Four development solution projects received a boost from the United States government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which launched the new projects worth PHP280 million (USD5.7 million) on Friday.

USAID Philippines Deputy Mission Director Patrick Wesner inaugurated the projects with other government, civil society, private sector, and academia partners at a virtual event.

“As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of US – Philippines diplomatic relations, we look forward to furthering our productive collaboration with Philippine civil society organizations as we continue to pursue inclusive and resilient growth for Filipinos,” Wesner said.

The following projects seek to empower local organizations to try new, unique approaches to address development challenges in their communities:

– “Coalescing Organizations towards Locally Led Actions to Boost Development” project, which will employ data and evidence to advance development in 10 sites located in Sorsogon, Leyte, Eastern Samar, Misamis Oriental, and Sultan Kudarat over a period of two and a half years.

– The two-year “Facilitating Local Access to Water” project to run from 2021 to 2023 to help local partners in Tublay, Benguet achieve reliable access to safe drinking water.

– The “Assets, Agency and Trust,” a two-year action-research project, which will use consultations and networking activities to mobilize local resources and drive development activities across the country.

– The three-year “Capacitating Strategic Organizations to Strengthen the Civil Society Organization Sector” project, which will run from 2021 to 2024 to empower civil society organizations to effectively deliver services and sustain development results in Iloilo City and Cagayan de Oro City.

The US Embassy in Manila said the initiatives are in addition to the US-funded Generating Rural Opportunities by Working with Cooperatives program, launched last year to expand rural livelihood opportunities and increase food security as part of Local Works.

Local Works is USAID’s flagship locally led development effort, which utilizes the creativity and resourcefulness of local communities and enables them to drive their own development. (PNA)