Cisco and USAID Sign $50M Memorandum of Cooperation

Cisco and USAID - $50 Million Partnership

(October 13, 2011, Moscow) A new memorandum of cooperation signed by Cisco and USAID establishes a framework for cooperation between USAID and Cisco to advance and promote the use of information communication technologies (ICT) by civil society, government and the broader public. 

It recognizes the interests of both parties in Russia's social and economic development, providing up to $50 million in funding and in-kind contributions to joint activities that will strengthen the capacity of Russian organizations to use ICT more effectively in their work.  

Among the activities specified in the agreement is a training program for IT professionals, Cisco Networking Academies for Public Service, which requires trainees to provide IT services to local non-profit and/or public organizations in order to receive their certificates.  

Another joint activity is the North Caucasus Entrepreneurship Program, which provides business training and development based on models developed by the Cisco Entrepreneur Institute.  The new memorandum furthers the objectives of a 2008 USAID-Cisco global memorandum of understanding.

In photo, USAID Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia Paige Alexander signs the memorandum with Mikhail Pakhomov of CISCO (right) and USAID/Russia Mission Director Charles North (center).  Photo by S. Mizha

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