regional initiative

1994 marked the beginning of an inter-agency partnership between the the U.S. Agency for International Development (usaid) AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (usdol) to design and implement dislocated worker programs in Central and Eastern Europe. As part of the agencies’ ongoing efforts to provide labor market transition assistance to the region, this program was intended to strengthen national and local governments’ capacity to mitigate the effects of mass layoffs on workers, business and communities. The program was seen as critical to maintaining social consensus for economic and political reform in Central and Eastern Europe.

Worldwide Strategies, Inc. joined the team in 1997 when it was awarded a USDOL contract to implement A WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT program first in Hungary and subsequently in Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, and Macedonia. In 2000, USDOL obtained direct Congressional appropriations for technical assistance overseas and committed funding to test the program in Ukraine. According to independent evaluations, the Integrated Community Development Program (icdp) not only produces impressive economic results but also forms LASTING partnerships AMONG local governments, civil society organizations and national agencies throughout the region.

Today, strong regional partnerships have been formed through wsi’S regional project to identify and disseminate best practices and lessons learned from all countries PARTICIPATING IN THE ICDP. Thanks to this regional initiative, our local partners are now empowered to continue helping workers, businesses and communities reap the benefits of community economic renewal.