Partnering with the ADM

Why you should partner with ADM:

• ADM brings together a wide range of expertise from the African diaspora business and development community to promote economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa and cultivate strong diaspora linkages.
• Financial contributions to the ADM grant pool will go directly to the winning African diaspora business based in Sub-Saharan Africa. USAID and Western Union are covering the administrative costs of the competition, event, and monitoring, so your contribution will have a more direct impact.
   

There are a number of ways you can get involved and support the African Diaspora Marketplace. For example, you can:

Contribute to the ADM 2009 Grant Pool. Help the ADM 2009 grow the grant pool so that more viable businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa can access needed funding — especially important during these difficult financial times.

Provide In-kind Support. Support a component of the ADM event such as a knowledge, networking, or training event or provide technical assistance to the entrepreneurs themselves through the direct provision of training, consultant services, technologies, etc.

Spread the News. Inform potential applicants and partners in your networks about the ADM. Distribute information about how to compete in the ADM to the U.S.-based African diaspora community and Sub-Saharan African entrepreneurs. Email the ADM team for more information.

Review ADM Business Proposals. Volunteer to review ADM proposals and participate in review meetings. The ADM relies on the support of business experts and development practitioners from the the private sector, development community and the African diaspora community to ensure a transparent and rigorous selection process. Please email the ADM team if you are interested in volunteering to review proposals.

Support Diaspora Marketplaces. Partner with USAID in forthcoming Diaspora Marketplaces in other regions of the world. Email the ADM team for more details.

Other. Please get in touch with us to discuss any other ideas you may have to build an effective partnership with African Diaspora Marketplace. Email the ADM team for more information.

Resource Partners

The United States Agency for International Development ("USAID") is an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. USAID supports international development and advances U.S. foreign policy objectives by supporting economic growth, agriculture and trade; global health; democracy and conflict prevention; and humanitarian assistance in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Near East, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe and Eurasia.

The Western Union Company ("Western Union") is a leading money transfer and financial services company based in the United States. Western Union has a number of divisions, with products such as person-to-person money transfer, money orders, and commercial services. As of December 31, 2008, Western Union had 375,000 agent locations in over 200 countries and territories. Its signature giving program, Western Union's Our World, Our Family^®, is a $50 million, five-year commitment reaching people at every rung of the economic ladder. Through Our World, Our Family, the Western Union Foundation is helping migrants and their families stay connected, overcome barriers and realize their dreams. Western Union Foundation helps to fund programs that create economic opportunity around the world. Embracing the truly global nature of its corporate sponsor, the Western Union Foundation has granted nearly $52 million to more than 1,800 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 75 countries.

Contributing Partners

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation ("OPIC") is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to mobilize and facilitate the participation of United States private capital and skills in the economic and social development of less developed countries and areas, and countries in transition from non market to market economies. OPIC assists U.S. companies by providing financing (from large structured finance to small business loans), political risk insurance, and investment funds. OPIC complements the private sector in managing risks associated with foreign direct investment and supports U.S. foreign policy.

Implementing Partners

The Academy for Educational Development ("AED") is a nonprofit organization working globally to improve education, health, civil society and economic development — the foundation of thriving societies. In collaboration with local and national partners, AED fosters sustainable results through practical, comprehensive approaches to social and economic challenges. AED implements more than 250 programs serving people in all 50 U.S. states and more than 150 countries.

The QED Group, LLC, is a full-service consulting firm that provides practical solutions to social problems through sound analysis, proven management techniques, and creative implementation. QED stands for the Latin phrase, Quod Erat Demonstrandum, meaning "proven," or "it is proved." The QED Group applies programmatic experiences and lessons learned across its domestic and international work to provide more holistic and comprehensive solutions. QED also share successful innovations across our sectors and services, ensuring synergies throughout its full range of projects. QED works with private-sector clients, U.S. agencies and overseas governments, international donors, and PVOs/NGOs in the United States, Europe, the former Soviet Union, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.