Africa Urban Poverty Alleviation Program

WASHINGTON, DC — Sister Cities International has launched Phase II applications for its African Urban Poverty Alleviation Program (AUPAP). Eighteen U.S. cities and their African city pairings will be chosen to perform projects to address sanitation, health and water issues in urban areas of Africa. This three-year project is funded by a $7.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to build capacity of organizations that work on the ground with the urban poor. The deadline for applications is Monday, March 1, 2010.

"We look forward to expanding the program so more African citizens living in urban areas can engage with Sister Cities and together we can improve conditions in these communities," said Patrick Madden, President & CEO, Sister Cities International. "These projects are the foundation for long-standing self-sufficiency and enduring peace in Africa."

Up to 18 additional communities will join the seven U.S-African city pairings that were chosen in Phase I to conduct their projects on the continent of Africa. Each city pairing will have a budget of up to $115,000 to apply to their projects in addition to travel funds.

AUPAP, administered in cooperation with the Africa Global Sister Cities Foundation, addresses some of the sources of urban poverty through sanitation, health and water projects developed collaboratively by U.S. and African Sister City programs. The project will receive support from the private sector, NGOs and community-based organizations to provide sustained technical assistance and community development strategies.

Beyond improving the state of sanitation, health and water infrastructures in urban areas of Africa, the project is aimed at accomplishing Sister Cities International's mission of promoting peace and prosperity through international people-to-people collaboration.

Visit www.sister-cities.org to learn more about the African Urban Poverty Alleviation Program.

MEDIA CONTACT: Frances Reimers, (202) 347-8630 x8251 or at freimers@sister-cities.org

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Sister Cities International promotes peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation by focusing exchanges and public programs on sustainable and economic development, youth and education, arts and culture, and humanitarian assistance. More information about Sister Cities International can be found at www.sister-cities.org.

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