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International Consultancy - Fields of Expertise
WM Enterprise's International Division has a wide area of expertise. Our fields of expertise are briefly outlined on this page. Additional information on particular fields such as 'Cross border Cooperation', 'Trade' and 'Monitoring and Evaluation' is available by clicking on the links next to these subjects:
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| Regional Development WM Enterprise has a strong track record in the field of regional development. Regional differences in economic performance result in differing degrees of economic prosperity from one region or country to another. Regional development aims to address these differences and improve economic and social cohesion. WM Enterprise is familiar with EU Regional Development Policy and specialise in training and supporting ministerial staff within central government to develop policies and programmes to positively influence regional development. Consultancy is not only provided on a national level, but also on a regional level. We have considerable experience in supporting organisations such as Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) to coordinate and implement their regional development activities. In Belarus, for instance, we helped establish the RDA in Gomel and also trained key staff. We have particular experience in providing support to EC financed regional development. This assistance includes guiding government officials through the sometimes-complicated process of initiating regional development activities. Assistance has so far included the drafting of national and regional development plans, integrated regional operational programmes, single programming documents and programme complements. |
| Evaluation and Design of SME Support Measures SMEs form an important part in all economies and for this reason the development of measures to support SMEs is essential. SME support can be provided by a range of organisations, both public and private, and can cover topics such as business start-ups, business planning, access to finance, legal advice, entrepreneurship promotion, marketing, ownership transfer and corporate social responsibility. In order to improve the support, which is provided to SMEs, it is first necessary for the effectiveness and appropriateness of existing measures to be understood. WM Enterprise has supported governments by evaluating a range of business support policies and strategies. Examples of such work include the comprehensive evaluations of business support services in Poland and Estonia. Both these studies examined how comprehensive existing support mechanisms were and also measured the take-up by and impact on SMEs. |
| Business Incubation Business incubators assist new companies and provide immediate access to a range of business support to maximise chances of success and growth. Supporting the business incubation process has been a feature of several of our projects. As well as designing and developing training for sponsor organisations and management teams of business incubators in Estonia, we have also provided support in Bulgaria in the establishment of business incubators in areas of industrial decline. We are familiar with issues such as the mix of services to offer, how and when incubators can achieve financial sustainability and benchmarking with EU incubators. |
| Euro Info Centre Support The Euro Info Centre network, which includes more than 250 centres, is managed by the European Commission. The main role of these centres is to inform, advise and assist businesses on all EU issues. WM Enterprise has experience in supporting the establishment and operation of EICs. In Montenegro, for example, we have assisted the EIC host organisation, SMEDA, to open an EIC. In Serbia we have delivered training to staff, prepared an Operations Manual, devised marketing and sustainability plans and launched a website. |
| Monitoring Systems Design and Support The monitoring of projects and programmes is an important function of project management. WM Enterprise have had a significant role in the development of monitoring systems for various clients, for example we have designed a monitoring system for the Hungarian Foundation for Enterprise Promotion aimed at monitoring programmes to support Local Enterprise Agencies. Additionally, we have provided support and training to the Latvian Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government in connection with their Economic and Social Cohesion Programmes. We have also helped establish a monitoring, reporting and information unit within Poland’s Cross Border Cooperation Implementing Authority. Key elements of our work include the provision of IT support in the development of monitoring systems as well as indicator definitions and specification of the type and frequency of verification and measurement exercises. |
| Evaluation Measuring the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact and sustainability of projects, programmes and policies alike is of vital importance in the quest for continuous improvement of future programme design. Donor organisations are particularly keen to evaluate the impact of their interventions in different countries and regions. WM Enterprise’s approach to evaluation follows the principles set out under the EC’s Project Cycle Management methodological framework. We are experienced in the delivery of ‘mid-term’, ‘final’, ‘ex-post’ and ‘ex-ante’ evaluations. Examples of our evaluation experience include our mid-term evaluation of the Asia-Invest Programme that seeks to promote and support business co-operation between the EU and Asia, and our evaluation of EC support to economic regeneration in Bosnia and Herzegovina. |
| Programming Planning the objectives and desired results of programmes is an important exercise which governments must undertake. WM Enterprise have significant experience in this ‘programming’ and we use the EC Logical Framework Approach as the basis for our projects. In our activities we involve relevant stakeholders and undertake ‘problem and objective analysis’. Under the scope of ‘programming’ we have supported the government of the Bahamas in the preparation of their country support strategy and corresponding indicative programme, supported Bulgarian and Romanian ministries in Multi-annual programming, and prepared financing proposals for a local economic development programme for the KwaZulu Natal and Eastern Cape Provinces in South Africa. |
| Project Identification WM Enterprise has amassed significant knowledge in the field of project identification and is experienced in the identification of eligible projects, feasibility studies and project preparation. WM Enterprise has considerable experience in delivering training and capacity building for development agencies and other institutions in the preparation of project applications, particularly under structural funds. WM Enterprise has designed application forms and guidelines for project preparation under ERDF in Estonia, Slovenia and Latvia. |
| Cross-Border Cooperation With the expansion of the EU, the positive economic interaction between countries and regions is desirable. WM Enterprise has worked on a large number of projects which have sought to address issues affecting cross border relations. The scope of our work in this area has included programming, monitoring and evaluation of assistance. We have provided assistance in the Czech Republic with the development of their cross border programmes, provided assistance to the Cross Border Cooperation Programme Management Units in Bulgaria, Slovenia and Poland and supported the Slovenian government in the finalisation of ‘Joint Programming Documents’ and ‘Programming Complements’ for their Interreg Programmes with Italy and Austria. Importantly our Consultants are highly familiar with the Cross Border Neighbourhood Programmes launched in 2004 as well as the strategic framework for TACIS cross border cooperation. |
| Public Administration Training WM Enterprise is highly proficient in the field of training. We have a strong track record in the provision of large training programmes for public administration staff. For example, WM Enterprise completed the training of 100 public administration officials in Poland in order to strengthen the implementation of the ‘Acquis Communautaire’ at regional level. We also trained structural funds trainers in the Czech Republic as part of the development of absorption capacity for post accession structural funds. |
| Preparation for Structural Funds WM Enterprise has made significant contribution to all new member states in their preparation for accession to the EU. One important consideration for the countries which have just joined the EU and those that are set to join is how best to maximise the absorption of structural funds. Prior to accession WM Enterprise delivered many projects to the 10 new member states focused on strengthening the administrative capacity of government staff to prepare suitable projects for structural funding. |
| Human Resources Development Through our detailed understanding of SMEs and knowledge of human resources development, we have delivered a number of large-scale projects. These projects have aimed to reduce unemployment, enhance entrepreneurial activity, provide generic training for staff of SMEs and create local employment pacts. Each of these projects have required a detailed understanding of local employment market conditions and the organisation of national training events. |
| EU Partnership Agreements WM Enterprise has a thorough knowledge of EU policy regarding Partnership Agreements, Stability Pacts and the Stabilisation and Association Process. WM Enterprise has provided support to the governments of South Eastern Europe to strengthen their capacity to progress within the Stabilisation and Association Process. |
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