To explain it simply, Grant Aid is when facilities and equipment are donated to the recipients and there is no need to repay the funds that are used.

To explain in detail, this refers to a type of support by the Japanese government in which funds are first donated to the target developing countries, and these funds are then used to provide the necessary facilities and equipment. As this is “gratis”, there is no requirement to repay the funds. Thus, this type of project tends to be conducted for countries that have relatively low income levels even compared to other developing countries.

In addition to provision of equipment, there are also projects where short-term technical knowhow transfer (Soft Components) are conducted. Consultants are involved from the planning stage, and plan the types of facilities, what equipment is necessary, and the amount of financing that will be required. After the Japanese government has approved the plan, a contract is concluded with the recipient country, and the consultant assumes the responsibility for project supervision from the bidding stage to the purchase of equipment.

Technical Cooperation is the transfer of technical knowhow to developing countries, based on their issues and needs, to improve their ability to solve their own issues. As a result of technology transfer, human resources are cultivated and the sense of ‘ownership’ of the problem solution process is increased. As this leads to development effects extending past the end of the project, independent development can be expected.

Within technical cooperation projects, Japanese technical experts are dispatched to the target countries in order to conduct direct technical knowledge transfer (Expert Dispatch). In Japan and in third countries, training of counterparts (The agencies in the target countries to which technical knowledge will be transferred) is conducted (Acceptance of technical training participants). The survey (Development Plan Survey) that supports the determination and transfer of the policy and future plan (Master Plan) is also included.

Consultants submit proposals for the projects that JICA has publicly announced, assembles the experts necessary for the project, and then conducts the project. There are some projects that required 3 – 5 years. It is a long term commitment.

ODA Loans are low interest rate loans made to developing countries. The developing countries then take the lead in utilizing these loans in order to conduct projects. Since compared to the Grant Aid, the scale of these loans is relatively high, the development effect is also large. As there is a requirement to repay these loans, they are made to upper-middle income countries.

Based on the requests of the developing country, the consultant determines a detailed plan that includes the necessary human resources, budget, materials, etc.

Also, after the approval by the Japanese government, the consultant makes a proposal in the bidding process by the borrowing country. After a successful bid a consulting contract is entered into, and based on the borrowing country’s contract, creates and supports the confirmation of the bidding document, supervises procurement, and conducts various operations including on site supervision.

Before Grant Aid, ODA Loans, or Technical Cooperation projects, the condition of the target area (Health Medical Services, Education, Agricultural Development, Aquatic Products, etc.) and issues is surveyed. This a survey to determine a draft proposal of an approach for solving the relevant issues.

As this survey is conducted by a consultant with expert knowledge and experience in the field, it is possible to form a highly effective and realistic project plan.

This is a survey based on questionnaires and data collection that is conducted on site after the conduct of a Grant Aid project, and before, during and after the conduct of a Technical Cooperation project, to confirm that the various projects have been conducted in an effective manner. If the evaluation is conducted during the conduct of a project it can be used provide advice. If the evaluation is conducted after the completion of the project it can be applied to similar projects.

There are multiple survey approaches for conducting an evaluation. Based on the special characteristics of the area and the project, the consultant chooses an effective approach. This also requires basic knowledge of the evaluation field.

This is a JICA project to provide financial support to the Japanese small and medium – sized enterprises that would like to conduct overseas business expansion, but up until now have little experience or knowhow. The purpose is to support “Businesses that contribute to the achievement of SDGs (SDG business)” and contribute to the solution of the problems facing developing countries by supporting the exports of domestic and overseas Japanese companies that have excellent products or technologies that match the development needs of developing countries.

When small and medium-sized enterprises receive funds from JICA under the JICA scheme ” Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Support Project”, the consultant will use the overseas experience accumulated up until now, and the JICA operational experience to advice the small and medium-sized enterprises during the time of the survey.

The details of the current scheme can be found here (This goes to an overseas business expansion support link). here.