Increase capacities and self-sustainment of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in latin america and caribbean through small grant projects and trainings

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA) awarded a $3.86 million Cooperative Agreement to Wildlife Habitat Council, Inc. (doing business as Tandem Global) on July 22, 2025, under the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Assistance Coordination (WHA/AC) Grant Programs (CFDA 19.750). The award, extending through June 30, 2027, supports capacity building and economic self-sustainability initiatives for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across Latin America and the Caribbean. Primary activities include delivering targeted small grant projects and training programs designed to enhance entrepreneurial capabilities, business performance, and market access for enterprise operators in underserved communities.

The Cooperative Agreement encompasses six sub-awards distributed to regional partners and implementers, commencing between July and August 2025. Sub-award activities include empowering artisanal economic initiatives in El Salvador; strengthening shrimp MSMEs in conflict-affected areas of Colombia's Nariño Department through Codespa America; promoting cocoa sector growth in Guatemala's Alta Verapaz region through Lutheran World Relief Inc., which provides financial education, marketing, and commercialization training; cultivating entrepreneurial capacity among 30 small-scale producers across Colombian departments through improved production systems and expanded commercialization channels; and preserving and modernizing tourism services in Costa Rica's Golfo Dulce region to foster economic development and generational renewal.