AID cooperative agreement no. AFR-0453-A-00-3063-00 with Opportunities Industrialization Centers International, Inc. (OICI) to develop and implement non-formal skills training programs and to increase the institutional viability of both OICI and its country - specific organizations

OICI programs provide vocational training in such areas as auto mechanics, clerical skills, carpentry, electrical construction, small business management, and farm technology. By the end of the grant, OICI will have completed the institutionalization of its programs in The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Liberia, expanded its activities in Lesotho and Togo, have new activities underway in six countries, and increased its revenues from non-U.S. Government sources from 26% to 30% of its budget. OICI"s new project development activities will include five steps: interest group development; preliminary project appraisal studies; feasibility studies; proposal development; and funding negotiations. Support services to operational overseas projects will include program and financing monitoring; field support visits, U.S. training of selected overseas OICI personnel; upgrading of program documents (e.g., training curricula, standard operating procedures); procurement of equipment and commodities; project reviews and evaluations; and an OICI development conference in Africa.