Mobilizing African Diaspora Resource for Enterprise in Africa

Mobilizing Diaspora Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

The African Foundation for Development (AFFORD) is mobilizing the diaspora’s skills, knowledge and experience to provide assistance to organizations in Ghana and Sierra Leone. We shall partner with organizations where diaspora skills, knowledge and experience will result in more people, especially young people, establishing SMEs, securing work, building skills and confidence. This initiative is in partnership with VSO.

How will we do this?

· By placing Africans in the UK with local/indigenous organizations/enterprises in Ghana & Sierra Leone for short-term periods on a pro bono basis (travel and accommodation costs covered)

· By linking those unable to travel with local organizations so they can provide ‘virtual’/on-line assistance

· By building a network of those interested in this initiative to allow exchange of ideas and information sharing.

What will the assignments involve?

We cannot be prescriptive at this stage, but they might include:

· Practical support to important employment/enterprise generating sectors such as tourism, fisheries

· Hands-on training, facilitation

· Leadership development, management support

· Access to new markets, technology, etc.

When will the assignments start?

· Current research phase to identify needs of African organizations will end by mid-November 2005

· Recruitment and selection of candidates by January 2006

· Assignments commence early 2006

· In this first stage, we hope to recruit up to 10 advisors per country (ie 20 in total).

What next?

We would like to hear from you if you:

· Are part of the African diaspora, we are particularly keen to hear from Ghanaians and Sierra Leoneans for this first phase but we welcome all (we use African diaspora as an inclusive term)

· Feel you can share – on a pro bono basis - skills, knowledge and experience (gained from education, work, voluntary roles and leisure activities) to help young people in Africa help themselves and find meaning in their lives through productive work (we shall cover travel and accommodation costs)

· Are passionate about participating in and contributing to Africa’s development

· Are available to spend time in Ghana or Sierra Leone or can contribute from a distance.

Who do I contact to express interest in this initiative?

Interested individuals should contact Christine Matambo, Youth Programme Officer, AFFORD on:

Tel: 020 7587 3900 Fax: 020 7587 3919 E-mail: [email protected]

· She will take your contact details, your skills set, your interests and discuss further with you on this.

· You will also be kept abreast, via an e-mail network, of developments on this initiative

· We encourage you to express your interest as soon as possible!!!