On-the-ground expertise. Where the needs are.

Technical Assistance

50+ years of operational support — from diagnostic to implementation, for MSMEs and competent authorities in agri-food value chains.

Serving MSMEs, competent authorities, professional organisations (BMOs) and donor partners.
50+ years of experience
1,200 experts engaged
55 countries (Africa, Caribbean and beyond)
Tailor-made demand-driven + cost-shared
D2 · Strengthening value chains

COLEAD's Technical Assistance department analyses the needs of its partners and designs the most adapted support for each. Our structured process — from the application for support (AFS) to implementation — relies on two principles: demand-driven and cost-shared.

Three levels of Development Projects (DP) — independent learning, standard support, tailor-made — to respond to the diversity of situations. Self-assessment tools (SAS for MSMEs, R-SAT for competent authorities) anchor the intervention in the partner's reality. Serving businesses, authorities and value chains — historically in Africa and the Caribbean, opening up to other regions.

Our 5-step operational support approach

  1. Apply

    AFS — online form to identify needs and priorities.

  2. Analyse

    Multi-stakeholder analysis of the request, SAS or R-SAT self-assessment.

  3. Design

    Design of the Development Project (DP) most adapted to the partner.

  4. Implement

    Operational deployment based on the DP type chosen.

  5. Monitor

    Continuous monitoring, reporting and evaluation of results.

Our 3 levels of technical support

1. Independent Learning (ILP)

Access to COLEAD's resources and network, voluntary SAS self-assessment

MSMEs in exploration or start-up phase

2. Standard Support (SSP)

ILP + collective training and tailor-made post-training support

MSMEs and authorities with identified needs

3. Tailor-Made Project (TMP)

SSP + individual coaching and tailor-made technical assistance

MSMEs and authorities with advanced specific needs

Our 2 principles of on-the-ground intervention

Demand-driven

The need is expressed by the partner, not imposed by the donor. The AFS and self-assessment ensure the intervention is grounded in field reality.

Cost-shared

The partner contributes to financing the intervention. An essential condition for engagement, ownership and sustainability.

Resources and entry points

  • Apply for technical support (AFS)

    Submit your online application to identify your needs
  • SAS self-assessment for agri-MSMEs

    Self-assessment tool for MSMEs
  • R-SAT self-assessment for competent authorities

    Self-assessment tool for competent authorities
  • Discover our programmes

    COLEAD's flagship programmes
  • Become a partner

    For donors and value chain support organisations