Baden-Württemberg - selected projects

Czech Republic - Enhanced support for SME strategy and programme development

The EU twinning programme supports networking between the administrations of EU member countries, EU neighbouring countries or new EU member candidates. In cooperation with the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, bw-i assisted economic development agency CzechInvest, to create an SME support strategy based on international best practices. One focus of the project was the development of human resources within the agency. Together with the HRD department, bw-i experts developed job descriptions and training modules to run large-scale support programmes. Furthermore, working with ChechInvest, bw-i developed projects and frameworks in the field of promotion of entrepreneurship and support of start-ups.

Kosovo - Complementary services for strengthening advisory and support services provided to farmer and rural communities

The objective of this project was to support the Kosovo Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD), to build further on the development process of rural economy, to reduce rural poverty, to ensure a steady food supply, while ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources. The purpose was to strengthen advisory services provided to farmers and rural communities throughout Kosovo. The project consists of further capacity to facilitate, provide, develop and deliver advisory services to farmers and rural communities. The primary target are ministry staff within the advisory services, municipalities and private sector advisors. The project was successful in the development and implementation of a strategy to deliver advisory services to farmers and rural communities in line with the policies and strategies of MAFRD.

Poland - Development and implementation of a revolving fund system (RFS) to support SMEs

Since 1992, the German Ministry of the Interior supported regions in Eastern Europe. The target of the German government is to assist in the regional economic development in Silesia with the specific objective of building up more favourable conditions for the German minority and their Polish neighbours. bw-i is mandated with the introduction and maintenance of a revolving fund system for start-up enterprises and SME. So far, the project can be considered a success. The partner foundation is professional and capable of handling a capital fund of more than 30 million euros. Annually the foundation allocates more then 80 individual credits with a net worth of approximately three million euros. The interest generated from the revolving fund largely surpasses the administration costs of the foundation. The initial goals of contributing to the regional development and to reduce unemployment have been achieved.

Romania - Improving the institutional framework and the organisation of the Ministry for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Cooperatives

EU twinning projects support new EU member candidates and EU neighbours in reforming their administrative structure. Twinning projects do not only deliver technical assistance, they also promote long term partnerships as well as an exchange of knowledge and experience between the partner countries` administrations. Within the scope of this specific project, in cooperation with the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, bw-i`s experts supported the Romanian Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. The main goals of the project were to establish a business friendly environment for SME, as well as building an efficient administration, establishing human resource capacities and improving management techniques within the newly established agency for SME promotion.

The Russian Federation and CIS

Russia and Ukraine - Training and internships for Russian / Ukrainian managers in Germany

Since 1997, the German Federal Government supports a training and traineeship programme for Russian junior managers initiated by the Russian President Boris Yeltsin and the German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. In 2000, a similar programme started for Ukraine. bw-i has been assigned by the German InWent gGmbH to lead one of the six consortia that execute the manager training programme. In co-operation with InWent, bw-i preselects the training candidates in Russia and Ukraine, carries out seminars, develops and coordinates traineeships in Germany, arranges the internships in German companies and evaluates the programme during a follow-up. Participants from both countries already have or will obtain decision-making authority in their companies. Thus, the programme provides a unique possibility to German companies that offer internship placements to the candidates: they have the chance to learn first-hand about market potentials and opportunities in Russia or Ukraine, they can initiate partnerships with companies in these countries and, by qualifying a Russian or Ukrainian junior manager, can advertise their companies. Every year, bw-i and its partners arrange internships for 60 to 70 Ukrainian and Russian managers from diverse industrial sectors.

Ukraine - Development of a collaborative network of tourist information centres (TICs)

This project was created to structure and design a strategy to develop a functioning network of Tourist Information Centres (TIC) in the Ukraine. Firstly, the present network of tourist information facilities in different regions of the Ukraine was analysed. Based on this analysis, the recommendations of international tourism experts and the Ukrainian long-term strategy, the National Tourism Administration of Ukraine will be able to develop an efficient approach to improve tourist information infrastructure. At the end of the project, a manual with detailed recommendations on how to create an efficient tourist information network was produced and distributed to local and regional stakeholders. The project represents the first step to structure and coordinate national, regional and private tourism support in Ukraine

South-East Asia

China -Training courses for junior Chinese managers

Financed by the Baden Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, bw-i provided advanced training for Chinese junior managers either employed by companies with joint ventures with Baden-Wurttemberg companies or employed by companies from Baden-Wurttemberg with offices in China. Training in quality management (ISO 9000), marketing and human resource development were offered and contributed to improving the links between the regions of Liaoning and Jiangsu with Baden Württermberg.

Latin America

Chile - Establishment of the German-Chilean Vocational Training Centre in Nunoa (Santiago de Chile)

This project is aimed at enabling lifelong vocational learning and establishing partnerships between companies and training centres. bw-i was responsible for the adaptation of curricula to the demands of private enterprises and assisted the centre concerning procurement, teacher training and technical workshops. bw-i also supported the Ministry of Education in improving the dual education system. In cooperation with private companies and a German VET center several modules in mechatronics were successfully established.

Cuba - Management training programme

bw-i was responsible for the implementation of over 20 one-week management courses in Cuba and of 2 four-week management seminars in Baden-Wurttemberg, specifically designed for Cuban managers from key industries. The subjects taught included: market economy, international marketing, international legal issues, project management, human resource development, team and conflict management, organisation of exhibitions, cost calculation and controlling, production and quality management and types of enterprises and financing. Following this, 20 of the Cuban participants were invited to Germany for further training, which included several visits to German business and the fostering of business contacts. Between 1998 and 2003, over 400 days of training with more than 200 participants were successfully conducted

Brazil - Establishment of a National Vocational Centre for Environmental Technology in Curitiba/Paranà

The major objectives of the centre include: the basic and advanced training of qualified environmental specialists (focus on environmental management and technology transfer); industrial consultations; assistance in introducing environment-friendly technologies; provision and installation of technical laboratories; and additional specialists’ training in the Federal Republic of Germany. In addition, training is offered to industry and public administration. Besides training, the centre also offers the following services: applied research; environmental analyses for the industrial sector; process-integrated solutions for environmental problems; consultation services for the introduction of environmentally friendly technology; and quality management. One of the core activities is waste water management. The centre also publishes information on environmental topics and activities and participates actively in public relations. Additionally, the centre supports other SENAI technology centres throughout Brazil in questions regarding the environment. Within the project’s framework, 30 personnel (teachers, technicians, consultants) have been trained and have improved their qualifications.

Africa

Egypt - Industrial Modernisation Programme – recruitment and coaching of the Executive Director for the Industrial Modernisation Centre (IMC)

This project, financed by the EU, promoted industrial development and business-friendly conditions in Egypt. The project covered all aspect of industrial modernisation. The support of the IMP includes a financial aspect as well as quality and organisational issues. The creation of training centres, one- stop -shops for start-up and the definition credit lines are part of the IMP. bw-i experts accompanied this ambitious EU programme during its first phase as executive directors.