Social Marketing in Niger – A Success Story posted on: 2009-12-18
In 2003 the Government of Niger with financial support from the German Development Bank KfW engaged the consortium GFA Consulting Group / Constella Futures to launch a five year Condom Social Marketing Project. Following intensive research and the participation of key partners and the public alike, an attractively packaged Nigerienne condom was developed and placed on the private sector market. Within the first few years the condom brand “Foula” had become one of the most recognizable brands in Niger. In order to ensure sustainability, the consortium in 2006 created a national social marketing organization called ANIMAS SUTURA which is successfully increasing and professionally growing. In addition to these achievements, the program has proven that a professional communication strategy supported by attractive products, affordable pricing and an effective distribution system can positively influence and improve the health behaviour of Niger’s people. Thanks to innovative communication campaigns involving popular sports heroes and performing artists, sensitive products such as condoms and other contraceptives can now be openly presented and discussed even among the highly conservative and religious population of Niger. More information on the project can be found here.
by:  Ina Rosenstiel , GFA Consulting Group

Instead of Christmas Gifts - GFA Bridges Supports Social Projects in Mozambique, Ecuador and India posted on: 2009-12-17
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility Programme,  GFA has started in 2007 to support social projects in developing countries instead of giving Christmas presents to its clients and partners. In 2007 and 2008 GFA assisted the millennium village in Sodo, Ethiopia through the German NGO “Welthungerhilfe”. In 2009 GFA continues to support this project and extends its Corporate Social Responsibility Programme by financing small projects in developing and transformation countries  that are proposed by GFA staff and persons having a close relationship with GFA.  The projects are selected and monitored by a Evaluation and Monitoring committee consisting of 5 employees of GFA. Three different projects have been selected for support in 2009. Mozambique:  Nhapupwé The association Nhapupwé promotes pre-school education in Inhambane Province, Mozambique. The Association develops approaches to combine integrative pedagogy with aspects of the local culture. “GFA Bridges“ has made  available available a contribution of EUR 3.600 to finance a training programme for the pedagogues, a planning workshop for the association and furniture for the pre-school. India: Calcutta International Needs Calcutta International Needs is a NGO dedicated to the development of needy and handicapped children in Calcutta, India.  “GFA Bridges” contributed EUR 3.400 to finance school equipment, music instruments and tools for handicrafts. Ecuador: The bambúProjekt bambúProjekt is a German NGO that organizes art workshops with street children from Quito, Ecuador, to help them develop their creative potential and discover the natural environment of their country.  To present the results of these workshops an exhibition will be organized in Quito. GFA Bridges has made a contribution of EUR 2.100 to the organization of this exhibition. More information on these projects and some pictures can be found here.
by:  Heiko Weißleder, GFA Consulting Group

GFA Signs Copenhagen Communiqué posted on: 2009-12-03
2009 is a crucial year for the climate change agenda which, it is hoped, will culminate in a new international climate deal being signed in Copenhagen this December. The Copenhagen Communiqué is a short, punchy statement that draws on some of the key thinking on climate policy that has emerged from the international business community over the past two years, and sets out the business case for a strong and effective UN climate framework. GFA is proud to be part of the signatories of The Copenhagen Communiqué (details see here), an initiative of The Prince of Wales's Corporate Leaders' Group on Climate Change (CLG) which is run by The University of Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership. The full text is available here.
by:  Hans-Christoph Schaefer-Kehnert, GFA Consulting Group

Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) an Effective Tool for Private Sector Involvement in Development posted on: 2009-11-30
Public funding alone will not be enough to alleviate poverty and especially to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the year 2015. The private sector is the main engine of economic development, therefore private-public partnerships can be a very effective tool to achieve economic, social and environmental development goals. GFA has and is implementing PPP projects in diverse regions and different economic sectors. In Bangladesh GFA supports the Social Compliance and Workers Rights & Responsibilities Program, in India GFA supports Mediations centers to protect consumer interests, in Nicaragua GFA advises in a payment for environmental services scheme, in Honduras and Vietnam GFA has been instrumental in setting up sustainable coffee production, on a regional scale GFA has supported sustainable forest certification and GFA has supported the German initiative on health infrastructure. For more details on each PPP project go to GFA Publications http://www.gfa-group.de/publications/home_beitrag_3452039.html
by:  Hans-Christoph Schaefer-Kehnert, GFA Consulting Group

