Annual Report 2011 17
Development Partners
BRAC’s programmes in Liberia were launched through a unique partnership with the Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF), the Foundation Open Society Institute, Omidyar Network and Humanity United. In addition to supporting BRAC in Liberia through grant funds, Omidyar Network and SEDF are active investors in BRAC ,IBERIAÖ-ICROÙNANCEÖ#OMPANYÖ,IMITED Ö with a 49 per cent equity stake and representation on its governing board. Of THEÖNINEÖMEMBERSÖINÖTHEÖÙNANCEÖCOMPANYÖ BOARD ÖÙVEÖAREÖ"2!#ÖREPRESENTATIVES ÖTWOÖ are from the Foundation Open Society Institute, one is from SEDF and another member is from Omidyar Network. This PARTNERSHIPÖSIGNIÙESÖJOINTÖOWNERSHIP Ö COMMITMENTÖANDÖAÖVOTEÖOFÖCONÙDENCEÖINÖ BRAC’s approach towards development ASÖITÖEXPANDSÖINTOÖPOORÖANDÖCONÚICT RIDDENÖ countries in West Africa. As co-owners of the company and investors in economic development and social change in Liberia, Omidyar Network and SEDF provide solid support to BRAC’s nascent operations, thereby creating leverage and attracting additional investment. BRAC expects to continue receiving support from these investors through 2012.
In 2010, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) MicroLead Programme provided a one million USD grant support to the BRAC Liberia -ICROĂ™NANCEĂ–#OMPANYĂ–,IMITED Ă–!Ă– partnership with Kiva started in April 2011, through which BRAC receives an average of USD 25,000 per month as refundable interest-free loans that will increase up to USD 1,000,000 per month for the next year. BRAC Liberia started working with the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) in June 2011 in 20 communities where BRAC is operating for two years, for a project titled ‘Increasing Knowledge, Production and Access to Improved Seed Varieties’. The main objectives of the project are to create farmers’ awareness on the use of improved variety seeds for greater productivity, to increase production of seeds of improved varieties, to disseminate seed packages to smallholder farmers at affordable prices, and to ensure quality seeds for livelihoods and food security. By December 2011, BRAC Liberia had received payment for two-quarters of a total of USD 15,000 from AGRA for the project. The total expenditure of the twoyear project is USD 79,475. BRAC has also maintained its Observer status in the monthly meeting of the Liberia Coordination Mechanism of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Coordination and collaboration BRAC has built strong relations with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW) through collaboration and coordination processes. BRAC still continues its support to the governmentrun tuberculosis treatment centre in Barnersville by providing diagnostic services, lab equipment and human resources. BRAC regularly takes part in governmentled health coordination meetings at the county and national levels, and actively participates in the tuberculosis and malaria partner institutions’ meetings conducted by the tuberculosis and malaria control programmes of the MoHSW. BRAC has also been enthusiastically taking part in the National Tuberculosis, Malaria, World Breast Feeding, World Contraceptive and National Immunisation Days.