Congo: FJEC (Forum of young businessmen)
Favoriser l’esprit d’entreprise. The
Forum is an NGO to support economic and social initiatives in
Congo. Any Congolese in a difficult situation is concerned: from a young
man looking for a job or wanting to have his own small business to a
retiree who wishes to start a different career, or the former state
official who lost his job.
FJEC consists of several interdependent departments or « competence centres »: The ‘Urban Support Cell’ (CAU), the Rural Support Cell (CAR), the Animation and Promotion Cell (CAP), the Communication Cell called MIESL (Maison des Initiatives Economiques et Sociales Locales) and PROBA (Programme for the promotion of basic organizations). Cooperation with CAPPED is very strong as well: whereas FJEC is striving to develop enterprise spirit in Congo through its non financial services (awareness raising, training, support for management and accounting, regular visits of companies), CAPPED provides microcredits for clients who very often shared by both organizations.
FJEC essentially operates in urban areas, in the two major towns of the country (Brazzaville et Pointe-Noire) but, through CAR, it is trying to expand its activities in rural areas as well. This is difficult however, as the region is fairly isolated, transports are limited and security still is a problem in Congo.
The FJEC, with 80 employees, has become a reference in Congo as an NGO. On top of its own activities, it is often called upon by local partners (PNUD, World Bank, Embassies,...) to implement ad hoc development projects. The Forum also is one of the driving forces within the civil society of the country.
The Forum has been supported by SOS Faim Belgium since 1989 and by both SOS Faim (and the French NGO, CFSI), since 1998.
Financing: SOS Faim needs 178.000 € per year to support the Forum.
