devinitorg/iati-policy-markers huggingface dataset:
PSI workshop Amman: MENA and WEF – identify modalities for regional collaboration using the WEF nexus approach as a vehicle The ETF, in partnership with the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut, has been holding sub-regional policy dialogues on the Water – Energy – Food (WEF) Nexus for countries of the Levant, as part of the Planetary Security Initiative (PSI) Middle East and North Africa chapter activities. The policy dialogues brought together senior representatives from Ministries of Water, Energy and Agriculture from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories.A policy dialogue aiming to identify modalities for regional collaboration using the WEF nexus approach as a vehicle was organized on October 5, 2017. The meeting was preceded on October 4 with a coordination meeting of the expert group steering the policy dialogue. The dialogue provided space for interactive discussion and exchange of ideas, challenges and lessons learned towards mainstreaming the WEF nexus approach into policy and projects in countries of the Levant in order to move from theory towards practice and actual implementation. One of the outcomes of the workshop was the expression of need for the development of a tool that assists policy makers to assess how WEF-proof policies are.
Wage Improvements in Seed Hybrids (WISH) According to various reports including organizations such as FLA and Arisa, the agriculture sector in India faces several critical and systemic issues when it comes to human and labour rights. Prevailing wages in the sector are often lower than the region’s legal minimum wage, and although child labour has been greatly reduced in the past few years, it remains an ongoing systemic issue in agriculture sector. This number might have increased due to COVID-19 as many schools were closed and are again closed. Seed providers BASF and Syngenta have looked to address these issues since the early 2000s through different programmes. A recent report, Seeds of Change, describes a pilot project of Syngenta with FLA to improve legal minimum wage compliance in the sector. The findings show a company can make important progress by taking action and that this challenge must be addressed by all players in the industry to achieve sustainable progress. The report also mentions that paying decent wages is the best remedy to many other labour issues and a lack of decent wages directly connects  to the incidence of child labour. In 2021 BASF, Syngenta and Arisa joined hands in a multistakeholder collaboration called WISH (Wage Improvements in Seed Hybrids). WISH builds on the expertise, knowledge and network of Arisa and the companies’ past efforts and successes. The project will be executed in the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka in India, in 28 villages, with around 500 suppliers. WISH consists of two phases. In the first phase (project A during 2022), data will be collected and analysed to determine the root causes of the non-payment of minimum wages, child labour and other labour rights violation issues. Global Research and MV Foundation, two India-based organisations, will collect this data in the two states. WISH aims to open dialogue and therefore will have different stakeholder meetings to discuss the outcomes of the root cause analyses of potential risks. Based on the efforts and outcomes of phase A, the implementation phase B will start, taking steps to ensure compliance with the legal minimum wages – ultimately aiming to end child labour in the long term.
Netherlands Nigeria Clean Tech Event in Abuja – Expert participation of NXT Grid NXT Grid was a speaker at the Netherlands Nigeria Clean Tech Event in Abuja, that was held on the 7th of June. This was a joint event to showcase the opportunities of climate mitigation in Nigeria for government to government cooperation, enterpreneurs, for jobs and for access to energy. There was lots of enthusiasm for the event, around 200 people participated. The timing of the event was good, the new government has not yet been formed, therefore it was the right time to position climate mitigation as an important topic. Besides opportunities, there was also discussion about challenges and how to scale good practices and innovations.The event had a lot of positive PR in news papers and on social media.
Pilot carbon footprint project This project has introduced new techniques to the Moroccan tomato sector and contributes to the profitability and environmental sustainability of the sector.The partners have established a state of the art modern greenhouse of 5 ha near Agadir for the cultivation of tomatoes on the vine. The new greenhouse is designed to minimise the carbon footprint of greenhouse growing. The heating is done by solar water heaters and biological pest control is used. Water wastage is minimised because the tomatoes on the vine are grown in coco fibers with a closed water system.The project sets an example of environmentally friendly production methods in a modern greenhouse, minimizing the carbon footprint of tomato growing. After the implementation of the project the greenhouse has been extended from 5 to 15 ha. The formal applicant Van Kester-Grootscholten Beheer B.V. has merged in 2016 with the tomato growing company Agrocare B.V.. Therefore, the applicant’s new name is AgroCare WP11 Vastgoed B.V..Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The greenhouse operations have been certified GlobalGAP and Tesco's Natures Choice. Especially Tesco has very advanced criteria for food safety and environmental sustainability.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe joint venture employs around 124 employees and offers good working conditions making the company an attractive employer in the region.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeAll employees are well trained in several subjects of the cultivation of tomatoes: pest control, picking, flowering, application of fertiliser’s, general hygiene. Rules and certification conditions are strictly applied.•	Chain effectsThe company buys almost all inputs locally in Morocco at producers or importers of agricultural inputs such as coco peat and biological pest control.•	Impact on the sectorThe joint venture is open to share their knowledge with other growers. The company has had the visit of several other growers in the region who became familiar with the new techniques in the field of heating with solar panels and closed water systems. Simple and inexpensive improved cultivation methods are copied by other growers. Local growers are however reluctant to invest in more expensive new cultivation techniques.•	EnvironmentThe company strives to limit the footprint of tomato growing by applying new techniques for heating (by use of solar panels) and the use of water saving measures.•	Position of womenThe joint venture employs many women, especially as farm workers, and to a lesser extent in management positions. There is a large canteen for women and separate changing rooms:•	Impact on waterThe effective use of water sets an example in the area. The set up of a high tech and environmentally friendly greenhouse of 5 ha to grow tomatoes on the vine for export to Europe.
