NIR Programme

Sustainable Bank Management

A well-functioning financial system is essential to achieve a sustainable and inclusive economic development.

Empowering the financial sector

The existence of an efficient and credible financial market contributes to increased savings that can channel into productive investments, thereby improving the efficiency of the existing capital resources. An efficient capital stock generates more production and thus higher incomes. In short, a well-functioning financial market has potential to promote higher standards of living for the population. Hence, the development of financial markets and institutions is key to achieving economic progress in developing countries.

The Sustainable Bank Management Programme provides capacity development for professionals within the financial sector. The programme promotes sustainable and inclusive economic development in countries with potential to increase the level of international economic integration, access to banking, insurance and financial services. The programme is implemented in Cuba since 2017.

Approach

In order to strengthen the financial sector and its capacity to contribute to an integrated and effective financial system, professionals are offered a six-week full-time training. The course curriculum includes an overview of areas that are essential for the overall understanding of international trade and banking and the strategic development of banks, such as macroeconomics, monetary policy, marketing management, strategic analysis and leadership as well as human resource management.

Several educational modules cover subjects such as risk management, international trade, international banking and related systems, credit processes including creditworthiness analysis and credit risk management.

Theoretical classes are illustrated by practical reference cases adapted to local context, exercises, group discussions and workshops. In addition to the theoretical training, comprehensive case studies are developed by the participants. So far, these case studies have resulted in the launch of new lending products and various new processes and strategies, strengthened routines and financial market propositions. The programme is funded by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

Supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Bank Management Programme contributes to strengthening the capacity of domestic financial institutions and to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all, which relates to SDG 8:10.

Additional information

For more information, please contact Programme Director Maria Rindeskär, telephone number +46 8 783 82 93.

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UP!

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UPSKILLING OF UNION SHOP STEWARDS

A lack of enabling environment for social dialogue at the workplace level, despite the provision of legislative acts that protect and promote workplace cooperation is a reoccuring issue  in Kenya. To implement good policy there must be a fertil ground.

Therefore SWP developed the UP!  project. Together with Swedish companies as an entry point, and with unions i South africa and Kenya. 

In Kenya SWP created the SWP UP! Programme targeting skills development of the union Shop Stewards from 18 companies in the Automotive sector in Kenya during 2021. As a result, the Stewards were able to use their skills to build trust and cooperation with management in new ways to avoid conflicts. 

A second cohort of training, in close cooperation with union AUKMW, takes place in 2022.

The training allows shop stewards to step out of their daily routines and understand their role and the purpose of their union, understand the labour market context, the laws that regulate relationships and the business itself. But on a human level, many shop stewards also highlighted that they feel respected as human beings, and that they have developed the skills to engage with supervisors and management and experience respect in professional relations. The experiences had deeply impressed them and helped to project the vision of dialogue and mutual respect and their own potential as a means to change workplaces.

The intervention of the SWP programme had a direct effect at the workplaces, where shop stewards listed several cases where they had managed to intervene and secure results in dialogue with management, avert crises or find solutions based on opportunities and the communication skills obtained during the SWP training. For the Amalgamated Metal Workers Unions in Kenya, the shop stewards pointed to how the training had enabled them to design their own strategies at the workplace in relation to supervisors and staff, and to achieve many concrete results.

Based on this shop steward upskilling, I feel confident that as a union we now have change ambassadors that will grow the industry, protect, and promote decent work principles for both the employer and the employees represented. And that disputes will be dealt with at the workplace level by though consultative dialogue.

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Rose Omamo

General Secretary
Amalgamated Union of Kenya Metal Workers

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CONTENT AND TRAININGS IN THE UP! PROJECT IN KENYA AND SOUTH AFRICA
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