Intern or Volunteer with a Grassroots Micro-Enterprise Organization in Argentina

  Argentina

• All Other Regions of Argentina: 
La Plata

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Trimester, Winter 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: See FSD Website

Description: Examples of how you can support Micro-Enterprise in Argentina:

* Expand an FSD Eco-Tourism Project by holding educational meetings and distributing information regarding ecotourism possibilities for local agencies and interested community members. The aim is to increase vendor and consumer awareness, thus ensuring a more sustainable use of Argentina's vast natural resources and the reduction of environmental impact due to tourism.

* Provide consulting for an organization to more effectively manage and administer financial resources.

* Support a cooperative small business formed to support marginalized families. The co-op offers personnel for cleaning, but is expanding to masonry work, gardening, painting, plumbing, and electrical work through the help of future volunteers and interns.

* Support an organization's capacity building activities by providing at-risk youth and uneducated persons with resources and guidance to integrate with the working community and find employment. Assist trainings that inform adults about various micro business strategies and micro-credit opportunities.

* Work to improve production techniques for small and medium enterprises that support unemployed women and youth. For example, FSD volunteers and interns have assisted production and/or marketing of fruits and vegetables dehydrated by solar and Eolic energy. The programs aim to reduce poverty and unemployment.

For more micro-enterprise opportunities in Argentina, visit our website or contact us directly.

About FSD

The Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1995 to support underserved, international communities in a collaborative and sustainable manner. Our model incorporates three overlapping programs:

1. Sustainable Development Training Programs for Interns and Volunteers
FSD provides comprehensive training and immersion programs for interns and volunteers seeking hands-on experience in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Program participants come from countless professions and more than 300 universities worldwide to collaborate with our partner organizations on community-driven projects that reflect sustainable practices.

2. Grantmaking to Projects and Initiatives Led By Our Partner Organizations
Donations and grants given to FSD are used to support projects and initiatives implemented by our partner organizations, site teams, interns, and volunteers.

3. Sustainable Development of Community-Based Organizations
Our professional field staff, consultants, and program participants provide on-site technical training and capacity building to more than 200 community-based organizations.

Highlights: Development Issues Addressed by FSD in Argentina
The 1990's were an economic roller coaster for Argentina, with soaring growth due to international investment usage that would prove fruitful for the short term. By the end of the decade, the Menem administration had instituted structural adjustment policies that eventually plummeted the economy. By 2001, the economy deteriorated so badly that the country suffered an absolute meltdown, with industrial infrastructure and agricultural markets on their knees, minimal social and public services available, and aggressive privatization that resulted in many Argentines unable to afford basic needs such as water. More than 50 percent of the country lived below the poverty line an astonishing statistic considering the apparent wealth of nation.

After two years of desperation, Argentina is beginning to stabilize its debt, reinvest into infrastructure, and boost agriculture profits. The growth is built upon incredible grassroots movements and leadership efforts that are producing jobs throughout many sectors. GDP has been growing exponentially. Despite all of this, there is still much room for improvement with Argentina's economic situation. A large population of the country could greatly benefit from increased financial opportunities.

FSD partners with organizations that provide economic opportunity to underserved populations. Volunteers and Interns contribute in the areas of mentoring cooperative members, teaching capacity building courses, bringing organizational skills, and networking/researching other local foundations for information sharing. These practices are showing strongly positive results and are in great need by local organizations.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: Depends on Program Selected; See FSD Website

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: FSD supports participants who boldly wish to initiate the change they believe is necessary in the developing world. Interns are passionate about sharing their practical knowledge, heart-felt enthusiasm, and economic resources with communities abroad that suffer unnecessary hardship. They wish to gain hands-on, grassroots development experience because they believe change is most powerfully cultivated on a community level. The aim is to experientially learn how their work can empower the community toward applying sustainable development solutions, rather than increasing reliance on foreign aid. Participants choose FSD because the program structure enables them to design and implement their own sustainable projects in collaboration with their host organization and the FSD Site Team. They are able to test their ideas and theories in the most direct way possible, giving them the experience and knowledge they seek. The flexibility of the host organizations allows for participants at all stages and levels of experience in international development to participate, thus opening the programs to a diverse group of capable applicants.

Age Range: 18-75

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Argentina Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 3-10

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Foundation for Sustainable Development's Mission Statement: FSD supports the efforts of grassroots organizations in the developing world that are working to better their communities, environments, and the economic opportunities around them. We believe community development is only sustainable if it empowers the people to effectively use and cultivate their own resources in a conscious manner. Through our programs, we aim to raise international awareness of the economic challenges in developing countries and to support cross-cultural communities in finding more effective solutions to development issues.

Year Founded: 1995