Billions of dollars are spent each year to help develop the economic
infrastructures of developing and new market economies around the world.

These moneys are channeled through programs administered by the US Agency for International Development, the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, African Development Bank, and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, just to name a few. There are also organizations funded by the European Union and its member states; the governments of Canada, Australia and Japan; as well as numerous private foundations, like the Soros Foundation, that administer service in many of the same markets.

These agencies represent the source of funding; however, the actual service work is performed by other organizations. Some of the work is handled by nongovernmental organizations such as Catholic Charities, but most are handled by the Big Five consulting firms and specialized consulting operations, such as Chemonics, Development Alternatives Intl, ABT Associates, Management Systems International and others.

Five years ago, USAID published the white paper New Partnerships Initiative: A Strategic Approach to Development Partnering, announcing their intent to involve more nonprofits in their development work. The agency's reasoning for this new focus on the assn community stems from the purposes around which these organizations are created.

Associations exist to serve those in need and primarily emphasize nonfinancial returns. As a result, participation in cause-related programming generally falls within their missions. In short, the association community's missions complement USAID’s program objectives. More important, USAID believes that involving associations is key to the sustainability of its programs around the world.

In order to establish the close relationships and long-term programming, USAID now more than ever is seeking program managers who will remain committed long after contract funding has been exhausted. Collaborating with the association community holds this hope of longevity that has become a priority for USAID.

To date, few associations have taken advantage of the opportunities available through a USAID partnership initiative and other such programs.

One reason for the limited participation by assns has to do with the labor intensive and highly complicated nature of bidding for and managing foreign programs. Associations generally do not have the expertise on staff to navigate through the process. In addition, associations have been reluctant to make the necessary resource investment without first obtaining some assurance of a return.

Associations and their consultants can work together to bridge this gap, and develop the administrative tools and funding required to launch or broaden their work in international markets through these government-funded programs.

Those associations that decide to participate will likely find the results incredibly satisfying and rewarding.

Steven M. Worth is president of Plexus Consulting Group, Washington, D.C. E-mail: steve_worth@plexusconsulting.com.