|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
  |
 |
  |
USAID Mission to Lithuania
Europe & Eurasia
>> E&E Home >> Lithuania >> Post Presence Activities
USAID/Lithuania Post Presence Activities
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- USAID/LITHUANIA Post Presence Activities
Lithuania has made irreversible progress towards the establishment of a democratic society and market-oriented economy. Economic reform has taken place within a democratic framework that inspires good governance, strengthens the rule of law, and encourages active participation by civil society. Progress in economic and political reform will facilitate Lithuania’s accession to membership in the EU.
The long-term challenge for Lithuania is to sustain its pattern of growth and development that will allow its people to achieve their dreams and provide for greater opportunities. Foreign private investments are increasing, and many of the basic laws, policies, and institutions necessary for future economic growth are in place. However, the transition is not complete. Lithuania needs to implement important economic and democratic reforms so as to preserve the gains made and to ensure a positive direction for the future.
The goal of USAID is to have U.S. relations with Lithuania evolve from one of donor/recipient to one of a long-term sustainable partnership at all levels - among individuals, institutions, and leaders. To achieve the goal of a truly sustainable partnership, there is still work to be done, building on the successes and lessons learned over the past eight years.
To help cement this sustainable partnership, USAID will continue to work with Lithuania in several areas. USAID has several "legacy mechanisms" - programs that will sustain the American-Lithuanian partnership. In addition, completion of several on-going programs will occur within the next year. A total of fifteen activities are included in this post presence plan.
In summary, the partnership between Lithuania and the United States will continue well beyond the active presence of the USAID office in Lithuania. Both partners are committed to supporting this continuing relationship at the highest levels. The conclusion of the U.S. bilateral assistance program is a clear demonstration of the U.S. Government’s confidence that Lithuania has irreversibly passed through the threshold leading to a market-economy and a democratic society.
USAID/LITHUANIA Post Presence Activities
Project/Activity End of Project ENERGY SECTOR:
FISCAL SECTOR:
Ministry of Finance Technical Assistance 2001 FINANCIAL AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT:
Loan Portfolio Guarantee 2001
Baltic American Enterprise Fund (BalAEF) 2005 Belarus/Kaliningrad Training in Lithuania 2001 HEALTH SECTOR:
HIV/AIDS Project for Klaipeda-Kaliningrad 2001 Suicide Prevention, Education, and Outreach 2002 Polio Eradication 2005 ENVIRONMENT SECTOR:
EcoLinks Program 2002 Great Lakes/Baltic Sea Partnership 2001 DEMOCRACY AND NGO DEVELOPMENT:
Baltic American Partnership Fund (BAPF) 2008
USAID/Lithuania Post Presence Activities
Nuclear Safety Monitoring and Support
Background and Purpose:
This activity supports U.S. policy interests in achieving early closure of Soviet-designed nuclear power plants, including the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) in Lithuania. Under USAID funding, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will provide technical assistance to the Lithuanian Nuclear Regulatory Agency, VATESI. Completion of on-going technical assistance will assist VATESI to enhance its institutional capacity to serve as a competent, independent regulator capable of providing safety oversight over Ignalina in accordance with international nuclear safety standards.
USAID/Washington is responsible for overall management and financial review of these activities as well as coordination on U.S. nuclear safety policy issues. Through September 2001, the USAID Post-Presence Activity Manager at the U.S. Embassy/Vilnius will provide in-country monitoring and coordination. After September 2001, the U.S. Embassy ECON Office will provide in-country monitoring and coordination.
Program Duration:
This program activity is expected to continue through September 2002.
Baltic Regional Energy Development Project
Background and Purpose:
The Baltic Regional Energy Development Program provides technical assistance to the Committee on Energy of the Baltic Council of Ministers to establish a regional market for electricity. This Program is an on-going collaborative effort with the three Baltic countries, international financial institutions and other donors. In early 2000, the three Baltic Prime Ministers set a target of 2002 to have this single electricity market in operation. Their long-term goal is to develop a trading system complete with interconnections to Finland and Poland, under the Northeast Europe Initiative. Regional operation of the electric systems of the three Baltic countries is especially important now that the Government of Lithuania has approved closure of Unit 1 of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant no later than 2005. This decision requires replacement sources of electricity within the Baltic region. This Program had earlier prepared a study on regional power investment needs after shutdown of Ignalina.
USAID/Washington is responsible for overall technical management of this Program. Through September 2001, the USAID Post-Presence Activity Manager at the U.S. Embassy/Vilnius will provide in-country monitoring and coordination. After September 2001, the U.S. Embassy ECON Office will provide in-country monitoring and coordination.
Program Duration:
Approved as post presence activity through December 2002.
