The Small Project Assistance Program (SPA) is a joint collaboration between USAID and the Peace Corps to support local community development. The Peace Corps and USAID support community-level development projects in sectors ranging from health to agriculture to small enterprise development.

Through an InterAgency Agreement between USAID and the Peace Corps, SPA allows Peace Corps volunteers to participate with USAID in development efforts, helping communities to implement small, self-help activities such as improving access to clean, potable water while gaining critical training in building latrines, maintaining water systems and reducing the spread of water-borne diseases.

SPA-sponsored projects focus on developing local community groups, including local associations, local government entities, schools, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Volunteers also work with NGOs to improve services to surrounding communities. Participants learn key development skills, including program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, integrated planning and service delivery.

Local Sustainability Division manages USAID Mission access to SPA and encourages USAID Missions and Offices to participate in the program. Peace Corps Volunteers compete for funds allocated by USAID through a proposal process managed by the local Peace Corps field offices. Volunteers interested in submitting an application should contact the local Peace Corps staff regarding funding availability and application procedures. Generally, any country in which Peace Corps operates that is served by a USAID bilateral or regional Mission is eligible to initiate and participate in the SPA program.