The monthly newsletter, produced by the SURGE project, showcases how USAID is working to strengthen the economic competitiveness and resilience of secondary cities through stories, photos, video clips, graphics, and events in various sectors, including environment, economic growth, health, and education.

SURGE fosters the development of conditions for broad-based, inclusive, and resilient economic growth in the CDI partner cities. The project is helping these secondary cities plan effectively, improve the delivery of basic public services, promote a business-friendly environment and investment climate, and reduce disaster and climate risks while ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth. 

In the latest newsletter, highlights include:

• Significant improvements in the water delivery system in Tagbilaran to increase revenue, produce accurate bills, address leakage, and expand service hours
• New partnerships between the water district in General Santos City and other utilities to share best practices, expertise, and technology for better septage management.

The target audiences of the newsletter are heads and officials of national government agencies, local government units, the private sector, academe, civil society, and other donor agencies, with the goal of promoting USAID’s “whole-of-mission” approach.

You can view the latest CDI Newsletter here.

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International Fellows Return Home to Successful Careers. This 2018 blog post catches up with three former international fellows and highlights their success since their time in the ICMA International Fellows Program. 

USAID/SURGE. This project page explains the SURGE project in detail and the role that ICMA plays in the project. 

ICMA Salutes Member Volunteers. A 2018 blog post that looks at the work ICMA member volunteers are doing internationally.