Economic development
New Frontier has significant experience in economic and regional development and private sector development, and has carried out consulting engagements for the European Union, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank. This work has involved implementing economic development studies and service programmes, research and feasibility work, diagnostics of Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs), cluster feasibility work, SME partnering and trade enhancement, as well as monitoring and evaluation work.
Examples of our recent work
Three quarters of Vanuatu’s 47,000 households live in rural areas, where only one in six rural homes, less than half of the schools (42%), only one in four health facilities and very few businesses have some self-generated electricity. At 17%, rural household electrification in Vanuatu is among the lowest in the world and reveals a significant 'energy poverty' challenge. The study 'Private-Public Partnership (PPP) for access to renewable energy in rural areas of Vanuatu' was launched by the Bizclim programme following a request from the Vanuatu Government to the BizClim Facility for technical assistance in this area. The study aimed at defining a PPP framework for enabling rural tourism operators to access renewable energy. The project has targeted achieving four key results, including the development of a 3-pronged PPP model to provide support for different levels of energy access.
New Frontier Services staff were appointed to lead the first Structural Funds ex-ante evaluation of the 2007-2013 programming period. This ex-ante evaluation of the Bulgarian Competitiveness OP included management of the evaluation of the energy component of the Operational Programme.
NFS staff were appointed as part of a team to provide the European Commission with a forward looking analysis and strategy on Africa's energy security and to identify areas where Africa and Europe can work together to improve Africa's energy security. The study’s intent was to serve as a tool for the Commission and its partners in the further implementation of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership. The work involved addressing Africa's energy security situation and suggesting what the EU can do within the framework of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership. The analysis/strategy included issues such as Africa's current energy balance, including energy sources, conversion, transmission, distribution and end uses, access levels to energy services, and Africa's energy trade with other countries, such as USA, European countries, China and India.
Involved reviewing challenges faced by these small island economies and relevance of the programme of assistance, and involved desk review and analysis in many sectors and limited fieldwork. The work included:
      •Review of the programming, formulation and implementation experience (SPDs, PIFs, FPs, FAs, etc.) and experience under the respective EDF aid regimes (budget support and project approval)

      •Review of OCT programmes in diverse sectors (infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, food, health, environment)