a sidebar) as well as text-link advertising, “which is getting huge among blogs for SEO purposes,” says Tenille Lafontaine, a product review blogger and owner of Feisty, Frugal & Fabulous.
Tenille points out that you shouldn’t expect to get rich by blogging. Rather, it can give you an income similar to a part-time job and can open doors to other opportunities. For example, Tenille’s been blogging for two years, and just recently was offered the job of Social Media Manager for a company who knew her because she reviewed their products a couple of times. The job is one she can do at home in addition to her blogging. Being able to work at home is very important to Tenille because in addition to blogging, she’s also a stay-at-home mom.
How to Contact Companies
You can write to companies directly, or you can go through PR Agencies. Tenille has been blogging for two years, so she is established well enough now that most of the time, the PR Agencies contact her. She doesn’t know how they find her, but last September an agency contacted her out of the blue asking if she wanted to go to L.A. to cover a T.J. Maxx event. She had never heard from this company before, and didn’t even know if they were real. She believes they just did an online search with keywords that fit their focus.
“I think my title is what worked,” she says. “T.J. Maxx is the sister company of Winners in Canada, so my guess is she searched out blogs with the word ‘frugal’ and stumbled upon mine.”
When Tenille is interested in a product, she’ll contact the company that makes it and ask them to send her the product to review. For example, she decided she wanted to start running, so she contacted some companies to find out if they would send her running shoes.
“I emailed a pitch, like a magazine would, [stating] this is what I’m looking to write a feature on, this is how I’d like to present it to my readers, and the most important thing: what’s in it for them,” she says, emphasizing, “companies aren’t interested in what they can do for me, they want to know what I can do for them.”
And what is in it for them? Mainly, the number of readers you have and the amount of traffic (number of ‘page views’ or visits) to your site.
“Product review advertising has got to be the cheapest advertising a company can find right now,” Tenille says. For example, running shoes retail for around $110, but the wholesale cost to the company may only be $50. So for just $50, they’re getting a product review, a text-link within the review, and longevity: the review is never taken off her website. They also get a testimonial they can use on their own site.
“They get all that in return for sending a product,” says Tenille. “And it’s beneficial both ways. Here I am, a stay-at-home mom, with a brand new pair of $110 running shoes.”
What to Charge for your Advertising
“It varies. A blog with six months experience and 500 subscribers, to me, should be charging less than a blog with 2000 subscribers and two years of readers,” she says.
In the beginning, the companies told her what they were willing to pay. Since then, she’s asked around to find out what other people were charging, and looked at what she had to offer in return, in order to figure out what to charge. If you’re having trouble figuring it out, she suggests contacting other bloggers, adding, there’s a huge network of Mom-bloggers out there that you can contact for information.
And as in any business, when it comes to sales, there can be negotiation. Some people will accept the price you quote and some people will counter it.
“When it comes down to business, you’ve got to decide if it’s worth it to take their offer,” she says. “I have to ask, ‘what’s in it for me?’”
What Products Should you Review?
What products you decide to review is up to you. You can focus on a specific interest, like baby-related products or technology, for example, or you can focus more broadly on general products.
Tenille’s selling point is that she’s a stay-at-home mom looking for good deals. So she can cover anything that would be of interest to mothers. This can cover a wide range of products and services, from children’s clothing to household items, from beauty products to travel destinations. When Tenille started, she was reviewing $10 hair bows. Now a product has to be worth at least $25 in order to review, because anything less is not worth her time. And it does take a lot of work to review an item; first you have to test it out, then you have to write about it and post it online.
“I can’t give the same focus to a $10 bib if I’m reviewing a $500 vacuum,” she says.
How to Build your Audience
An effective way of building your audience is with product give-aways. Tenille says the reviews give your readers first-hand knowledge of the product, which is good, but your readers will come back for more if you have something to offer them.
“That’s what I tell the companies that I work with,” says Tenille, “and 90% of the companies will in turn offer a product as a give-away to my readers.”
She points out the give-aways also generate the buzz on Facebook, Twitter, and online contest sites. It gives you more promotion, gets you more links, and gets more people talking about you, if there’s a give-away attached.
What is the Time Commitment?
Tenille notes that while anyone can start a blog and review products, most people don’t realize the amount of work that’s involved. She’s seen a few people start a blog, review a couple of products, then become disillusioned by it. They think they can do a little work and get free products in the mail. What they don’t realize is that there’s a very big time commitment to doing this. Tenille puts in more than 40 hours per week.
"[Blogging] can give you an income similar to a part-time job and can open doors to other opportunities."
“My computer’s on all day,” she says. She has a laptop that she can carry around the house and a blackberry so she can have access to emails when travelling and going out with the kids. In fact, she’s been working full-tilt for two years and is just now beginning to take her weekends off. “PR Reps work Monday through Friday,” she adds. “In the beginning when I was working with a lot of Mompreneurs, I was emailing all the time because Mompreneurs are like me, home all the time.”
Start-up Costs
Tenille started out using a free blogging platform offered through Google called Blogger. As the months went by and she grew, she wanted to differentiate herself and look more professional. That’s when she started putting money into it. At first she bought a $30 design template, then in the past month, she switched over to WordPress, which means she owns her own website. Since she’s no longer hosted through Google, she now has to pay hosting fees, and she bought a new design so she has design fees.
