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The B2B Program of Czech Development Agency supported socially beneficial use of 3D printing in the Gambia

The Gambia is a country with little manufacturing capacity, where most goods are imported. At the same time, however, the smallest country in continental Africa is opening up to new technologies, especially in the field of education. The interest in innovations in healthcare and production is also on the rise. Therefore, Prusa Research, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of 3D printers, with the support of the B2B Program of the Czech Development Agency, started a project whose goal is the socially beneficial use of 3D printing in the Gambia, especially in the field of healthcare and education. With the support of CzDA, the third largest 3D printing farm in Africa is being created in the Gambia.

Prusa Research currently distributes its 3D printers to customers in more than 160 countries around the world. Independent institutions such as the 3D Printing Industry Awards or the Make Magazine has repeatedly confirmed the quality of the printers. Due to the exceptional quality of the products and the high level of innovation, the company with its automated 3D printing farm was included in the exposition of the Czech national pavilion at the international exhibition EXPO 2020 in Dubai

In 2021, the company won the “Country For The Future” prize awarded by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic for the development of a filament with antibacterial properties. The Make3D company is also participating in the testing of this filament, which is planned to be launched on the market in 2022 and plans to use it, for example, for the production of prosthetic aids. “The benefit of 3D printing technology for developing markets lies primarily in the possibility of local decentralized production, whether it is spare parts or individually manufactured medical and educational aid. Compared to competing manufacturers, Original Prusa printers offer a whole range of functionalities that can be very well used in developing markets. This is mainly about easy repairability, including affordable spare parts, the so-called upgradeability, thanks to which it is not necessary to buy the entire printer when launching a new model, but only selected parts,” says project manager Jiří Průša, who as a volunteer in the past participated in cooperation with organizations People in Need or the Caritas Czech Republic to build digital literacy centers in several African countries.

Other indisputable advantages of Original Prusa 3D printers for developing markets include the function of resuming printing after a power failure, which reduces waste (in the form of failed prints) and saves energy. To develop specific applications of 3D printing and the local market, from a sustainability point of view, the key activity is the construction of a competence center and an open workshop, which will be equipped with 3D printers.

“As the majority of goods in The Gambia are imported, 3D printing presents the possibility of creating decentralized small-scale production capacities that have proven effective during the collapse of supply chains caused by a sharp increase in demand for a specific type of goods (e.g. shields at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic) where 3D printing brought a quick and effective solution. Furthermore, 3D printing enables production to be moved closer to customers or users (patients, pupils, etc.) and their easier involvement in the product development process. This brings advantages, especially in the field of healthcare, where the need to transport a patient across a country with poor infrastructure is eliminated. Not to mention that transport can be a financial barrier to access to products and services for many customers,” explains Jiří Průša about the specific advantages of 3D printing for developing markets.

Although the small size of the market is a disadvantage for many entrepreneurs, due to its location, The Gambia has the potential to distribute goods and services to the sub-region. At the same time, its size makes it easier in The Gambia to achieve a systematic impact across the entire country. According to Jiří Průša, the establishment of a Gambian sub-regional 3D printing center will bring the potential for the re-export of know-how and technology and thus further add value to the business sector in the target country.

“During a recent business trip to The Gambia, we held a workshop on assembling printers. As part of the workshop, six printers were assembled, with the fact that thanks to the B2B Program, participants now have the opportunity to get a printer for free for a week or for the duration of their projects. For me, it was a pleasant surprise how the young people took on the task of assembling the printer and how passionate they were. I think that especially for girls who never held a screwdriver or pliers in their hands, building a printer was a great motivation and a way to increase their self-confidence,” adds Jiří Průša.

As part of this work trip, it was also agreed that a seminar focused on the use of 3D printing in medicine will take place in September. As part of that seminar, we plan to connect Czech and Gambian doctors regarding the use of 3D printing. The institution that has effectively adapted 3D printing in medicine in the Gambia, the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MRCG at LSHTM) has shown interest in sharing know-how in this area.

According to the founders of Make3D Silvestre Tkáč and Fatou Juka Darboe, one of the obstacles to the access of especially young people to 3D printing and other technologies is the price. To make 3D printing more accessible, as part of a project supported by the Czech Development Agency, the Make3D company launched the “3D printing for trial” program, which will allow schools, after-school activity clubs, as well as individual interested parties, to test this technology at affordable prices.

