Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced today that entra 21, an initiative of the International Youth Foundation (IYF), was selected from among 400 alliances worldwide as the recipient of the 2006 Global Development Alliance Excellence Award. The Award is given annually to showcase exemplary alliances that have a positive impact and bring new partners into the development community. Award winners have shown the ability to bring various resources together with innovative approaches to solve particular development challenges.

Entra 21, is an innovative workforce development program now operating in 18 countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. In five years, entra 21, has provided training to more than 19,000 disadvantaged youth and young adults ages 16-29 in information technology and basic work skills needed for success in the modern workplace. The employment rate for entra 21, graduates is 50 percent, and the majority of those working have jobs that pay minimum wage or more and provide one or more benefits.

The award was presented to IYF President and CEO William Reese by Ambassador Randall L. Tobias, Director of U.S. Foreign Assistance and Administrator of USAID.

“Public-private partnerships are a vital part of leveraging resources to advance human potential,” said Tobias. “The entra 21, Program has brought together a diverse group of public and private sector partners to do just that—by providing high-tech job training to nearly 20,000 disadvantaged urban and rural youth in Latin America.”

The entra 21, alliance was established in 2001 by the International Youth Foundation (IYF), in partnership with the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) of the Inter-American Development Bank. USAID, through its Office of Global Development Alliance (GDA) has supported the program with more than $4.4 million in funding.

“I have always believed that the best social program is a job, and entra 21, is having a significant impact on the employability of jobless youth through training and job placement services,” says Donald Terry, Manager of the Multilateral Investment Fund. “This is an initiative that really delivers benefits to the region’s youth, and we look forward to future expansion of its programs.” One factor contributing to the success of entra 21, has been the support from the corporate sector. More than $3.6 million in cash contributions have been provided by multinational corporations including Nokia, Cisco Systems, Lucent Technologies, Microsoft, the Gap, Nike, and Merrill Lynch. In addition, entra 21, projects have received more than $7.5 million in local contributions. Together, the involved organizations have provided over $29 million to support this initiative.

“Finding effective solutions to the challenges facing young people by building multi-sector alliances is at the heart of our work at the International Youth Foundation,” says William S. Reese, President and CEO of IYF. “We are thrilled that one of our key programs has been recognized by USAID as a best practice model for providing young people with the tools and opportunities to succeed in the job market.”

About the International Youth Foundation
The International Youth Foundation is a global non-profit organization uniquely dedicated to preparing young people to be healthy, productive, and engaged citizens. Founded in 1990, IYF’s worldwide network of partner organizations has grown to 70 countries, helping young people to shape their futures through proven programs that tie education to work, improve employability, and enable and inspire them to play a positive role in their communities. IYF collaborates with businesses, governments and civil society organizations to build effective, sustainable, and scalable programs that positively impact the lives of young people worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.iyfnet.org.