CEE Regional Electricity Management Development Institute
Background and Purpose:The Institute is managed by the U.S. Energy Association through a grant from USAID. It carries out regional workshops and seminars on topics that include: competitive electricity markets, operations of electricity transmission systems, sector investments and finance, electricity demand management, and emissions reductions. This post-presence activity will support the Institute until it becomes fully sustainable.
USAID/Washington is responsible for overall technical management of this Program. The USAID Post-Presence Activity Manager at the U.S. Embassy/Vilnius will provide in-country monitoring and coordination.
Program Duration:
Approved as post presence activity through September 2001.
Regional Energy Regulatory Network
Background and Purpose:This activity is implemented through a cooperative agreement with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissions to support the growth and institutional capabilities of energy regulatory organizations in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. It also supports the goal of a permanent, self-sustaining Association of Regulatory Agencies in the region as a legacy mechanism. The post-presence support will sustain the gains in effectiveness the Lithuanian agency has achieved during USAID presence, and support its participation in the Network. The existence of these regulatory agencies is considered to be one of the cornerstones required to achieve full privatization of the electricity sector.
USAID/Washington is responsible for overall technical management of this Program. The USAID Post-Presence Activity Manager at the U.S. Embassy/Vilnius will provide in-country monitoring and coordination.
Program Duration:
Approved as post presence activity through December 2002.
Municipal Energy Efficiency Network
Background and Purpose:This program links local governments and organizations working on municipal energy efficiency in Europe and Eurasia. The Network will strengthen their ability to carryout policies leading to financing of municipal energy efficiency investments that support Global Climate Change objectives.
USAID/Washington is responsible for overall technical management of this Program. Through September 2001, the USAID Post-Presence Activity Manager at the U.S. Embassy/Vilnius will provide in-country monitoring and coordination. After September 2001, the U.S. Embassy ECON Office will provide in-country monitoring and coordination.
Program Duration:
Approved as post presence activity in Lithuania through September 2003.
Ministry of Finance Technical Assistance
Background and Purpose:The Ministry of Finance has asked USAID/Lithuania to extend the services of a senior advisor on an intermittent basis for one additional year. The advisor would provide technical assistance to support fiscal/debt management and the establishment of a Treasury operation. U.S. assistance played a substantial role in realizing the gains in economic management made by the Ministry of Finance in recent years. A one-year continuation of this advisor is expected to preserve these advances through the current crisis. These activities would support all the systems that maintain the government’s financial sustainability at a time when the government is in financial straits and has a precautionary IMF standby agreement.
USAID/Washington is responsible for overall technical management of this Program. The USAID Post-Presence Activity Manager at the U.S. Embassy/Vilnius will provide in-country monitoring and coordination.
Program Duration:
Proposed as post presence activity through September 2001.
FINANCIAL AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT Loan Portfolio Guarantee Program
Background and Purpose:This program began in Lithuania in 1996. The Loan Portfolio Guarantee Program facilitates the flow of credit to small and medium enterprises by providing participant banks with the access to a risk-sharing arrangement. The goal is to increase the lending to those enterprises by providing a loan guarantee that covers fifty percent of the principal of the loan. Vilnius Bank has participated in the program and has authorized a facility in the amount of $3 million, of which the USAID-guaranteed portion is $1.5 million.
USAID/Washington is responsible for overall technical management of this Program. The USAID Post-Presence Activity Manager at the U.S. Embassy/Vilnius will provide in-country monitoring and coordination.
Program Duration:
This program is expected to be completed by the end of FY2001.
Baltic American Enterprise Fund (BalAEF) 2005
Background and Purpose:
The Baltic American Enterprise Fund began operations in 1995 to provide loans to small and medium enterprises. The Fund is fully funded and has demonstrated over the past five years that it can successfully operate in Lithuania. BalAEF has established a mortgage-lending program to homeowners and purchasers that will create a stable housing market and help build the middle class. It is anticipated that by the time the Enterprise Fund ceases operations, Lithuania’s economic development in the areas receiving assistance will reach a sustainable level, as evidenced by full integration into the world economy.
USAID/Washington is responsible for overall technical management of this Program. Through September 2001, the USAID Post-Presence Activity Manager at the U.S. Embassy/Vilnius will provide in-country monitoring and coordination. After September 2001, the U.S. Embassy ECON Office will provide in-country monitoring and coordination.
Program Duration:
Approved as post presence activity through 2005 (estimated).
Belarus/Kaliningrad Training in Lithuania
Background and Purpose:
Economic transformation has progressed more quickly in Lithuania than in some neighboring countries, due in part to the introduction of training for business people in an effective and applied manner. There is a desire on the part of Lithuanians to ensure cooperation with neighboring countries through common activities and sharing experiences. The Government of Lithuania is taking the first step to advance this process by conducting short but focused training programs in Lithuania for professionals from Belarus and Kaliningrad. Such training works to increase cross-border commerce and improve government service to the benefit of all participants. At the end the training session, trainees will be able to (1) better understand marketing and human resources management principles, (2) develop new ideas for developing or expanding business of their companies, (3) establish contacts and working relations for further cooperation with Lithuania businesses and investment institutions, and (4) effectively use positive and negative experiences of Lithuania business practices.
