Challenges Worldwide

Challenges Worldwide is an award-winning^[1], Edinburgh-based international development charity^[2] that facilitates expert volunteer assignments with enterprises in the developing world. Challenges focuses its operations primarily on social businesses that support fair trade, micro-finance, renewable energy and venture philanthropy. The organisation's central belief is that 'Business and trade, supported by charity and aid, is the key to unlocking the potential of low-income countries.'^[3]

Activities

Challenges works in conjunction with the Scottish Government,^[4] the NHS Scotland^[5] and a number of other partners in the public and private sectors, based both overseas and in the UK. Volunteer placements generally last between 6 weeks and 6 months, and although the organisation's primary focus is on impact investment and social business development, volunteers are drawn from and work in a wide range of professional backgrounds. These include engineering,^[6] law^[7][8] and finance.

Challenges Worldwide presently operates in 33 countries across 5 continents outside the UK. Since its foundation in 1998, it has sent over 600 volunteers on overseas placements, and was recently recognised by a Scottish parliamentary motion as 'an excellent example of Scottish innovation in global development.'^[4]

Partner organisations

As well as the small and medium enterprises the charity works with, Challenges has carried out work with a number of partner organisations at various levels of engagement. These include:

• The Scottish Government^[9]
  
• Heriot-Watt University^[6]
  
• The Scottish Law Commission^[10]
  
• The University of Strathclyde^[8]
  
• Advocates For International Development^[7]
  
• The Ashden Awards^[11]
  
• The Royal College of Psychiatrists^[5]
  
• Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland^[2]
  
• The National Health Service^[5]
  
• The Chartered Management Institute^[12]
  
• The Institute of Business Consulting^[13]

Organisational structure

The charity consists of two sections: Challenges Coaching and Challenges Contracts. The Coaching team matches skilled volunteers with overseas enterprises to provide on-site business coaching. The Contracts group provides advice to support the development of strong public institutions and civil society, creating an enabling environment for businesses and economies to grow.

Challenges Worldwide is also affiliated with two sister businesses:

• Challenges Consulting - provides business consultancy training for individuals in low income countries and business consulting for development partners and enterprises.
• Challenges Capital - an investment process aimed at creating and maintaining a global network of impact investors, including diligence, transaction assistance and ongoing business and financial reporting to protect investments.

External links

• Official Website

References

1. ^ UnLtd || Eoghan Mackie
2. ^ ^{a b} NIDOS - Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland
3. ^ Welcome to Challenges Worldwide –international development and expert volunteering
4. ^ ^{a b} The Scottish Parliament: Motions Search
5. ^ ^{a b c} Taking the path less trodden: UK psychiatrists working in low- and middle-income countries - Hughes 33 (2): 76 - The Psychiatrist
6. ^ ^{a b} http://www.unesco.org.uk/uploads/SISTech%20-%20Engineering%20Capability%20in%20Rwanda.pdf
7. ^ ^{a b} Development Partners | A4ID - legal support to help end poverty
8. ^ ^{a b} The Law School :: International Economic Law
9. ^ http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/europe/papers-07/eup07-05.pdf
10. ^ Scottish Law Commission :: Malawi link
11. ^ Business mentor boosts Tanzanian brick-making enterprise | The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy
12. ^ Qualifications - Challenges Worldwide
13. ^ » IBC Scotland and Challenges World Wide (CWW) Collaboration Challenges Worldwide, Institute of Consulting Challenges World Wide, CSR, CWW, IBC Scotland