AID cooperative agreement no. OTR-0192-A-00-9140-00 to National Rural Electric Cooperative Association to accelerate development by increasing the supply and productive use of electrical energy in rural areas of developing countries

Five key activities are envisioned: (1) institutional development of rural co-ops, based on the U.S. model and facilitated by exchanges between U.S. and LDC utility personnel; (2) technical support in the installation of engineering and operational systems; (3) training (formal and informal, technical and managerial, on-site and off); (4) introduction of "demand-side management concepts" (i.e., management that addresses consumer needs); and (5) technology enhancement activities, including research, the provision of surplus U.S. equipment, and the development of innovative financing mechanisms.