USAID launched Thursday its new three-year project, Improving Energy Efficiency for the Low-Income Housing Sector.

The project will benefit up to 600 households through energy efficiency improvements that significantly decrease energy consumption and operating cost.

"The pilot project we conducted this past year confirmed that investments in energy efficiency measures are justified," said USAID Mission Director, Robert Wuertz.

"They not only result in energy savings and decreased energy costs, but also in improved living conditions for the residents of those buildings", he added.

The project, which will be implemented by Habitat for Humanity Macedonia, will improve the residential energy efficiency in 26 collective housing buildings in the municipalities of Kumanovo, Tetovo, Veles, Karpos, Struga, Prilep and Strumica. It will also raise public awareness of residential energy efficiency, facilitate investment, entrepreneurship, internships and job creation in the energy efficiency sector, and improve the management of the collective housing buildings.

USAID is proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity Macedonia.  USAID worldwide is increasing funding to local organizations to build their capacity and ensure their sustainability over the long term.  USAID Macedonia has, in fact, increased the amount going to Macedonian NGOs from $700,000 in fiscal year 2010 to $3.4 million in fiscal year 2011.  We plan to continue increasing this amount over the next few years.