January 2012 Announcements  Moving On When I made the transition from TBN Partner to TBN staff in 2007 I committed to the role for 5 years. Nearly 5 years on, I feel I have reached by ‘best before’ date. I am pleased to have been part of a movement that has successfully brought recognition to the value of “triple bottom line” business in alleviating poverty. And most importantly, lives have been changed. I have enjoyed my role and time at TBN, especially advising Members and Partners with their projects. As for many organisations 2011 has been a tough year, but over the 5 years the number of projects and contacts have doubled. Our web site has developed into a resource centre with case studies and materials and we can interact via LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter (thanks in no small measure to Harrison). And internally a switch to Salesforce as our main contact database means we can operate as a virtual office. I will be moving on, on the 31 March. At this point there is nothing specific I’m moving to, however I will be developing the Palestine call centre business (see below) and will continue to work with other TBN members interested in this area. I’m also moving on from my HS2 campaign role and although I hope my campaigning and media activities will open new opportunities. I’m moving on in faith and seeking guidance for the next stage. I choose the adventure of living not the safety of existing! -- Jerry Marshall A big thank you to Jerry on behalf of all the partners, members and trustees.
I hope you will agree with me that Jerry has made a significant contribution to TBN. We are very grateful for his commitment and contribution to the movement.I am sure you will join me in giving him a big THANK-YOU. Our mission of using enterprise to eradicate extreme poverty is a 'marathon' race and requires endurance and persistence. Jerry has shown these strengths and has played a key role in consolidating our start up phase and maintaining TBN over nearly 5 years and leaves us in good stead and with a platform on which we can now continue to build. As Jerry has said he will continue as a TBN member and continue with his initiatives in Palestine. So we look forward to his updates and continued Network contribution...We also want to wish him well as he explores new areas to invest his skills, especially those gained in his recent high profile campaigning re the HS2. The Next Steps Forward in 2012.
As we presented at the Members day as well as further developing the UK and our Impact Fund strategy, our next steps involve creating international momentum and extending the Network community. As part of our continued growth we will be establishing the Network internationally. As part of this vision we are planning on partnering with key contacts to run TBN Conferences in South Africa, Kenya, Singapore/ Indonesia and of course London. These events will enable us to launch and catalyse TBN groups in areas where we have already received strong initial support and requests to cooperate further. To achieve these goals we are identifying and recruiting an International Network Coordinator who will assist us in this new stage. If you are interested in applying for this role, please email your interest and forward your resume to: stuartd.mcgreevy@tbnetwork.org. Harrison, who has been well trained by Jerry, will continue as the Operations Manager and, through social media and other tools, will enable you to connect with your areas of interest and passion. Finally, let me take this opportunity to thank you all, for being prepared to be 'activists' in our mission to eradicate extreme poverty through enterprise. Together we are 'being the change that is needed' one job and life at a time... -- Stuart McGreevy, Chairman Updates  Katwe Business Training Mike Clargo brought us an amazing update from the business training programs in Kampala. A survey was carried out to review the efficiency of training completed in April and May 2011. In this time 252 people completed the training course, 25% of which started a new business, 51% say they can run their existing business better, and the amount of jobs being sustained by these entrepreneurs' businesses increased by 54%. The majority of the trainees said that the course had both inspired them to start or expand a business (many of whom were not in work at all before), and had taught them financial skills allowing them to regularly save. Some comments from the trainees:
"I lacked a lot of business skills and as a result all my businesses were collapsing. After the training I re-started and now my businesses are doing well." - Namugosa Aminah (sucessfully growing mushrooms)
"I had an idea but never knew how to impliment it. I almost gave up but not anymore! Now I look at a bright future, thanks to you." - Ongom Langom Ensious (now running a furniture making business) Transcend Contact Centre Jerry’s 50 seat contact centre in Bethlehem should be operational in February and the web site is now live at www.transcendsupport.com. The aim is to create jobs, hope, skills, exports unaffected by border closure, and links across the divide. Jerry says, “It’s clear we have a lot of support and some great opportunities but we are now at that crucial point of burning cash before the income comes in, so quite scary.” “We are working closely with Bethlehem University. The graduates we are employing are very enthusiastic and have especially strong sales and language skills (bilingual English / Arabic). Can we help you with outbound or inbound voice services?” Project Funding  Matthijs van der Hoorn who spoke at the TBN Members Conferece in December, and whose company provides assistance in applying for funding, would like to draw the following to your attention. Private Sector Investment (PSI): Tender open
Should you have an investment proposal for a developing country, the Dutch government is willing to support you financially with a grant up to € 900,000 (as a gift). The new year will start with the closing of PSI tender on February 6th 2012 . Applications have to be submitted before this date. Jerry's contact centre (see above) was one beneficiary. The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF)
Should you have an investment proposal for an African country, the AECF is willing to support new and innovative business models with a grant up to $ 1,500,000. Three funding windows are planned for early 2012: ‘Tanzania Argibusiness’, ‘Zimbabwe’ and ‘Research into Business’. Opportunities  Food Development Company seeks investors with £5,000 + for food processing operation in Transylvania Jim Turnbull, whose colleague presented at the 2011 Members Day, established the Food Development Company (FDC) in 2009 with the aim of creating a portfolio of micro food enterprises, applying commercial market based strategies to achieve sustainable social, ethical and environmental objectives as well as a viable and profitable business. The Transylvania Food Company Srl (TFC) was registered as the first operational enterprise in February 2010 and signed a partnership agreement with a UK food & drinks manufacturer to supply produce. The TFC now has five year rolling supply contracts to produce at least 152,000 litres of raw elder flower juice per year, is building new facilities, and is moving into new markets. The TFC is showing strong economic, social and environmental impact in the area. They have so far raised £360,000 from 12 investors in a combination of debt and equity and are now seeking to raise a further £150,000 to complete the construction work, to purchase further process equipment and vehicles and to recruit more staff. TFC seek individual investments in the £5,000 to £50,000 range.  Business Professor needed in Liberia The ABC University in Liberia needs a full time Business professor volunteer to teach a new B.Sc. program in Entrepreneurial Studies, starting August 2012. The university was destroyed during the war in Liberia but has been restored and is already offering a B.A. programme. If you're interested or just want more details please get in contact with us on info@tbnetwork.org so we can put you in touch with Del Chinchen, ABC University's President. | 
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