Ten proposals and requests for funding were received in response to FOCCUS’ new procedure for providing financial support to the centers. The Board had set aside $20,000 to fund four new projects for 2006.

Successful project proposals include a reproductive health education program at the center at Boyarka; an after-school safety education program for youth who are at risk for harm and/or delinquency at Slavutich; training of 30 volunteer teenage counselors for summer camp at Ivankiv; and the Korosten center’s educational program directed toward young children dealing with the psychological and physical health effects of living on contaminated land.

This Request for Proposal process provided new insight into funding, staffing and programs of the centers thus assuring that FOCCUS funds would be used appropriately. It also highlighted the wide variety of needs and populations the centers must address and the unique characteristics of the areas they serve.

This process will be further evaluated at sessions with FOCCUS and center staff to be held in Kyiv in April.

All proposals included provisions for matching funds as a symbol of community support.