What is AMAP?
www.microlinks.org/amap
The Accelerated Microenterprise Advancement Project (AMAP) is a field support and knowledge generation Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC) focused on developing strategies and tools to help Missions and Bureaus integrate micro and small enterprises into Agency strategies and programs. The IQC facilitates a wide range of activities related to economic growth, small firm competitiveness, financial services, trade capacity-building, agribusiness, and other areas, including efforts to address cross-cutting issues such as HIV/AIDS and democracy and governance. AMAP provides Missions and Bureaus with easy and timely access to technical services through USAID’s Microenterprise Development (MD) office and experienced consortia that can accept up to $180 million in activity orders.
With a group of partner consortia that work collaboratively to achieve maximum synergy, AMAP provides access to both long- and short-term technical assistance and expertise through NGOs, universities, and contractors considered to be the best in the MD field. USAID/Washington-funded AMAP consortia are continually developing state-of-the-art tools, approaches and best practices in their technical areas, resulting in readily available and meaningful support for Missions.
Talented and Experienced MD Team
USAID Missions and Bureaus have at their fingertips the resources and technical assistance of the Microenterprise Development Team – a group of talented and experienced microenterprise practioners. They will provide assistance in the development and enhancement of microenterprise programs in the Field for a variety of economic growth programs, including financial market development, trade and agribusiness.
The MD Team’s highly qualified technical assistance helps Missions and Bureaus develop and enhance microenterprise programs that support their Strategic Objectives and that incorporate microenterprise activities into a variety of economic growth programs, such as financial market development, trade, and agribusiness. Technical assistance includes services such as:
- Scope of work development
- Project and market assessments
- Country strategy reviews and assistance
- PMP review and assistance
- Technical information and toolkits
- Ad hoc technical assistance
Cutting-Edge Knowledge Management and Dynamic Communities of Practice (text-only)
The MD team has invested significant resources in a cutting-edge knowledge management system, located on this website, www.microLINKS.org, for training and sharing best practices from a variety of respected and talented sources, including on-the-ground microenterprise experts currently executing projects in the field. Forums, e-conferences, online conversations, and expert problem solving are just some of the resources provided to users. Integral to AMAP’s knowledge management system are online Communities of Practice that engage the minds and inform the activities of respected and creative thinkers in the development field.
Technical Assistance to Integrate Microenterprise into Broader Development Initiatives (text-only)
Numerous linkages exist between microenterprise development and broader development initiatives. Through AMAP, Missions can access technical assistance in designing programs to offer a range of financial and business development services to support economic growth and poverty alleviation through microenterprise and small business activities that are integrated in broader programs.
AMAP Technical Areas:
To grow and prosper, businesses of all sizes and in all countries need access to financial services. Such access is a particular challenge for poor families around the world that need loans, credit, and savings to establish, sustain, and expand small businesses and microenterprises. Innovative approaches to serving low income entrepreneurs and households include finding substitutes for traditional collateral, promoting flexible repayment schedules, and offering a broader range of financial services such as insurance and flexible savings accounts.
A variety of organizations offer business development services (BDS) to help microenterprises increase revenues, build capacity, initiate new economic activities, or increase their leverage in the marketplace. USAID however, supports the development of markets by helping BDS providers extend services that boost microenterprise income and competitiveness. Service providers often need help to tailor their services to poorer clients. Access to appropriate business services enables microenterprises to seize new economic opportunities and increases the potential impact of sustained reductions in poverty levels.
A supportive enabling, or policy, environment, including a favorable business and investment climate, is critical to successful, sustainable microenterprise development. USAID supports reform of laws, regulations, and policies to facilitate the creation and operation of microenterprises and to expand access to financial and other services by the underserved poor. This can include helping countries streamline their business registration process; building the capacity of microentrepreneurs to work through independent business associations to advocate for policy reforms; and promoting anti-corruption efforts and tax reform.
USAID is required to verify to Congress that at least 50% of resources invested in microenterprise development benefit the very poor. The objective of this project is to develop and test tools that can be used by practitioners to report on the proportion of very poor clients receiving services. Because it is important that practitioners find the recommended tools to be effective means of evaluating the poverty level of their clients, this project’s priority is to recommend tools that can accurately predict poverty in a practical and cost-effective manner.
Point of Contact: Any questions regarding the AMAP IQC may be directed to Stacey Young, USAID/MD.