Functioning Consumer Protection for India and Germany posted on: 2009-11-27
At the invitation of the project "Consumer Protection and Sustainable Consumption", that is implemented by GFA Consulting Group GmbH on behalf of GTZ, Dr. Rainer Metz, Deputy Director General Consumer Protection in the German Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, visited India from 16 - 20 November 2009. The visit started in Mumbai where he participated in the opening of the BioFach India - the International Organic Trade Fair - and gave a lecture on experiences made with the introduction of the organic label in Germany. Afterwards he travelled to New Delhi where he was the main speaker of a German-Indian Workshop on Consumer Protection organized by the GFA project. In front of a chosen audience he gave an overview of the priorities and instruments of the German consumer policy and their connection with EU policy. He emphasised the importance of setting up country-wide consumer counselling and of the fight against unfair commercial practices. In his opening address, the State Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Mr Rajiv Agarwal, emphasised the valuable support the GTZ/GFA project provided for the work of his Ministry and praised the innovative ideas coming from the project and its Team leader Mr. Patrick von Braunmuehl. At the end of the visit, a high-level meeting took place in the Ministry on 20 November 2009 where participants agreed on intensifying the cooperation of both countries in the field of consumer protection. In the future, both governments intend to exchange their experiences in the fields of product safety, minimum standards, law enforcement and consumer information in regular meetings. Both State Secretary Agarwal and Dr. Metz stressed that functioning consumer protection is an important pillar of sustainable economic development and an efficient and responsible economy.
by:  Anja Desai, GFA Consulting Group

GFA is Top Performer in ADB Contracts posted on: 2009-10-27
In the period of 2004 to 2008, GFA was awarded with the highest contract volume of ADB technical assistance projects of all German consulting companies. The contract volume for GFA in this period was worth 8.29 million US-$ and accounts for more than one third of the total contract volume German consulting companies were awarded with.
by:  Maike Kobarg, GFA Consulting Group

Energy Efficiency Export Initiative posted on: 2009-10-23
Since January 2008, GFA Consulting Group supports the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology in the realization of the "Energy Efficiency Export Initiative" (www.efficiency-from-germany.info). In times of scarce fossil fuel resources and continually rising energy prices, economic prosperity and competitiveness depend more than ever on the efficient use of energy - not just in Germany. The use of innovative technology holds enormous potential for energy conservation in every field of application. Germany enjoys an outstanding reputation regarding high-quality technical products and its practical expertise in the field of energy efficiency. The Ministry launched the Export Initiative to assist German companies in the commercialization of this reputation, particularly as far as small and medium enterprises are concerned. The initiative aims at helping German companies to enter foreign markets and to establish first contacts, e.g. via trade and incoming buyers missions. Innovative solutions in the field of energy efficiency made in Germany are showcased for potential foreign clients. Related know-how is transferred to political decision-makers, key opinion leaders and market participants. Ultimately, the Export Initiative is determined to make a tangible contribution to international climate protection. On 15 September 2009, the Ministry held a conference to welcome the 1,000th company that registered with the Export Initiative. Addressing more than 250 representatives from private sector, science and politics, State Secretary Mr. Homann underlined the huge export potential of energy efficient technologies despite the global economic crisis. Mr. Homann invited companies to make use of the marketing assistance of the Export Initiative and to utilize the trade mark "Efficiency - Made in Germany".
by:  Jens Hauser, GFA Consulting Group