Summary
If you want to start a blog and review products, be prepared for the work and, if you’re new to blogging and social media, the learning curve. It’ll be easier to blog about something you’re already passionate about, so do your homework and figure out what that is. Then brainstorm different names for your blog because you’ll want something that catches attention, isn’t already in use, and would be easily searchable. For example, if you plan to blog about fashion, then you may want to include the word “fashion” as part of your title.
Reviewing Products
One way of providing a good service to your readers while also benefitting yourself is to review products. It’s important to remember, however, that in order to give your honest and unbiased opinion, you can’t receive money for doing the review. However, you can keep the products you review, and if these are products you really want, that can be as good as money. What would you like to review? How about a coffee maker or a new computer? Or baby clothes? Whatever you want to review, if it’s in keeping with the topic of your blog, you can probably get it for free by contacting the company that makes it, as long as you can prove you’ve got a good blog, a solid audience and an established reputation.
Selling Advertising
The best way to make money with your blog is to sell advertising. And yes, you can sell advertising to the company whose product you just reviewed (after the review is published) if they wish to advertise on you blog.You can sell display advertising (banner ads or ads in a sidebar) as well as text-link advertising, “which is getting huge among blogs for SEO purposes,” says Tenille Lafontaine, a product review blogger and owner of Feisty, Frugal & Fabulous.
Tenille points out that you shouldn’t expect to get rich by blogging. Rather, it can give you an income similar to a part-time job and can open doors to other opportunities. For example, Tenille’s been blogging for two years, and just recently was offered the job of Social Media Manager for a company who knew her because she reviewed their products a couple of times. The job is one she can do at home in addition to her blogging. Being able to work at home is very important to Tenille because in addition to blogging, she’s also a stay-at-home mom.
How to Contact Companies
You can write to companies directly, or you can go through PR Agencies. Tenille has been blogging for two years, so she is established well enough now that most of the time, the PR Agencies contact her. She doesn’t know how they find her, but last September an agency contacted her out of the blue asking if she wanted to go to L.A. to cover a T.J. Maxx event. She had never heard from this company before, and didn’t even know if they were real. She believes they just did an online search with keywords that fit their focus.
“I think my title is what worked,” she says. “T.J. Maxx is the sister company of Winners in Canada, so my guess is she searched out blogs with the word ‘frugal’ and stumbled upon mine.”
When Tenille is interested in a product, she’ll contact the company that makes it and ask them to send her the product to review. For example, she decided she wanted to start running, so she contacted some companies to find out if they would send her running shoes.
“I emailed a pitch, like a magazine would, [stating] this is what I’m looking to write a feature on, this is how I’d like to present it to my readers, and the most important thing: what’s in it for them,” she says, emphasizing, “companies aren’t interested in what they can do for me, they want to know what I can do for them.”
And what is in it for them? Mainly, the number of readers you have and the amount of traffic (number of ‘page views’ or visits) to your site.
“Product review advertising has got to be the cheapest advertising a company can find right now,” Tenille says. For example, running shoes retail for around $110, but the wholesale cost to the company may only be $50. So for just $50, they’re getting a product review, a text-link within the review, and longevity: the review is never taken off her website. They also get a testimonial they can use on their own site.
“They get all that in return for sending a product,” says Tenille. “And it’s beneficial both ways. Here I am, a stay-at-home mom, with a brand new pair of $110 running shoes.”
What to Charge for your Advertising
“It varies. A blog with six months experience and 500 subscribers, to me, should be charging less than a blog with 2000 subscribers and two years of readers,” she says.
In the beginning, the companies told her what they were willing to pay. Since then, she’s asked around to find out what other people were charging, and looked at what she had to offer in return, in order to figure out what to charge. If you’re having trouble figuring it out, she suggests contacting other bloggers, adding, there’s a huge network of Mom-bloggers out there that you can contact for information.
And as in any business, when it comes to sales, there can be negotiation. Some people will accept the price you quote and some people will counter it.
“When it comes down to business, you’ve got to decide if it’s worth it to take their offer,” she says. “I have to ask, ‘what’s in it for me?’”
What Products Should you Review?
What products you decide to review is up to you. You can focus on a specific interest, like baby-related products or technology, for example, or you can focus more broadly on general products.
Tenille’s selling point is that she’s a stay-at-home mom looking for good deals. So she can cover anything that would be of interest to mothers. This can cover a wide range of products and services, from children’s clothing to household items, from beauty products to travel destinations. When Tenille started, she was reviewing $10 hair bows. Now a product has to be worth at least $25 in order to review, because anything less is not worth her time. And it does take a lot of work to review an item; first you have to test it out, then you have to write about it and post it online.
“I can’t give the same focus to a $10 bib if I’m reviewing a $500 vacuum,” she says.
How to Build your Audience
An effective way of building your audience is with product give-aways. Tenille says the reviews give your readers first-hand knowledge of the product, which is good, but your readers will come back for more if you have something to offer them.
“That’s what I tell the companies that I work with,” says Tenille, “and 90% of the companies will in turn offer a product as a give-away to my readers.”
She points out the give-aways also generate the buzz on Facebook, Twitter, and online contest sites. It gives you more promotion, gets you more links, and gets more people talking about you, if there’s a give-away attached.
