Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC)
2000 M Street NW
Suite 250
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202-589-2600
Email: iesc@iesc.org
Get Updates
Get the latest news from IESC, delivered straight to your inbox.
Doing Good or Not Doing Wrong’
The current political crisis is destroying Ukraine's economy. I traveled there recently in my capacity as head of the International Executive Service Corps to see how we might assist in the country's economic rebuilding. For 50 years, IESC has played a small but important role in developing countries by encouraging a stable business environment and stimulating private enterprise. While the political power brokers toil at finding solutions to end the immediate conflict, what is desperately needed is to stimulate long-term private sector development. I have seen the development community do this very effectively in collaboration with local entrepreneurs. Ukraine needs these kinds of partnerships today, just as it did two decades ago.
Read full Op-Ed by our CEO Tom Miller published in the Huffington Post.
September 12, 2014/by actualize studioRead full Op-Ed by our CEO Tom Miller published in the Huffington Post.
Eric Postel
"For fifty years, IESC has been a friend and partner of USAID, bringing American ingenuity and expertise to bear on the greatest challenges in development. We appreciate and value your partnership, as we work together to end extreme poverty by strengthening local institutions and promoting economic growth."
June 4, 2014/by actualize studioHelping Youth in North Macedonia Enter the Job Market
Young people in North Macedonia are struggling to secure…
October 24, 2024/by Joanna KalenieckaPowered by Chocolate, Women Drive Community Change
Nii Doodo Dodoo
Project Country Director, Ghana Improving Food Safety Systems Project
How long have you been involved with IESC'
Since June 2016
What aspect of your job do you enjoy the most'
Creating an environment that motivates staff to go the extra mile. I am constantly on the lookout for factors that demotivate staff so I can attend to them. I therefore try to keep an active line of communication between myself and my staff so I can find out quicker when something is negatively affecting the work environment. In my management career, I have always maintained that I consider it a failure if I only find out about a staff's genuine feedback at the point when they are exiting the organization.
Tell us about your most memorable moment at IESC, or about a beneficiary you've met who you were particularly moved or inspired by.
My most memorable moment at IESC was when at a very early stage in the project, and with just two other staff hired, we had to organize a major stakeholder forum with our donors in attendance. Behind the confident/bold leadership I displayed was a sublime feeling of uncertainty. Being just a little over a month in the job, it felt like a final part of the interview process, but this time with the funder of the project. The expression of satisfaction that I received from everyone at the end (especially from USAID) had a humbling effect on me and I was very quick to share this with everyone on the team, which included two volunteer experts. It was definitely a team effort, with some support from HQ staff. It was Thursday, July 21st and the date never goes out of my mind.
What's something you couldn't live without, and why'
Sports and physical fitness. I play football (soccer), I watch football and I used to run a sports bar a couple of years ago. I try to jog a few times a week as well as take my family out to run and play before dinner and going to bed. That's how I take care of my stress. I guess this kind of addiction is good for the football industry.
What's the best book you've ever read'
I don't like fiction. I feel there are so many 'real' things I don't know that I need to find out about. And instead of reading, I prefer watching documentaries. So the one about Nelson Mandela is one of the best ones.
If you had unlimited time and resources, what's a skill or hobby you'd want to learn'
Improve on my French and find out about various religions. There is a philosophical side of me that keeps asking a lot of questions about life. I may end up doing something in relation with religious research. Waiting for the right time.
March 1, 2017/by actualize studioProject Country Director, Ghana Improving Food Safety Systems Project
How long have you been involved with IESC'
Since June 2016
What aspect of your job do you enjoy the most'
Creating an environment that motivates staff to go the extra mile. I am constantly on the lookout for factors that demotivate staff so I can attend to them. I therefore try to keep an active line of communication between myself and my staff so I can find out quicker when something is negatively affecting the work environment. In my management career, I have always maintained that I consider it a failure if I only find out about a staff's genuine feedback at the point when they are exiting the organization.
Tell us about your most memorable moment at IESC, or about a beneficiary you've met who you were particularly moved or inspired by.
My most memorable moment at IESC was when at a very early stage in the project, and with just two other staff hired, we had to organize a major stakeholder forum with our donors in attendance. Behind the confident/bold leadership I displayed was a sublime feeling of uncertainty. Being just a little over a month in the job, it felt like a final part of the interview process, but this time with the funder of the project. The expression of satisfaction that I received from everyone at the end (especially from USAID) had a humbling effect on me and I was very quick to share this with everyone on the team, which included two volunteer experts. It was definitely a team effort, with some support from HQ staff. It was Thursday, July 21st and the date never goes out of my mind.
What's something you couldn't live without, and why'
Sports and physical fitness. I play football (soccer), I watch football and I used to run a sports bar a couple of years ago. I try to jog a few times a week as well as take my family out to run and play before dinner and going to bed. That's how I take care of my stress. I guess this kind of addiction is good for the football industry.
