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VfP Partner Highlight

About Citizens Development Corps

Citizens Development Corps delivers a broad spectrum of products and services to businesses, NGOs, business service providers, universities, local and regional governments and the communities that support them. By targeting interventions at the individual, organizational, and community levels, programs are committed to creating and implementing high-impact programs. CDC is focused on increasing the competitiveness of clients, building local capacity to deliver innovative goods and services and promoting sustainable development in emerging markets. CDC directs public and private resources to build vibrant local and regional economies that have the businesses, institutions and the environment needed to compete in the global economy.

International Voluntary Service Activities

Citizens Development Corps is devoted to economic development through the use of highly skilled Volunteer Advisors (VAs). As real-world practitioners and problem solvers, Vas are able to provide one-on-one management and technical assistance to businesses and their support networks. Consulting firms, educational institutions, NGOs, advocacy organizations, associations and local communities benefit from a low-cost yet highly effective form of foreign assistance. From a database of over 7,000 Volunteer Advisors, CDC is able to field professionals from virtually any business background. During the past 12 months CDC has filled 68 assignments with highly qualified volunteers. Comparable numbers are estimated during the upcoming year.

A division of CDC, the MBA Enterprise Corps sends recently graduated MBAs from participating schools to emerging markets where they consult with local companies, advisory centers, and business service organizations to assist in the growth and development of the private sector. A Corps assignment generally lasts 15 months and consists of three months of in-country language training and culture training followed by 12 months of service with a host organization.

 

Volunteer for Prosperity Opportunities
Number of Opportunities	--
Geographic Regions	Asia, Caribbean,Central Europe, Middle East, Russia, Fr. Soviet Union
Health & Prosperity Sectors	Economic Growth, Capacity Building, Competitiveness, Information Communication Technology,Women Youth Empowerment
Types of Opportunities	Management, Technical, Support
Average Duration of Projects	3 weeks
Volunteer Profile Summary
CDC has access to a vast network of more than 7,000 expert volunteer advisors (Vas) representing businesses of all sizes and sectors as well as local and regional governments. Hailing from every industry and skill set, these mid-career practitioners are not only witnesses to, but instigators of the latest cutting edge business practices. Volunteers provide pivotal momentum for large-scale projects, and many come to complete repeated short-term assignments in a specific geographic area. Their commitment is further evidenced by the fact that the majority of CDC volunteers continue to assist clients for years after the on-site portion of an assignment is completed. They take their role seriously, not only as business counselors, but also as goodwill ambassadors. MBA Enterprise Corps (MBAEC) deploys recently graduated MBAs from the top business schools in the US. The MBAs have at least three to five years of business experience, and are willing to volunteers 15 months of their time and expertise to support development efforts. The standard assignment consists of three months of language training and acculturation followed by 12 months of work with the host organization.