USAID/Washington is responsible for overall technical management of this Program. The USAID Post-Presence Activity Manager at the U.S. Embassy/Vilnius will provide in-country monitoring and coordination.
Program Duration:
This program is expected to be completed by September 2001
HIV/AIDS Project for Klaipeda-Kaliningrad
Background and Purpose:
This regional initiative to fight HIV/AIDS in the Baltic Region, including Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg, is being organized by USAID/Washington. It will follow the Mission grant for Klaipeda NGOs, that was completed in 2000, to support activities for HIV/AIDS prevention. USAID/Washington also plans to develop a regional strategy for follow-on activities.
USAID/Washington is responsible for overall technical management of this Program. Through September 2001, the USAID Post-Presence Activity Manager at the U.S. Embassy/Vilnius will provide in-country monitoring and coordination. After September 2001, the U.S. Embassy ECON Office will provide in-country monitoring and coordination.
Program Duration:
Not defined at this point, but activities are expected to extend beyond 2002.
Suicide Prevention, Education, and Outreach
Background and Purpose:
Lithuania has the highest suicide rate in Europe and perhaps the world. Through this activity, ties between U.S., Lithuanian, and other Baltic universities will be strengthened to address suicide prevention, education, and outreach. The U.S. implementing educational institution is Georgia State, which will cost-share with USAID and Lithuanian NGOs.
USAID/Washington is responsible for overall technical management of this Program. Through September 2001, the USAID Post-Presence Activity Manager at the U.S. Embassy/Vilnius will provide in-country monitoring and coordination. After September 2001, the U.S. Embassy ECON Office will provide in-country monitoring and coordination.
Program Duration:
This program is expected to be completed by September 2002.
Background and Purpose:
Polio eradication is a world-wide priority. Working with the World Health Organization (WHO), USAID/Washington has initiated a program structured to support WHO and U.S. efforts to eradicate polio. For Lithuania this program will include surveillance and testing to monitor local status of this infectious disease. The effort will provide essential data to evaluate worldwide USAID efforts to eradicate polio as an infectious disease.
USAID/Washington is responsible for overall technical management of this Program. Through September 2001, the USAID Post-Presence Activity Manager at the U.S. Embassy/Vilnius will provide in-country monitoring and coordination. After September 2001, the U.S. Embassy ECON Office will provide in-country monitoring and coordination.
Program Duration:
This program is expected to continue through 2005.
Background and Purpose:
Partnership grants under this activity support cross-border partnerships between businesses, local governments, and relevant associations to solve urban and industrial environmental problems in Central and Eastern Europe and the New Independent States. Business linkages between U.S. and Lithuanian firms will result in the introduction of U.S. environmental technology to the Lithuanian marketplace. U.S. business and investment opportunities will be enhanced.
USAID/Washington is responsible for overall technical management of this Program. Through September 2001, the USAID Post-Presence Activity Manager at the U.S. Embassy/Vilnius will provide in-country monitoring and coordination. After September 2001, the U.S. Embassy ECON Office will provide in-country monitoring and coordination.
Program Duration:
Approved as post presence activity through July 2003.
Great Lakes/Baltic Sea Partnership
Background and Purpose:
The objective of the Great Lakes/Baltic Sea Partnership is to improve the water quality of the Great Lakes and the Baltic Sea by sharing information, expertise, and management approaches. The close environmental similarity between the Great Lakes and Baltic Sea provide good synergy for this program. It continues the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s working relationship with Lithuania. The primary expected result is improved water quality of the two regions and closer international cooperation on water quality issues within the region and between the region and the U.S.
USAID/Washington is responsible for overall technical management of this Program. The USAID Post-Presence Activity Manager at the U.S. Embassy/Vilnius will provide in-country monitoring and coordination.
Proposed Duration:
Back to TopProgram anticipated to be implemented through September 2001.
Baltic American Partnership Fund (BAPF)
Background and Purpose:
The BAPF was jointly funded by USAID and the Soros Foundation. It provides resources to ensure the NGOs in the Baltics, provide a lasting legacy for Lithuania’s democratic and civil society development. The BAPF, implemented as an endowment, is fully funded for a total of ten years, and is expected to draw down its investments over that period.
USAID/Washington is responsible for overall technical management of this Program. Through September 2001, the USAID Post-Presence Activity Manager at the U.S. Embassy/Vilnius will provide in-country monitoring and coordination. After September 2001, the U.S. Embassy ECON Office will provide in-country monitoring and coordination.
Program Duration:
Back to TopThis program will continue through 2008.
 |
|||
Last Updated on: June 25, 2009 |
