Who we are

We are a group of specialists based in Bern, Switzerland with broad and multi-disciplinary expertise in rural development. Together with our colleagues in countries of the South and East, we have experience and knowledge based on our 25 years of working in the field.

How we do things

We believe that development stems from building human and organisational capacity and local ownership. Whilst providing technical expertise, our approach focuses on methodological aspects and on building bridges and linking relevant actors through facilitation of multi-stakeholder platforms to achieve concerted action. We make knowledge and experiences available by documenting and sharing of good practices fostering in particular North-South-East exchange. We aim at strengthening local capacities to improve the livelihoods of the rural poor, building on:

• Local understanding
• Local knowledge
• Links to global issues

• Specialised studies
• Thematic advice
• Process facilitation: multistakeholder consultation, knowledge management, South-South-East exchange, organisational development & institutional strengthening
• Programme management: pre-project assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
• Impact assessment
• Capacity building: coaching, training design and implementation
• Capitalization of experiences

• Multi- and bilateral agencies
• Non government organisations
• Research organisations
• Private enterprises and foundations
• Government agencies
• Civil society organisations
• Farmer organisations

• Environment and Climate Change
• Governance and Natural Resources
• Income and Food Security