The Economic Recovery & Development Technical Unit (ERD) was created in 2006 to protect, support and improve household livelihoods and revitalise local economies in the fragile states. It is one of the five Technical Units of the IRC’s global network, and is based in IRC’s UK office. The Unit provides technical assistance to country programs as they seek to integrate economic and livelihood initiatives into their programmes. ERD identifies standards and models that can be used, based on the particular situation and environment, and informs the field of best practices for economic and livelihoods programming.
The Unit is currently providing support to economic programmes in over 20 countries, either as a primary activity, or for economic activities within the scope of education, health, or community development programs. IRC’s economic activities fall into three categories of activity: those that focus on Access to Knowledge, those focused on Access to Finance and Resources, and those focused on Access to Markets.
Access to Knowledge
In 2006, IRC implemented 51 programmes focused on increasing the skills and abilities of our beneficiaries. Examples of this type of programming include: vocational skills training, business development training, demonstration farms, literacy and numeracy programs, and agricultural extension work.
Access to Finance and Resources
In 2006, IRC implemented 47 programmes providing access to the money and materials required to start-up or expand a business. Examples of this type of activity include: savings groups, business start-up grants, provision of seeds and tools, and the donation of toolkits or equipment. Because IRC does not operate microfinance institutions, we seek to create partnerships with organizations that provide direct financial services. IRC focuses on ensuring that our beneficiaries are aware of all their options for accessing business loans, and are well prepared to apply for available loans or other types of financing.
Access to Markets
IRC implemented 11 programmes in 2006 that increased our beneficiaries’ access to markets. These programs are more complex, but were aimed at improving peoples’ ability to sell the goods and services they produce. Examples of this type of program include: work with producer groups to add value to their products, marketing centres that help identify new places to sell goods or services, as well as infrastructure such as roads, processing facilities, and agriculture storage facilities.
The Economic Recovery & Development Technical Unit (ERD) coordinates the activities of the field staff to ensure that those affected by conflict are able to rebuild their livelihoods and become economically independent as soon as possible. This is an important part of maintaining the peace after any conflict, and ensuring that beneficiaries do not become dependant upon humanitarian aid.
The ERD Technical Unit provides guidance to the field on the design of new programs, and assists with the hiring of appropriate economic staff. The TU then provides training, materials, advice and support during project implementation, to ensure that the strategy and activities remain economically sound, even as conditions in country change. Finally, the TU seeks creative ways to apply private sector solutions to humanitarian response environments, to ensure that that local entrepreneurs and resources are utilized, rather than being undermined by an emergency response.
The Director of the Economic Recovery and Development Technical Unit is Karri Goeldner. She is supported by a Technical Advisor for Private Sector Linkages and a Technical Advisor for Agribusiness.
