Technical Assistance

Photo: G. Frank, India. The EMI team reviews the feasibility concept with the Christian Dental College leadership. EMI's comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to non-profit technical assistance can be a tremendous benefit as a charity plans for development.

Are you seeking technical assistance to express your vision for Christian ministry?

EMI sends teams of design professionals around the world to assist Christian charities on-location in the areas of architecture, engineering, surveying, construction management and more—all on a not-for-profit basis.

Begin a Technical Assistance Pre-Application. This is the way to start a conversation with EMI about ‘designing a world of hope’ with your project!

Begin an EMI Technical Assistance Pre-Application

This simple, four-part Pre-Application introduces your project and its technical needs to EMI. No application fee or special materials are required; estimated time requirement is 30 minutes.

Requirements

Development projects are usually the largest capital investment a Christian ministry will make—it is so critical to plan them well and get professional advice. EMI is a network of architects, engineers, surveyors, and other design professionals who donate their services. Since 1982, EMI has sent teams of design professionals to assist ministries in over 90 different countries.

On each project, the host ministry receives professional services from an EMI team at a fraction of the cost normally associated with services of this nature. Over the years, EMI has mobilised project teams over 1300 times—each time with the aim to enable a Christian ministry to steward their resources successfully as they pursue their God-given vision.

EMI’s not-for-profit design and planning services are available for approved projects. The following are general requirements for receiving not-for-profit assistance from EMI:

Helping the poor. Demonstrate to EMI how the project will minister to the needs of the poor, the vulnerable, or the under-privileged of the community.
Advancing the gospel of Christ. Demonstrate to EMI that there is an ongoing advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ in word or deed, and how the project will advance this.
Property ownership. Demonstrate to EMI that the property where the project will be built is owned by the ministry, or owned by the ministry’s partner, or controlled through a long-term lease, with the relevant documentation.
Project funding. Demonstrate to EMI that there is a planned method of funding the project construction and operation.
Provide hospitality for the EMI team. The in-country expenses of an EMI team must be provided by the host ministry for the duration of the visit. This includes basic meals, simple lodging, local transportation, and security & translation (as necessary).
Involve local design professionals. Whenever possible, the ministry will share professional contacts from their network in the country / region where the project is located. EMI’s desired outcome is that a minimum of two local design professionals become members of the EMI team.
Reimburse Project Leader’s travel costs. The full travelling costs of the EMI Project Leader must be reimbursed by the host ministry. In most cases, this will include an international round-trip economy-class airfare from the Project Leader’s EMI location to the project location.
Pay a portion of the project design cost. The host ministry must agree to pay a portion of the project design cost to EMI. This design cost assessed by EMI is based on your project type, scope, size, and duration.