July 2009

As VEGA Member Organization, Citizens Development Corps moves toward twenty years providing innovative and market-driven solutions to clients worldwide, the organization has changed its name to CDC Development Solutions.  In the past six months, the staff took stock of clients, programs, and achievements, and made a number of important strategic decisions to take the organization into its third decade and beyond.

The leadership decided on CDC Development Solutions  (CDS) as the new name because it keeps the focus on development and also captures the results-oriented nature of its programs.  They have kept "CDC" in their name in recognition of the successful programs that have been implemented in more than fifty countries on five continents over the past twenty years. 

In addition to renaming the organization, CDC Development Solutions has also reorganized around four practice areas that draw on its unique experience and tested methodologies in varied industries with both public and private sector clients. 

Through these practice areas, the organization is able to maximize its impact on programs implemented with USAID, while continuing to build partnerships with well-known multinational companies and international financial institutions, which now comprise approximately 80% of CDS' business. 

These four Practice Areas are:

• Supply Chain Development - Solutions that Create Local Economic Opportunities through Global Supply Chains
• Tourism Development - Solutions that Utilize the Power of Tourism to Drive Growth in Emerging Markets
• Global Citizenship and Volunteerism - Solutions Engaging the New Global Citizen to Address the Complex Challenges of Our Time and
• Stability and Economic Recovery - Solutions that Strengthen and Rebuild Economies and Promote Prosperity in Challenging Environments

All service offerings under these Practice Areas provide long-term solutions to development challenges leveraging corporate partnerships, public resources, local expertise, and volunteer service.

To celebrate the new name, new website, and new Practice Areas, CDC Development Solutions held a launch party on July 16 at the offices of its new pro bono law firm, DLA Piper.  The attendees included partners and funders such as IBM, VEGA, Citi, the Grassroots Business Fund, USAID, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of State, the World Bank, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

If you have questions or would like to discuss future partnerships, please contact Kate Ahern, Director of Business Development, at kahern@cdc.org or 202-530-7663. 

Please visit  CDC Development Solutions' new website at www.cdcdevelopmentsolutions.org.