Algerian - Dutch Cooperation in phytosanitary control The main goal of this cooperation project is to improve the quality of the phytosanitary control system in Algeria and to improve trade conditions in phyto-material between the two countries.
Study of Irrigation Improvements in rural regions The objective of this study is to identify the opportunities for Dutch companies in the irrigation products and services delivery market in Senegal.This project was implemented within the framework of the L4ED programme (Local Economic Development/Leads for Economic Diplomacy) and initiated by the Netherlands representation. The project aimed to contribute to (the enabling environment for) local private sector development as well as economic diplomacy. It concerns a small intervention that serves as catalyser for further developments.
Assessment mission E-certification Vietnam The significant increase in global trade and travel has led to the movement of products carrying potential health risks for animals, plants, and humans. Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, governed by the World Trade Organization (WTO), address these concerns by ensuring the safety of traded agricultural products. The SPS Agreement mandates that countries implement measures based on international standards to protect their economy and environment without creating unnecessary trade barriers. A crucial aspect is the phytosanitary certificate, confirming the inspected products are free from harmful pests. Electronic SPS certificates, standardized by the UN/CEFACT, facilitate trade. Early adopters of this system include New Zealand, Australia, the USA, and the Netherlands. Despite challenges, cooperation initiatives - such as A Dutch mission in 2016- highlighted the need for professional IT administration to overcome challenges. In recent years, New Zealand and Vietnam entered a partnership aiming to enhance e-certification processes. In September 2023, during a Dutch mission to Vietnam, the Vietnamese government indicated that they still would like the support of the Netherlands in this matter, providing an opportunity for cooperation and capacity building in electronic certification through Dutch expertise with e-CertNL.
Outgoing mission to Uganda By participating with a Holland pavilion at the Harvest Money Expo in Kampala, RVO targets to create more visibility of the Dutch brand and matchmaking of Dutch machinery and expertise with Ugandan agricultural companies, enabling them to improve their businesses.
Plant variety protection This project is an analysis of the state of play of plant variety protection in Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda to assess the possibilities for Dutch support in this area and the demand and commitment for such local support through a study and stakeholder meetings.
Strengthening internal capabilities of FEDEPLET This project aims to professionalise the long-term strategy, financial management and services provision capacities of FEDEPLET, the dairy farmers' organisation of the Tarija department. FEDEPLET will become a legal, representative federation with added value to their (potential) members and is therefore able to ensure long-term continuity.
Public Private Partnership (PPP) Food security synergy workshops This project aims to increase the impact of current and future public-private partnerships in the context of food security in Kenya through a PPP event which contributes to the following objectives:•	‘Meet and greet‘ for project partners and others.•	Exploration of common learning questions and approaches: where can projects support each other?•	Informative: project partners will be informed about central and decentral support programmes from the Netherlands in Kenya. •	Knowledge exchange on practical approaches, tips and tricks on doing business in Kenya. This workshop on food security and FDOV brings together local and international experiences and know-how, promoting shared learning on practical issues in doing business in the Kenyan food sector.
Research Assignment Cooperation Programme The objective of the Research Assignment Cooperation Programme (RACP) is to support Indonesian Master students (S2) with their master thesis research, in order to fulfill their S2 degree qualifications. This S2 student research assignment programme is set up under the bilateral Indonesia – Netherlands cooperation in water, as referenced by the MoU Water between the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (IND) and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (NL).
Upcycling mouth masks Uganda (Phase I) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) in Developing Markets.Solutions for health, data and financial support in times of COVID-19 in Burundi, Ethiopia and Uganda.Phase I: Feasibility study.