Among the key final beneficiaries of the project is the Make3D company, on whose premises the competence center and the open workshop will be built. Make3D has already achieved several successes in the field of 3D printing in The Gambia, including the development and certification of a humerus plate in collaboration with a leading local orthopedic surgeon (Dr. Kebba S. Marenah). Also thanks to this innovation, Make3D reached the finals of the Royal Academy of Engineering Africa Prize 2021. This company will also benefit from the new business opportunities that the socially beneficial use of 3D printing offers. The beneficiaries of the project will also be representatives of the healthcare sector, both local hospitals, and healthcare facilities, as well as relevant authorities (e.g. Medicines Control Agency), for whom targeted workshops and possibly consultations will be prepared. In the field of education, 3D printing is already part of the concept of development of primary, secondary, and higher education. The project will demonstrate the benefits of using 3D printing to representatives of educational institutions and responsible authorities, e.g. using the example of individualized teaching aids (map of the Gambia, etc.). Finally yet importantly, the beneficiaries of the project will also be young Gambians interested in technical education, who will be able to participate in workshops or use the open workshop. Make3D regularly opens up opportunities for young Gambian entrepreneurs and makers in collaboration with the International Trade Center and the United Nations Development Program Acceleration Lab.

The main long-term goal of the project and of Prusa Research a. s. is the development of the use of 3D printing for socially beneficial purposes. For this purpose, an educational video will be created as part of the project and is expected to be used significantly beyond the duration of the project. “We believe that specific examples of the use of 3D printing in developing countries will also become an inspiration for non-profit organizations that will incorporate decentralized production options into their activities and projects,” concludes Jiří Průša. A model of a keychain was prepared for potentially interested parties, especially from the ranks of development cooperation project implementers, which can be used, for example, to mark property acquired in the project instead of using stickers. Following the principles of Prusa Research, this model is freely available to other interested parties on this link.

In Zambia, CzDA supports a project using biogas technology as a source of sustainable energy and organic fertilizer

Only 4.4% of Zambia’s rural population has access to electricity for lighting and cooking. As part of pilot projects, People in Need introduced various possibilities of using biofuel technology as a source of sustainable household energy and highly effective organic fertilizer to residents in the Western Province of Zambia already four years ago. Currently, People in Need, with the support of the Czech Development Agency, is implementing the follow-up project called Biogas technology for higher resilience of communities in the Western Province of Zambia.

More than 90% of Zambia’s rural population relies on traditional biomass fuel sources such as collected firewood, charcoal, agricultural waste or dried manure to meet their daily energy needs, leading to widespread deforestation. The country’s deforestation rate is estimated to be around 1.5% per year, circa 250,000 to 300,000 ha being deforested (corresponding with the highest deforestation rates in the world). In addition, charcoal has an adverse effect on the health of the population, as it leads to respiratory and eye diseases and contributes to other health problems caused by dangerous pollutants.

Therefore, already in 2018–2019, People in Need, with the support of the CzDA, implemented two pilot projects aimed at developing the biogas market in the Western Province of Zambia. “Monitoring of the pilot phase has shown high satisfaction of Zambian farmers supported by the construction of biogas stations. Farmers were very satisfied with better access to clean and renewable energy for cooking, with the time saved thanks to this technology, with its economic advantages and with the benefits of biogas for increasing agricultural production,” says project manager Ondřej Suchánek from People in Need.

Biogas plants can produce gas from animal droppings and food scraps, easily usable by households for cooking or lighting. Gas can thus replace wood and charcoal, current source of energy for majority of the population. An alternative form of obtaining energy in the form of biogas plants has thus proven to be an effective way to contribute to increasing resistance to climate change and to stabilizing the food security of small farmers. The aim of the current project is to continue raising awareness of biogas while helping to build another 130 biogas plants for residents in Mongu and Kalabo districts in the Western Province of Zambia.

“As a result of the absence of alternative energy sources, extensive deforestation and damage to soil quality, increased incidence of respiratory and eye diseases caused by the use of charcoal, but you can also observe how it strengthens gender inequality. “Women and girls are disproportionately involved in procuring fuel, which makes it difficult for them to access education or income-generating activities,” adds Ondřej Suchánek.