What is the Time Commitment?
Tenille notes that while anyone can start a blog and review products, most people don’t realize the amount of work that’s involved. She’s seen a few people start a blog, review a couple of products, then become disillusioned by it. They think they can do a little work and get free products in the mail. What they don’t realize is that there’s a very big time commitment to doing this. Tenille puts in more than 40 hours per week.
"[Blogging] can give you an income similar to a part-time job and can open doors to other opportunities."
“My computer’s on all day,” she says. She has a laptop that she can carry around the house and a blackberry so she can have access to emails when travelling and going out with the kids. In fact, she’s been working full-tilt for two years and is just now beginning to take her weekends off. “PR Reps work Monday through Friday,” she adds. “In the beginning when I was working with a lot of Mompreneurs, I was emailing all the time because Mompreneurs are like me, home all the time.”
Start-up Costs
Tenille started out using a free blogging platform offered through Google called Blogger. As the months went by and she grew, she wanted to differentiate herself and look more professional. That’s when she started putting money into it. At first she bought a $30 design template, then in the past month, she switched over to WordPress, which means she owns her own website. Since she’s no longer hosted through Google, she now has to pay hosting fees, and she bought a new design so she has design fees.
Summary
If you want to start a blog and review products, be prepared for the work and, if you’re new to blogging and social media, the learning curve. It’ll be easier to blog about something you’re already passionate about, so do your homework and figure out what that is. Then brainstorm different names for your blog because you’ll want something that catches attention, isn’t already in use, and would be easily searchable. For example, if you plan to blog about fashion, then you may want to include the word “fashion” as part of your title.
Business Launch Pad - ENABLIS/Chase Bank Business Plan Cometition
Dear Good People,
I would like to communicate to you and those that would be interested to put in their business plans that the announced ENABLIS/Chase Bank Business Plan Competition deadline has been extended to 13th September to allow for more entries.
The other good news is that the entry fee that was initially being charged has also been waived.
Even better news is that for those Entrepreneurs who have Business ideas that have Green Themes or that are completely focusing on Green Entrepreneurship have a special interest for support from the Youth Entrepreneurship Facility of the ILO/YEN.
The bottom line is if you pitch for a business plan that has green(organic agriculture, renewable energy, agro-processing,environmental conservation, eco-tourism etcetra) or social enterprise based( community programes with a social angle but business like..eg a community water project, health, hygiene etc).
YEF will offer equipment, or Business Development Services to winning entries and eventual linkage to funding. This is a great opportunity that young people who want to excell in Busines should not let go.
For entries please check out www.businesslaunchpad.info or Call 0720599211
I would like to communicate to you and those that would be interested to put in their business plans that the announced ENABLIS/Chase Bank Business Plan Competition deadline has been extended to 13th September to allow for more entries.
The other good news is that the entry fee that was initially being charged has also been waived.
Even better news is that for those Entrepreneurs who have Business ideas that have Green Themes or that are completely focusing on Green Entrepreneurship have a special interest for support from the Youth Entrepreneurship Facility of the ILO/YEN.
The bottom line is if you pitch for a business plan that has green(organic agriculture, renewable energy, agro-processing,environmental conservation, eco-tourism etcetra) or social enterprise based( community programes with a social angle but business like..eg a community water project, health, hygiene etc).
YEF will offer equipment, or Business Development Services to winning entries and eventual linkage to funding. This is a great opportunity that young people who want to excell in Busines should not let go.
For entries please check out www.businesslaunchpad.info or Call 0720599211
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Easy Way to Treat, Heat Water and Make Money
Dear Good people,
Another Innovation of the Green Teams Initiative courtesy of YES Kenya, In our quest to bring business models for young people to engage in enterprise Development at their communities, I am glad to present to you another innovative business model involving a Water Heating Container using the Sun in addition to the Solar Lanterns already under distribution across Kenya.
We want to establish a distribution and sales Green Teams in the whole of Western Province. The Solvatten Container is Manufactured in Sweden and is an award winning model for treating and Heating Water using the sun with international recognition.
We are opening doors for the youth in Western Province to sell the product, make very good money from the sales, and keep earning revenues on a yearly basis as long as the container is in use for the next five years. This will be made possible due to the Carbon Financing from the Carbon Credits that will be saved since communities will stop boiling water using open fires generated from firewood that emits carbon into the environment.
This is a business model that will make the youth happy.
If you are a Youth Entrepreneur in Western Province and would like to make money that makes sense to your environment, please get in touch with us to begin the business.
Please find here with and attached some information in regards to the new innovation.
The Solvatten Innovation
Solvatten is a patented portable container that uses nothing but solar energy to purify contaminated water from the micro-organisms which cause water-borne diseases. It is a simple, reliable and affordable way to provide clean water at household level. A Solvatten unit holds 10 litres of water. The outside of the unit is made of black, heat-absorbing plastic and the unit opens out to reveal transparent surfaces which let in the sun’s energy. A special indicator shows when the water is fit to drink.
One Solvatten can meet the safe water needs of a household of five people.
As well as producing water for drinking, Solvatten can be used to warm water for washing, cooking and
personal hygiene.
Read more...
Benefits
- Solvatten provides safe and warm water.
