PESHAWAR: The USAID on Monday announced the re-launch of its Small Grants Programme for development in Fata and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The announcement was made during a ceremony here, where representatives of over 100 nongovernmental and private organisations were in attendance.

Following the announcement, a workshop was held in which participants learned about the programme, including the mechanism for awarding grants and a revised, easier application process, said a news release.

Speaking to participants, USAID mission director Gregory Gottliebsaid with $5.3 million available for development activities in Fata and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, his organisation was looking to fund unique and innovative initiatives, which focused on access to basic education and increase positive civic participation.

He said the Small Grants Programme offered grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 for education or civic participation projects lasting up to two years.

The USAID mission director said it was one component of the Small Grants and Ambassador`s Fund Programme, which was launched in 2010 by USAID to help Pakistani communities implement their initiatives.

US consul general in Peshawar Jon Danilowicz, who was also in attendance, said the US government was committed to developing Fata and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

`We have made substantial investments in reconstruction, improving governance and bringing economic opportunities. We look forward to this region becoming increasingly secure, productive and prosperous,` he said.FUNDING TO CONTINUE: The USAID on Monday announced it would continue its collaboration with government for pursuing series of development activities, including knancial support to education, farming and communitybased projects for uplift of militancy-stricken people residing alongside the Pakis tan-Afghanistan border to help them.

The announcement was made by USAID Mission Director Gregory C Gottlieb while talking to reporters at the US consulate general here.

The USAID mission director said his organisation`s main projects included Kurram Tangi and Gomal Zam dams, which would help resolve energy crisis besides meeting irrigation needs of farmers in Tank, Dera Ismail Khan and other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said the USAID projects were aimed at supporting delivery of essential services and generate business activities for violenceaffected population. Gottlieb said 60 per cent of the total USAID grant of over $ 5 billion was beingspent in areas hit by violence and those affected by noods in 2010.

`We in collaboration with the Fata authorities will help irrigate 16,400 acres in North Waziristan Agency.

One million land will get irrigated under our assistance,` he said.

The USAID mission director said during a five-year programme, his organisation had rebuilt 222 schools damaged by militants or floods.

He said victims of conflict were being extended assistance through small-scale programme to help communities alongside PakistanAfghan border, who had undergone decade of violence and their lives got damaged.

Consul General Peshawar Jon F.

Danilowicz, who was also present on the occasion, said the Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention helped Pakistan fight polio.

`The US is extremely concerned about growing polio incidence in Pakistan, especially in Fata and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Our experts are helping Pakistanis put brakes on the vaccine-preventable childhood disease at the earliest,` he said.