We are committed to having a real impact and making a real difference with those we work with. The way we do that is different from other development organizations. We combine trade and training. We work with small-scale artisans and farmers to develop their skills and we buy and sell what they create. They learn, they work and they earn: all of the elements needed to become self-sufficient in the long term.
Our capacity building work focuses on the following areas:
Skills Training
We listen to each organization about their goals for the future and how we can work with them to strengthen their endeavors. From this dialogue, we establish long-term written agreements to ensure that they obtain the training, technical assistance, and organizational skills they must cultivate to grow their enterprises and compete in the global marketplace.
Grants and Loans
A small sum can have huge ripple effects when it enables an artisan or farmer group to grow or strengthen its work. Our grants and loans are part of our integrated approach to building capacity by providing seed money to our partners for things like new equipment or infrastructure or to carry out trainings.
Market Development
When they are ready, we develop systems and connections to help our partners access other markets for their products. Having a broad customer base lessens their reliance on us and empowers them to become independent.
Relationship Building
Strong relationships are at the core of making our work people-centered. Close communication with our partners and regular visits keep us aware of their successes, their most pressing needs and how we can best support their efforts.
Impact Assessment
How does SERRV/A Greater Gift benefit artisans and farmers? This is a question that we hear often and answering it is a core part of making sure we are effectively fulfilling our mission. We continually gather information from our partners to assess the impact our work has on artisans and farmers around the world.
Some of our 2007 Development Acheivements
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14 staff and consultant visits to our artisan and farmer partner groups in 14 countries
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7 overseas trainings in product development and market trends benefiting groups in 11 countries
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Development and distribution of a Trend CD to all of our producer partners
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Grants to producer partners for tools and raw materials, computer equipment and online connection, web site development, infrastructure for new production space,
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Facilitation of donations of computer equipment and school scholarships to producer partners
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Visit to SERRV by partners from Bangladesh, Ghana, Nepal and Mexico
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Emergency storm relief for partners in the Philippines and Bangladesh and earthquake relief in Peru
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Creation and distribution of a producer manual that covers everything from quality control to export guidelines