Countries and Projects
Countries and Projects
Our priority countries are Bangladesh, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea representative of South Asia South-East Asia, and Melanesia geographies.
XSPI has three dedicated working groups with focus in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The Working Groups are the engine for XSPI’s output, offering a platform to establish strategic partnerships and identify and develop new project opportunities.
Our priority countries are Bangladesh, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea representative of South Asia South-East Asia, and Melanesia geographies.
XSPI has three dedicated working groups with focus in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The Working Groups are the engine for XSPI’s output, offering a platform to establish strategic partnerships and identify and develop new project opportunities.
BANGLADESH
BANGLADESH
Overview
Over the years, Bangladesh has continuously strived forward with strong development outcomes. Starting out as one of the poorest nations in the world it is now likely to attain middle-income status by 2031.
For Bangladesh to stay on track it is crucial that it continues to create more jobs, build its skilled labor force, improve infrastructure and attract further private and international investment.
Project Spotlight: Sitara’s Story
Our Bangladesh Working Group has recently established a strategic partnership with Sitara’s Story, an NGO working on women’s empowerment and mental health in Bangladesh. XSPI will be supporting Sitara’s Story in their program strategy development and identifying tactical project opportunities.
Project Spotlight: World Mosquito Program
Building on the strategic partnership in Indonesia, XSPI is working with WMP to identify project opportunities in Bangladesh where the burden of dengue fever continues to rise. We are making connections between WMP and government officials as well as business sector stakeholders and potential implementation partners.
Partnership Spotlight: Bangladesh High Commission:
XSPI has a Strategic Partnership with the Bangladesh High Commisison to Australia. Together we collaborate to identify opportunities to create, catalyse and/or coalition build for new project opportunities or convene and establish coalitions representative of cross-sector development partnerships in country.
If you are interested in any of the projects we support in Bangladesh or getting involved in our working group, please contact us here.
Our Involvement
Bangladesh was chosen as our focus country in South Asia because of the significant opportunity present to deepen relationships with Australia and create impact.
This is due to moderate Australian business operations in country and stakeholder sector presence. Stakeholders are identified as largely confined to non-for-profits and through ready-made garments in the business sector. Bangladesh currently also receives the most DFAT aid funding in South Asia, driven mainly by the Cox’s Bazaar refugee camps.
Our Bangladesh Working Group is constituted with XSPI members representative across sectors with deep development and country experience. We are always on the lookout for people with knowledge or vested interest who are interested in engaging with us.
Project Spotlight: Sitara’s Story
Our Bangladesh Working Group has recently established a strategic partnership with Sitara’s Story, an NGO working on women’s empowerment and mental health in Bangladesh. XSPI will be supporting Sitara’s Story in their program strategy development and identifying tactical project opportunities.
Project Spotlight: World Mosquito Program
Building on the strategic partnership in Indonesia, XSPI is working with WMP to identify project opportunities in Bangladesh where the burden of dengue fever continues to rise. We are making connections between WMP and government officials as well as business sector stakeholders and potential implementation partners.
Partnership Spotlight: Bangladesh High Commission
XSPI has a Strategic Partnership with the Bangladesh High Commisison to Australia. Together we collaborate to identify opportunities to create, catalyse and/or coalition build for new project opportunities or convene and establish coalitions representative of cross-sector development partnerships in country.
Overview
Located within South Asia, Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with a fast-growing economy. Its largest exports are clothing and textiles, and it is also a major importer of Australian cotton.
Over the years, Bangladesh has continuously strived forward with strong development outcomes. Starting out as one of the poorest nations in the world it is now likely to attain middle-income status by 2031.
For Bangladesh to stay on track it is crucial that it continues to create more jobs, build its skilled labor force, improve infrastructure and attract further private and international investment.
Our Involvement
Bangladesh was chosen as our focus country in South Asia because of the significant opportunity present to deepen relationships with Australia and create impact.
This is due to moderate Australian business operations in country and stakeholder sector presence. Stakeholders are identified as largely confined to non-for-profits and through ready-made garments in the business sector. Bangladesh currently also receives the most DFAT aid funding in South Asia, driven mainly by the Cox’s Bazaar refugee camps.
Our Bangladesh Working Group is constituted with XSPI members representative across sectors with deep development and country experience. We are always on the lookout for people with knowledge or vested interest who are interested in engaging with us.
Interested in any of the projects we support in Bangladesh or getting involved? Contact us here.
INDONESIA
INDONESIA
Overview
While the country has made significant progress in support of the Sustainable Development Goals, it has also faced numerous challenges.
Following the Covid-19 pandemic and a deteriorating global economic situation, Indonesia continues to work towards improved social protection, health and food systems, disaster resilience and a sustainable and inclusive economy.
