It works – a hundred times, a thousand times 

By supporting and training people who can build up a business or run a family enterprise it is possible to contribute significantly to development cooperation, generate employment, and by this means reduce poverty in the long term.

Since 1990 COM International has engaged in the promotion of trades and crafts in developing and emerging countries. This involves supporting reliable people with finance and know-how, so that they can grow their business and create jobs.

In Rumania, Moldova, Nepal, Vietnam, and Central Asia thousands of families already profit from employment. Thereby they have food on a daily basis, a roof over their heads, and the means to afford an education for their children. Collaborating with its project partners, COM International provides professional support.

HOW WE HELP 

Training
COM International provides entrepreneurs and managerial personnel with both public and in-house seminars on various aspects of business. The most important areas are covered in the four basic modules «Business Model», «Marketing», «Finance», and «Management».

Promoting the apprenticeship model is vital for the development of SME (small and medi-um-sized enterprises). Entrepreneurs involved in COM International projects are therefore sensitised accordingly. Wherever possible we provide courses for apprentices and their men-tors.

In cooperation with the universities of Rumania and Moldova the aforementioned seminars are also offered for students and those who in future will occupy positions of responsibility.

Loans
COM International provides the proprietors of small and medium-sized enterprises as well as farms with loans to establish and expand their business. Such credits, granted at low in-terest rates, have to be repaid – so they can then be made available to those who need them next.

Advice
Proprietors and managerial staff in business enterprises and farms are given practical help in drawing up their business plans and funding applications for external loans, working out cost optimisations and business strategies. Specialists are on hand, when needed, with help and advice in resolving issues specific to particular sectors.

Community development
Aid is provided for economically disadvantaged villages in comprehensive community devel-opment programmes provided by COM international in collaboration with local authorities. These programmes include measures to improve water quality, hygiene, school education, and income. They involve constructing sewage plants, biogas plants, playschools, and school houses. Teaching staff are also trained and equipped with teaching material.

In cooperation with Swiss Create