Europe and Eurasia
The USAID Europe and Eurasia strategy focuses
on three core areas: economic restructuring and growth, democracy
and governance, and the social dimensions of transition.
In addition, USAID develops
cross-sector approaches to address critical obstacles and
changing circumstances in the region. During 2003 – 2004,
these include: raising the profile of values inherent in
transition programs; systematically
addressing conflict and corruption in program analysis and
design; and further developing social sector initiatives
to broaden the benefits
of reform and thereby sustain public support for it. Read
More...
E&E in Action
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| Dr. Kent R. Hill was nominated by President George W. Bush, and confirmed by the United States Senate to be Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia. He was sworn into office on November 6, 2001. |
Dr.
Kent R Hill, USAID's Assistant Administrator for Europe
and Eurasia, on his vision for the region
Fifteen years ago, in one of the most stunning developments of the twentieth century, the communist world of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union dissolved into 27 separate independent countries. The vast majority of its citizenry expressed a desire to move toward democratic governance and free market economies. But the transition, even with international donor assistance, has proven to be anything but easy.
Three essential elements of the Bureau for Europe and Eurasia’s assistance to the former communist world include helping to establish full democracies rooted in the rule of law, nurturing vibrant market economies, and supporting the emergence of a responsive social net to meet the needs of the people, especially those disadvantaged during difficult times of transition.
Successful reform is dependent upon an established foundation of values -- values which are the bedrock for creating and sustaining democracy, values which insist on an equitable and fair market economy, values which guarantee human rights and religious freedom, and values which can overcome the irrational passions, hatred and bitterness which ignite and fuel conflict. Read More ...
 USAID Hosts Overseas Delegation of Young Politicians for Democracy Panel
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries
On Friday, October 29, 2004, USAID hosted more than 70 young leaders from 23 countries who were in Washington to participate in a bipartisan program to study the U.S. election process, sponsored by the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL). The USAID panel discussion took place at the culmination of a week-long visit designed to provide ACYPL delegates with the opportunity to see how national elections and campaigns are conducted in the United States. Read More ...
Bierman Tells Conference Participants International Development is Integral to Domestic Security
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On Friday, November 12, 2004, hundreds of students and faculty at Virginia State University in Richmond, VA gathered to hear an expert panel composed of American international policymakers, foreign dignitaries and business leaders discussed terrorism and threat assessment. Distinguished participants included Armenian Ambassador Arman Kirakossian, former U.S.Ambassador to Moldova Pamela Smith, United States Industry Coalition, Inc. Board Chairman John Gallagher, Director of the William R. Nelson Institute for Public Affairs, James Madison University Dr. Stephen Bowers and Brock D. Bierman, USAID Bureau for Europe and Eurasia Chief of Staff. Read More ...
 USAID Signed its New Initiative, “Fostering Religious Harmony in Albania”
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Albania
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and World Learning, a U.S. based NGO, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on May 20th for the new initiative called “Fostering Religious Harmony in Albania.” This two and a half year project seeks to support the peaceful coexistence of the religious groups in Albania and foster understanding among people of different faiths. It will engage leaders of faith to address issues of intolerance and conflict through training, technical assistance, and small grants. Read More ...
 National Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness Council (NECC)
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Macedonia
The NECC was created in 2002 to provide a forum for constructive dialogue between the public and private sectors as a response to the obvious need to provide a place where serious issues facing business and the economy could be identified and discussed and appropriate actions could be recommended and/or implemented. Read More ...
 Volunteerism Central Message of US-Ukraine Foundation Address
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Ukraine
In his keynote speech to over 250 members of the Sister Cities International U.S.-Ukraine Forum, USAID Bureau for Europe and Eurasia Chief of Staff Brock Bierman spoke about the importance of international volunteerism and its impact on the United States assistance programs, as well as the success of programs offering a helping hand to our neighbors overseas. Read More ...
 Progress toward Pension Reform – Labor Takes a Seat at the Negotiating Table …
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Serbia-Montenegro
Beograd, Serbia - Two USAID projects teamed-up to discuss the benefits of pension reform with labor and government. USAID partners BearingPoint and the American Center for International Labor Solidarity (ACILS) brought together the leaders of Serbia’s two largest labor unions, Nezavisnost and Savez Samostalnih Sindikata Srbije (SSSS), and government representatives who participated in a two-day conference on lessons learned and best practices in pension reform throughout the region. Read More ...
