USAID announces $225 million in public-private democracy initiative

Two people shaking hands.

USAID has announced a total of $225 million in investments for its Democracy Delivers initiative. 

As part of the U.S. government’s commitment to protecting and strengthening democracy around the world, the United States pledged more than $145 million, including more than $35 million in new funding through USAID. The initiative supports countries experiencing a democratic opening and assists them in advancing job growth, green energy expansion, supply chain integration, economic stabilization, democratic governance, accountable public financial management, and local leader empowerment.

Philanthropic and private-sector partners made commitments to the initiative totaling more than $110 million, including a previously reported commitment of $20 million from the Ford Foundation and $28 million from the Rockefeller Foundation, both of which are anchor partners in the initiative. Other philanthropic partners include the Chandler Foundation, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Google.org, Humanity United, the International Chamber of Commerce, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Skoll Foundation, the Tent Partnership for Refugees, the Tinker Foundation, the UPS Foundation, the Vodafone Foundation, and WINGS. 

The first cohort of countries in the initiative includes Armenia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Malawi, Maldives, Moldova, Nepal, Tanzania, and Zambia. Commitments include the expansion of USAID’s successful m-mama partnership with the Vodafone Foundation and investments to strengthen health systems, support skills training, improve access to jobs and markets, empower youth and local civil society leaders, and enhance transparency, access to justice, and civic space. 

(Photo credit: Getty Images/pixelfit)