IESC - Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (formerly International Executive Service Corps)

IESC is proud to implement the Trade Safe Project (Proyecto TraSa) with funding from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). We look forward to continuing to facilitate trade in agricultural products in the Dominican Republic by improving sanitary and phytosanitary practices and optimizing the processes involved in them. https://lnkd.in/di8jfwiC

With funding from the USAID Industry-led Skills Development Program-დამსაქმებლები პროფესიული განათლებისთვის, the Business and Technology University in Georgia has trained 1,500 women to code and established a network of women in STEM. The coding school concluded with a job fair. https://lnkd.in/dgUC7XnT

At the Caribbean Week of Agriculture held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines earlier this month, IESC signed a memorandum of understanding with the Consortium of Universities in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Involved in Agricultural Education and Research (CUCAER). Through our USAID Caribbean Agricultural Productivity improvement Activity (CAPA), we will build human capital and develop a coordinating mechanism to engage several universities in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean. The consortium will support CAPA in the development of capacity building and research initiatives to transfer knowledge, solve regional agriculture challenges, and promote training, scholarships, and fellowships for the private sector and other stakeholders.

Despite the significant demand for working and investment capital, many Kenyan agribusinesses face difficulties accessing finance. Commercial lenders tend to underserve smallholder farmers, and most available loan products do not address the unique needs of agribusinesses. With support from our Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance Program, some financial institutions are working to address this issue by creating new, innovative loan products tailored to smallholder farmers and agribusinesses. IESC volunteer expert Paul Dietmann supported one such financial institution. He reviewed trends in their agribusiness loan products and interviewed existing and potential agribusiness loan customers. Based on his findings, Paul identified growth opportunities and provided practical recommendations to improve the bank’s existing agribusiness loan products. Farmer-to-Farmer Program

The USAID Industry-led Skills Development Program-დამსაქმებლები პროფესიული განათლებისთვის continues its successful partnership with TBC IT Academy by offering basic and advanced level certificate courses in information security. More than 100 students have completed these rigorous training programs and are now empowered to launch or advance their careers in tech and secure employment with TBC and its partner tech firms. Nika Markoidze, a proud graduate of TBC IT Academy’s cybersecurity program, was hired as a cybersecurity specialist by a leading Georgian IT company. As Nika notes: "I’ve had an interest in technology since childhood. Two years ago, I realized that cybersecurity was the field I wanted to pursue. My first job was in IT support, which I found fascinating. However, I was eager to learn more about cybersecurity. That’s when I learned about the TBC IT Academy, which, together with support from USAID, provided me with the opportunity to change my career path. The learning process was intensive and engaging. Professional instructors provided us with practical assignments every day, which greatly helped me take real steps in the cybersecurity field. After completing the course, I secured a position at Orient Logic, a leading IT company in Georgia. My daily work is dynamic. To provide technical support to businesses, I both analyze digital infrastructure and ensure online security, thereby helping to build a stronger IT ecosystem.”

Discover the inspiring journeys of Xhevit, Dorentina, and Shaban! See how far they’ve come to position #MadeInAlbania products on the global stage thanks to support from USAID. USAID’s newest program, USAID Compete SëBashku, is building on these past efforts and supporting the next generation of Albanian agribusinesses: https://lnkd.in/dERvMcyz Made in Albania, Ready for the World!

Bananas play a significant role as a staple food and cash crop for smallholder farmers in Tanzania. However, banana farmers frequently face challenges ranging from pests and diseases to the inaccessibility of quality planting materials, capital, and markets. These complex obstacles inspired Maua Mazuri, a banana seedling supplier in the Kilimanjaro District, to take a more collaborative approach to helping small-scale farmers grow. IESC volunteer expert David Jeffery worked alongside Maua Mazuri to support the creation of an integrated banana market and value chain. With support from our Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance Program, David brought together the sector’s four key groups of stakeholders (financial institutions, smallholder banana farmers, seedling suppliers, and off takers) to develop a scalable model for targeted support, enhanced access to finance, and increased productivity. He held focus groups with smallholder banana farmers to better understand their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for growth. Farmer-to-Farmer Program

IESC is proud to implement the USAID Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance Program in Kenya. Thanks to volunteer experts like Xuelian, we're expanding agricultural sector access to financial services and increasing the sector's productivity and profitability, thereby raising incomes and creating jobs.

Roma youth in North Macedonia face many barriers in accessing quality education and training. To address some of those challenges, the IESC-implemented USAID Youth Actively Create Opportunities supported Educational Center Genijalci in Skopje to equip 120 young Roma people with skills for professional development and activism. The center addresses social challenges, promotes civic engagement, and empowers youth to drive positive change in their communities. Participants are equipped with essential language, digital, and practical skills to enhance their employability. At the closing event, participants received certificates for completing training in English, IT, and activism. The ceremony, attended by Maria Longi, the U.S. Coordinator for Assistance to Europe and Eurasia, underscored the transformative potential of such initiatives. “One of the most important things we do is work with young people like yourselves. Supporting activities like these means supporting your future,” said Longi, addressing participants. “By turning your ideas into action, you’re positively impacting your lives, your community, and your country. You should be very proud of what you have accomplished.”

On #WorldFoodDay, we are excited to announce that USAID Albania is investing $12 million to enhance the competitiveness of high-value agrifood products in local, regional, and global markets: https://lnkd.in/dMQyjrtX USAID Compete SëBashku: Made in Albania, Ready for the World!