Good Practices and Innovations in Public Governance 2003-2011

Good Practices and InnovATIONS in Public Governance
45% of those who have received funding for their own business are women. These
new activities have created approximately 9,000 new jobs. For companies that were
already doing well at the local level but wanted to export their goods, the EDB has
provided them with additional funding to become more competitive internationally.
Lessons Learned
There are several lessons learned through this journey towards the creation of new
companies that encourage economic activity in the country and that in turn create
new spaces for employment. One lesson learned is that to achieve success in a project
of this magnitude it is necessary to create alliances to get the message through. Partnerships
with Professional Associations (to carry the message that anyone can be an
entrepreneur), Institutes and Universities (helping in the area of training and development
of the business plan), Cooperatives and Local Banks (working as additional
distribution centres for products and services) and other agencies that are willing to
guide people who wish to have their own business.
Another important lesson is that education is essential in any project and even more
when working to produce a mentality shift in the population. Monitoring and support
are crucial to the sustainability of the program.
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