U.S. Cooperation
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)
On July 4, 2005, the United States, through the MCC, signed a five-year Compact with the Republic of Cape Verde to support the country's goal of poverty reduction through economic growth. The $ 110 million grant supports Cape Verde in achieving its national development goal of transforming its economy from aid-dependency to economically and socially sustainable growth. This funding by MCC makes the US one the largest donors in Cape Verde. MCC funds are being applied to improve the country’s infrastructure, improve access to micro-credit, and provide access to markets, and social services; improved water availability and management to improve agricultural productivity; as well as carry out key policy reforms for sustained development and economic growth. At the completion of the Compact, the program is expected to increase Cape Verde's annual income by at least $10 million.
For further information, including requests for expression of interest for the provision of services and goods visit the MCA-Cape Verde web site at www.mca.cv.
Peace Corps
The United States is supporting Cape Verde’s development, and enhancing relations among Cape Verdeans and Americans, by supplying Peace Corps Volunteers in two multi-sector programs. Some 50 Peace Corps Volunteers, spread over 7 of the 9 inhabited islands, are currently engaged in teaching English and teacher training, small enterprise and community development, and environmental education.
In September 2011 the latest group of 25 new Peace Corps Volunteers will participate in an official Swearing-in ceremony that begins their two-year service in Cape Verde, at a ceremony to be held in the Picos concelho. That region of Santiago Island hosts Volunteers in villages during their pre-service training, where they stay with local families to prepare for living and working in Cape Verde. Their training includes lessons in Crioulo and Portuguese languages and Cape Verdean culture, as well as work on projects with local schools and communities. After taking their oath of service, the Volunteers move to sites all over Cape Verde to work as English teachers, vocational and environmental educators, and teacher trainers, as well as in small enterprise and community development.
Peace Corps, established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy to promote world peace and friendship, has been present in Cape Verde since 1988. Since then, some 500 Volunteers have served in Cape Verdean communities. Volunteers from the new group, which is the 22nd in Cape Verde, are placed as far north as Santo Antão and as far south as Fogo, working in secondary and technical schools, universities, youth centers, rural extension services, parks and protected areas and with local government and non-governmental institutions. They join more nearly 200,000 Americans who have served as Peace Corps Volunteers in 139 countries throughout the world since 1961.
For further information on Peace Corps, please visit the Peace Corps web site and the Peace Corps Cape Verde twitter site.
The Peace Corps celebrates its 50th anniversary throughout 2011. For more information about this important milestone, please refer to the 50th Anniversary web site.