Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is Supras?
- What is Supras’ vision?
- What is Supras’ strategy?
- How is Supras organized, and what about staffing and consultants?
- What is the story behind the name “Supras”?
- Where is Supras located?
- What is Supras’ profile?
- What types of services do Supras offer?
- What is the connection between Supras and CBNRM?
- Where does Supras work?
- I would like to work for Supras. How do I proceed?
- I/my company would like to collaborate with Supras. How do I/we proceed?
- How can I/we contact Supras?
1. What is Supras?
We provide advisory and research services in a number of areas and sectors, including: Capacity building, information and communication technologies (ICTs) and development, institutional analysis, knowledge management, natural resource management, networking, participatory approaches, social analysis (incl. social assessment and stakeholder analysis), and strategic communication. There is a focus on social and cultural aspects of natural resource management, specifically as regards coastal zone management, fisheries, pastoralism, rangelands, and wetlands. Among the issues we address in NRM are: Biodiversity conservation, common property resource management (CPRs), community-based natural resource management (CBNRM), conflict management, and legal reform. It is fundamental to our way of operating to collaborate closely with all relevant stakeholders in civil society, private sector, and public sector. There is presently an emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Supras is incorporated in Norway (see Question 4).
Related page: About
2. What is Supras’ vision?
Analysis, management, production, dissemination, and use of relevant knowledge for natural resource management, with local people, for local people and by local people, towards addressing perceived problems in the poverty-environment nexus, locally and globally.
Related page: Vision
3. What is Supras’ strategy?
The strategy is an operationalization of the Vision. It is, furthermore, developed in close collaboration with the Community-Based Natural Resource Management Network (for details see below on the connection between Supras and CBNRM). Local people – that is, the beneficiaries – are the key stakeholder category to approach and get involved. The goal with the overall engagement is, on the one hand, increased participation and, on the other hand, capacity- and network-building. Underlying this engagement is a concern with sharing, inclusion, transparency and networking.
Related page: Strategy
4. How is Supras organized, and what about staffing and consultants?
Supras is a sole proprietorship, owned by Lars T. Soeftestad. It was registered in the Norwegian Business Register in 2000 (reg. no.: 981 533 003). Supras is maintaining a roster of independent consultants located in a number of developing countries. In addition, the more than 500 members of the Community-Based Natural Resource Management Network (CBNRM Net), located in almost 100 countries, constitute a global network of experts in natural resource management that can be called upon (see Question 9).
Related pages: Organization | Staff and consultants
5. What is the story behind the name “Supras?”
This is one long and checkered story. It spans two continents, three countries, and more than three decades, and is linked to such varied entities as: Academia, the automotive industry, colleagues, consulting, friends, Latin, and Marxism.
Related page: History
6. Where is Supras located?
Supras is based in Kristiansand, a city located on the southern coast of Norway.
Related page: Location
7. What is Supras’ profile?
Supras emphasizes inter-disciplinary work and has a cross-cultural focus. Key approaches and tools include: (1) Natural resource management (NRM), (2) Culture, civil society and institutions, (3) Social analysis, (4) Networks and networking, (5) Conflicts and conflict management, (6) Information and communication technologies (ICTs), (7) Knowledge management, and (8) Strategic communication.
Related page: Profile
8. What types of services do Supras offer?
The following services are offered: (1) ICT-based networking, specifically for communities of practice, (2) Operational work in connection with preparation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of development projects, (3) Publishing (covers newsletter and paper series, websites, and blogging), (4) Research on, inter alia, culture, ICTs and development, language and communication, networking, NRM, and strategic communication, (5) Training and capacity-building, and (6) Webservices.
Related page: Services
9. What is the connection between Supras and CBNRM / CBNRM Net?
Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) is a key concern of Supras. This dates back to when Supras’s owner Lars T. Soeftestad worked for the World Bank and set up the Community-Based Natural Resource Management Network (CBNRM Net) in connection with training and capacity-building activities in NRM. The Network is now managed by “CBNRM Networking,” a Norwegian non-profit that collaborates closely with Supras (see Question 4).
Related pages: CBNRM Net | CBNRM Networking
10. Where does Supras work?
Speaking specifically with reference to project-related and operational work, Supras is working in Africa, specifically West Africa and Central Africa (both Francophone and Anglophone countries), as well as in South Asia.
Related page: Projects
11. I would like to work for Supras. How do I proceed?
Send us an email and write a little about yourself. If we come to an agreement you will be added to the Supras roster of consultants.
Related page: Contact
12. I/my company would like to collaborate with Supras. How to proceed?
Write us with your ideas, and let us discuss what kind of synergies we can develop!
Related page: Contact
13. How can I/we contact Supras?
The Contact page contains necessary contact information. We look forward to hearing from you!
Related page: Contact