 Albanian Gypsies in the Business
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Albania
Like most Gypsies in Albania, Sofia and Gezim Neziri sold used clothing on the streets, they lived a marginalized existence of poverty, usually associated with their Jevgu/Roma communities, and struggled to feed their families with the money they made. Today, the couple is enjoying the fruits of a profitable business. They own two houses, a car, a cellular phone, a vineyard and many of the other luxuries that life in Albania can offer. Read More ...
 Leasing Sows Seeds of Prosperity for Georgian Agriculture
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Georgia
It’s wild mushroom season in the mountains near Sachkere, Georgia and every day villagers of all ages fan out into the cool forests to collect succulent porcinis and chanterelles. They sell some mushrooms in the local market, but the bulk of their harvest goes to Kvicha Grdzelidze, who runs a mushroom drying business with his partner, Mamuka Nozadze. Dried wild mushrooms have a high demand in the European markets. Read More ...
 Business Training Helped Ukrainian Woman Make Her Dream Come True
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Ukraine
Makiyivka, Donetsk oblast, Ukraine - Victoria Nikitina worked as a processing engineer of bakery production at a state baker’s plant for 20 years until she saw a newspaper announcement about business training. “Having work at a baker’s plant, I dreamed about producing healthy food, particularly bread. The idea was very exciting, but at that time I had neither means and nor business knowledge,” recalls Nikitina. Read More ...
 The Agricultural Marketing Project (AMP) and CNFA’s Farmer to Farmer Program in Ukraine Works with Rural Cooperative Sviatylivka to Improve Profits and Distribution Channels for its Cucumbers
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Ukraine
Currently, the fruit and vegetable sector in Ukraine is comprised mainly of small plot farmers who depend on marketing their produce, including cucumbers in the fresh, local markets. Due to inefficiencies and the lack of funds, many of these small farmers face a constant uphill battle to make ends meet. With support from AMP and CNFA, USAID funded agricultural initiatives, a great number of these farmers have received technical, organizational, and marketing assistance. Some have received financial assistance as well. Read More ...
USAID's Aid to Artisans Project
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Macedonia
The Aid to Artisans (ATA) project works with artisans and small and medium-sized enterprises in Macedonia to develop local and export markets for traditional and contemporary craft products, thus increasing their incomes and creating employment. ATA provides technical assistance in the form of business training, product development, and marketing to these producers, giving them the necessary skills to generate and maintain sales beyond the life of the project. Read More ...
 A Member of The Association of Intensive Orchard Growers Expands Sales from a Local Market to Cherkasy Supermarkets
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Ukraine
Assisted by Agricultural Marketing Project, an Association member Mykola Olijnyk, finds new marketing possibilities and sells 82 tons of apples to Cherkasy supermarkets. Many of small farmers growing apples in the Cherkasy oblast are new to this business and try hard to overcome obstacles in implementing new intensive technologies for growing and marketing their apples. The Association of Intensive Orchard Growers in Cherkasy oblast united amateur orchard growers, farmers and scientists including the Head of the fruit-growing faculty of the Uman State Agrarian University. Read More ...
 Azerbaijan Agribusiness Center
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Azerbaijan
In May 2004, the Azerbaijan Agribusiness Center released The Complete Guide to Financing in Azerbaijan. This is the first comprehensive financing resource guide available to Azerbaijan business community. Access to information provided by the Guide is opening windows of opportunity for agribusiness sector growth and development. Read More ...
 Breast Cancer Survivors Fight for Rights
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Bosnia-Herzegovina
Prevention doesn’t exist: only early detection! For most women, breast cancer is an emotionally devastating diagnosis. But in Sarajevo, 150 breast cancer survivors have found the energy to fight for legislation that is helping them cope with the disease both physically and emotionally. Read More ...
Bridge between Srebrenica and Bajina Basta Municipalities Refurbished with U.S. Support
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Bosnia-Herzegovina
On Wednesday, November 3, an inauguration ceremony will be held to mark the completion of renovations of the bridge connecting Skelani, in the Municipality of Srebrenica, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Bajina Basta, in Serbia and Montenegro. The people of the United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), provided support for installing lights and laying asphalt on the bridge. Participants at the ceremony will include USAID Regional Director Dr. Ray Kirkland, USAID/Belgrade Mission Director Keith Simmons, USAID/Sarajevo Mission Director Howard Sumka, Srebrenica Mayor Abduraham Malkic and Bajina Basta Mayor Miloje Savic. The ceremony will take place on the bridge at 12:00. All media representatives are invited to attend. Read More ...
