MISSION

PFD'S MISSION IS TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL GROUPS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE OF VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

With programs currently in Cambodia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Nigeria, Tanzania, Benin and Liberia PFD is addressing local needs in public health, agriculture, small enterprise development and micro-credit.

THE PFD APPROACH

The name “Partners for Development” summarizes PFD’s approach towards working collaboratively with a range of groups to achieve sustainable change. PFD’s overarching goal is to improve conditions for rural communities that are vulnerable due to poverty, inaccessibility, recent conflict or other forms of upheaval. PFD focuses on strengthening community skills in our four core program areas: food security and nutrition, health, livelihood and enterprise development and climate adaptation. We focus wherever possible on efforts that combine these programs in innovative and effective ways. For example, the PFD program in Nigeria integrates micro-credit and reproductive health training to maximize access to these dual benefits for women entrepreneurs. In Tanzania, PFD combines commercial business development with introduction and cultivation of Jatropha, a multi-use tree with great earning potential

PFD’s programs aim for sustainability through the participation of local organizations who take responsibility for and ownership of partnership activities. PFD partners range from informal community-based groups to local government agencies, and national level advocacy organizations. To strengthen participation in development planning by community stakeholders, PFD employs a range of methods, such as Participatory Rural Appraisal, community action planning, village and town meetings, focus group discussions, and many others. In addition, PFD activities have a strong capacity-building component achieved by training, coaching and mentoring its local partners.

PFD’s overarching strategy, then, is to enable its partners to increase resources and opportunities for sustainable development in their communities. PFD strengthens human resources by offering training sessions and improving health awareness and services. It develops social and political capital by supporting processes for “bottom-up” development planning and advocacy. It expands community financial resources through varied micro-credit and enterprise development activities. PFD’s support for agricultural production strengthens natural resources and helps conserve the environment. As global economic and food insecurities escalate in the face of booming population growth and climate change, PFD will intensify its agricultural enterprise assistance to help communities cope with these new challenges.

As it applies this approach to its work, PFD recognizes and understands the external factors that affect and influence the organization. Many of the regions where PFD works are considered unstable because of their recent emergence from conflict or other upheavals. PFD will always respect the dignity of the populations it serves and their right to plan for their own development - especially in times of conflict or other types of distress. Because risks arising from security concerns or failed state status are often a factor in program selection and implementation, PFD will also take appropriate action to protect its staff and ensure that its programs are reasonably secure. Careful attention to security of employees and partners is a concern PFD takes seriously. Adequate security is a pre-requisite for deployment of staff and commitment to program operations.

As global concerns about environmental and economic instability increase, PFD will also be alert to the possibility of applying its abilities and experience to matters such as conflict prevention, climate change, and the degradation of habitats. In a donor environment that includes a trend toward large awards to large organizations, PFD is prepared to apply success in remote or difficult environments to take advantage of opportunities as a sub-grantee or sub contractor.

PROGRAM RATIONALE

In determining where and in what sectors to work, PFD considers a number of key factors above and beyond locally expressed need:

• Transfer of skills to local institutions and individuals
• Expectation that project benefits will be sustainable
• Potential for replication of the project model to other areas
• Ability to properly administer and manage interventions
• Sufficient security and freedom of movement

Integrity is a hallmark of the organization, with our small size allowing us the flexibility to carry out those programs, and only those programs, we feel are right and appropriate.

PFD currently has country programs in Cambodia, Nigeria, Benin, Liberia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Tanzania. The U.S. headquarters is located in Silver Spring, MD outside of Washington, DC.