GFA supports the ASEAN Secretariat in Competition Policy and Law posted on: 2009-10-16
ASEAN has acknowledged that a common profile in competition policy is crucial for promoting a highly competitive economic region. It is also understood that effective enforcement of such a competition policy and law (CPL) can be realized through well-functioning national Competition Regulative Bodies (CRB) that cooperate throughout the whole economic community. In June 2009, GFA was awarded two contracts to support the efforts of the ASEAN Secretariat to assist ASEAN Member States in the area of CPL in the ASEAN region. These projects are funded by InWEnt – Capacity Building International. GFA will contribute to this objective with its extensive knowledge in capacity building methods, its longstanding experience in facilitating regional integration and with providing top level experts. In the first project, GFA will be in charge of conceptualizing a series of high-level policy workshops and providing advice and suggestions for their implementation. In the second project, GFA will take responsibility for conceptualizing and providing suggestions and advice in support of the policy dialogue. The objective of both projects is to build capacity among top and senior management staff of CRBs and other competition-related authorities in fostering regional cooperation in CPL.
by:  Maike Kobarg, GFA Consulting Group

Conference: Urban-Rural Linkages and Migration – a Potential for Poverty Alleviation in Developing Countries posted on: 2009-10-15
GFA as member of ReKomEnt co-organized the conference on 16th and 17th September 2009 in Dortmund. Main organizers were the Department of Spatial Planning in Developing Countries (REL) TU Dortmund, the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the Working Group Regional and Local Development (ReKomEnt). (see also: www.raumplanung.uni-dortmund.de) More than 80 participants from 13 countries, researchers, policy makers and practitioners followed the invitation to discuss the relevance of rural-urban migration for poverty alleviation, and implications for governance and development co-operation. GFA Consulting Group contributed to the topic “Local and Urban Policies towards Migration”, reflecting the experience made in supporting the South African Urban Renewal Programme. For more information on the Topic see GFA Publications.
by:  Christoph Schaefer-Kehnert and Anke Küsel, GFA Consulting Group

US Companies have an additional choice in FSC Chain of Custody Certification posted on: 2009-07-31
GFA Consulting Group GmbH has joined forces with American Green to offer FSC Chain of Custody services across the US. Shelburne, Vermont (USA) & Hamburg (Germany) - July 30, 2009 The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) provides a certification system with internationally recognized standard-setting, trademark assurance and accreditation services to companies, organizations and communities interested in responsible forestry. Who is FSC? FSC, an international non-governmental, non-profit organization sets standards for well-managed forest management and consecutive chain of custody (CoC) systems. CoC is the part, after certification for sound forest management practices has been awarded, that tracks FSC certified material through the production process - from the forest to the consumer, including all successive stages of processing, transformation, manufacturing and distribution. FSC CoC systems of companies must be and are evaluated and monitored by accredited certifiers such as Hamburg, Germany-based GFA Consulting Group GmbH (GFA). GFA is a highly reputable long-standing and independent third-party certifier known for fast and reliable service. American Green Business, LLC, of Shelburne, now in partnership with FSC-accredited GFA, is the newest organization to offer FSC Chain-of-Custody certification services in the United States. As Dr. Wolfram Pinker, Partner at American Green, emphasizes, American Green is privileged to work with GFA as a strong international partner. Representing GFA in the US, one of American Green’s strength is that it is US based, and locally owned. While certification contracts are entered directly with, and certificates are issued by GFA, American Green handles all client interaction. Dr. Wolfram Pinker, of Shelburne, and Mr. Christopher Gibbons, also of Shelburne, jointly own American Green and oversee its day-to-day operations. Both are well known in the wood and paper industry, with more than 20 years combined experience. They also have intensive backgrounds in FSC certification. American Green has reached into the future by utilizing state-of-the-art technology and having a completely mobile office. As Chris Gibbons, one of the owners, states; This allows our small, friendly company to operate quickly, with a high level of professionalism, and nationwide. "This partnership enables us to extend our geographic scope and from now on offer FSC CoC certification in the US in addition to our focal markets in Germany, Europe, Russia, China and Latin America!" says Carsten Huljus, Program Director of GFA Certification Department . Shortly after the initial start of the cooperation the first FSC CoC certificate was issued this week. American Green can be reached at info@americangreen.net or +802-659-4490 and GFA at certification@gfa-group.de or +40-60306-141 in Germany. They can also be seen on the web, www.americangreen.net or at www.gfa-certification.de.
by:  Carsten Huljus, GFA Consulting Group

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