WASHINGTON | The United States Agency of International Development has approved $900,000 in funding for the Seeds of Peace organization, which is partly based in Otisfield, Maine, according to Rep. John Baldacci, D-Maine.
Although the funds were part of last year’s foreign operations appropriations bill, USAID officials had not signed off an allocating funds to Seeds of Peace.
Following a concerted effort by Baldacci and other members of Congress, the USAID has agreed to make the money available. Of the total allocation, $800,000 will be used to operate the program, including expenses for a facility in Jerusalem. An additional $100,000 will directly support the Seeds of Peace camp in Otisfield.
“By bringing young people from the Middle East together to learn about conflict resolution, Seeds of Peace is helping to lay the foundation for greater international cooperation and less violence,” said Baldacci. “These resources will enable young people to experience the beauty and tranquility of Maine, while gaining the knowledge and skills needed to deal with conflict.”