In December, the board, and staff at PH International (formerly known as Project Harmony) were deep in conversation, brainstorming ideas to celebrate our 40th anniversary. We explored venues, potential speakers, and stories to share. But what excited us most were the plans for the next 40 years – ideas that would guide us through a new strategic planning process.
“We were energized about the future,” said PH co-founder and board member Kathy Cadwell. “While celebrating our 40-year legacy, we focused on how we could continue empowering communities worldwide. Change was inevitable, but we were ready to adapt and move forward with the same resilience that has defined our journey.”
Recent events, however, have forced our organization to confront unexpected challenges. The change in the U.S. administration has cast serious doubt on the future of U.S. foreign assistance. Since much of PH’s funding comes from USAID and the U.S. Department of State, our work around the globe is now in jeopardy. Although we had secured $13 million to fund future programs, we are unable to move forward.
Now, more than ever, our mission is at risk. Yet, the need for global connection and understanding has never been more critical. Our “people-to-people” diplomacy approach – bringing Americans together with their international counterparts – has been at the core of Project Harmony since its beginnings during the Cold War. Our founders, Kathy Cadwell, Charlie Hosford, and David Kelley, from Waitsfield and Montpelier respectively, believed in the power of breaking down barriers through meaningful human connections. Their original goal was to bring Americans together with Russian and Soviet-bloc nationals through a shared love of music. This vision led to the birth of “Project Harmony,” starting with student choir exchanges between Vermont high schools and Leningrad in the spring of 1985.
Over time, Project Harmony evolved into PH International, growing stronger each year. With our U.S. headquarters office still based in Waitsfield, our commitment to hometown values applied on a global scale has set us apart as a unique force in international diplomacy. We have earned the support of successive administrations and have become a small but mighty force for positive change. Through our work, we’ve connected people worldwide, championing the best of America – participatory democracy, civic engagement, and community-building. Though based in a quiet Vermont town, we’ve always aimed high, pushing forward with the determination of the little engine that could.
But the last month has brought rapid and dramatic change. On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order to “Reevaluate and Realign United States Foreign Aid.” Just days later, we received stop-work and suspension orders for all our USAID and embassy-funded programs in Armenia, Georgia, and Ukraine. The road ahead became uncertain, and now we’re in the midst of a 90-day suspension – at least through April.
The suspension of our programs has had devastating consequences. Two major USAID civic education initiatives in Georgia and Armenia are on hold, affecting partnerships with 25 local organizations, several universities, and over 1,000 schools. Twenty-three Georgian and Armenian staff members in our Tbilisi and Yerevan offices are now on part-time pay, and administrative staff in Vermont have seen salary reductions. We are preparing for the worst: potential program cancellations and staff terminations if funding is not restored.
This crisis extends beyond PH’s USAID-funded programs. Programs funded by the U.S. Department of State, including English language training, youth leadership, and prosecutor training programs, have also been frozen. This accounts for an additional 8 Georgian, Armenian, and Ukrainian staff now on part-time pay and facing possible termination. These initiatives foster goodwill, enhance security, and reinforce American values abroad. They are not just acts of charity but strategic investments in democracy and stability.
Exchange programs funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Educational & Cultural Affairs Bureau (ECA)—like Sports Diplomacy exchanges, the American Spaces Digital Literacy & Training Program, and Youth Ambassadors East Asia-Pacific—are exempt from the Executive Order but are now also under review during a 15-day grant disbursement pause. These programs employ an additional 7 PH staff, mostly located in the Waitsfield office, and play a critical role in our mission, strengthening people-to-people bonds worldwide.
Still, tough decisions have been made. As of February, most of our staff are working on reduced salaries through April, with plans for reassessment in the coming months. Despite these challenges, our commitment remains unwavering. For four decades, we’ve focused on one goal: connecting people, empowering communities, and fostering lasting change.
The road ahead is uncertain, but we remain steadfast in our mission. Now, more than ever, we need your support to continue this vital work. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps keep our programs alive and ensures that the next 40 years will be just as impactful as the last. Join us in navigating these challenging times and empowering communities worldwide
We’ve always adapted and persevered. The suspension of our programs is not just a challenge – it's a critical situation. However, it also provides us with an urgent opportunity to reassess our approach and ensure that once we move forward, our work will continue to have a meaningful and lasting impact.
For more information on how to support PH International, visit ph-int.org or contact Meg Harris, executive director, at 802-989-4297.
Harris is the PH executive director and Doutriaux is PH’s chief development officer.
