The Consortium for Global Development, using the PDI Process, offers unique partnership opportunities for qualifying nonprofits to build their sustainability through the Industry Professional Referral Organization (IPRO) and Project Information Office (PIO) Programs, as explained below:

Industry Professional Referral Organizations (IPROs)

IPROs are nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations that facilitate industry-specific information to enhance the ability of U.S. businesses to compete in the global development market.  IPROs work with their wide network of industry experts to connect Consortium members to the appropriate information, advisors, and companies required to plan and execute high-value global development projects.  Specifically, IPROs work with the Foundation for Global Technology (FGT) to identify technical advisors and existing project models (EPMs) throughout project lifecycles, and work with the Global Contractors Library (GCL) to refer companies in its industry sector into a database to be matched with projects and opportunites.  All required industry information, advisors, and companies will be vetted through stringent, fully transparent PDI Process protocols for each project, which is used to provide the nonprofit a clear path for sustainable funding opportunities.

To find suitable IPRO candidates, The Consortium reaches out to trade and professional associations, academia, U.S. Commercial Service Export Assistance Centers, and the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Below is a general FAQ designed to give you a headstart on understanding the IPRO Program.  Detailed, step-by-step documentation is available upon request for appropriate candidates.

Project Information Offices (PIOs)

PIOs are nonprofit, non-governmental organizations that promote development project opportunities in host countries by facilitating up-to-date information. Specifically, PIOs are responsible for finding and organizing development projects in a specific country or region of a country, by handling project intake, informing clients about the Consortium and the PDI Process, and gathering region-specific information to help determine project feasibility. PIOs maintain cooperative relationships with host-country government agencies to promote their participation in the Consortium’s projects as part of a country’s overall development goals. PIOs are also liaisons among the stakeholders of development projects, including government agencies, civil society organizations, academia and the business community. PIOs provides crucial information to assess political risk, including the local regulatory environment, business procedures and protocols, applicable laws governing the actions of foreign contractors, and the chain of command for project approval at the private and public level. 

To find suitable PIO candidates, The Consortium reaches out to consulates, embassies, trade commissions, trading companies, and/or ethnic chambers of commerce.

Below is a general FAQ designed to give you a headstart on understanding the PIO Program.  Detailed, step-by-step documentation is available upon request for appropriate candidates.