At the same time, biogas plants are capable of producing high-quality organic fertilizers. These contribute to an increase in agricultural production and, in general, to the improvement of food security for vulnerable households affected by food insecurity related to the drought and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Monitoring of the pilot projects also showed the need to further develop the local market for biogas technology in the Western Province and strengthen the capacities of all market participants to ensure sustainability and scale-up ability. An integrated approach needs to be taken in developing the local market and ensuring the availability of components for biogas technology, construction and after-sales services including spare parts and maintenance services. Furthermore, financing systems need to be created and for small farmers who want to try out the promoted technology the access to finance needs to be improved.

The current project will address the problems described above by exploiting the potential of biogas technology for better access to clean and sustainable energy and organic fertilizers. This will be achieved by taking a holistic approach to the development of the biogas market and incorporating several key components into the project. Firstly, it will increase the demand for the technology, strengthen the supply side (including the provision of products and services related to biogas technology) and also improve access to finance and financial literacy of the target farmers. Last but not least, there will be an increase in knowledge and awareness of how to use the outputs of biogas technology to improve agricultural productivity, financial and nutritional income of households.

The project is being implemented in Mongu and Kalabo districts in the Western Province. Both districts are vulnerable to the effects of a changing climate and represent the two largest urban and suburban centers in the province, making them suitable locations for the development of a local biogas market. It is anticipated that as the local market flourishes, the benefits of the biogas technology will spread to other districts in the province, beyond the immediate target areas of the project.

Photo: People in Need

With the support of the CzDA, People in Need manages to increase the living conditions of poor farmers in Ethiopia and reduce the degradation of the country

Projects supported by the Czech Development Agency and implemented in Ethiopia by People in Need and other partners are successfully realized. Recently, a publication entitled “Best Practices in Landscape management” was published by People in Need as part of the project Increasing the Ecological Stability of the Dijo and Bilate Watersheds, which charts examples of good practice in the management of the landscape of Czech development projects in Ethiopia between 2010–2020.

The publication Best Pactices in Landscape management created in cooperation with other Czech realizers (Mendel University, Czech Geological Survey, All for soil o.p.s) is a very comprehensive and practical form given by how best to proceed in projects focused on landscape management and afforestation, or how to cooperate with communities and local authorities. Ethiopia, a large country whose economy generates income mainly from agriculture, is heavily dependent on natural resources, primarily on land and water, hence the protection of these natural resources is directly linked to sufficient food production, stability, and population health. Finally, this publication also brings tried and tested, innovative practices such as agroforestry and restorative agriculture or participatory landscape development. The publication in English is available here.

In 2017–2020, a project aimed at participatory development of a productive landscape took place in the Sidama zone with the support of the Czech Development Agency. Its intention was to increase the living conditions of poor farmers in selected kebels by improving farming practices and making better use of natural resources. The first part of the project focused on addressing the direct causes and consequences of landscape degradation, primarily intensive deforestation, and soil erosion, which is caused by inappropriate agriculture, excessive use of firewood and grazing. Another part of the project was dedicated to addressing malnutrition, which generally affects poor households with young children and single mothers. As part of the project, farmers have adopted the cultivation of new crops, in particular vegetables, strengthened links with public agricultural assistance providers, and thrifty farming practices such as the use of biomass as a natural mulch. This project was directly followed by its second part (2021–2024), which further expands the geographical and thematic scope of the completed project. The follow-up project also focuses on strengthening the capacity of local communities as well as local administrative authorities, implementing comprehensive anti-erosion measures, applying friendly agricultural practices, and finally implementing land management plans.

The project to Increasing the ecological stability of the Dijo and Bilate Watersheds, the first phase of which began in 2016 and the second one recently ended, then strengthened the community resource management system in 14 municipalities in Alaba and Senkura counties in the State of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples region (SNNPR). It has seen an increase in ecological stability and the development of sustainable livelihoods, including through the support of community forest nurseries, which have already started producing their own seedlings. Progress was also visible in previously involved farmers, who, for example, already grow forage-grasses and have stopped grazing cattle freely.