Our Involvement
Indonesia was chosen as our focus country in Southeast Asia because of its geographical and strategic importance to Australia.
Our two nations share a longstanding history having supported each other closely over decades. This has contributed to a strong Australian stakeholder sector presence, particularly in non-government organisations/not-for profits and within the business and government sectors.
As the second largest DFAT aid recipient the country has good visibility, allowing us to have maximum impact. Between our Advisory Council and Expert Network we have moderate expertise and are always open to those who wish to lend support.
Project Spotlight: Timor-Leste & NTT Malaria Elimination Project
XSPI co-created with Rotarians Against Malaria (RAM) Australia and the Nusa Tengarra-Timur (NTT) Provincial Health Department a province wide, scoping study and costed implementation plan supporting province-wide malaria elimination up to four years ahead of existing provincial plans.
Project Spotlight: World Mosquito Program
Our Indonesia Working Group’s flagship partnership with the World Mosquito Program (WMP) enabled their ability to develop and initiate a dengue elimination program in Bali, Indonesia. XSPI co-developed the business plan and connected WMP with local government and NGOs needed for approvals and implementation.
Project Spotlight: Nusa Tengara-Timor (NTT) Province NGO strategy
XSPI developed a project to better understand the range of development work being implemented by local NGOs in NTT province. Local NGOs were identified and surveyed and XSPI held a workshop to discuss the range of topical work, ways in which organisations were partnering and what challenges they face. Discussions are currently underway on the topics of climate action and nutrition and opportunities for XSPI to facilitate increased collaborative work between Australian and local NGOs, local government and business partners.
Project Spotlight: ESG Joint Venture
Through XSPI’s Strategic Partnerships with with the Australia Indonesia Centre and Monash University a joint venture was established, focusing on Environmental, Social and Governance strategy support for the Indonesian business sector. The ESG JV has had engagements such as supporting OJK to host a sustainable finance forum with national and foreign financial institutions as well as several energy sector representatives.
If you are interested in any of the projects we support in Indonesia or getting involved in our working group, please contact us here.
Project Spotlight: Timor-Leste & NTT Malaria Elimination Project
XSPI co-created with Rotarians Against Malaria (RAM) Australia and the Nusa Tengarra-Timur (NTT) Provincial Health Department a province wide, scoping study and costed implementation plan supporting province-wide malaria elimination up to four years ahead of existing provincial plans.
Project Spotlight: World Mosquito Program
Our Indonesia Working Group’s flagship partnership with the World Mosquito Program (WMP) enabled their ability to develop and initiate a dengue elimination program in Bali, Indonesia. XSPI co-developed the business plan and connected WMP with local government and NGOs needed for approvals and implementation.
Project Spotlight: Nusa Tengara-Timor (NTT) Province NGO strategy
XSPI developed a project to better understand the range of development work being implemented by local NGOs in NTT province. Local NGOs were identified and surveyed and XSPI held a workshop to discuss the range of topical work, ways in which organisations were partnering and what challenges they face. Discussions are currently underway on the topics of climate action and nutrition and opportunities for XSPI to facilitate increased collaborative work between Australian and local NGOs, local government and business partners.
Project Spotlight: ESG Joint Venture
Through XSPI’s Strategic Partnerships with with the Australia Indonesia Centre and Monash University a joint venture was established, focusing on Environmental, Social and Governance strategy support for the Indonesian business sector. The ESG JV has had engagements such as supporting OJK to host a sustainable finance forum with national and foreign financial institutions as well as several energy sector representatives.
Overview
Indonesia is the largest country and economy in Southeast Asia. It also has the fourth largest population in the world, lending itself to the country’s rich and diverse culture.
While the country has made significant progress in support of the Sustainable Development Goals, it has also faced numerous challenges.
Following the Covid-19 pandemic and a deteriorating global economic situation, Indonesia continues to work towards improved social protection, health and food systems, disaster resilience and a sustainable and inclusive economy.
Our Involvement
Indonesia was chosen as our focus country in Southeast Asia because of its geographical and strategic importance to Australia.
Our two nations share a longstanding history having supported each other closely over decades. This has contributed to a strong Australian stakeholder sector presence, particularly in non-government organisations/not-for profits and within the business and government sectors.
As the second largest DFAT aid recipient the country has good visibility, allowing us to have maximum impact. Between our Advisory Council and Expert Network we have moderate expertise and are always open to those who wish to lend support.
Interested in any of the projects we support in Indonesia or getting involved? Contact us here.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Overview
The PNG economy is dominated by the extractive sector, with major copper and gold mining projects, along with a growing gas sector. The abundance of natural resources and overall growth present the nation with considerable opportunity, but the rapidly increasing population, particularly in rural areas, limited infrastructure and complex governance and law and order issues pose serious developmental challenges. PNG has been challenged in its progress towards the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals, although there has been marginal improvement across maternal mortality, immunisation coverage and primary education enrolment.
