PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Project will address five mutually reinforcing components: i) institutional diagnostics and reform planning; ii) human and organisational capacity development; iii) systems, tools and data strengthening; iv) coordination and partnerships; and v) monitoring, evaluation and learning.

Component I: Institutional Diagnostics and Reform Planning. This component will assess participating MSME support organisations’ governance, mandates, staffing, service delivery, stakeholder engagement and results management. The diagnostics will identify gaps, strengths and reform priorities to inform tailored institutional strengthening action plans.

Component II: Human and Organisational Capacity Development. This component will build staff capacity through targeted training, attachments/study tours, coaching and practical tools in areas such as MSME diagnostics, market intelligence, advisory services, business plan assessment, managing for development results, monitoring and evaluation, gender-responsive programming, climate-smart support, digital delivery and programme management.

Component III: Systems, Tools and Data Strengthening. This component will develop or upgrade management information systems, MSME databases, intake and diagnostic tools, reporting formats, standard operating procedures and service guidelines, while promoting greater use of data for decision-making, targeting, monitoring, reporting and policy dialogue.

Component IV: Coordination and Partnerships. This component will strengthen collaboration among public institutions, BSOs, DFIs, private sector bodies, academic institutions and development partners through improved coordination mechanisms, referral systems, partnership protocols, communities of practice and regional knowledge exchange.

Component V: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning. This component will help institutions design and implement results-based monitoring, evaluation and learning systems, including results frameworks, indicators, reporting templates, beneficiary feedback mechanisms, periodic reviews and learning products for adaptive management and replication.