On November 9, 2017, the CDD Global Solutions Group and the Rural Livelihoods & Agriculture Employment Global Solutions Group hosted representatives from TechnoServe, an organization that seeks to harness the power of the private sector to reduce poverty. TechnoServe, which has worked on several World Bank projects around the world, presented its work on developing a market-led approach and strengthening value chains. Jonathan Barnow of TechnoServe, who oversees their corporate partnerships and strategic initiatives, led the discussion.

Highlights from the discussion include:

• TechnoServe addresses the challenges of poverty at the community level by linking poor farmers to markets via supply chains at scale and building local capacity. At the same time, it creates partnerships with large multinational organizations and donor organizations for a multiplicity of models in its efforts. It acts as a management consulting for small enterprises.

• TechnoServe operates in 30 countries across Latin America, Africa, and India, with more than 600,000 businesses in agricultural industries. TechnoServe has worked with the WB in a host of different countries including Benin, India, and Mozambique, to develop markets in areas like cacao, coffee, and cashew.

You may find a link to the video here:

https://worldbankgroup.webex.com/worldbankgroup/ldr.php?RCID=3ce623a5da064da4343a1b2493e0908c

The video goes into greater depth about the types of work TechnoServe does and its approach to building partnerships between governments, local and international businesses, and poor communities.

We thank TechnoServe again for the opportunity to discuss its market-based approach to development.

If you have any questions about this or future events, please do not hesitate to contact us at cddgsg@worldbank.org.

Best,

CDD Secretariat