Bi-Communal Development Program
The Bi-Communal Development Program (BDP) was one of three programs of the U.S. government to implement the Congressional directive (contained in a $15 million annual ESF earmark) to support bi-communal projects and measures aimed at reunification of the island and designed to reduce tensions and promote peace and cooperation between the two communities on Cyprus[1]. The other two are the Cyprus America Scholarship Program implemented by the Cyprus Fulbright Commission and managed by the Department of State; and the Bi-communal Support Program, implemented by Amideast and managed by the Department of State.
Prior to 1998, USAID-funded bi-communal development programs were carried out by the UNHCR, but over time the need for relief programs declined and program emphasis shifted to large infrastructure efforts. When UNHCR decided to close all but its asylum office in Nicosia, USAID signed a grant agreement for a $30.5 million program with UNDP[2]. Since UNDP does hot have offices in the Republic of Cyprus (ROC), the UNDP asked the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to execute the program. The BDP grant between USAID and UNDP was signed in March 1998 and UNOPS set up a Project Management Unit (PMU) in the UN Protected Area (UNPA) at Nicosia in April, 1998. The grant was later increased for a total USAID grant contribution through 2004 of $60 million.