World Learning, Inc has been awarded a USAID cooperative agreement to implement a four-year NGO Strengthening Program (NSP). Together with its partners, IESC( International Executive Service Corps), MSI Management Systems International) and ICNL( International Center for Non-for-Profit Law) World Learning will assist in the development of the NGO sector in Armenia. This program will build the capacity of NGOs throughout Armenia to deliver services in a more efficient manner and to be able to be better and more articulate advocates for their constituents.

*Providing training and technical support to NGOs outside of Yerevan

• Providing support to advanced NGOs throughout Armenia, especially in the area of advocacy and coalition building
• Improving the general and regulatory framework for NGO operations
• Developing mechanism for increased NGO networking and cooperation with government, the media and the private sector
• Facilitating grants to support nascent and advanced Armenian NGOs through seed, advocacy and special initiative programs.

The outcome envisioned for this four-year program is an Armenian NGO community characterized by good governance , effective internal policies and systems, well-trained staff, adequate financial resources and control, demand-driven services and strong relationships beyond the NGO community.

This integrated approach will provide not only this training and technical assistance but will also offer funding for those NGOs who have the capacity to implement programs which address the strategic initiatives of USAID. Those which this program will address are issues concerning human rights, women, health, economic development and environmental protection.

The Program funding cycle is envisioned to start in Summer of 2001. the funding program will include a compulsorily institutional analysis, some training and technical assistance, and a corporate capacity assessment.

The qualified NGOs will then complete for funding in the following three areas: Seed grants for nacsent Yerevan-based and regional NGOs Advocacy grants for advanced NGOs and associations

Special Initiative grants in domestic violence prevention, women's issues, environmental protection, election processes, and human righs issues.