“Although in 2021 the implementation of projects in Ethiopia was complicated by the country’s internal political developments (namely the general election and the Tigra conflict and the associated riots culminating in the declaration of emergency) and the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, we managed to successfully continue them. As part of our projects in the Sidama zone, among others, we created useful “story maps” that clearly and visually attractively approximate the project’s focus and procedures and could be used at a time of pandemic restrictions.” says the program manager for the Horn of Africa, Barbora Ludvíková of the People in Need. You can find the pages of these professionally crafted “story maps” here. On this link you will find a video of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Addis Ababa entitled Good Practice in Natural Resource Management, which brings the progress of the project and its significance to residents.

A specific example of how these projects can help small-scale farmers in individual communities is the story of the farmer Almaz Argeta, who, together with her husband, manages a five-hectare field in Dibicha kebeli, on which she reaps not only her long experience but also new knowledge and procedures from the project supported by CzDA. She planted carrots, onions, tomatoes, cabbages, beets and two types of beans thanks to the delivery of the bred seeds. The crop was so prosperous in quantity and quality that it was able to charge a higher price at the markets in Safa and Chuko for its sprouts, providing its family of ten, purchasing the necessary medicines and school supplies. Almaz’s success has inspired and motivated other residents to participate in the project. And it is, among other things, the proper fertilization process that underpins its excellent results.

Unfortunately, a large proportion of households from targeted communities, especially poor farmers, remain outside the reach of government development campaigns or apply practices that are not suitable for the landscape in the long term. Projects of the Foreign Development Cooperation of the Czech Republic in the areas of water access, agriculture and sustainable management of natural resources contribute to building a long-term resilience of communities to climate change, which is appreciably impacting the Horn of Africa. Together with local authorities, we focus on protecting soil from erosion caused by inappropriate management and across-the-board deforestation, promoting biodiversity and sustainable management of water resources. Effective landscape management, a suitable combination of crops and the right ploughing can hold more water in the landscape, reduce soil take-off and improve production. What is important in the project is the role of model farmers who are open to new practices, cultivate their fields and prepare responsibly for both drought and flood. The results come in different forms – soil removal is reduced, agricultural yields increase, and previously degraded territories are rehabilitated,” adds Barbora Ludvíková.

Successful DOT GLASSES project, supported by the Czech Development Agency, helps visually impaired people in 14 countries around the world

Four years ago, the Czech Development Agency decided to fund the innovative DOT Glasses project for the distribution of patented adjustable, one-size-fits-all eyeglasses to developing countries at low prices, through its B2B grant programme. Since then, DOT Glasses has won the prestigious Red Dot Design Award, built its own sales network in Ethiopia and engaged small business owners in Kenya and India. The company currently has an active presence in 14 countries around the world.

Due to a lack of eye doctors and opticians and complex, expensive logistics, over one billion visually impaired people worldwide do not have access to the glasses they need. This alarming and deteriorating situation was also addressed by the World Health Organisation in its report. A team from the Prague company DOT Glasses, led by Philip Staehelin, decided to develop truly revolutionary glasses with the financial support of the B2B grant programme managed by the Czech Development Agency (CzDA). These unique prescription glasses with an adjustable bridge and arms and a simplified lens concept can be worn by anyone. But, above all, thanks to their low price, they are affordable for people in even the poorest countries in the world.

DOT Glasses is a company based on the principle of globally sustainable development, which is engaged in the distribution of patented adjustable eyeglasses at a low price to areas where eye care is unavailable, either geographically or financially. The company offers these regions a solution consisting of three basic innovative approaches – a “one-size-fits-all” frame, a statistically reduced number of dioptric lenses that can be fitted into customised glasses while you wait, and a simplified eyesight test that anyone can learn using the tools supplied in so-called “Vision Kits”. This allows the company to effectively train partner teams while providing an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to make a better living.

“We are constantly working to improve the product. The bridge has been strengthened and the arms have been improved since the original version. In 2021, we received the prestigious Red Dot Design Award, where the judges not only praised the look and quality, but also the overall functionality of the product. Children’s glasses in three colour versions have now also been added, which will be available for women with small faces too. At the same time, testing tools have been improved as well. The most important feedback for us, however, is the satisfaction of our users, who not only like the glasses, but above all appreciate their improved quality of life thanks to better eyesight,” says the founder of the project, Philip Staehelin.