- It is easy to use, saves time, money and energy.
- Solvatten improves health.
- Solvatten saves the environment in places where firewood is used for boiling before drinking water.
(Approximately 50 trees/ Solvatten units).
- Solvatten contributes to the realization of the UN Millennium Development Goals.
- Solvatten provides safe and hot water to a very competitive prize. 10-30 liters/day.
Read more...
Voices From Kenya
“It’s the easiest way of treating water. It’s a remedy for us and the community”. Martin Baraza
“No firewood is used on boiling drinking water. Solvatten make me save time and makes one
be able to attend to other household duties”. Phyllis Sifuna
“Every family wishes to have one”. Jane Nyongesa, field staff
“My baby had severe diarrhoea and was very ill. But after using Solvatten water she got better.“ Junice Apinde
“I am now using the borehole on the compound and I don’t have to walk far anymore to fetch water.” Felice Masinde
Solvatten has conducted a number of pilot studies with UN Habitat, Enpho and Vi agroforestry.
Read the report from Bungoma.
Solvatten is an inspiring example of a non-fossil, non-nuclear climate innovation with the potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
WWF Climate Solver 2009
check here for more http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000480137845#!/group.php?gid=92720183137
Another Innovation of the Green Teams Initiative courtesy of YES Kenya, In our quest to bring business models for young people to engage in enterprise Development at their communities, I am glad to present to you another innovative business model involving a Water Heating Container using the Sun in addition to the Solar Lanterns already under distribution across Kenya.
We want to establish a distribution and sales Green Teams in the whole of Western Province. The Solvatten Container is Manufactured in Sweden and is an award winning model for treating and Heating Water using the sun with international recognition.
We are opening doors for the youth in Western Province to sell the product, make very good money from the sales, and keep earning revenues on a yearly basis as long as the container is in use for the next five years. This will be made possible due to the Carbon Financing from the Carbon Credits that will be saved since communities will stop boiling water using open fires generated from firewood that emits carbon into the environment.
This is a business model that will make the youth happy.
If you are a Youth Entrepreneur in Western Province and would like to make money that makes sense to your environment, please get in touch with us to begin the business.
Please find here with and attached some information in regards to the new innovation.
The Solvatten Innovation
Solvatten is a patented portable container that uses nothing but solar energy to purify contaminated water from the micro-organisms which cause water-borne diseases. It is a simple, reliable and affordable way to provide clean water at household level. A Solvatten unit holds 10 litres of water. The outside of the unit is made of black, heat-absorbing plastic and the unit opens out to reveal transparent surfaces which let in the sun’s energy. A special indicator shows when the water is fit to drink.
One Solvatten can meet the safe water needs of a household of five people.
As well as producing water for drinking, Solvatten can be used to warm water for washing, cooking and
personal hygiene.
Read more...
Benefits
- Solvatten provides safe and warm water.
- It is easy to use, saves time, money and energy.
- Solvatten improves health.
- Solvatten saves the environment in places where firewood is used for boiling before drinking water.
(Approximately 50 trees/ Solvatten units).
- Solvatten contributes to the realization of the UN Millennium Development Goals.
- Solvatten provides safe and hot water to a very competitive prize. 10-30 liters/day.
Read more...
Voices From Kenya
“It’s the easiest way of treating water. It’s a remedy for us and the community”. Martin Baraza
“No firewood is used on boiling drinking water. Solvatten make me save time and makes one
be able to attend to other household duties”. Phyllis Sifuna
“Every family wishes to have one”. Jane Nyongesa, field staff
“My baby had severe diarrhoea and was very ill. But after using Solvatten water she got better.“ Junice Apinde
“I am now using the borehole on the compound and I don’t have to walk far anymore to fetch water.” Felice Masinde
Solvatten has conducted a number of pilot studies with UN Habitat, Enpho and Vi agroforestry.
Read the report from Bungoma.
Solvatten is an inspiring example of a non-fossil, non-nuclear climate innovation with the potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
WWF Climate Solver 2009
check here for more http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000480137845#!/group.php?gid=92720183137
Saturday, July 3, 2010
BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS (B2B) PROGRAMME
The B2B Programme supports the establishment of partnerships between Danish companies and companies in Danida’s programme countries as well as Egypt and South Africa. In addition B2B Environment is available in China and Indonesia.
The Business-to-Business (B2B) Programme can assist companies in Danida's programme countries as well as Egypt and South Africa in finding a Danish partner, which can help them gain access to Danish technology and know-how. On the other hand, the Danish companies can obtain access to new markets, products and production opportunities.
B2B Environment
Partnerships investing in environmental projects in China and Indonesia may apply for support under B2B Environment.
The objective of the programme
The B2B Programme aims at developing the private sector in a range of programme countries by supporting the establishment of long-term and mutually committing partnerships between Danish companies and companies in developing countries. By using business linkages as an instrument for economic growth, the B2B Programme seeks to improve living conditions for the people in the selected countries. To learn more about the business linkage concept and the scope of the B2B Programme, please click here.
Who to contact
If you require further information or have a concrete project proposal, please do not hesitate to contact the Danish Embassies in the relevant B2B countries, where you free of charge can ask for advice. The Embassies are in a position to assist regarding project development, partner identification, and business opportunities. To access contact information for the relevant Embassies, please click here.
