Cross-Sectoral

USAID works in the North Caucasus-in partnership with other donors, NGOs, and local governments-to support community development projects that help reduce the potential for conflict and encourage positive cooperation between citizens and local authorities. These projects facilitate dialogue and reconciliation while creating youth employment, encouraging citizen engagement, improving social services, and providing access-to-credit and job opportunities. USAID also gives a priority focus to projects in the Russian Far East that help local authorities and community leaders mobilize public-private partnerships to solve social problems and stimulate long-term growth. Although USAID/Russia's economic growth program has ended, Russian think tanks and NGOs founded with U.S. support carry forward USAID's legacy by conducting independent socio-economic analysis, advising the Russian government on economic issues, expanding access to microfinance, and fighting corruption.