The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) showcased the achievements of the Small Grants and Ambassador's Fund Programme. The programme, implemented by the National Rural Support Programme, has supported 56 grants worth $7 million in Punjab province since its inception in 2010. The event included a grant-signing ceremony to launch three new projects in Punjab under the Small Grants and Ambassador's Fund Programme.
"From supporting children's literacy to providing basic health facilities for mothers and children, to imparting vocational skills, this programme has made a remarkable transformation in the lives of over 370,000 people across Punjab, including 160,000 women, since it started in 2010," said Acting US Consul General in Lahore, Deborah Robinson.
Provincial Minister for Population Welfare, Zakia Shahnawaz Khan also spoke at the event, which was attended by representatives from grantee organisations, donor agencies, and the provincial government. Since its inception in 2010, the USAID Small Grants and Ambassador's Fund Programme, has provided a total of US $33 million through 257 projects all across Pakistan, improving the quality of life for over 1.7 million people. While the Small Grants component of the programme supports education and civic participation initiatives, the Ambassador's Fund supports projects relating to empowering vulnerable populations, encouraging social entrepreneurship, developing small-scale energy solutions, promoting culture and the arts, and improving disaster preparedness.