How to apply for support
For more information on how to apply, guidance and templates for application, reimbursement request, and reporting, please see the B2B Toolbox here.
Simultaneous applications
Please, note that companies may only apply for and get approval of B2B support in one country at a time. However, should a company apply for B2B support in several countries at a time, the applicant company is obliged to inform all the relevant embassies of this upon submission of application. Hence, if a company has a pending application or has just received an approval in one B2B country, this company should not submit a second application (or more) to other B2B countries. Applicants that do not comply with these instructions will be rejected.
For further information on requirements to companies participating in the B2B Programme, please consult the B2B Company Guidelines here.
The Business-to-Business (B2B) Programme can assist companies in Danida's programme countries as well as Egypt and South Africa in finding a Danish partner, which can help them gain access to Danish technology and know-how. On the other hand, the Danish companies can obtain access to new markets, products and production opportunities.
B2B Environment
Partnerships investing in environmental projects in China and Indonesia may apply for support under B2B Environment.
The objective of the programme
The B2B Programme aims at developing the private sector in a range of programme countries by supporting the establishment of long-term and mutually committing partnerships between Danish companies and companies in developing countries. By using business linkages as an instrument for economic growth, the B2B Programme seeks to improve living conditions for the people in the selected countries. To learn more about the business linkage concept and the scope of the B2B Programme, please click here.
Who to contact
If you require further information or have a concrete project proposal, please do not hesitate to contact the Danish Embassies in the relevant B2B countries, where you free of charge can ask for advice. The Embassies are in a position to assist regarding project development, partner identification, and business opportunities. To access contact information for the relevant Embassies, please click here.
How to apply for support
For more information on how to apply, guidance and templates for application, reimbursement request, and reporting, please see the B2B Toolbox here.
Simultaneous applications
Please, note that companies may only apply for and get approval of B2B support in one country at a time. However, should a company apply for B2B support in several countries at a time, the applicant company is obliged to inform all the relevant embassies of this upon submission of application. Hence, if a company has a pending application or has just received an approval in one B2B country, this company should not submit a second application (or more) to other B2B countries. Applicants that do not comply with these instructions will be rejected.
For further information on requirements to companies participating in the B2B Programme, please consult the B2B Company Guidelines here.
BUSINESS SKILLS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT TRAINING
The world is challenged by the youth phenomena and Kenya is by no means alone. Of the 6 billion people in the world today, 1 billion comprise young people between the ages of 15-24. What is worrisome however is that of this number, 850 million live in developing countries and it is estimated that in the next 30 years, this number will have grown to 1.2 billion - mostly in developing countries. It is against this backdrop that UNDP/ Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Trade, will be offering a skills training in three districts.
Background
The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Trade with financial and technical support of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is rolling out a youth training initiative to empower the youth and catalyze competitive growth of trade by enhancing self-employment, and injecting a new breed of productive labour force into the country's economy in micro and small enterprises adversely affected by the post election violence.
As a result of the post election violence, the YES-MSE programme, (now being implemented under the Kenya National Youth Development and Training Programme) whose initial focus is on the millennium districts viz; Bungoma, Siaya, Suba, Bondo, Murang'a, Kilifi, Garissa, Meru South and Turkana, shall, under an early recovery strategy focus on the larger Uasin Gishu, Kisumu and Nakuru districts. Later, this programme will be expanded to cover other districts.
STRUCTURE OF PROGRAMME
Phase 1: Business Skills and Entrepreneurship Development (BS&ED) Course
The main aim of this phase is to inculcate an entrepreneurial mindset and develop business skills amongst the participants. Administered in two parts, part I shall be a 3 week intensive training that will provide an opportunity for trainees to reflect upon and explore their own potential, behaviour, business skills and attitudes towards potential economic activities in their communities. Part II of this phase shall be a 3 week business experiencing attachment (BEA) whose objective is to expose trainees to best business practices.
Phase 2: Enterprise Development Agents' (EDA) Course
Using a set criterion, the programme will identify and select potential (EDAs) from the BS&ED graduates and train them to offer tailored business advisory services relevant to the communities needs within the regions of focus. This phase shall consist of a 2 week intensive training followed by a 4 weeks district business profiling task.
ELIGIBILITY/QUALIFICATIONS
Under the YES-MSE Programme, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Trade are looking for highly motivated and qualified youth who are seeking to either start up their own businesses or become business development agents/consultants with the view to seeking income generating opportunities within the larger Uasin Gishu, Nakuru and Kisumu districts. In addition, the applicants should be youth who are below 35 years, holders of Bachelors Degrees, completed within the past 3 years, currently unemployed yet actively seeking self-employment, have exceptional drive to start up a business and/or interested in the field of business consultancy and possess a passion for learning and innovation besides being highly committed to the development of the stated regions of focus. Holders of Masters Degrees will have an added advantage. Youth from the larger Kisumu, Nakuru and Uasin Gishu districts; and especially women and youth with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Proof of residence is required.
check this site for more http://mirror.undp.org/kenya/kenyayouth.htm
Background
The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Trade with financial and technical support of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is rolling out a youth training initiative to empower the youth and catalyze competitive growth of trade by enhancing self-employment, and injecting a new breed of productive labour force into the country's economy in micro and small enterprises adversely affected by the post election violence.