GIS viewer Kenya There is an increasing demand from the Netherlands Embassy and the agricultural department to gain insight into a comprehensive overview of all Dutch agribusinesses active in Kenya. The outcome of this project will result in an online program that gives an overview of all Dutch agribusinesses. This overview will enable the embassy to easily connect with partners in the sector, provide accurate data, help monitor developments, locate possible agro hubs and regions that the embassy should focus on and, finally, give an insight into priority sectors and trade. In sum, businesses will be able to find local partners, and projects will be able to connect to interested stakeholders much more easily.
Netherlands Nigeria Clean Tech Event in Abuja 2023 The Netherlands Nigeria Clean Tech Event in Abuja that was held on the 7th of June was a joint event to showcase the opportunities of climate mitigation in Nigeria for government to government cooperation, enterpreneurs, for jobs and for access to energy. There was lots of enthusiasm for the event, around 200 people participated. The timing of the event was good, the new government has not yet been formed. Therefore, it was the right time to position climate mitigation as an important topic. Besides opportunities, there was also discussion about challenges and how to scale good practices and innovations.The event had a lot of positive PR in news papers and on social media.
I4Policy Start-ups training The aim of this project is to contribute to the Netherlands embassy in Tanzania's ongoing initiative to support the enabling environment for start-ups in Tanzania. In light of the recent appointment of the Steering Committee for the Start-up Act Roadmap, this project presents an opportunity to assist ecosystem leaders and policymakers in successfully implementing the Start-up Act. Through training based on lessons learned from the roadmap, the project seeks to help these critical stakeholders identify the start-up ecosystem's challenges, opportunities, and how they can personally contribute to its success.
New Sustainable Spices Origins This project aims to develop a sustainable production and processing base of spices in Tanzania and Madagascar resulting in a spices chain benefitting local farmers and other stakeholders in the chain and on the other hand giving local producers a unique selling point towards the demand side. Local farmers will be trained on spice cultivation skills for better yields and better quality of production and next on post-harvest treatment, quality control and assurance. Given the high demands in the market a higher yield will lead to higher revenues for farmers.
Study Circular Economy, Benin The purpose of this project is to gain insights in the opportunities and barriers for circular use in the agricultural value chains of the Project "Approche communale pour le Marché Agricole au Bénin" (ACMA), by identifying opportunities for reducing and/or reusing waste streams in and among the agricultural value chains of ACMA.Specifically, the project is focused on mapping the sustainable applications for agricultural waste in the ACMA value chains and identifying opportunities to valorise these waste streams.The objective is to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the current waste streams and current uses of these streams and to feasibility study and to identify concrete business cases related to circularity in the agricultural value chains promoted by the ACMA programme.
Assessment of climate mitigation and adaptation opportunities in the horticulture and cocoa sectors in Ghana Many studies have been done in the cocoa and horticulture sectors from institutions, such as Integrated Water Management Institute (IWMI) and ITTA. It is important to have a concise overview of what has been done, so that efforts of the Netherlands embassy in Accra, Ghana, programmes and projects are not duplicated.This project helps to identify areas that have the attention of the Ghanian sector and donors, the outcome and areas that need improvements. Moreover, it will help identify where the Netherlands' innovations, knowledge and techniques can have added value and will support climate mitigation actions in these sectors. Furthermore, the assignment and the outcomes will serve as input for the climate diplomacy agenda of the Netherland embassy in Accra, Ghana.
Conference Implementing Start up Act DR Congo In a previous project, the consultation process and development of the Start-Up Act in DRC was supported by The Netherlands. Currently, the Congolese government have adopted the law. The project at hand is a Conference in Kinshasa on implementing the law. The goal is to raise awareness and inform entrepreneurs and stakeholders about this recently adopted law and the changes it will bring. Also, the conference should facilitate the dialogue between stakeholders and the government on implementation and the next steps. At least part of the recommended measures are expected to be adopted.
SEE-Clean Cooking: Mapping (green) credit lines for the biodigester sector in Uganda The access-to-finance consultant Friends Consult Ltd supports the development of access-to-finance activities in Uganda. They support the Lead implementer of the African Biodigester Component (ABC) to map local financial institutions, like Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) and banks, for specific financing products for biodigesters.The primary objective is to formulate, in collaboration with local financial institutions, customized biodigester loan products for smallholder farmers, train financial institutions in the dissemination of such loans, and establish a result-based financing mechanism for participating financial institutions.
