LAHORE, Nov 21: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Monday launched its three-year 'Citizens' Voice Project' in Punjab asking civil society organisations to come up with innovative proposals on issues in the sectors of energy, economic growth, agriculture, education and health.

Under the USAID's US$45 million project for the entire country 500 grants will be awarded to civil society organisations till 2014. It will be implemented by the Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA).

Speaking at the launch ceremony at a local hotel, participated by representatives of various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Punjab, US Consul General Nina Maria Fite said the project represented the largest single investment in civic and social organisations in USAID's 50-year history in Pakistan.

She said the agency had completed a set of US-funded civil society support programmes that would exceed $100 million during the next four years.

Ms Fite hoped that this project would enable more Pakistani organisations to constructively engage themselves with their government on issues of national and local importance. When civil society worked in concert with state institutions to address citizens' needs and aspirations, she said, the impact could be unlimited.

Each quarter, she said, the Citizens' Voice Project would award approximately 40 grants focused on select geographic areas and issues. In the first cycle of awards, she said, the project would issue grants dedicated to citizens' oversight of municipal services, energy sector reforms, and water rights.

Ms Fite said that she wished the NGOs from Punjab should win maximum grants on the basis of their innovative ideas and implementing strategies.

Earlier, giving an overview of the project and inaugural grants competition, project head Mukhtar Ahmad Ali said all grants would increase engagement between citizens and state institutions to advance good governance objectives. He said these objectives would be achieved through policy advocacy and government oversight, citizen-government partnerships and organisational development and targeted training.

Mr Ali said each of the 500 grants would have value range from US$50,000 to $250,000.

In the first cycle, he said, applications would be invited on three themes – citizens' oversight of municipal services, energy sector reforms and improved water rights. He said the applications should be submitted before December 2 this year.

USAID representatives Ms Erin Krasik and Gail Spence as well as TDEA chief executive officer Muddassir Rizvi also spoke on the occasion.

In the question-answer session, they explained that the grants would be solicited for respective project proposals and would be treated and assessed in a complete transparent manner. He said the proposals and respective committees' recommendations would pass through various evaluation committees for a final decision and release of grant.

Following the release of grants to NGOs, they said, the capacity of these organisations would be built to implement the project and handle financial matters. “It is a complete package of service to citizens and all through transparent process”.