USADF Community Development Institutions Program (Cape Verde)

USADF is an independent Federal agency of the United States Government established to support African-designed and African-driven solutions that address grassroots economic and social problems. USADF’s mission and structure makes it possible to carry out development in isolated and highly marginalized regions in Africa. The Foundation is reestablishing a funding program in Cabo Verde in 2025 working with the Ministry of Finance and Business Promotion (MoFBP) via Pro-Empresa.

USADF provides funds to small enterprises and community-based groups in Cabo Verde, particularly those benefiting youth and women, to secure the technical, managerial, and marketing assistance they need to build internal capacity and enhance their impact and sustainability. Funding criteria emphasize the following principles:

• Community participation and ownership.
• Significant economic and social impact on low-income communities.
• Impact commensurate with the level of investment, sustainability, and potential for replication of the activity.

Objectives

• Build self-supporting, sustainable local community development agencies that provide technical assistance and support to grassroots groups.
• Establish strategic linkages with national and local governments, other donor agencies, and the local private sector to support sustainable grassroots development.
• Encourage the utilization of participatory development best practices.

Eligibility Criteria

• All Applicants must submit evidence that they are:
  • A legally registered organization (e.g., incorporation certificate or receipt that incorporation papers have been filed with the appropriate authorities).
  • Owned and managed by indigenous Africans who are host country nationals, and the key staff proposed are nationals of the host country.

For more information, visit USADF.