 Caucasus School of Business
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Georgia
Georgia’s economic transition from a centrally planned economy to one that is market oriented has been a painful process. After an initial collapse the economy has been slow to rebuild. With an eye on facilitating this economic transition, Georgia State University in Atlanta, USA (GSU) and a consortium of Georgian state universities founded the Caucasus School of Business (CSB) located in Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital. The school offers degrees in Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA). Read More ...
 Cheer Dried Fruit Finding New International Markets
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Armenia
In the sun-soaked fields of Armavir Marz lays an inspiring success story. The Cheer company produces dried fruits and vegetables for export and has been a DAIASME partner for more than three years. The Development Alternatives Incorporated – Agricultural Small and Medium Enterprise (DAI-ASME) project has supported Cheer through various training programs (traceability, food safety/management) and cost-share grants for participation in international trade shows and for local marketing activities. After improving product quality and marketing, Cheer attracted more customers, including new European buyers in prime export markets such as Switzerland and France. Indeed, Cheer has needed to expand to meet demand, and DAI-ASME provide two cost-share grants to facilitate the expansion. Read More ...
 Western NIS Enterprise Fund (WNISEF) Introduces Energy Efficient Technologies to Ukrainian Industry
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Ukraine
WNISEF’s investment in Energy Alliance has made it possible for Ukrainian enterprises to access energy efficiency solutions which considerably reduce their energy costs and thus make Ukrainian products more competitive on both domestic and export markets. Moreover, Energy Alliance’s tailor-made solutions will assist Ukraine in reducing its overall energy consumption and related reliance on imported fuel sources. Read More ...
 A Catalyst Approach to a Farm Cooperative’s Success in Halaidovo Village
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Ukraine
Forming cooperatives according to western principles has not been easy in Ukraine. Attitudes and idealism left over from the old collective agriculture system still pervade. Some years ago, 10 people from Halaidovo village, Monastyrishe raion in Cherkasy, decided to found a cooperative to purchase seed and fuel, and to share necessary farm equipment during their fieldwork. By joining the cooperative, the members could add value to their produce and process their crops at a local mill. But still, they had to solve a common problem - to find better market outlets for their produce. Read More ...
U.S. Government Supports Regional Workshop on Fiscal Equalization
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Serbia-Montenegro
On November 19 and 20, the Fiscal Decentralization Initiative, in cooperation with the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities, will hold a two-day regional policy workshop on local government finance reform and fiscal equalization. The workshop will take place at the Sava Centar in Belgrade. It will begin at 9:00 a.m. on November 19 with a keynote address by Roderick Moore, Charge d'Affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade. Read More ...
 Forest Resources and Technology Project
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Russia
Promoting Cleaner Biomass Energy in the Russian Far East “USAID is strengthening the wood processing sector while also protecting the value of the resource as well as environment….” First Deputy Minister, Vladimir Pankov, Khabarovsk Kraiy Ministry of Timber and Industry Russia has 21% of the world’s standing timber, mostly located in the vast forests of the Russian Far East (RFE) and Siberia. USAID’s Forest Resources and Technology Project (FOREST) addresses issues threatening the forest ecosystem while balancing the forest industry’s important role in Russia’s economy. Based on the participation of government, non-government, private and public organizations, the program preserves Russia's valuable forests through more effective fire and pest management, and encourages innovative use of timber and non-timber forest resources by promoting renewable energy source alternatives. Read More ...
 Khmelnytsky Farmers Make Profit by Growing Elite Potato Seed
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Ukraine
Until recently, Ukrainian farmers and house plot owners (HPOs) grew potatoes using old traditional methods and backward technologies, mostly for their home consumption. For the last five years, the drop of potato yields has threatened the potato production in Khmelnytsky oblast. Read More ...
