| Last updated on October 25, 2007 |
The Foundation for Sustainable Development supports the efforts of grassroots development organizations in the Global South that are working to better their communities, environments, and the economic opportunities around them. We believe lasting change begins with community development and is only sustainable if it comes from and is supported by the members of these communities. Also, through our programs, we aim to raise international awareness of the economic challenges in developing countries and support cross-cultural communities in finding more effective solutions to development issues.
Description:
FSD Initiatives
Our programs provide comprehensive development training, immersion, and the opportunity for participants to design and implement collaborative projects with the help of a Site Team and their host organization. Students as well as professionals have the opportunity to work in the following subject areas: Micro-enterprise/Microfinance, Health, Environment, Youth and Education, Women’s Empowerment, Community Development, Human Rights and Appropriate Technology.
FSD Opportunities
Internship Program: FSD’s internship program serves students and young professionals looking to gain international development experience and training while making a sustainable impact on an underserved community abroad. The internship program commonly acts as a catalyst for students to build a career in development or strengthen applications for graduate programs. Also, some interns simply want to serve a community abroad, while gaining a tangible understanding of grassroots development. Regardless of motivation, FSD encourages participation from those who boldly wish to become a catalyst for change in the developing world.
Pro Corps Volunteering: This program is designed to effectively transfer skills from experienced professionals to our partner organizations and the communities they serve. Typically, Long-Term Pro Corps Volunteers (9+ weeks) develop projects geared toward assessing organizations and their programs to find more efficient methods of project implementation and resource usage. Shorter-term volunteers (4-8 weeks) generally work toward building greater capacity at an organization and with its employees.
Short-Term Volunteering: Offers professionals, students, and retirees an opportunity to observe and support an international organization while staying within a strict time schedule. Many volunteers simply want to use their vacation time immersing themselves in a foreign culture and helping to empower underserved communities, instead of traveling and experiencing the culture from a distance.
Program Highlights
Orientation (one week) – You’ll begin your program with a group of 3-8 other participants. The FSD Site Team will help you acclimate to your new surroundings and deliver a variety of activities and educational sessions to prepare you for the work ahead. Throughout your program, the Site Team will be there to support you and ensure your safety.
Accommodation –You will live individually with host families for at least the first 8 weeks. These accommodations allow full immersion into the local language and culture, while providing a chance to form relationships with an extended family and community.
Host Organization – Your work setting will be a locally managed FSD host organization that fits your skills and interests. The first step will be to familiarize yourself with the staff to gain a full understanding of the resources, people, and projects currently in progress. Typically, you will be the only FSD participant placed with the organization to ensure immersion during your work. From here you’ll shape and initiate specific project work in collaboration with your organization and the FSD Site Team.
Development Training – All of FSD’s programs provide development training, which supports you with a series of tools to maximize your project work and your understanding of sustainable development principles. Initially, you’ll learn the most pressing issues and initiatives in the region. Regular group sessions and a midterm retreat will offer you the chance to process the work you are involved with and share insight to cross-cultural issues. During development trainings, you will learn to: • Critically observe your surroundings • Perform an effective needs assessment • Build partnerships and assemble key community members (community mapping) • Design and manage a cohesive work plan that reflects realistic and sustainable objectives • Prepare a persuasive grant proposal • Facilitate sustainable project work • Complete a sustainability plan that synopsizes your accomplishments and guides the organization and future interns on how to continue your work
Grant Writing – Once you’ve jointly prepared a work plan, you and the organization will be given a $200 seed grant to support its implementation. If additional funds are integral to your project work, FSD offers a grant competition. To be involved, you will participate in grant writing training and, subsequently, write a grant proposal to FSD. Grants are awarded to projects that best exemplify sustainable practices and approaches.
History:
The Foundation for Sustainable Development was founded in 1995 to support the efforts of local development organizations working to improve the welfare of the people living in their communities. FSD provides these grassroots organizations with human resources, financial resources, and technical assistance. Our primary goal is to increase their capacity to serve their communities. In striving to achieve this goal, other benefits emerge: we raise awareness of the challenges faced by those in the developing world, we train the development leaders of tomorrow, and we facilitate increased cross-cultural understanding.
Contact people:
Main office number: (415) 283-4873
Office fax number: (415) 283-4873
Address:
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517 Potrero Ave Suite B
San Francisco, CA 94110
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.fsdinternational.org
Directions:
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Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: 16th & Mission,
Walk distance (in minutes): 15
Nearest Bus Stop: 33/ 16th & Potrero, 5 minute walk |
Miscellaneous Information
| Besides English, which languages are spoken at your agency? |
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Spanish
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| What is the minimum age for volunteers at your agency? |
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18
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| Is your agency wheelchair accessible? |
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Yes
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| Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 10? |
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Yes
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| Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 20? |
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Yes
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