Strengthening AFD Group’s Local Presence

As Country Director in Haiti and Regional Coordinator in Eurasia, what are your respective roles?

David Bruchon:Since I took up my position in early July 2024, my mission in Haiti has taken place in a context of multifaceted crisis — institutional, political, environmental, health-related, and security-based. The operational management of the portfolio and the leadership of 38 staff members require constant engagement around continuous dialogue based on shared values, serving the Haitian state and population. A “projects” team operates in key sectors such as state reform, agriculture, health, education, and civil protection, supported by a Project Support Unit (PSU) responsible for HR, logistics, and financial functions. I also represent the institution with Haitian authorities, diplomatic posts, AFD, and donors, and contribute to portfolio development in close collaboration with the geographical department at headquarters. Strategic dialogue with authorities and development partners, as well as risk management — especially concerning security — are daily priorities.

Louise Poudret-Hardy: Since my arrival in autumn 2023, my first priority has been to enhance the visibility of Expertise France’s actions in the region, which involves representation to embassies, AFD Group colleagues, EU delegations, partner ministries, and others. I also conduct business development work in close coordination with the agency’s technical departments. My goal is to identify relevant opportunities and funding partners — generally European — to initiate new projects. I am in constant dialogue with colleagues at headquarters, AFD’s local offices, Expertise France project teams, and on-the-ground donors. For example, we were awarded an EU twinning project to strengthen the capacity of a new cultural and creative industries center in Serbia. In Türkiye, at the request of the European Union, Expertise France was entrusted with the management of a second €40 million tranche for a vocational training program targeting refugees and host communities. Finally, I support the establishment of teams in a region where, apart from Türkiye, the AFD Group’s presence is still relatively recent. Together with project teams and the Deployment Unit at headquarters, I help secure legal status, open bank accounts, sign leases, and handle all the logistical elements needed to make a project team operational.

In this context of increased business development, the role of Expertise France’s Brussels office is absolutely key. Their work deciphering EU priorities saves us a considerable amount of time. Together, we develop a nuanced understanding of available European funding instruments, allowing us to anticipate and propose targeted projects. Collaboration with other European agencies has also been strengthened thanks to the Practitioners’ Network, which Expertise France is co-chairing until May 2025.

How does the creation of this country office strengthen Expertise France’s impact in Haiti?

David Bruchon: The country office now consolidates previously scattered resources and fosters synergies among teams, thereby strengthening the sense of belonging to Expertise France while clearly demonstrating a strong will to meet population needs and align with Haitian public policies. It also acts as a point of contact for national authorities and donors. This coordination enables a coherent voice and vision, highlights ongoing projects, and helps identify new development opportunities.

What are the challenges and priorities for Expertise France in Eurasia, a region where the agency previously had a limited presence?

Louise Poudret-Hardy :The Eurasia region I cover is vast and complex, straddling two regional divisions of the AFD Group: “EU Enlargement and Neighbourhood” and “Central and Eastern Asia.” It includes the Balkans, Türkiye, Moldova, the Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan), and the five Central Asian countries—sixteen countries in total. Until 2023, Expertise France had limited activity there, with a contractual volume of around €20 million. In 2024, this figure more than quadrupled to €99 million.

Outside of Ukraine, about a hundred staff members are currently active in the region, mainly through project teams and international technical experts. The thematic areas are very diverse: social protection, innovation, green economy, governance, energy sector reforms, vocational training, and more.

The diversity of the region is both an asset and a challenge. The increase in activity and requests clearly shows that Expertise France is now in demand. My work, at the crossroads of the AFD Group’s dynamics, European funders, and local partners, is to amplify the voice of a committed French public agency.

Our priorities revolve around two main axes. The first concerns countries in the EU neighbourhood and enlargement zones (from the Balkans to the Caucasus), with a strong focus on reform support and convergence with European standards — a kind of technical support to EU accession in sometimes politically unstable contexts. The second strategic pillar is Central Asia. There, Expertise France supports domestic reforms and regional connectivity, especially through the Team Europe initiative on digital connectivity. This initiative aims to promote safe and inclusive access to satellite connectivity, particularly for women and youth, to support socio-economic inclusion through digital tools.

Could you share some examples of success since your arrivals?

David Bruchon: The projects bring real hope in the face of the country’s challenges. The Poto Mitan project, funded by AFD, strengthens citizens’ trust in their administration by facilitating access to public services, particularly those of the National Identification Office. The PMSAN project, funded by the EU, supports vulnerable populations in three departments through support for agricultural producers and community actors. It promotes sustainable food systems, malnutrition prevention, and local coordination around public services, thereby increasing the territories’ ability to respond to crises.

Louise Poudret-Hardy: In Central Asia, we are working in partnership with GIZ on a Global Gateway proposal to strengthen government capacities for developing a more efficient and harmonised customs, trade, and transport environment around the Trans-Caspian transport corridor. Expertise France will support the modernisation of this corridor through improved governance mechanisms, asset management, pricing, and public-private partnerships. In Moldova, we organised a high-level joint mission with our colleagues from the Brussels office, two department directors from Expertise France, and AFD. We met several ministers and jointly identified cooperation areas in governance, social protection, and security.

Statements collected in May 2025