NICHE
The Netherlands Initiative for Capacity development in Higher Education (NICHE) is a Netherlands-funded development cooperation programme aimed at strengthening institutional capacity in developing countries for providing post-secondary education and training. The programme focuses on countries and sectors supported under the Dutch Bilateral Cooperation Programme.
Gender and the labour market
NICHE pays special attention to gender issues and to the link between capacity development and the needs of the labour market.
In the selected NICHE countries support is available for a range of organisations including post-secondary education institutions, ministries, national commissions and NGOs.
Requesting organisations are supported by Dutch, local and regional expertise. All projects are in line with the development policy of the recipient countries and match local priorities
Focus themes
In line with the current development policy of the Netherlands NICHE focuses on four themes:
- Water
- Food security
- Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)
- Security and the rule of Law
NICHE countries
The following Dutch partner countries currently participate in the NICHE programme:
| Bangladesh | Indonesia | South Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Benin | Kenya | Uganda |
| Ethiopia | Mozambique | Yemen |
| Ghana | Rwanda |
In the following former partner countries ongoing NICHE projects will be completed, but no new projects will be launched:
| Colombia | South Africa | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Egypt | Tanzania | Zambia |
| Guatemala |
Nuffic may explore the possibilities of initiating NICHE projects in the following countries:
| Afghanistan | Mali |
|---|---|
| Burundi |
Palestinian territories |