As a result of the post election violence, the YES-MSE programme, (now being implemented under the Kenya National Youth Development and Training Programme) whose initial focus is on the millennium districts viz; Bungoma, Siaya, Suba, Bondo, Murang'a, Kilifi, Garissa, Meru South and Turkana, shall, under an early recovery strategy focus on the larger Uasin Gishu, Kisumu and Nakuru districts. Later, this programme will be expanded to cover other districts.
STRUCTURE OF PROGRAMME
Phase 1: Business Skills and Entrepreneurship Development (BS&ED) Course
The main aim of this phase is to inculcate an entrepreneurial mindset and develop business skills amongst the participants. Administered in two parts, part I shall be a 3 week intensive training that will provide an opportunity for trainees to reflect upon and explore their own potential, behaviour, business skills and attitudes towards potential economic activities in their communities. Part II of this phase shall be a 3 week business experiencing attachment (BEA) whose objective is to expose trainees to best business practices.
Phase 2: Enterprise Development Agents' (EDA) Course
Using a set criterion, the programme will identify and select potential (EDAs) from the BS&ED graduates and train them to offer tailored business advisory services relevant to the communities needs within the regions of focus. This phase shall consist of a 2 week intensive training followed by a 4 weeks district business profiling task.
ELIGIBILITY/QUALIFICATIONS
Under the YES-MSE Programme, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Trade are looking for highly motivated and qualified youth who are seeking to either start up their own businesses or become business development agents/consultants with the view to seeking income generating opportunities within the larger Uasin Gishu, Nakuru and Kisumu districts. In addition, the applicants should be youth who are below 35 years, holders of Bachelors Degrees, completed within the past 3 years, currently unemployed yet actively seeking self-employment, have exceptional drive to start up a business and/or interested in the field of business consultancy and possess a passion for learning and innovation besides being highly committed to the development of the stated regions of focus. Holders of Masters Degrees will have an added advantage. Youth from the larger Kisumu, Nakuru and Uasin Gishu districts; and especially women and youth with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Proof of residence is required.
check this site for more http://mirror.undp.org/kenya/kenyayouth.htm
Friday, July 2, 2010
Youth Employment Support JOBS
The Youth Employment Support (YES) Jobs for the Unemployed and Marginalized young People (JUMP) is part of the ILO’s response to the Decent Work Country Programme adopted by the Government, Workers and Employers. The objective of the ILO YES-JUMP Project is to contribute to the poverty alleviation efforts through creating decent and sustainable jobs for the youth of poor and marginalized communities. The YES JUMP project aims to help partner communities and youth groups find more socially responsible and community driven solutions to poverty alleviation, with alteast 50% of its target group being young women.
YES-JUMP, has been established in Kenya and Zimbabwe, with overall technical management from ILO’s Regional Office for Africa in Addis Ababa. The project facilitates and supports entrepreneurship development, skills training, technical and financial support to local job creation schemes and strengthening small enterprises and cooperatives and business development services. The project strategy is to create a broader partnership between local stakeholders to implement priority projects for youth at the community level.
It is a two year pilot project funded by the Federal Republic of Germany.
It is a part of ILO’s response to the Global Jobs Crisis in supporting young men and women in jobs creation and enterprise development. The principles of Decent work, Sustainable livelihoods and community participation guides the project in its strategy.
The two immediate objectives of the project are:
1. In order to reduce poverty, 1000 sustainable and decent jobs are created for young women and men in selected communities in each project country, taking participatory approaches.
2. Selected project partners at national and local levels are fully able to design and implement their own youth employment schemes (institutional building)
To ensure national ownership and a community driven project, the project’s guiding structures are the National Steering Committee at the national level, the Pilot project Implementation Committee at the community level with the Local Community Facilitators at the field level. The project is mainly guided by all these committees.
Project duration – 2009 – 2011
Target group – The intended beneficiaries are the young women and men in rural and urban economies in Kenya and Zimbabwe, as identified by the project partners and the National Steering Committee. These also youth organizations including cooperatives, associations, local community organizations at the community level.
YES JUMP take the following approach to develop and implement the pilot projects:
1. Poverty reduction through community based job creation schemes
2. Provision of business development services to address the gaps identified to supplement its job creation efforts
3. National, local ownership and involvement at all stages of the project
Project team
Chief Technical Adviser – Ms. Charu Bist, ILO Regional Office for Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
YESJUMP@ilo.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Kenya
National Project Coordinator – Ms. Jane Maigua, ILO Office in Nairobi
yesjumpkenya@ilo.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Administrative Assistant – Ms. Mwongeli Muthuki
Zimbabwe
National Project Coordinator – Mr. Tapera Muzira, ILO Office in Harare, Zimbabwe
yesjumpzw@ilo.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Administrative Assistant – Ms. Pamela Masango
YES-JUMP, has been established in Kenya and Zimbabwe, with overall technical management from ILO’s Regional Office for Africa in Addis Ababa. The project facilitates and supports entrepreneurship development, skills training, technical and financial support to local job creation schemes and strengthening small enterprises and cooperatives and business development services. The project strategy is to create a broader partnership between local stakeholders to implement priority projects for youth at the community level.
