Microfinance village banking effectiveness analysis

Village garden food security to income generation

Greenhouse food security and income generation evaluation

NDS has recently been contracted by Church World Service ("CWS") ( www.churchworldservice.org ) to analyze an income generating initiative funded by CWS and implemented by partners in Guatemala. CWS seeks to gain a better understanding of the business models, market strategies, planning process and implementation procedures being utilized in a specific project being executed with indigenous populations. In addition, CWS hopes 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 that can 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 developent of a training course module for related projects

Commmunity entrepreneur fund development in Bosnia

On September 25, 2006 NDS 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 will focus 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 program will be developed based on best business practices and models, including market strategies, business planning process and implementation procedures. In addition, CWS hopes to use the knowledge gained and work product resulting from this contract for similar income generation projects in which CWS is involved.

The objectives of the contract are 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.
The contract was secured upon the successful completion of a greenhouse assessment project for Church World Service in the department of Totonicapan, Guatemala.

Feasibility Analysis for OneRoof

On August 15th, 2006 NDS successfully completed a contract for OneRoof (www.oneroof.com) to assess the feasibility of a Scojo Foundation (www.scojofoundation.org) for their operations in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. The objectives of the contract were as follows:

Analyze the market for the sale of reading glasses and related visual care products/services
Investigate appropriate marketing implementation practices with regards to price, product, place and promotion
Assess the feasibility of creating a Scojo Foundation program for OneRoof in locations to be decided
Design an economic/profitability analysis based on agreed upon scope and growth projections


Upon acceptance and approval of the deliverables, OneRoof moved forward with the project and engaged NDS to create a pilot project for the fourth quarter of 2006.

Development of franchise strategy for Latin America

On July 1st, 2006 NDS entered a three year exclusive contract with Scojo Foundation to develop and implement its franchise strategy in Latin America. This engagement is continues the successful relationship that Scojo Foundation and NDS have enjoyed over the last two and a half years. Scojo Foundation and NDS will work to develop greater scale in Latin American countries through partners/franchisees who are desirous of integrating the Scojo model into their networks. NDS’ objectives under this contract are as follows:

To negotiate agreements with potential franchisees on behalf of Scojo
To review on franchise documentation templates
To conduct feasibility studies
To conduct pilot programs
To work as needed to further expansion through the franchise strategy (i.e. conference calls with donors, strategy sessions, etc.)


We look forward to further success in Latin America with Scojo Foundation and as always, are appreciative of their continued confidence in our work.

Increased market identification and marketing opportunities for Chemonics

NDS 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 was able to successfully accomplish the following in less than a two month period:

www.visitchisec.com - NDS 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 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 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' varied skill set, superior project management capabilities and strength in training and creating high quality income generating opportunities for people in rural communities.

Latin American development and growth leaders for Vision Spring

The Scojo Foundation, a foundation dedicated to the creation of rural entrepreneurship opportunities for women through the sale of affordable reading glasses in developing countries, employs NDS as Director of Latin America. NDS oversees Scojo El Salvador and the program Guatemala program created (August 2005) through its sister non profit CE Solutions. As well, NDS and Scojo Foundation are currently exploring opportunities to expand to Mexico, Honduras and Nicaragua . NDS was originally contracted by Scojo Foundation in 2004 as consultants to help restructure their overall social entrepreneurship model in El Salvador.

Marketing materials for the Kyoto Protocols

NDS is currently fulfilling a contract with Fundación Solar, a Guatemalan environmental NGO. Under the terms of the contract, NDS has completed a website guide on Guatemala and the mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol. Further aspects of the contract include a website and booklet for international investors on renewable energy investment opportunities in Guatemala.

Rural tourism consulting for Agexpront

NDS 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 after having observed the success of the Nebaj tourism businesses ( www.nebaj.com ).

Logistics and Pilot Project Lead for Health and Hygiene Awareness

NDS was contracted by Water for People in January of 2005 as Assistant Country Directors for Guatemala. NDS's primary responsibilities focused on administration, marketing and logistical support. As well, in Nov. of 2005, CE Solutions 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 is 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.

Business Plan for Soros Foundation Rural Investment Fund

NDS 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 is 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's trusted and proven capabilities offering a broad spectrum of services and products to development organizations and entrepreneurs in the developing world. NDS offers a truly unique skill set that combines developed world skills and analytical strengths with successful on the ground experience.

Social Entrepreneur Corps leads USAID Guatemala initiatives

USAID, The United States Agency for International Development, contracted NDS to lead a number of projects. The scope of work to be performed by NDS included delivery of the following professional products and services:

Design, organization and execution 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 key note speaker.
Creation of a small business guide to be 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.

Community Enterprise Solutions established

CE Solutions was founded in May of 2004 by former Guatemala Peace Corps Volunteers Greg Van Kirk and George B Glickley. Upon completing their two-year commitment in April of 2003, Greg and George decided to stay on to complete "unfinished work". The CE Solutions now expanded team works to transfer both knowledge and resources to local individuals so that they can improve their quality of life and of those of others in their community. Our success is derived from creating practical, low cost and flexible solutions that address real needs and offer compelling opportunities. CE Solutions conducts extensive analysis to assure that the designed solution and implementation mechanism is one that is appropriate for the local environment and constituents.