1 WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A CONSULTANT IN EU FUNDING THE BULGARIAN EXAMPLE – RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Skopje, November 10, 2009

2 COMPULSORY CONDITION The consultant should have a very thorough knowledge of: Program documents, including European and local regulations, including the control regulations – for example regarding the Rural Development Program the documents are: Regulations 1968, 1975, 1974, National Strategic Plan for Rural Development, National Program for Rural Development, State Ordinances of the Different Measures, Manuals, Q & A, etc. The administration that governs the process of payments of EU funds – for example Competent Authority, Managing Authority, Paying Agency, Control Environment, Procedures, etc. Finance, economics, business planning, industry knowledge, project management, etc. The consultant should have enough recourses including manpower and technical equipment to complete the services. Skopje, November 10, 2009

3 NECESSARY CONDITION The consultant should be able on a competitive base to find and attract clients for its activities. Lobbyism helps only of the first condition is in place. Only lobbyism will not do the job – sometimes it is called corruption. It takes time to place yourself at the relevant market. The practical experience is probably the other very important condition to become a good consultant. At the end, you have to be a believer and do this with passion. Skopje, November 10, 2009

4 HOW USAID PROJECTS CAN HELP THE FUTURE CONSULTANTS Being part of USAID funded projects is already a very good start – use the “know-how” of your current work in the future – project management, reporting, internal control system, planning, education, training, etc. USAID funded projects can design their current projects in compliance with the future potential sustainability of the local consultants – provide the necessary specialized trainings, give opportunities to project staff to start providing some independent consulting services without creating conflict of interest with the current projects, etc. Skopje, November 10, 2009

5 VOCA CONSULT EXPERIENCE IN BECOMING SUCCESSFUL CONSULTING COMPANY ACDI/VOCA assistance in agribusiness – the project provided TA to the Bulgarian agriculture for over 10 years starting from basic farming practices to modern food processing technologies and food safety standards. ACDI/VOCA built a client database of over 500 companies. The story of VOCA Consult – in 2003 the successor organization of ACDI/VOCA was created. Very difficult start. Very challenging to convince the former clients of ACDI/VOCA to pay for the services of VOCA Consult. USAID assistance – the biggest help was the know-how provided during the agri project – project management, project implementation, project accounting and reporting. Plus the client base which probably is the most important factor. Lessons learned – after the phase out of the USAID project you don’t have to rely on direct USAID support. It did not happened in Bulgaria. Skopje, November 10, 2009

6 CONTACT INFORMATION Emil Darev Telephone: Mobile phone: Skopje, November 10, 2009

7 THANK YOU FOR THE ATTENTION! Skopje, November 10, 2009