Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC)
2000 M Street NW
Suite 250
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202-589-2600
Email: iesc@iesc.org
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MENA Farmer to Farmer
Approach
As the leader of the access to finance activities, IESC fielded technical volunteer experts to help farms and agricultural enterprises overcome financial hurdles to food safety and quality. IESC volunteer experts supported financial institutions to better serve farm enterprises that seek to infrastructure upgrades to improve quality of fresh and processed agricultural products.
Summary
This program mobilized U.S. volunteer experts to Egypt, Lebanon, and Morocco to advance food safety and increase access to rural finance, while promoting environmental sustainability. IESC leveraged American volunteer expertise to generate rapid, sustained, and broad-based economic growth in the agricultural sector. The program promotes international goodwill, an understanding of U.S. foreign assistance, and private involvement in global development activities.
Program details
- Funder: USAID
- Administrator: Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance
- Lead implementer: Land O’ Lakes International Development
- Duration: 2014 to 2018
- Award: $800,000 (IESC), $8 million total award
Results
- 60 volunteer experts
- 1,000 days of expert volunteer service
- 800 people received formal training, including staff at financial institutions