Upcoming Events

The North-South Institute for International Business, Trade and Sustainable Systems (NSI) is a 501(c) 3 multidisciplinary group whose objective is to promote sustainable development systems and foster eco-economic development of small farmers, rural small businesses, home makers and semi-rural and peri-urban communities, orphanages, and immigrants. Its activities target the developing sectors of the southern United States and emerging markets of selected countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. The implementation strategy involves the empowerment and enhancement of the capabilities of individuals, organizations, and industry through education, training, consultancy, research and policy analysis, and asset acquisition towards the development sustainable livelihoods and improved quality of life.

The Institute uses two business units in the delivery of its programs:

• The Center for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development (CEED) providing research, technical assistance, training and outreach, and
• First Development Capital Fund (FDCF), providing financial and risk management services to clients.

In its program implementation it focuses on services in the past to over 3,000 clients (Rural Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), small family farms, marginalized women, youth and the elderly, new American farmers, Women in Business, Veterans in Small Business, Farmers-in-the Middle (Caucasian Farmers in-transition).

The services provided were in the following areas:

• Enterprise Development and Financial Literacy,
• Entrepreneurship and Business Mentoring,
• International Trade and Marketing,
• Agricultural and Sustainable Development,
• Risk Management,
• Small Business Financing and Microfinance (Loan, Guaranteed and Grant Financing),
• Rural Development (Affordable Housing Acquisition, Basic Rural Health, Sanitation and Hygiene Advising, Literacy, and Poverty Alleviation),
• Research and Education,
• Training and Outreach,
• Leadership, Management, and Professional Development.