It is a two year pilot project funded by the Federal Republic of Germany.
It is a part of ILO’s response to the Global Jobs Crisis in supporting young men and women in jobs creation and enterprise development. The principles of Decent work, Sustainable livelihoods and community participation guides the project in its strategy.
The two immediate objectives of the project are:
1. In order to reduce poverty, 1000 sustainable and decent jobs are created for young women and men in selected communities in each project country, taking participatory approaches.
2. Selected project partners at national and local levels are fully able to design and implement their own youth employment schemes (institutional building)
To ensure national ownership and a community driven project, the project’s guiding structures are the National Steering Committee at the national level, the Pilot project Implementation Committee at the community level with the Local Community Facilitators at the field level. The project is mainly guided by all these committees.
Project duration – 2009 – 2011
Target group – The intended beneficiaries are the young women and men in rural and urban economies in Kenya and Zimbabwe, as identified by the project partners and the National Steering Committee. These also youth organizations including cooperatives, associations, local community organizations at the community level.
YES JUMP take the following approach to develop and implement the pilot projects:
1. Poverty reduction through community based job creation schemes
2. Provision of business development services to address the gaps identified to supplement its job creation efforts
3. National, local ownership and involvement at all stages of the project
Project team
Chief Technical Adviser – Ms. Charu Bist, ILO Regional Office for Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
YESJUMP@ilo.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Kenya
National Project Coordinator – Ms. Jane Maigua, ILO Office in Nairobi
yesjumpkenya@ilo.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Administrative Assistant – Ms. Mwongeli Muthuki
Zimbabwe
National Project Coordinator – Mr. Tapera Muzira, ILO Office in Harare, Zimbabwe
yesjumpzw@ilo.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Administrative Assistant – Ms. Pamela Masango
Prestigious US$350,000 Africa Entrepreneurship Prize Launched
Dubai, June 29th, 2010 - Legatum, a privately owned international investment group, and Omidyar Network, a philanthropic investment firm, today announced the launch of the 2010 Legatum Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship, one of the continent’s most prestigious business awards.
The Legatum Africa Awards programme recognises and rewards African business leaders who embody the entrepreneurial spirit and demonstrate the qualities required to succeed in business - determination, a commitment to excellence, innovation and profitability. Leaders of small and medium sized enterprises (annual revenues between US $2 - $25 million) have the opportunity to submit online entries at www.africaawards.com until 31st August 2010. Applicants will be evaluated across a unique set of criteria to determine the winner.
"This is the third year that Legatum has offered an award for Entrepreneurship in Africa" said Alan McCormick, Managing Director of Legatum, "and over that time we have found many dynamic entrepreneurs across the continent, whose businesses are building prosperity for their communities".
Mr. McCormick continued, "The Legatum Africa Awards celebrates the very best businesses from across Africa and showcases their leadership, which through hard work, determination and a creative approach, are the foundation for their nation’s wealth and well-being. Our goal is to encourage the next generation of aspiring business people and pave the way for increased investment in Africa, a continent teeming with opportunity".
The 2010 Africa Awards programme builds upon similar competitions in 2007 and 2008, and is expected to attract 1,500 entries from fifteen countries. This year, submissions will be accepted from Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. A total of US$ 350,000 will be awarded to the winners, and the funds directed towards growth and strategic re-investment in their companies.
Winners will be selected based on a rigorous and transparent selection process by an international panel of leading business experts. "Omidyar Network and Legatum share the conviction that entrepreneurs are vital to creating new opportunities in Africa", said Matt Bannick, Managing Partner of Omidyar Network. "With the expanded reach of this year's awards, we will identify and support the dynamic business leaders who are driving innovation, economic growth and terrific new opportunities across the continent."
The 2010 Legatum Africa Awards will conclude with a Gala Awards Banquet in early December 2010 in Accra, Ghana. Finalists and winners will be honoured in the presence of an international audience of leading businesspeople, policymakers, and entrepreneurs.
For more information visit..http://www.legatum.com/
The Legatum Africa Awards programme recognises and rewards African business leaders who embody the entrepreneurial spirit and demonstrate the qualities required to succeed in business - determination, a commitment to excellence, innovation and profitability. Leaders of small and medium sized enterprises (annual revenues between US $2 - $25 million) have the opportunity to submit online entries at www.africaawards.com until 31st August 2010. Applicants will be evaluated across a unique set of criteria to determine the winner.
"This is the third year that Legatum has offered an award for Entrepreneurship in Africa" said Alan McCormick, Managing Director of Legatum, "and over that time we have found many dynamic entrepreneurs across the continent, whose businesses are building prosperity for their communities".
Mr. McCormick continued, "The Legatum Africa Awards celebrates the very best businesses from across Africa and showcases their leadership, which through hard work, determination and a creative approach, are the foundation for their nation’s wealth and well-being. Our goal is to encourage the next generation of aspiring business people and pave the way for increased investment in Africa, a continent teeming with opportunity".
The 2010 Africa Awards programme builds upon similar competitions in 2007 and 2008, and is expected to attract 1,500 entries from fifteen countries. This year, submissions will be accepted from Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. A total of US$ 350,000 will be awarded to the winners, and the funds directed towards growth and strategic re-investment in their companies.
