WASHINGTON, D.C. - USAID's Global Development Alliance (GDA) has been selected as one of the top fifty most creative and innovative government initiatives, the agency announced today. The program was selected as a semifinalist for the prestigious Innovations in American Government Awards, and is now eligible to win one of six $100,000 grants.

"I am very pleased to see the Global Development Alliance recognized for its innovation," said USAID Administrator Andrew S. Natsios. "Public-private alliances multiply the impact of U.S. development assistance abroad by reaching out to new partners and working with traditional partners in new ways."

The Global Development Alliance fosters partnerships that combine the resources and expertise of the public and private sectors to improve the lives of the citizens in the developing world. This program links U.S. foreign assistance with resources from business, non-governmental organizations, and philanthropies for international development and humanitarian activities. In applying for the award, USAID stated that "by changing [our] business processes, GDA improves U.S. Government delivery of foreign assistance and provides a model for other federal agencies."

Since fiscal year 2002, USAID has invested $1 billion in 290 public-private alliances in 98 countries, leveraging over $3 billion in total partner resources. Through these efforts, USAID has engaged 339 corporate partners and 89 foundation partners.

Dan Runde, Acting Director of the GDA Secretariat said, "The success of the Global Development Alliance is the result of many dedicated USAID professionals in Washington and in developing countries embracing public-private alliances as a critical tool for achieving our development goals."

The Innovations in American Government Awards are a program of the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University 's Kennedy School of Government, administered with the Council for Excellence in Government. The fifty semifinalists from all levels of government were chosen from a pool of more than 1,000 applicants. Ten of the semifinalists are at the federal level. The six winning programs will be announced in July.

For more information on the GDA, please visit www.usaid.gov/gda.

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