News from International Consulting |
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A thriving private sector is the engine of inclusive economic growth — generating jobs, raising incomes, and driving innovation. At NIRAS, we help unlock this potential by strengthening markets, enabling enterprise growth, and reforming the systems that support trade and investment. Our work spans the full ecosystem: from helping SMEs access finance and connect to value chains, to advising governments on business environment reform and trade facilitation. Whether through catalytic grant funds, investment promotion strategies, or tailored technical assistance, our focus is always on delivering sustainable, scalable impact. Learn more about how we do it in our new Capability Statement on Private Sector Development and Trade. |
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| Read the CapStat |
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Staff highlight |
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NIRAS Poland's Country Director Tomasz Łuczyński's recent return to the company has infused fresh energy into our Warsaw office. Tomasz’s journey is one of rediscovery — after 11 years with NIRAS, he ventured into new roles, driven by a deep curiosity and desire to grow. Those experiences proved essential, offering insights not just into his profession, but into the kind of impact he truly wants to make. Now back at NIRAS, leading our International Consulting office, Tomasz sees his influence clearly — through the projects he helps shape and the collaborative spirit he fosters across a deeply connected team. |
| Meet Tomasz |
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What we're learning in the Sahel matters far beyond it. In fragile and conflict-affected settings, good data can mean the difference between reactive aid and effective, lasting solutions. In this blog post, two NIRAS colleagues share our work in the Lake Chad Basin, which shows how localised insights and inclusive analysis can directly inform peacebuilding and policy decisions. The lessons from this approach are highly relevant for any country navigating instability or transition.
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In the Liberian towns of Gbahn and Totoquelleh, solar power is doing far more than lighting homes—it’s illuminating possibilities. Two women entrepreneurs, Kuku Kialien and Lolia Gebissay, share how access to clean, off‑grid energy through the Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa (BGFA) (managed by Nefco with support from NIRAS and REEEP) transformed their businesses—and their lives. Kuku used to close her shop when darkness fell—now, with her solar kit, she keeps her doors open longer and attracts more customers. Lolia went from dimly‑lit evenings to running a drinks shop and freezer with twice as many customers and a growing income. But the changes don’t stop at business: their children now can study after sunset, their homes feel safer, and their families are starting to dream bigger. This isn’t just about energy—it’s about empowerment. |
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Together with Syspons GmbH — which joined the NIRAS family one year ago — we’re evaluating Hotspot 30, also known as “Lebenslandschaft Vorpommern – Gemeinsam mehr Natur wagen”. This five-year flagship rewilding project on Germany’s Baltic coast restores wetlands, trials climate-smart farming, and puts local communities at the centre of nature recovery. Our joint expertise in ecology and evaluation helps ensure the project delivers measurable ecological and socio-economic impact, supporting Germany’s national strategy on nature-based solutions. |
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Phase 2 of the Markets and Seeds Access Project (MASAP II) is officially underway! Funded by Swiss Development Cooperation, MASAP II builds on proven strategies from its first phase to support 60,000 smallholder households with climate-resilient agriculture. With a strong focus on women’s inclusion and farmer-led innovation, the programme aims to boost food security, incomes, and policy implementation in rural areas. With NIRAS leading implementation in Zambia, MASAP II is delivered through a consortium aiming to create resilient, inclusive farming systems. |
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After four years of dedicated work, we’re concluding our Waste Governance Technical Assistance Project in Lebanon. This initiative supported the EU Delegation in Beirut in driving structural reforms in the country’s solid waste management sector. Our work facilitated national stakeholder dialogue and delivered key outputs, including project briefs, technical notes, and a flagship study that lays out a roadmap for EU engagement, tackling core issues such as inadequate infrastructure, limited data, and public distrust — paving the way for a more sustainable and effective SWM system in Lebanon. |
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As part of the GIZ-commissioned 3R Programme to Protect the Marine Environment (3RproMar) programme, we piloted a multi-pronged plastic waste reduction strategy in Guimaras, Philippines. Over 29 months, we assessed the province’s waste system, introduced separate plastic collection, partnered with recyclers, and repurposed a facility to turn plastic into lumber. The project empowered local communities and informal waste workers through training, behaviour-change campaigns, and incentive schemes — laying the foundation for a scalable, circular approach to plastic waste management. |
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We’re pleased to share that the three competitive grants under the Biodiversity Challenge Funds (BCFs) have recently awarded a new round of impactful projects.
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Darwin Plus has awarded 43 new grants under Round 13 and Darwin Plus Local Round 5, supporting conservation and climate resilience across the UK’s Overseas Territories. These projects range from managing a unique cloud forest ecosystem to training young conservationists in Montserrat.
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The Darwin Initiative, through Round 31, continues to support projects in low- and middle-income countries that conserve biodiversity, reduce poverty, and address climate change.
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The Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) Challenge Fund has announced high-value projects under Round 11, driving efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade while supporting livelihoods in developing countries.
As part of our commitment to environment and fund management, NIRAS proudly supports the BCFs. We manage around 800 applications annually and assess the impact of over 300 active projects worldwide |
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The third webinar from the Global Gender-Smart Fund (GGSF) five-part series on advancing gender-inclusive finance through actionable insights is coming up. The webinar (Gender-Responsive Products) is scheduled for 18/11 with two time slots to accommodate global participants. |
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“I believe people have the right intentions and want to do the right thing. I’m willing to accept some risk on that basis because trust brings far greater benefits compared to its opposite, which is control.” |
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For 25 years, Carsten Toft Boesen has been at the helm as CEO, guiding NIRAS through strategic change and remarkable growth. When he joined in 1985, the company was about 250‑strong. Today, he leads a global group of some 3,000 consultants, experts and changemakers. In this interview, Carsten highlights culture as a core feature of NIRAS. He emphasises autonomy, inclusiveness and flexibility as the hallmarks of an organisation built on trust — and insists those values are what allow NIRAS to respond agilely to both challenges and opportunities. Read the full profile and interview with Carsten — the person, the leader, the company shaper/ |
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