Commonwealth Service Abroad Programme (CSAP)

The Commonwealth Service Abroad Programme (CSAP) places 30 volunteer experts a year to assist member countries. It has been the Secretariat’s primary initiative in response to national disasters such as the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the October 2005 Pakistan earthquake.

CSAP assists in the design, development and implementation of people-centred, mass-impact projects that contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

Since its launch in 2001, CSAP has emerged as a highly demanded, commended and cost-effective programme attracting over 160 Projects.

Volunteer Experts can be assigned for up to six months to work alongside the staff of public, private or civil society institutions or state-owned private enterprises. This has also been used as a medium to channel development assistance during the time of natural disasters like the Asian tsunami, the Pakistan earthquake and the Grenada hurricane.