ABOUT

SAIS 2

SAIS 2 is a regional initiative that supports the growth of new businesses through strengthening innovation ecosystems and promotion of cross-border collaboration between innovation role-players in Southern Africa. The Programme focuses on strengthening early-stage enterprises and young entrepreneurs, connecting innovation ecosystems, and promoting innovations serving socially or economically disadvantaged populations. The overall objective of SAIS 2 is “enhanced regional innovation cooperation and national innovation systems contributing to inclusive business and development”. SAIS 2 will run for four years from 2017-2021. The programme activities are managed by a Programme Management Office (SAIS 2 PMO) located in Windhoek, Namibia and hosted by the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology. The SAIS 2 PMO is supported by national Focal Points which are the national organisations mandated to promote and coordinate Science Technology and Innovation (STI) in the five SAIS 2 partner countries.

...enhanced regional innovation cooperation and national innovation systems contributing to inclusive business and development.

SAIS 2

RESULT AREAS

The programme strengthens the operation and connectivity of local and regional innovation ecosystems through an approach that integrates three main components (i) SAIS 2 Innovation Fund (ii) capacity building, and (iii) knowledge and networking into activities delivered as interlinked projects under three SAIS 2 Result Areas.

INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY

Institutional Capacity for Regional Cooperation - improved capacity of institutions and innovation support organisations in terms of expertise and delivery to support private sector innovation and enterprise development.

INNOVATION IN ENTERPRISES

Innovation in Enterprises - improved capacity of early-stage enterprises and start-ups to enter new markets with new and/or improved products, processes and services.

INCLUSIVE INNOVATION

Inclusive Innovation – improved capacity of innovation support organisations and entrepreneurs to develop new and/or improved products, processes and services with and for socially and economically excluded communities.

Finland

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

 The MFA’s role is to administer public funds provided by the Government of Finland so that they are used according to established policies and goals. The MFA ensures that:

  • the Programme is progressing according to the approved work plans; 
  • funds are used according to the agreements and the budget; and 
  • established procedures and regulations are followed.

SAIS

DOCUMENTS

About SAIS2 brochure
SAIS 2 Programme Document

SAIS 2

PMO

SAIS 2 is managed by the Programme Management Office (PMO), based in Windhoek, Namibia.

The PMO is a team comprising of a  Lead Expert, a Programme Director, International Programme Officer, Regional Programme Officer, Communications Officer and Finance & Administration Officer.

The PMO is hosted by the National Commission for Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) of Namibia which is  both the Focal Point for Namibia as per the intergovernmental agreement signed between the MFA and the Ministry of Higher Education and Technology and Innovation of Namibia (MHETI).


SAIS 2

SUPERVISORY BOARD

The Supervisory Board (SVB) is the decision-making body of SAIS2.  The SVB provides strategic guidance and support for Programme implementation, and is the highest decision-making and advisory body. It, inter alia, oversees and advises the Programme and ensures it remains on course; reviews and approves programme work plans, budgets, annual progress and financial reports; approves the Evaluation Committee members; approves strategic changes; and arbitrates any conflicts within the Programme. 

SAIS 2

FOCAL POINTS

The Focal Points (FPs) are strategic implementing agencies in each of  SAIS 2  partner country and act as national representatives of SAIS 2 with a key role in initiating and monitoring SAIS 2 activities at country level.            

 The FPs are national innovation institutions with strong capacities for promotion, business support, identification of innovation opportunities as well as monitoring and evaluation (M&E).