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Georgetown, Guyana….The Carter Center's Guyana office announces the launch of the Small Grants Advocacy Program 2002-2003, which is being organized under the auspices of the U.S. Agency for International Development's program More Responsive and Participatory Governance and Rule of Law in Guyana. Through this program, The Carter Center is working to strengthen the capacity of civil society or nonprofit organizations in Guyana to contribute to public debate and public policy-making, with a focus on organizations that involve and assist women, youth, and Amerindians.

Through a thorough, transparent, and national selection process held earlier this year, the Center selected seven partner and 19 associate partner nonprofit organizations from across Guyana to participate in intensive training to build their organizational and advocacy skills. The training program thus far has focused on strategic planning, advocacy, proposal writing, basic financial management, and results-based management. Future training will emphasize networking, leadership training, media communication, and project management.

In the next phase of the program, the 26 partner and associate partner organizations now have the opportunity to apply for funding under the Small Grants Advocacy Program 2002-2003. This program will award grants of up to GY$1.5 million each to assist them in advocacy-related projects that affect the targeted population groups of women, youth, and Amerindians. Successful grant applicants will be announced in December 2002, after a review process led by the Carter Center field director. More detailed information is available from the Ronald Sami at the Georgetown Carter Center office at the corner of North and King Streets, Lacytown, phone 227-4096 or 225-5852.

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