The development of activities in target countries was impeded by the pandemic situation, where the organisation’s activities were slowed by not only recurring “lockdowns” in all regions, but also by the reassessed priorities of some distribution partners, especially in the field of healthcare. Despite the unfavourable global situation, however, the team managed to implement better hygiene measures and significantly strengthen distribution.

One of the greatest successes of the past year was undoubtedly the establishment of the company’s own sales network in Ethiopia, where 140 small business owners were trained and provided with a start-up “Vision Kit” (a basic set of 20 glasses with accessories) with the financial support of the United National Development Programme. Based on high demand, the partner company subsequently ordered another 10,000 glasses.

“Another programme involving small business owners was implemented in Kenya’s refugee camps, and a strong distribution channel is also emerging in Bangladesh through a chain of local clinics. In addition, significant DOT Glasses orders were delivered to partners in India, Ghana, Nepal, Uganda and now also to Peru, where pilot programmes were successfully completed last autumn. The United States has also been added to the map of DOT Glasses representation with the aim of providing socially disadvantaged groups with an affordable alternative to the otherwise expensive healthcare system,” adds Philip Staehelin.

Without glasses, people with visual impairments have problems with learning, work performance and safety, which is estimated to cost the world economy up to USD 250 billion. The DOT Glasses solution fulfils 6 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for which the company received an award in the Business Category awarded by the Association of Social Responsibility. In addition to its direct impact on health, the DOT Glasses solution reduces poverty, helps with affordable education, contributes to job creation and, by targeting socially disadvantaged users, helps reduce social and gender inequalities.

“The business associated with DOT Glasses is fully sustainable. The business is built “to make a profit” and reinvesting these profits will help us grow faster and help more people. That’s what makes us different from other non-profit organisations, which rely on the amount of funding they receive,” says Philip Staehelin, explaining the business aspect of the project. In India, for example, in addition to local government authorities, charities, eye clinics, hospitals and doctors, retail chains and small shops, a number of potential local entrepreneurs have also joined the project. Thanks to micro-loans, these can include non-working women and families living below the poverty line to generate much-needed income. Thanks to this innovative Czech company, the number of people with poor eyesight who do not have enough money to buy traditional glasses is already decreasing in a number of countries. You can read more about these unique glasses here.

Czech experts helping with solutions to contaminated area in Batumi, Georgia

The project “Rehabilitation of an old refinery area in Batumi” under the auspices of Czech Development Agency (CzDA) and within the Program for Foreign Development Cooperation with Georgia was initiated in November of 2021 and is scheduled to finish in May 2023. The aim of the project is to contribute to the reduction of threats to both environment and population in the area of an old oil refinery in the Batumi harbor.

The area of an old refinery in Batumi is located to the northeast of the city center, near a residential area. From the westside, the old refinery area is bordered by the Black Sea coastline. The area surrounding the refinery is predominantly abandoned. Whole area of the old refinery can be characterized as a tremendous ecological burden that has neither been examined, nor evaluated. Autonomous Republic of Adjara has great interest in rehabilitating the refinery grounds and using it for further development of the city of Batumi.

The aim of this project is to provide assistance and know-how of Czech experts to relevant Georgian institutions in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. The first phase of the project consists of a detailed contamination survey. Based on results of these surveys, sources of contamination will be identified, and an analysis of ecological and health-related risks will be drawn up. Further, basic target parameters will be devised in order to be able to undertake corrective measures and thus remove, or at least reduce to acceptable levels, health and environmental risks in the area so that the area can be utilized in the future.

The second phase of the project is concerned with pilot testing the remediation methods and drawing up a feasibility study of possible variants of corrective measures. The most optimal variant will be part of the Project documentation on corrective measures which serves as basis for remediation of the said area. The remediation works themselves will be undertaken by the Georgian partners.

An integral part of the project is the capacity building of local experts, who will actively take part in all phases of the project implementation, including field works. Additionally, expert training(s) and a final workshop for the professional part of the public are to be organized as well.

Our Georgian partner, who provides direct support during the project implementation and simultaneously co-finances the project, is the Ministry of Finance and Economy of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. The project is also monitored and supported by the Czech Embassy in Georgia. The project implementer is DEKONTA, a.s., a Czech company with vast expertise in remediation of old ecological damages and participation in foreign development cooperation projects.

PF 2022

Dear partners, dear friends,

On behalf of the Czech Development Agency, let us wish you a peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year 2022.

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