Winners will be selected based on a rigorous and transparent selection process by an international panel of leading business experts. "Omidyar Network and Legatum share the conviction that entrepreneurs are vital to creating new opportunities in Africa", said Matt Bannick, Managing Partner of Omidyar Network. "With the expanded reach of this year's awards, we will identify and support the dynamic business leaders who are driving innovation, economic growth and terrific new opportunities across the continent."
The 2010 Legatum Africa Awards will conclude with a Gala Awards Banquet in early December 2010 in Accra, Ghana. Finalists and winners will be honoured in the presence of an international audience of leading businesspeople, policymakers, and entrepreneurs.
For more information visit..http://www.legatum.com/
Saturday, March 6, 2010
UN-HABITAT Urban Youth Fund
Youth-led organizations in developing countries working to improve the lives of young people and their communities can now seek financing for their projects through the UN-HABITAT Urban Youth Fund.
The Fund will provide grants for innovative projects that promote employment, good governance, shelter and secure tenure.
Only applicants aged 15-32 from cities in developing countries can qualify for a grant.
Support will be provided primarily for those working to improve slum conditions and to raise opportunities for young people growing up in poverty.
Projects encouraging gender equality or involving partnerships with the government or the private sector are particularly welcome.
Small development initiatives are eligible for grants of up to USD 5,000, and larger projects up to USD 25,000.
Deadline: 15 April 2010.
Details: www.unhabitat.org/youthfund
The Fund will provide grants for innovative projects that promote employment, good governance, shelter and secure tenure.
Only applicants aged 15-32 from cities in developing countries can qualify for a grant.
Support will be provided primarily for those working to improve slum conditions and to raise opportunities for young people growing up in poverty.
Projects encouraging gender equality or involving partnerships with the government or the private sector are particularly welcome.
Small development initiatives are eligible for grants of up to USD 5,000, and larger projects up to USD 25,000.
Deadline: 15 April 2010.
Details: www.unhabitat.org/youthfund
Friday, January 22, 2010
Exchange books and make some money
Bert and Rich (www.bertandrich.com)an online book store gives you a chance to make money while reading your favourite books.At the moment they want to focus on the city residents but it will spread its wings out later. get the whole idea at http://www.bertandrich.com/products-services/
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Bishara 30: the online biz experiment
Biashara 30
this is a copy of what is appearing on www.likechapaa.com
Hello!
How is 2010 so far? Nice, eh? We feel that this should be the year in which you finally make it to where you have never been before. We would love it if you moved from success to success all through this year. As you well may know, Like Chapaa’s primary mission is to help as many people as we can achieve success, especially financially.
Therefore, we see it fit to announce that the 2nd edition of Biashara30 shall be starting early in the year, on February 2, 2010.
What is Biashara 30?
Well, Biashara 30 is a fun experiment, or project, in which a group of strangers come together to try and make it as online business people. If you have ever had thoughts of making money online, in whatever way, then B30 may be just what you need.
Currently, we have intentions on focusing this particular edition of B30 on the following:
Service businesses – where individuals or groups earn online by offering services (such as design, etc)
Product-based businesses – where you sell actual ’stuff’
While the above are what we are thinking of, they are not necessarily what we shall be doing in this B30 – that is entirely up to the participants.
Who Should join?
Biashara 30 is not for everyone. It is only for those who have a burning desire to see themselves succeed in business; it is for those who can be online everyday; it is for those who are not afraid to try new things; it is for those who want to earn or learn to earn online.
Above all, B30, is for those people who much prefer learning by doing. B30 will not solve all your problems, it is not a silver bullet or a solution to anything. It is a community of people trying to learn together by actually trying to do something.
If that is you, then we invite you to apply. We’ll have lots of fun learning by doing. Oh, and it is free.
To apply go to http://likechapaa.com/biashara30/
this is a copy of what is appearing on www.likechapaa.com
Hello!
How is 2010 so far? Nice, eh? We feel that this should be the year in which you finally make it to where you have never been before. We would love it if you moved from success to success all through this year. As you well may know, Like Chapaa’s primary mission is to help as many people as we can achieve success, especially financially.
Therefore, we see it fit to announce that the 2nd edition of Biashara30 shall be starting early in the year, on February 2, 2010.
What is Biashara 30?
Well, Biashara 30 is a fun experiment, or project, in which a group of strangers come together to try and make it as online business people. If you have ever had thoughts of making money online, in whatever way, then B30 may be just what you need.
Currently, we have intentions on focusing this particular edition of B30 on the following:
Service businesses – where individuals or groups earn online by offering services (such as design, etc)
Product-based businesses – where you sell actual ’stuff’
While the above are what we are thinking of, they are not necessarily what we shall be doing in this B30 – that is entirely up to the participants.
Who Should join?
Biashara 30 is not for everyone. It is only for those who have a burning desire to see themselves succeed in business; it is for those who can be online everyday; it is for those who are not afraid to try new things; it is for those who want to earn or learn to earn online.
Above all, B30, is for those people who much prefer learning by doing. B30 will not solve all your problems, it is not a silver bullet or a solution to anything. It is a community of people trying to learn together by actually trying to do something.
If that is you, then we invite you to apply. We’ll have lots of fun learning by doing. Oh, and it is free.
To apply go to http://likechapaa.com/biashara30/
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