Organisation
SIGN
SIGN (School feeding Initiative Ghana-Netherlands) is set up for (Dutch) organizations that wish to make a contribution to development co-operation in Ghana by supporting the Ghana home-grown School Feeding Programme (GSFP).
SIGN consists of:
- SIGN platform. Organizations from all areas of Dutch society are members of the platform: government, civil society, trade and industry, and science.
- SIGN board. Consists of four representatives of the platform, plus an independent observer representing the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- SIGN secretariat. Consists of one co-ordinator and an assistant who are responsible for communication and co-ordination within SIGN.
- In the coming year, the organization will be expanded through the establishment of supporting, theme-related working parties in the areas of agriculture and water and sanitation.
The SIGN platform was established in July 2005; GSFP started in October 2005 with ten pilot schools; August 2006 saw the installation of the SIGN co-ordinator, and; on 3 October 2006 SIGN was established as a foundation under Dutch law.
It is the aim of SIGN to contribute to the realization of the UN Millennium Development Goals 1 and 2, through co-ordinated 1-to-1 collaboration between Ghana and the Netherlands.
SIGN aims to mobilize funding and expertise in order to enable the successful execution of the GSFP in Ghana.
In the coming years (2007-2010), the Dutch government will pay 50% of the purchase costs of locally produced food within the programme up to a maximum of € 40 million. Each day, more than 400,000 Ghanaian children at almost 1,000 schools are provided with a nutritious meal via GSFP. If current developments continue as they have done up to now, the goal of feeding one million children per day by 2010 will be achieved easily.
Schuttelaar & Partners
Schuttelaar & Partners is a large and rapidly growing consultancy firm helping clients to build public support for sustainable innovations in food, agriculture, and human health. We join our clients in encouraging communication and dialogue on issues related to the life sciences. Current themes in our work include changes in the global flow of natural resources, the growing importance of food in disease prevention, and innovative types of international development.
Our firm maintains close ties with many partners in our key areas of expertise. Because of this extensive network, we’ll help you spot and exploit new trends and opportunities early on. Our list of clients includes large and small companies, governments, research institutions, and non-profit organizations, many of them operating internationally, some focusing on The Netherlands.
Founded in 1995 by Marcel Schuttelaar, our firm currently employs more than 50 staff members with offices in Brussels (Belgium) and The Hague (The Netherlands). We are a member of the European Crisis Management Partnership and the Triple Helix Communication Group, two European networks of consultancy firms focusing on the life sciences.
At Schuttelaar & Partners, we are convinced that the time is right to invest in innovations that will lead to greater health and sustainability. Whoever aims to benefit from these investments, however, will also have to give serious consideration to public support. Through strategic advice, research and communication we help our clients find an approach that takes into account science, society as well as good sense.
NCDO
NCDO stands for ‘National Committee for International Cooperation and Sustainable Development’ (Nationale Commissie voor Internationale Samenwerking en Duurzame Ontwikkeling).
NCDO involves people in the Netherlands in international cooperation and supports them with information, subsidies and advice. The millennium goals provide the point of reference for all these activities. In the year 2000, 189 countries agreed on these goals in order to reduce worldwide poverty before 2015.
In order to increase the potential for international cooperation and to give a higher profile to the millennium goals, NCDO organises campaigns, debates, educational activities, exhibitions, media productions and cultural projects. NCDO also highlights the efforts of government and citizens to achieve the millennium goals.
NCDO helps people and organisations in the Netherlands who dedicate themselves to improving the position of people in developing countries. It supports these local development projects with advice and subsidies.
Evert Vermeer Stichting
The Evert Vermeer Foundation is an independent not-for-profit organisation. The EVF promotes the interests of developing countries. On the basis of this vision, the EVF is drawing attention to international cooperation and sustainable poverty alleviation. The EVF aims at influencing political decision-making at the local, national and European levels. By organising campaigns, debates and conferences, the EVF is trying to interest as wide an audience as possible in issues such as sustainable poverty alleviation, conflict prevention, good governance, human rights, environmental protection and a fair trade policy.
Cordaid
Cordaid is one of the biggest international development organisations with a strong focus on social justice. Direct poverty eradication, building the capacity of civil society and lobby are the intervention strategies. Cordaid supports people who are excluded from society and helps them to improve their situation. Central point in our strategy is the inclusion of vulnerable groups. We do this together with around 1000 local counterparts in 33 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Strategy and core activities
The solidarity with marginalised groups is rooted in the history of Cordaid and in the catholic social thinking. Cordaid’s primary process is investment in social justice via strategic funding of partner organisations, linking & learning in the partner network, lobby at national and international level and creating awareness in the Netherlands.
Cordaid’s programmes
Cordaid is structured around ten coherent programmes within four programme sectors: Participation, Emergency Aid and Reconstruction, Health and Well-being and Entrepreneurship.
