USAID established an implementing partnership with the Community Development Fund (CDF), a local non-governmental organization, based on its knowledge, expertise and commitment to respond to local priorities. USAID’s partnership with CDF has helped strengthen their organizational abilities, streamline internal processes and, more importantly, apply these improved practices with other local organizations as CDF strives to respond to community needs. Having undergone a Non-U.S. Organization Pre-Award Survey (NUPAS) for this partnership and learning from this experience, CDF has been integrating NUPAS guidelines and principles as part of the pre-award assessments for their sub-grantees as they implement non-USAID supported activities.
“Application of NUPAS principle for CDF’s needs has provided us with a thorough and detailed process during the pre-award survey thus offering a real assessment of our subgrantees,” says Artan Avdiu, Managing Director at CDF. “Furthermore it has helped strengthen internal systems and processes,” he concluded.
This is a step forward as USAID seeks more local organizations to serve as implementing partners that will lead development programs. In alignment with the Agency's policies, USAID Kosovo continuously seeks opportunities to engage with new, local partners, providing opportunities to strengthen their local capacity and help drive Kosovo’s development.