The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing nearly $800,000 for the Black Sea Regulatory Initiative, connecting regulators from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine with U.S. regulators from the Organization of Midwest States and with each other to strengthen regional regulatory capacity and cross-border cooperation on renewable energy and energy efficiency. The Initiative will work with regulators throughout the Black Sea region to develop renewable energy guidelines, help define the role of regulators in promoting energy efficiency and price reforms, and promote harmonized regulatory practices. Collectively, these activities will help create the necessary enabling environment for low emission development and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the Black Sea region. The Initiative will foster bilateral regulatory partnerships among regulators from Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine through exchanges that will complement regional activities.