Ambassador Michael C. Polt to open the John Kingsbury Health Dispensary in Pranjani
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Serbia-Montenegro
On Monday, November 1st, U.S. Ambassador to Serbia and Montenegro, Michael C. Polt, and Dr. Ljubisa Sumarac, Director of the Gornji Milanovac Health Center, will inaugurate the newly reconstructed John Kingsbury Health Dispensary, located in the village of Pranjani. Support for this project was provided by the people of the United States of America through the USAID-funded "Community Revitalization through Democratic Action" (CRDA) program, in partnership with the citizens of Gornji Milanovac. Read More ...
 Every High School in Macedonia Now Has a Computer Lab
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Macedonia
(Gevgelija) One year ago, the late President Boris Trajkovski cut the ribbon of the first computer laboratory in Josif Josifovski High School in Gevgelija. These 20 computers were the first of the 2,000 computers donated by the People’s Republic of China. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) of the U.S. Embassy in Skopje, installed the new computers here and completed 88 more computer labs in every high school in Macedonia. Read More ...
 Bulgaria Celebrates New National Institute of Justice Building
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s Day of Awareness and Intellectual Pursuit was celebrated this year with the inauguration ceremony of the new building for the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). Live violin players, participation of Bulgarian government officials and members of the international community and a festive ambiance created by lighting and flowers in the Grand Hall commemorated the opening. Read More ...
 International Film Festival Celebrates People with Disabilities
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Russia
On November 11, the second annual International Disability Film Festival "Breaking Down Barriers" opened in Moscow. The Festival ran until November 14 at the Salyut Film Theater and is organized by USAID partner Perspektiva, a Russian non-governmental organization that supports people with disabilities. The USAID-funded Assistance to Russian Orphans (ARO) Program is also a festival sponsor along with Russian businesses and city and federal agencies. Read More ...
 Macedonia Be Proud
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Macedonia
For many schools in Macedonia, funds provided by the Ministry of Education are not sufficient to cover necessary maintenance or pay for school improvements. Thanks to the “Be Proud of Your School” campaign, launched by three USAID projects, all of the high schools in Macedonia have freshly painted classrooms. Read More ...
Macedonian Cheese Exports: Supporting 1st Time Exporters
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Macedonia
There are 50,000 people in Macedonian who make their livelihood from sheep, mostly from the sale of lamb and cheese. In general, their standard of living is low, but Macedonians connected with the industry were missing out on opportunities to increase their incomes by exporting cheese. By conducting market research with the Lamb & Cheese Cluster, helping to identify interested distributors, and publicizing success stories, MCA has helped the industry to export more than $125,000 to four new markets. As a result of the new interest and capabilities in exporting, export figures are expected to continue growing rapidly in the coming years. Read More ...
 Market Information (MI) Journal Makes a Large Impact During Its First Year
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Ukraine
Ukraine has long been known for its substantial share of the most fertile land in the world. Twenty-four percent of 22.5 million of the Ukrainian workforce work in the agricultural sector. Lack of timely consolidated information on the Ukrainian agricultural markets is one of many obstacles that impede work for farmers working in fruit and vegetable industry. The marketing information on fruit and vegetables distributed in a scattered and sporadic fashion, have been limiting farmers to selling their produce on local markets, thus reducing their revenues. Read More ...
 Modernizing the Operating Techniques and Equipment in Macedonia
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Macedonia
The Dushan Ciric company is one of 40 in a Land O’Lakes program backed by USAID to modernize the operating techniques and equipment of fruit and vegetable producers in Macedonia. The four-year program helps the industry comply with European export standards and establish HACCP food security measures. Read More ...
 Informed Analysis by AAC Assures Optimized Investment Decisions by Azeri Businesses Equipment Upgrades
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Azerbaijan
The Azerbaijan Agribusiness Center assured that Azeri agribusiness companies maximized their business investments by assisting them in gathering and assessing critical information on construction and equipment before funds were expended. Two of Azerbaijan's agribusiness companies, a meat processor and a poultry processing facility, were in the process of expanding their businesses. The meat processing company had the capacity to produce 3 to 5 tons of high quality meats per day, and had established a retail network that sold its products at more than ten outlets. Read More ...