Project Spotlight: CSO Sustainability Initiative
Our PNG Working Group is developing a unique project in the seven provinces of the PNG Highlands Region that will support local Civil Society Organisations (NGOs, FBO’s, CBO’s) in building sustained, locally led support for their communities, with many organisations on the frontlines of addressing food security/sustainable agriculture, impacts of climate change and violence against women.
Western Province Nutrition Project Spotlight:
XSPI, in partnership with Rotary, initiated a pilot study focused on increasing nutrition status for women and children through an initiative that both educated communities on good nutrition and taught skills in sustainable agriculture to grow nutritious foods suitable for the climate and culture. The pilot established a baseline for nutrition status and conducted interventions in selected villages while monitoring both intervention and control population nutrition status markers. The project will be looking for additional financial and partnership support to scale province wide and potentially further.
Partnership Spotlight: VAKA Health Foundation
XSPI has recently established a new strategic partnership with the VAKA Health Foundation. VAKA focuses on digital technology to increase access to healthcare and continuing education for nurses/midwives. VAKA is already well established in Africa and partnering with XSPI to introduce their programs into PNG.
If you are interested in any of the projects we support in Papua New Guinea or getting involved in our working group, please contact us here.
Our Involvement
PNG was chosen as our focus country in Melanesia because of its unique and long history with Australia, and of course its physical proximity, being Australia’s closest northern neighbour. The country was under Australian governance until 1975, lending itself to very close social and institutional connections. It is also of significant geopolitical strategic importance as the largest of the Pacific nations.
As the largest recipient of aid from DFAT, PNG boasts a substantial Australian stakeholder presence. This presence is evident across non-government organisations/non-for-profits and within the business and government sectors, with a substantial presence of Australian corporates in the extractive sector in particular.
Our PNG Working Group constitutes members with deep experience working in country that are focused on innovative ways to support PNG through new partnership and locally led development models.
Project Spotlight: CSO Sustainability Initiative
Our PNG Working Group is developing a unique project in the seven provinces of the PNG Highlands Region that will support local Civil Society Organisations (NGOs, FBO’s, CBO’s) in building sustained, locally led support for their communities, with many organisations on the frontlines of addressing food security/sustainable agriculture, impacts of climate change and violence against women.gram strategy development and identifying tactical project opportunities.
Western Province Nutrition Project Spotlight:
XSPI, in partnership with Rotary, initiated a pilot study focused on increasing nutrition status for women and children through an initiative that both educated communities on good nutrition and taught skills in sustainable agriculture to grow nutritious foods suitable for the climate and culture. The pilot established a baseline for nutrition status and conducted interventions in selected villages while monitoring both intervention and control population nutrition status markers. The project will be looking for additional financial and partnership support to scale province wide and potentially further.
Partnership Spotlight: VAKA Health Foundation
XSPI has recently established a new strategic partnership with the VAKA Health Foundation. VAKA focuses on digital technology to increase access to healthcare and continuing education for nurses/midwives. VAKA is already well established in Africa and partnering with XSPI to introduce their programs into PNG.
Overview
Papua New Guinea (PNG) sits on the eastern half of the Island of New Guinea and within the Melanesia region. With its rich and diverse culture and ethnic and tribal identities, it is the most linguistically diverse country in the world having over 850 local languages within a population of just over 10 million people.
The PNG economy is dominated by the extractive sector, with major copper and gold mining projects, along with a growing gas sector. The abundance of natural resources and overall growth present the nation with considerable opportunity, but the rapidly increasing population, particularly in rural areas, limited infrastructure and complex governance and law and order issues pose serious developmental challenges. PNG has been challenged in its progress towards the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals, although there has been marginal improvement across maternal mortality, immunisation coverage and primary education enrolment.
Our Involvement
PNG was chosen as our focus country in Melanesia because of its unique and long history with Australia, and of course its physical proximity, being Australia’s closest northern neighbour. The country was under Australian governance until 1975, lending itself to very close social and institutional connections. It is also of significant geopolitical strategic importance as the largest of the Pacific nations.
As the largest recipient of aid from DFAT, PNG boasts a substantial Australian stakeholder presence. This presence is evident across non-government organisations/non-for-profits and within the business and government sectors, with a substantial presence of Australian corporates in the extractive sector in particular.
Our PNG Working Group constitutes members with deep experience working in country that are focused on innovative ways to support PNG through new partnership and locally led development models.
Interested in any of the projects we support in Papua New Guinea or getting involved? Contact us here.