Establishing ‘The Fresh Academy’ in Vietnam The project aims to establish the Fresh Academy, a practical knowledge and training institute that supports the development of the Vietnamese agrifood sector towards a sustainable, healthy and upgraded industry, through sharing knowledge and skills in the production-, postharvest- and distribution stages of the supply chain. The Fresh Academy aims to cover all primary agricultural produce on the long run. But for this initiating project, the priority is on vegetables and ornamental products, grown under protected and controlled circumstances. In the future the scope could be deepened to logistics and retail or broadened to animal production chains and to food technology as well.The project is been carried out by HAS Hogeschool together with partners Stichting Lentiz Onderwijsgroep, samenwerkingsstichting voor BVE en VO in het Westland en de Nieuwe Waterweg Noord, Kenlog B.V., Demokwekerij Westland, Cares, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Fresh Studio Innovations Asia Ltd., University of Dalat, Faculty of Agronomy Nong Lam Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam, and Dong Thap University.
Netherlands' participation in Bengaluru Tech Summit 2018 The Bengaluru Tech Summit will take place from November 29th to December 1st, 2018. During this event, the Netherlands will collaborate with the Government of Karnataka (India) as a 'Technology Partner'. Various sessions will be organized, covering topics like e-health, cyber security, and public-private partnerships.This participation aims to take the partnership with the state government forward in strategic areas like healthcare and cyber security and explore new partnerships with public and private parties.The rationale behind this is that Dutch and Indian parties can learn a lot from each other since both face similar challenges in the healthcare and cyber security sectors and cope with these in different ways. The local private sector will benefit from the exchange of knowledge and experience by the experts involved.
Starrsed to India RR Mechatronics (RRM) is founded in 1986 in the Netherlands, and located in Zwaag. With a total of 92 employees, of which around 40% works in Research and Development. The company focuses on the development and production of In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) instruments for medical analysis in order to improve the diagnoses and research activities of its clients, which in turn can provide their patients with better treatment.The general aim of this demonstration project is to familiarize the Indian market with the blood measuring equipment of RRM.
Morocco day By organizing a Morocco day and company visits, Dutch companies, especially in renewable energy and water, will be informed and enthusiastic about opportunities and the investment climate in Morocco.
Investment preparation project "overhaul and assembly center Kenya" Handelsonderneming Kanters Gilze B.V. (Kanters) has been supplying refurbised milk processing machines and milk cooling machines for 35 years. These second-hand installations are sold to farmers in developing countries. Since 2017, Kanters has also been developing its own systems.Kanters is already active in Kenya. Second-hand milk cooling installations are delivered by the company Mueller, after their revision work, to Kanters. Kanters supplies these to the local market. However, the second-hand market and the associated revision work is not a priority for Mueller anymore, whose main activity is building new milk cooling tanks and beer tanks. Mueller has indicated that they would like to see the revision work carried out by Kanters.In addition, due to the increasing transport costs, because of partially filled containers, it is not interesting for farmers in Africa to have an installation shipped from the Netherlands and EU. This will change when Kanters can maintain a large stock in Kenya with maximum filled containers and the ability to serve the entire region. Because of the competition from China and India, it is interesting for Kanters to carry out the revision and assembly work in Kenya. Kanters now wants to set up an revision and assembly center in Kenya with a warehouse where second hand cooling tanks are kept in stock. Local technicians will revise milk tanks and carry out assembly work in the service center in Kenya. From here they want to serve both Kenya and the countries in East Africa.
Incoming dairy mission Pakistan This project aims to familiarize Pakistani companies engaged in the dairy production chain with practices of Dutch dairy production with a long-term perspective of investments and sustainable trade between the two countries.
Inclusive milk supply chain development to increase food security In the absence of an organised fresh milk supply chain, Bhutan relies on the import of milk to feed its growing population. This FDOV project will establish an inclusive milk supply chain to increase food and nutrition security while improving the incomes of smallholder dairy farmers in Bhutan.Project activities include establishing and strengthening 40 Dairy Farmer Groups (DFG) in South West Bhutan, each with 30 farmers, establishing professionally managed milk collection centres (MCC), and introducing quality-based principles. It also includes improving dairy husbandry practices and establishing a cattle feed production pilot near the DFGs to warrant the sustainable availability and quality of cattle feed. Enhanced Artificial Insemination will improve breeding while raising quality awareness among retailers and customers. End products include pasteurised milk and sterilised milk in different types of packaging. Besides urban retail, the project also aims at supplying fortified milk to schools on a yet-to-be-decided government-subsidised programme. The project aims to:- enhance Bhutans self-reliance and food security by increasing the local production of milk- improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Bhutan by turning dairy farming into a sustainable and profitable business, generating