WASHINGTON—Funding the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Cooperative Development Program (CDP) at $50 million for FY23 would “build capacity for cooperatives around the world, including in Ukraine, according to CUNA.
In a letter to the House Appropriations Committee, which marked up appropriations legislation this week, including legislation that covers the CDP, CUNA stated, “Activities are targeted to strengthen cooperative businesses in several ways including improved governance, capitalization, gender empowerment, youth engagement, financial management, market performance, and advocacy. The program also prioritizes collaboration among partners through working groups, cooperative research, learning, and dissemination of cooperative development resources.”
Response to Invasion
CUNA further told Congress the USAID-funded Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project—implemented by the World Council of Credit Unions—has been responsive to many needs in Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February.
“Through direct collaboration with its existing credit union partners, the CAP Project will enable efficient access to finance to help Ukrainians recover and rebuild their lives,” the letter reads. “CAP will build upon its strong relationship with the NBU to rebuild a robust financial sector in rural areas with strong credit unions at its foundation.”