 |
|
|
|
 |
USAID Information:
External Links:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ecuador: USAID Program Profile
| Budget |
FY 2005
Actual
|
FY 2006
Current
|
FY 2007
Requested
|
| Total Program Funds |
$34,618,000 |
$21,963,000 |
$22,044,000 |
The United States Agency for International Development’s
(USAID) principal objectives in Ecuador are to conserve biodiversity,
increase support for the democratic system, and improve the
quality of life of the population living along Ecuador's borders
and increase economic opportunities for the poor.
Environment: Ecuador may have more biological diversity
than any other country on earth, and USAID’s program
is helping to conserve substantial areas of this globally
significant habitat. USAID efforts focus on improving the
country’s environmental policy and legal framework,
developing improved natural resource management practices
and strengthening the capabilities of local groups to carry
out effective conservation actions. The development of improved
policies, legal frameworks and science-based regulations has
played a key role in reducing the often violent conflict associated
with management of the Galapagos Marine Reserve. The biologically
rich Reserve (the focus of USAID/Ecuador’s efforts in
the Galapagos) was declared a United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage
Site in December 2001, a landmark victory for conservation
and USAID.
Democracy: USAID’s democracy strategy focuses
on strengthening the transparency and accountability of selected
democratic institutions, fostering greater inclusiveness of
historically disadvantaged groups in key democratic processes
and increasing consensus on policies that are critical to
democratic consolidation. USAID was instrumental in supporting
a new Criminal Procedures Code that came into effect in July
2001. USAID's work with the accusatory justice system through
effective training and other related efforts, such as improving
civil society capacity to oversee government functions and
expanding access to justice, is ongoing and will continue
to fight corruption. USAID will continue to provide technical
assistance and training to key justice sector institutions
to ensure proper implementation of the Code. USAID is also
supporting this year’s elections as a means of reinforcing
the legitimacy of democracy, strengthening the governing mandate
of elected representatives and facilitating greater citizen
participation in this key democratic process.
Border Development – Southern Border: USAID supports
the 1998 Peace Agreement to improve social and economic conditions
of inhabitants along the Ecuador-Peru border. USAID support
focuses on income generation for small and micro-entrepreneurs;
increasing availability and access to social services (with
an emphasis on health, water, and sanitation); improving natural
resources management (including sustainable forest management,
land titling, and technical assistance in production and marketing
of timber and non-timber products); and strengthening local
government.
Border Development – Northern Border: USAID’s
northern border program focuses on increasing stability and
prosperity and strengthening local institutions. USAID supports
social and productive infrastructure (including health, water
and sanitation services and the construction and/or repair
of roads, bridges and small irrigation systems) and civil
society activities including an on-going land-titling program
for small farmers; human rights and legal defense; the provision
of environmental assessments and monitoring and a drug-use
education and prevention program. Additional activities are
specifically directed at strengthening indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian
community organizations.
Poverty Reduction: USAID’s program focuses on
two areas: a) support for strengthening the microfinance sector,
allowing increased access to financial and non-financial services
by urban and rural microentrepreneurs and b) strengthening
the macroeconomic environment by increasing fiscal transparency,
improving tax administration, strengthening the investment
climate and promoting competitiveness.
Back to Top ^
|
