USAID and Western Union have launched the Libya Diaspora Marketplace (LDM)!

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Western Union have launched the Libya Diaspora Marketplace (LDM). The LDM will award up to four winning businesses with matching grants of between $25,000 and $50,000 with accompanying technical assistance.

The Libya Diaspora Marketplace encourages sustainable economic growth and employment by supporting entrepreneurs who are U.S. citizens or permanent resident members of the Libyan diaspora community, as well as those who have a relevant connection to, or experience in, Libya. Grants awarded for startup or existing small and medium enterprises will focus on high-priority, high-impact sectors that meet the immediate and evolving development needs of the country.

USAID began redirecting assistance and putting new programs into place to help the people of Libya in response to a rapidly unfolding situation across the Middle East and North Africa, laying the foundation for a democratic future and economic prosperity that engages and benefits all Libyans.

The inclusion of Libyan diaspora in the LDM highlights a commitment to facilitating diaspora entrepreneurs who want to contribute to the development of their home countries.

More information the LDM, how to apply, and deadlines can be found at here. The program will be accepting proposals until Friday, May 31, 2013.

Congrats to the ADM II Awardees!

Congratulations to the seventeen businesses selected as Awardees at the African Diaspora Marketplace II.  Thank you to all the sponsors, speakers, judges and partners for making the ADM II such a success. You can find profiles of each of the Awardee companies here.