About the company
Founded in 1995, the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) supports the efforts of more than 300 grassroots, community-based partner organizations throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. FSD programs provide multi-faceted support that relies on active community participation to mobilize lasting solutions. FSD programs include:
Capacity Building: Our professional field staff provides on-site training and networking opportunities to more than 300 community-based organizations world-wide.
Training Programs Abroad: FSD provides comprehensive training and immersion programs for interns and volunteers who seek hands-on development experience.
Grantmaking: Donations and grants given to FSD are used to support sustainable projects led by our partner organizations.
Engaged Philanthropy: FSD Giving Circles organize groups of donors who pool their time, talent, and resources to make international grants to our partner organizations.
Qualifications
18+ Years old
Education/Experience in a related field
Job Description
The final date to apply for FSD’s Fall 2010 session in Bolivia is September 1st. See below for information on 2010-2011 application instructions, deadlines, and program start dates.
About FSD in Cochabamba, Bolivia
FSD has extensive experience in Bolivia in international development and microfinance. FSD’s Cochabamba program works with grassroots organizations to provide economic opportunity to underserved populations. A drop in export prices, reduction of informal trade, and climate change have deeply affected the Bolivian economy in recent years. The outcome left the richest 10 percent of the Bolivian population earning 25 times more than the poorest 40 percent. Without education or access to financial services, the disparity between the rich and poor is not easily changed. Regulated institutions find it difficult to offer financial services in the Cochabamba area due to the high costs involved. However, community-based organizations have a better capacity to offer small microcredit services to struggling entrepreneurs that are in critical need of support.
To help address these issues, FSD’s programs provide training and financial services for marginalized communities through micro loans, business development training, and capacity-building courses.
As an FSD Intern in Cochabamba, Bolivia, you will…
Work side-by-side with a Community-Based Organization specializing in one more of the following development sectors: health, youth and education, women’s empowerment, microfinance, human rights, community development and/or environmental issues.
Receive intensive training in skills essential to sustainable development, such as: community asset mapping, needs assessments, collaborative project design, grant writing, and project monitoring and evaluation.
Gain grant writing and project management experience through designing and implementing a community-driven development project in partnership with your host organization.
Access the FSD Alumni Network upon your return home to connect with like-minded individuals who help one another to reach their academic and professional goals through networking and regional events. FSD Alumni have won internationally renowned scholarships, studied at prestigious graduate schools, worked for prominent international development organizations, and have even started their own grassroots organizations.
Recent Interns in Cochabamba, Bolivia have…
Conducted impact assessments to analyze the levels of improvement, lack of change, or digression of microenterprises aided by microcredit programs.
Allocated loan funds and helped organize financial records for marginalized women micro-entrepreneurs.
Provided credit counseling and strategic enterprise solutions for small business owners, while supporting fundraising efforts to grow microcredit and business development programs.
Disbursed loans to new communities for the building of water systems and implemented workshops to train community representatives in the effective use of these loans.
About FSD
Founded in 1995, the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) supports the efforts of more than 300 grassroots, community-based partner organizations throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. FSD’s programs provide multi-faceted support that relies on active community participation to mobilize lasting solutions. FSD programs include:
Capacity Building: Our professional field staff provides on-site training and networking opportunities to more than 300 community-based organizations worldwide.
Training Programs Abroad: FSD provides comprehensive training and immersion programs for interns and volunteers who seek hands-on development experience.
Grantmaking: Donations and grants given to FSD are used to support sustainable projects led by our partner organizations.
Engaged Philanthropy: FSD Giving Circles organize groups of donors who pool their time, talent, and resources to make international grants to our partner organizations.
ACCEPTING FALL 2010 APPLICATIONS NOW
FSD’s Fall 2010 Cochabamba, Bolivia session begins September 19 and runs from 9-52 weeks, depending on your availability. Applications are due September 1st 2010 and are available here: http://fsdinternational.org/apply/application. Applications received after this date will be placed on a wait list and accepted on a case by case basis.
All of FSD’s Latin America programs require Spanish proficiency at a conversational level. FSD will work with you to determine your level of ability and can provide informational on educational resources to pursue before your departure.
Interested in future programs?
We have sessions starting year around: http://www.fsdinternational.org/apply/startdates
Questions?
Send us an email: info@fsdinternational.org
Call us at 415.283.4873, ext. 14.
Check out our website: http://www.fsdinternational.org
