The Ford Foundation seeks a dynamic individual to implement, monitor and coordinate a grant making program which seeks to improve the livelihoods of poor rural and urban households in West Africa—focusing on Nigeria and sub-region initiatives.

A writer for the Microfinance Insights blog is posting from the 2009 Global Youth Enterprise conference. Visit the Microfinance Insights blog for posts on the following conference topics:

USAID/Russia is making a special call for the submission of concept papers that support partnerships between non-profit organizations and the private sector. Applications addressing the following thematic objectives are sought:

This report is a presentation of general principles that can be useful to enterprise development organizations (EDOs) who are trying to take on a more market development (sustainable) approach to enterprise development. The principles can be applied to economic development projects that target small, medium or large enterprises. The principles include:

Action for Enterprise (AFE) is offering a five-day workshop that presents the latest methodologies and practice for designing value-chain programs that incorporate strategies for sustainable impact. Participants will learn how to design programs that result in market-based solutions to MSME constraints such as market access, input supply, technology/product development, management training, policy reform, and access to finance. Examples will be used from enterprise development programs and practitioners worldwide.

This field manual by the Women’s Refugee Commission has been developed to provide practitioners with usable information and helpful tools so that they can design and implement more effective livelihood programs — programs that are based on market demand and are contextually appropriate; programs that build on the existing skills and experience within the target population; and programs that enhance the dignity and options for the displaced.

Making Cents International is pleased to announce the 2009 Global Youth Enterprise Conference will take place in Washington, DC from September 29-30, 2009 at the George Washington University's Cafritz Conference Center. This participatory and demand-driven learning event will convene 350 leading stakeholders in the fields of youth enterprise, employment, and livelihoods development; microfinance; education; and health.