Programmes

At SNV, we aim not only to improve individual lives, but to contribute to global challenges in three key areas that strongly impact the poor: food, energy and water. With this in mind, we focus our world-class expertise, our extensive local presence and networks, and the learning from more than 40 years of on-the-ground experience in three core sectors.

Focus areas in Guinea Bissau

In Guinea Bissau, we focus on addressing the most long-standing and basic issues that directly affect the health, livelihood and earning potential of rural populations, by enhancing the capacities of the local stakeholders, public, private and civil society organisations.

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene

We seek to assure the sustainability and equity of water supply, to grant access to basic sanitation and to promote good hygiene practices in the country. Our aim is to promote sustainable access to water and sanitation services to 125,000 persons in the Cacheu and Bafatá regions, by 2014. Read more...

Agriculture

Agriculture sector focused on the same geographic regions, we supported in 2010 seven producer’s organisations, with three key objectives leading the way:(1) increase the income of small scale farmers organisations; (2) support the transformation and diversification of local products; (3) increase the attractiveness of the business environment. Read more...

Governance

Governance is undoubtedly a strategic intervention area for Guinea-Bissau. Improving the functioning of public institutions and supporting them to demonstrate accountability is part of the challenge to create an enabling environment for development. Our work aims among other objectives to increase accountability between communities, private sector, public institutions and civil society organisations. In collaboration with the “Ministério de Administração Territorial and the Ministério de Economia e Plano”, we work in partnership with Regional Governments to provide support, in the context of the forthcoming decentralisation process. We develop relationships with other international organisations such as UGNOBIS, UNDP, AECID, while fostering trans-border partnerships, with organisations like GIZ and IRD-USDA. Read more...

Localisation

Localisation refers to SNV’s global strategy of trusting a growing part of its capacity-building services to local providers. In 2010, some 30% of the developments services were delivered through local providers. SNV Guinea-Bissau sharpened its strategy and instruments to monitor and support local service providers, with the firm belief that a dynamic and high-quality market of local capacity development service providers will increase the autonomy and sustainability of the development processes in Guinea-Bissau.

Knowledge Development & Management

Knowledge Development & Management are a priority for SNV’s work. Monitoring & evaluation strategies to follow-up the work of local service providers by our advisors were developed. Complementing the usual Terms of Reference used in any assignment, quality criteria were also defined to guarantee that SNV’s knowledge products meet the desired standards. SNV reports, as well as any written production, were harmonised in terms of structure and standards, making easier its sharing with others.

Cross cutting

Cross cutting to all sectors, the principles of gender equity, transparency, accountability and inclusion of all segments of society, especially the more marginalised ones, are fundamental to the work developed, there are the basis for effectively achieve democratic and sustainable development.