WASHINGTON & ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 16, 2011-- The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), a leader in global payment services, its Foundation, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will add the North African countries of Libya and Tunisia to the second African Diaspora Marketplace (ADM). The ADM is an initiative which encourages sustainable economic growth and employment by supporting U.S.-based diaspora entrepreneurs with ideas for start-up and established businesses on the African continent.
In response to the rapidly unfolding situation across the Middle East and North Africa regions, USAID began redirecting assistance and putting new programs into place -- laying the foundation for a democratic future and economic prosperity that engages and benefits all Libyans and Tunisians. The inclusion of Tunisian and Libyan diaspora in ADM II highlights this commitment to facilitating diaspora support to help provide a smooth transition in their home countries. Grants awarded for startup or existing small and medium enterprises initiated by the Libyan and Tunisian diaspora will focus on high priority, high-impact sectors that meet the immediate and evolving development needs of these countries.
“The events of the past year have offered USAID opportunities to adjust our approaches to assistance in the Middle East and North Africa regions and forge new partnerships across Arab societies,” said Mara Rudman, USAID’s Assistant Administrator for the Middle East. “I’m excited these new partnerships also include the ADM initiative and the diaspora who want to make a difference in their homelands during an historical time.”
“The ADM is an innovative model for corporate, government and nonprofit collaboration to promote entrepreneurship and the employment it supports. Expanding the ADM to Tunisia and Libya leverages its unique benefits to help create lasting social and economic impact,” said Aida Diarra, Western Union Regional Vice President for North Central and West Africa.
Twenty-one countries now qualify for consideration of proposals to be submitted by February 3, 2012. Participating countries include Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cote D’Ivoire, DRC, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia.
The number of grants awarded will be determined based on grant pool and program need. The matching grant size is expected to be up to US$50,000, with an additional supplement of US$25,000-$50,000 in technical assistance.
Support for the African Diaspora Marketplace is also provided by The Tony Elumelu Foundation, an African-funded foundation that promotes the competitiveness of the African private sector, and George Washington University’s Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER).
Information about the ADM and how to apply can be found at www.diasporamarketplace.org.
About Western Union
The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Western Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to purchase money orders. As of September 30, 2011, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network of approximately 485,000 Agent locations in 200 countries and territories. In 2010, The Western Union Company completed 214 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $76 billion of principal between consumers, and 405 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.
About the Western Union Foundation
Through Western Union's Our World, Our Family(R) signature program, the Western Union Foundation supports initiatives to empower people through access to economic opportunity. Recognized by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy in 2009, the program is a five-year, $50 million commitment reflecting efforts made by Western Union employees, Agents and partners around the world. Since 2001, the Western Union Foundation has awarded more than $73.4 million in grants to more than 2010 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 104 countries and territories. To learn more, visit http://foundation.westernunion.com.
About USAID
USAID is the lead U.S. government agency providing development and humanitarian assistance to people around the world. The agency's Global Development Alliance (GDA) links U.S. foreign assistance with the resources, expertise and creativity of the private sector as well as nongovernmental organizations. Since its launch in 2001, the Global Development Alliance has changed the way U.S. international development projects are financed and implemented. By cultivating more than 900 public-private alliances with over 1,700 individual partners, it has allowed USAID to leverage an additional $9.6 billion in resources for development. For more information about USAID and its programs around the world, visit www.usaid.gov. For more information on Global Development Alliances, visit www.usaid.gov/gda/index.html.
Source: Western Union
Western Union
Anna Alejo, 720-332-3884
anna.alejo@westernunion.com
or
USAID Press Officer
Natasha Jackson, 202-712-1647
njackson@usaid.gov