A USAID Application for Clean Water and Nutrition in Uganda

Blue Atlas Project is an international nonprofit dedicated to strengthening connections to local food systems for communities recovering from crises. Their Spirulina Development Institute initiative in rural Uganda addresses malnutrition through sustainable, nutrient-rich spirulina farming and educational outreach.

Objectives

NDCS was engaged to:

• Navigate the USAID application package to secure funding for the Institute.
• Build a professional, remote-friendly digital workflow for stakeholders across international locations.
• Conduct cultural and economic research so the project met both local needs and USAID’s objectives.
• Foster strategic partnerships with industry experts and international development professionals.
• Develop a project narrative showing the potential of spirulina farming to address malnutrition sustainably.

What we did

Grant application management

Managed the extensive USAID application process end to end — writing the proposals, compiling the data, and holding every document to USAID’s guidelines. Research and consultation with USAID experts strengthened the application’s alignment with their criteria, and the submission positioned Blue Atlas for funding.

Workflow system development

Implemented a digital workflow management system built for stakeholders spread across Uganda, the United States, and Europe, with real-time updates, document sharing, and task tracking, so a project on three continents stayed on schedule.

Cultural and economic research

Field-specific research tailored the approach to the social, economic, and cultural dynamics of rural Uganda, producing insights that shaped project design and kept it sensitive to local practice and to the sustainability goals.

Strategic partnerships

Partnered with international development professionals and spirulina experts to strengthen the project’s credibility and reach, and worked with stakeholders on approaches to community education and farm operations.

Narrative development

Crafted the project narrative around spirulina’s role in combating malnutrition and promoting sustainable farming, with visual and written content supporting outreach and advocacy.

Impact

The Spirulina Development Institute was positioned as a viable, innovative response to malnutrition in rural Uganda. The application opened funding pathways, the workflow system improved how Blue Atlas operates across time zones, and the partnerships built along the way strengthened the project’s foundation — contributing to a food system that communities can carry themselves.