In 2001 USAID created the Global Development Alliance to forge a closer relationship with the private sector and non-governmental organizations in providing U.S. foreign assistance, and to leverage the resources, expertise and creativity found in those areas. A GDA mobilizes the ideas, efforts and resources of businesses, civil society and government by building public-private alliances that help a country to stimulate its economic growth, develop businesses and workforces, address health and environmental issues, and expand access to education and technology.

Three months ago, USAID/Ukraine posted a notice on www.grants.gov requesting applications for public/private partnerships on GDA projects that would benefit Ukraine in specific areas of economic and social development and health improvement. The USAID Mission in Ukraine is inviting private companies, foundations, NGOs, and individuals to become alliance partners.

Beginning now and continuing through November 15, we are accepting and evaluating proposals on a competitive basis for projects to last up to three years. We are looking for innovative and creative approaches to projects to help Ukraine in the areas of: Local Government and Community Development; Local Economic Development, including SME Development; Public/Civic Education; Media Partnerships; Human Capacity Development; Energy Efficiency, including energy efficiency in the industrial sector; Health (especially Healthy Life Style, Maternal and Infant/Child Health, Family Planning/Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS, TB); Agriculture; Welfare of Vulnerable Groups; and Increased Use of Information Technology.

USAID is particularly interested in receiving applications with the involvement of the Ukrainian Diaspora. We believe that organizations and companies that are part of the Ukrainian community in the U.S. have invaluable experience and knowledge of Ukraine, which would make them strong partners for pursuing Ukraine’s development goals.

Our potential alliance partners are expected to bring significant new resources, ideas, technologies, and/or partners to assist Ukraine in the areas where USAID/Ukraine is currently working. We require that you be able to match resources 1:1. However, we do not expect that individual organizations should do it alone. In fact, we encourage the formation of various partnerships, whether private/private or public/private to garner resources and develop your proposals.

For its part, USAID will provide the full range of its own resources and expertise to implement projects we are confident will have impact and help Ukraine. I urge you to take a look at the details of this GDA, which is found on our USAID/Ukraine website as well as under www.grants.gov.