USAID's Civic Education: Path to a Civil Society
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Macedonia
In September of 1998 Catholic Relief Service Macedonia (CRS), in partnership with the Macedonia Ministry of Education/Bureau of Education Development began implementing the USAID funded Civic Education project. This project assists Macedonia's first steps in the long-term process of educating children and parents about the important role they have to play in the development of civil society and training them in the skills and knowledge needed to exercise their civic rights and duties. The program works with teachers, school management staff, parent councils and government officials to introduce and implement the Foundations of Democracy civic education curriculum to students in kindergarten and grades 1-4 and the Project Citizen Civic Education Curriculum to students in grades 5-6. Read More ...
The TRADE Network (Trading Regionally and Developing Expertise)
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In its short 18 month life, the TRADE Network is already yielding clear benefits of increased cooperation among consulting firms in domestic as well as in the Southeast Europe Regional market. Through the development of partnerships and increased exposure and training in internationally accepted best practices, member firms and their clients are competing for more sophisticated clients than they were able before. The 26 consulting firms that make up the TRADE Network have already experienced $1.8 million in new revenues and cost savings from a U.S. Government investment of $2.5 million. Read More ...
 The Agricultural Marketing Project in Ukraine Helps Farmers Identify New Distribution Channels
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Ukraine
The Agricultural Marketing Project (AMP) is currently working on ways to assist farmers in identifying, marketing, and better distributing their produce to increase incomes, lower expenses, and take advantage of market opportunities. Read More ...
Wine & Cheese Festival at the Old Tree in Ohrid: Market Feedback for Traditional Macedonian Sheepherders
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Macedonia
Macedonian sheepherders use traditional techniques to produce wonderful tasting feta and other sheep cheeses. Although cheese is one of their most profitable income sources, a majority of their production is sold from the farm gate to re-sellers. By going directly to the market, sheepherders can increase their sales and profits. Read More ...
 New USAID-Sponsored Twinning Healthcare Partnership to Create Model HIV/AIDS Programs in Russia
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Russia
On November 4, 2004, officials from USAID and the American International Health Alliance (AIHA) presided over the signing of a memorandum of understanding to formalize the formation of a new partnership that will focus on creating a comprehensive, integrated program for providing prevention, care, treatment, and social support services to people living with HIV/AIDS in the city of Togliatti in Russia’s Samara Oblast. Read More ...
Substance Use Prevention Campaign Targets Kosovo Teens
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Kosovo
A series of discussions about the consequences of drug use were held with youngsters
throughout Suhareke/Suvareka Municipality. Vajzat Sot (Girls Today), a local NGO from
Suharekë/Suvareka and the Municipal Information Officer (MIO) through their work provided
opportunity for a series of discussions to take place and -- for the first time -- discuss drug
abuse with youngsters aged 14-18 in area schools. The topic, the facilitator and the discussions
offered a middle ground between peer-to-peer education and the traditional school lecture,
thus providing an environment which engaged youngsters in the discussion. Read More ...
Bridge Renovation Encourages Increased Cross-border and Interethnic Cooperation
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Bosnia-Heregovina
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Serbia and Montenegro
For nearly a decade, cooperation between the communities of Srebrenica, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Bajina Basta, Serbia and Montenegro, has been virtually non-existent. Before the war, residents crossed the bridge dividing their communities to go to school, work or shop. Today the movement of goods, people and information is very limited due to time-consuming border crossing procedures, mistrust and prejudice. Read More ...
 Skelani Soccer Tournament: Connecting Divided Communities
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Bosnia-Heregovina
The small village of Skelani (BiH) is in the Srebrenica municipality and has approximately 2500 inhabitants. Skelani is located 50 km from the town of Srebrenica and access to the municipal capital is hampered by dirt roads connecting through the Zeleni Jadar Mountains or by way of the town of Bratunac. The closest town to Skelani is Bajina Basta in Serbia and Montenegro (SCG) located only 3 km away across the bridge over the Drina River. Read More ...
 AGB Nielsen Media Research to Invest $600,000 into Georgia’s TV Ratings System
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Georgia
The major U.S. provider of television marketing and consumer information recently committed to invest $600,000 to upgrade the television ratings system in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia. AGB Nielsen Media Research will partner with the USAID-funded IREX Media Innovations Project and the Institute for Polling and Marketing (IPM), a Georgian firm, to install People Meters in homes across Georgia. Read More ...
Underwear maker Jasmil prepares exports to US.
