USAID grant to the Lutheran World Relief to enable the poor majority to develop and become full participants in socially, economically and politically viable communities

LWR will identify and support up to 60 projects (about 25 per year), primarily through indigenous agencies. Host countries will include India, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Niger, Togo, Sudan, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and others. Projects will be selected which will: foster community building and organization; address basic needs such as increased food production, improved health care systems, literacy, safe water supplies, and new sources of income; and increase community access to, and participation in, economic, social, and political structures. Special attention will be given to projects which address the needs of groups otherwise unlikely to be assisted, such as the landless and those in remote communities. Participation of women will also be encouraged. In consultation with indigenous counterpart agencies, LWR will conduct a series of training opportunities and seminars for participating agency staffs. Training needs will be assessed during routine LWR visits.