EnterpriseWorks/VITA

Overview

EnterpriseWorks/VITA (EWV) is a private, nonprofit, international development organization incorporated in Washington, DC. For the last 40 years, EWV has assisted producers and other entrepreneurs in more than 60 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Today, hundreds of thousands of hard-working families are benefiting from the profits of more productive, environmentally sensitive enterprises and generating a ripple effect that touches every aspect of life in their communities.

Mission

EnterpriseWorks/VITA combats poverty by helping small producers and other entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses that create jobs and increase productivity, market opportunities and incomes. EWV achieves this by expanding access to appropriate technologies, technical assistance, knowledge and finance.

Program

EWV programs focus on activities common to millions, allowing for replication of activities across regions and continents. EWV’s areas of expertise and activity include:

Small-Scale Irrigation programs that help farmers multiply their production and incomes with affordable, locally produced irrigation technologies.

Potable Water programs that create private enterprises to locally produce drilling and water lifting technologies, helping people obtain safe drinking water in an affordable manner.

Water Filters programs that provide safe drinking water by eliminating water borne contaminants, providing both health and economic benefits to rural populations.

Oilseeds and Staple Foods programs helping small growers process high-value oil and byproducts with low-cost presses and other grain and cereal processing technologies.

Tree Crops programs adding value to products and conserving the environment by promoting treecrop farming, local processing, and more direct links to international markets.

Natural Resource Management, Biodiversity Conservation programs that boost incomes and protect biodiversity through profitable resource management and industry building in areas with sensitive ecosystems.

Energy programs that dissemination fuel-efficient cookstoves that drastically reduce charcoal consumption, save households money, and slow deforestation.

Impact

In 2005, EWV’s portfolio generated over 15 million dollars in total monetary benefits, providing economic benefits to over 1.6 million men, women and children in some of the most disadvantaged countries of the world. During 2005, EWV spent a total of US$3.8 million on direct project expenses. With total monetary benefits to project participants of US$15.3 million, EWV generated US$4.03 in increased income for every dollar spent – a 400% return on the investments made by project donors.

Countries of Operation

Afghanistan, Armenia, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Central African Republic, Chad, China, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indonesia, Mali, Moldova, Republic of, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Senegal, Sudan, Tanzania, United Republic of, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, Zambia, Zimbabwe