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Serbia and Montenegro
Arilje-based textile producer Jasmil has been preparing its first batches of children’s underwear to be shipped to the United States in February 2005, thanks to deals made during Jasmil’s participation in autumn fashion fairs in New York. Jasmil’s presentation in the US was supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), within the Serbian Entrepreneurship Development Program (SEDP), Milan Loncarevic, the owner of Jasmil, told Belgrade’s daily Politika. Arilje’s firm has met US standards for quality, design, and manufacture, according to Loncarevic.
Reconnection of the High Voltage Grids of Southeast Europe
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries
On October 10, 2004, the electric grids of Southeast Europe, including Greece, were reconnected to the interconnected system of western Europe. Since the 1991 destruction from war of a large power substation at Ernestinovo in eastern Croatia, the electrical energy networks of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia & Montenegro, Macedonia, and Greece had been operated as a separate interconnected system. This separate system was later joined to the Bulgarian and Romanian grids, as well as to portions of western Ukraine’s, which previously were part of the interconnected system of the former Soviet Union and are now for the first time integrated to western Europe. Reconnection was made possible with the completion of reconstruction of the war damaged portions of the grid in Croatia in 2003, followed by the completion of substations and power transmission lines in Bosnia in August of 2004. Read More ...
 The Citizen’s Advocacy Office and Transparency International Join Forces to Fight Corruption
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Albania
The Citizens Advocacy Office (CAO) and Transparency International (TI) signed a partnership agreement. The CAO is part of the USAID-funded Albanian Coalition Against Corruption (ACAC) and is the leading anti-corruption watchdog and advocacy organization in Albania. TI is the world’s foremost organization devoted to combating corruption. Together their efforts will be strengthened and scores of people will be mobilized into action against corruption all throughout Southeast Europe. Read More ...
"A Mini-Revolution in the Albanian Primary Health Care System"
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Albania
The work of policy makers, managers, physicians and other health service staff cannot be successfully understood and achieved without the information produced and circulated within all levels of the health system. The accurate and rapid information that follows collection, processing and analyzing of reliable data on time is essential for primary health care planning and decision making, as well as for clinical diagnosis and treatment. In contemporary medicine the use of computers, special software and networks is as important as developing new drugs and equipment. The interest to modernize and develop an improved primary health care information system was the incentive for positive cooperation among the structures of the Ministry of Health and USAID. Read More ...
 Local Governments Empowered
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Albania
Pogradec, Kavaje and Kuçove municipalities are part of the USAID/Albania Local Government Assistance and Decentralization program. For three years USAID, with the Urban Institute (UI) as its implementing partner, has been working with fifteen pilot cities and providing technical assistance to another fifty. This activity provides support for various legislative initiatives and local government activities that collectively advance the decentralization process and increase the control of local governments by local constituents, while incrementally decreasing the control by central authorities. USAID is training municipal staff on how to collect citizen input and opinion; prepare budgets, action plans and financial analysis; schedule budget hearings; draft fiscal policy; and identify options for increasing revenues. These lessons among many others are now being taken to the field and put into practice. Read More ...
 Micro-Credit Loan Program Featured on BBC World
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Albania
Three clients of the Servicing Micro-Entrepreneurs in Albania program, implemented by Opportunity International and its established Albanian Institution, PSHM, were interviewed and told their story of how they moved from rags to riches. Drita Alia moved her second-hand clothing business from the streets to a profitable store. Artan Latifi started a car-wash and serves clients in his new café, and Sanije Braholli, once an employee of a large ice-cream factory, has her own ice-cream store. Read More ...
 Opening the Doors to a Transparent Judicial System
Home » Locations » Europe and Eurasia » Countries » Albania
Shkoder District Court is the second largest court in Albania with approximately 20 judges and another 22 staff. It hears and decides almost 2000 cases a year. When USAID’s implementing partner, East West Management Institute (EWMI), inspected the court in September 2003, the situation was, mildly putting it, "chaotic." It had only three working telephones, a few stand-alone computers and secretaries climbing up and down four flights of stairs in order to pass messages and phone calls. Administrative services were scattered throughout the court, mixed in among judge offices and courtrooms. The public was tramping in and out of the halls compromising judge’s security and protection of witnesses, as well as facilitating potential tampering of files. The citizens who came to the courthouse had to often wait outside in the cold rain until called and faced a web of corridors and closed doors in search of assistance. Read More ...
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