How do we operate?
Typically we start with four key steps:

1     A Scoping Study. Working within a specific region we would identify the use of resources both human and physical and the impediments that block poverty reduction. From the analysis we identify priority areas for development.

2     A Training Programme. Selected groups of people from priority areas would be trained, typically at two levels namely:

  • Management and entrepreneurial skills
  • Artisan, basic skills such as building, woodworking, agricultural or whatever may be required. We teach to International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards for labour orientated practices.
  • Wherever possible we prefer to train trainers or at least would-be trainers.

3  Selected follow up with specific enterprises. Volunteers with experience of the types of enterprises selected would visit individual enterprises and help produce plans for future growth. A typical client is an entrepreneur who has set up a successful enterprise but is now beyond his or her limits of experience and wants to know what to do next.

4 Consolidate plans for the future which could result in:

  • Further specialist needs to be satisfied such as in quality control to meet global demand
  • Regional needs such as information on markets and business opportunities
  • Regional needs such as micro or larger loan schemes which could be handled by BCL consultants.
  • The opening of distribution channels and export drives.

Getting started
To get started we need:
Funding for the four steps.

After discussions with yourself and your staff on a most probable plan we will write a funding proposal to potentially interested donors. Your visible support will be key. Extremely important too will be your diaspora in the UK: any funding from them will greatly encourage the donors we approach as will any commitment to return home as part of our programme either as entrepreneurs or trainers.

So why aren't developing economies doing a better job of creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurs, finding their SME "bootstraps" and pulling themselves out of poverty?

The developing world is not without willing entrepreneurs, but they are often few in number, lack necessary training, are hampered by bureaucracy and do not have the ability to recognize and develop business opportunities. Insufficient and overly traditional educational systems funnel unprepared youth into a very limited formal job market and prepare precious few to be entrepreneurs. Careers in Government are typically the first choice for the educted. Poor access to information limits awareness of other possibilities. The unpredictability so characteristic of developing economies and the agricultural sector in particular, does not promote risk-taking.

Unleashing entrepreneurship and the SMEs they create are key to eliminating poverty.

BCCT deploys volunteers to assist in overcoming obstacles that currently block poverty reduction and development paths.

When the time is right BCL deploys consultants to build on the work of Volunteers to create robust, self sustaining enterprises.