USADF Signs Two Grants to Support the Under-Served in Liberia:

WASHINGTON - September 22, 2009  

WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 22, 2009 – In an effort to improve farmers’ livelihoods and promote food security, the United States African Development Foundation has signed two grants to benefit grassroots cooperatives  in Liberia. The grants will benefit Cole Joe Wood Workshop (CJWW) and Liberia Entrepreneurial and Asset Development (LEAD).

After reviewing the grants, newly appointed USADF Chairman Jack Leslie stated, “Funding economic development at the grassroots level is vital to USADF’s work and to the under-served people of Africa. These grants do just that – providing funding that enables grassroots groups to grow and sustain their projects and give them the means to enhance their quality of life.

Located in Buchanan, CJWW produces wood furniture and other wood products.  Through this income generation activity, the CJWW has created sustainable employment opportunities and has contributed to local economic development.   However, the enterprise is constrained due to its lack of access to electricity.  The eighteen month grant will fund training, a power generator, improved production facilities, and develop a business plan. 

LEAD is a microfinance organization based in Monrovia and currently has 812 active members, 70% of whom are women.  The organization works to rebuild the economic and social foundation of disadvantaged communities through microfinance loans and business training to micro and small businesses not served by commercial banks.  LEAD is looking to expand into new areas and launch a new loan product that will benefit individuals engaged in vegetable and food crop production.  The three year grant will provide capital to expand lending outside Monrovia, purchase a vehicle and motorcycles, provide training in microfinance best practices and provide business training to new clients.

USADF re-started programming in Liberia in 2006 at the invitation of President Sirleaf. Liberia’s current portfolio stands at twelve investment projects totaling nearly $2 million.  For more information about the portfolio, please visit the country’s quick source page at http://www.adf.gov/USADF-QuickSourceCountryPortfolioPage-Liberia.htm.

The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) is a United States Government agency dedicated to expanding access to economic opportunity in Africa. Currently USADF operates in 20 African nations.  Over the past 25 years, USADF has funded nearly 1,500 projects representing in excess of $150 million in support of African enterprises and local African communities.  For more information on USADF, its programs and application guidelines, visit www.usadf.gov.

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