What's the best book you've ever read'
I don't like fiction. I feel there are so many 'real' things I don't know that I need to find out about. And instead of reading, I prefer watching documentaries. So the one about Nelson Mandela is one of the best ones.
If you had unlimited time and resources, what's a skill or hobby you'd want to learn'
Improve on my French and find out about various religions. There is a philosophical side of me that keeps asking a lot of questions about life. I may end up doing something in relation with religious research. Waiting for the right time.
Tunisia’s Organic Producers Get Exposure to the U.S. Market
Tunisia is home to approximately 750 acres of organic farm land'the second largest acreage in Africa'where more than 2,300 farmers use certified organic production methods that help preserve biodiversity, support the soil, and protect the environment. Despite this rich resource, few Tunisian producers have tapped into the ever-expanding U.S. organics market.
For high quality Tunisian olive oil, you start with organically produced olives.
The Tunisia Small and Medium Enterprise Development Project was designed to boost Tunisian exports and promote economic growth by providing technical assistance to export-ready or near export-ready firms in the organic food sector, among others.
Buyers missions are an effective way to introduce producers to potential buyers and increase the demand for Tunisian organics through better name recognition in the U.S. market. Although quality and standards of organic foods in Tunisia are high, Tunisia has not yet been able to achieve notable international presence.
In December 2013, the Tunisia SME Project and Tunisia's Center for Export Promotion invited four U.S. buyers to tour Tunisia's organic farms, visit state-of-the-art facilities, and meet the Tunisian producers. Collectively, the buyers represented an annual purchasing volume of approximately $150 million.
The American buyers described the trip as an eye-opening experience. 'The companies I witnessed offer the highest quality and degree of pride in work at the artisan-level,' said one of the participants. 'The U.S. consumer who is shopping at Whole Foods is looking for exactly what Tunisia has to offer.'
After this encouraging feedback from the buyers, Selima Ghariani, CEO of the organic olive oil producer Tunihuile, decided to attend the San Francisco's Winter Fancy Food Show in January 2014.
'After meeting the U.S. buyers in December, we were encouraged to try the Fancy Food Show.' At the show, Tunihuile promoted its brand, developed a network of contacts, and ultimately closed a deal with the firm New Yorkaise for 300 tons of organic Tunisian olive oil valued at $1.2 million.
'At this point,' Ghariani said, 'we are now looking to set-up a solid logistics structure in the U.S.'
With the help from the Tunisia SME Project, Tunisia is building on global demand and establishing the Tunisia organics brand.
'Tunisia is poised for excellent growth,' said another American buyer. 'They may need some help positioning their goods toward the U.S. consumer, but as we say in marketing, it is easy to add sizzle to a very good steak.'
The Tunisia SME Project ran from 2012 to 2014 and was funded by USAID through the Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance, or VEGA.
February 26, 2015/by actualize studioFor high quality Tunisian olive oil, you start with organically produced olives.
The Tunisia Small and Medium Enterprise Development Project was designed to boost Tunisian exports and promote economic growth by providing technical assistance to export-ready or near export-ready firms in the organic food sector, among others.
Buyers missions are an effective way to introduce producers to potential buyers and increase the demand for Tunisian organics through better name recognition in the U.S. market. Although quality and standards of organic foods in Tunisia are high, Tunisia has not yet been able to achieve notable international presence.
In December 2013, the Tunisia SME Project and Tunisia's Center for Export Promotion invited four U.S. buyers to tour Tunisia's organic farms, visit state-of-the-art facilities, and meet the Tunisian producers. Collectively, the buyers represented an annual purchasing volume of approximately $150 million.
The American buyers described the trip as an eye-opening experience. 'The companies I witnessed offer the highest quality and degree of pride in work at the artisan-level,' said one of the participants. 'The U.S. consumer who is shopping at Whole Foods is looking for exactly what Tunisia has to offer.'
After this encouraging feedback from the buyers, Selima Ghariani, CEO of the organic olive oil producer Tunihuile, decided to attend the San Francisco's Winter Fancy Food Show in January 2014.
'After meeting the U.S. buyers in December, we were encouraged to try the Fancy Food Show.' At the show, Tunihuile promoted its brand, developed a network of contacts, and ultimately closed a deal with the firm New Yorkaise for 300 tons of organic Tunisian olive oil valued at $1.2 million.
'At this point,' Ghariani said, 'we are now looking to set-up a solid logistics structure in the U.S.'
With the help from the Tunisia SME Project, Tunisia is building on global demand and establishing the Tunisia organics brand.
'Tunisia is poised for excellent growth,' said another American buyer. 'They may need some help positioning their goods toward the U.S. consumer, but as we say in marketing, it is easy to add sizzle to a very good steak.'
The Tunisia SME Project ran from 2012 to 2014 and was funded by USAID through the Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance, or VEGA.
From Paperwork to Progress: Paraguay’s Digital Revolution in Food Trade
Paraguay’s National Institute of Food and Nutrition (INAN)…
August 13, 2024/by Joanna Kaleniecka