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SPARK Newsletter January 2009 |
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| New Initiatives
for Development |
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ICT Business Incubator in Baku
In 2007 SPARK was invited by TAM/BAS (EBRD) to join on a mission to Khazar University to look into the development of an ICT Incubator in Baku. The result in 2009 will be the establishment of the Baku ICT Business Incubator (BIBI). The incubator aims at increasing employment opportunities for youth and disadvantaged groups in the non-oil sectors of the economy in Azerbaijan.
International College Mitrovica
Mitrovica region features one of the highest unemployment figures in Southeast Europe. To alleviate the economic depression SPARK has been working with various stakeholders over the past years to open an international higher vocational college in the city. This international educational facility will open its doors on October 5 2009.
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Private Sector for Development
Three Business Incubators open in Bar, Bitola and Kragujevac
As part of SPARK’s business start-up network, three business incubators opened in Montenegro (Bar, November 1st), Macedonia (Bitola, November 3rd) and Serbia (Kragujevac December 5). In all locations, the incubators are established by a consortium of national and local government, Chambers of Commerce and business associations as well as the local universities.
The Incubators help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) through training, SME coaching, consultancy, office space and soft loans. Overall objective is to create new innovative jobs.
The Pristina and Zenica Incubators are scheduled to open in 2009, whilst the Bar and Bitola Incubators will be reinforced with new premises.
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New Initiative: Euro Info Correspondence Centre Bar
Funded by the European Commission, a Euro Info Correspondence Centre Bar was opened. BSC Bar implements its component on Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Goal of the programme is to foster links between Montenegro’s SMEs and businesses elsewhere in Europe. EICC Montenegro consists of BSC Bar, the Directorate for development of small and medium-sized enterprises, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Podgorica and the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro. | |
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Education for Development
Caucasus International Summer University
SPARK together with IKV Pax Christi visited the Caucasus in November, meeting university rectors, local NGOs and ministries of education to discuss starting an international summer university. SPARK has helped universities to establish a number of successful summer universities in South East Europe and expects to work in the Caucasus in 2009. Developing international summer schools is part of our efforts to help universities joining the European Higher Education Area.
New Initiative: Supporting Life Long Learning in Kragujevac
As part of a European consortium led by the University of Kragujevac, SPARK supports lifelong learning in Serbia. This includes training of non-university teachers, development of partnerships between university and enterprises and definition of qualification framework. It aims to reduce the high unemployment by better matching educational programmes to the needs of the labour market.
Debate with young innovative development NGOs and their Incubator
On 8 October SPARK organized a debate between new and established Dutch Development Organisations. It was concluded that the inflow of new innovative development NGOs is important to keep the Dutch development sector innovative and improving. The debate was followed by the opening of SPARK Incubator for young innovative Dutch Development NGOs on 26 November. This incubator is home of five ambitious organizations.
Balkan Snapshots
On 9,10 and 11 October, the Amsterdam based “Balkan Buro” organised a three day Balkan Film Festival, striving to facilitate cultural integration of Eastern Europe into the EU. Films, debates, arts and music were presented.
Danube Foundation Conference
On 13 December 2008 the conference ‘Utopia: European Vistas’ was held in Amsterdam. Several workshops on the Utopian ideal of peace between all nations and Europe took place. Speakers featured, amongst others the Mayor of Tirana and European Politician Jacques Monasch.
IT outsourcing to the Balkans
On 20 November Spark brought together 25 Dutch ICT firms interested in outsourcing work to South East Europe, with 3 ICT firms from Macedonia and Serbia. SPARK strives to organise such events to promote trade relations and thereby increasing employment in the countries we work in.
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Financial year reports online
One of Spark’s goals is to provide maximum insight in the financial aspects of its projects. Our ICT systems are currently being adjusted so that the full administration becomes online by mid 2009. By then each financial transaction can be viewed by donors. From expenses on books, expert fees or work lunches. Quick, simple and 100% transparent. Until then, financial project reports can be downloaded on our website by all visitors. |  |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 23 January 2009 )
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