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Bulgaria
>> Regional Overview >> Bulgaria Overview Activity Data Sheet
PROGRAM: Bulgaria
TITLE & NUMBER: Increased, Better-Informed Citizens' Participation in Public Policy Decision-Making, 183-021
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $5,230,000 AEEB
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $5,520,000 AEEB
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1992 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2005Summary: USAID's objective is to achieve a broad-based, representative, pluralistic, and democratic political culture in Bulgaria by strengthening non-governmental organizations (NGOs), establishing transparent legislative processes, and promoting a viable and effective independent media. In FY 2000, USAID's assistance program continued support for civic action activities carried out by NGOs, expanded support for ethnic tolerance and integration, increased support for an open and inclusive legislative process, and continued assistance to the independent media.
Program Categories include Civil Society/NGO Strengthening, Independent Media, Political Process Support, Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, and Anti-Corruption Activities.
Key Results: The principal results, for which near term progress is expected are (1) more effective public advocacy by NGOs on key democratic reforms; (2) increased capacity of independent media to serve as an objective watchdog; (3) strengthened capacity of political parties to increased effectiveness and accountability of government, (4) improved situation of Roma and other minority populations in Bulgaria, and (5) reduced corruption.
Performance and Prospects: In FY 2001 USAID intends to obligate $5,230,000 for SO 2.1, Increased, Better-Informed Citizens' Participation in Political and Economic Decision Making. Performance to date has been satisfactory.
USAID's major program in support of civil society, the Democracy Network Program, builds the capacity of select indigenous NGOs, called Intermediate Support Organizations (ISOs), through which services and direct grants are provided to a broad base of local NGOs. Thirteen ISOs were selected to assist NGOs working in democracy, economic strengthening, social safety net, and environmental issues. During FY 2000, ISOs funded more than 30 grassroots NGOs and hundreds of NGOs received technical assistance, training, and network services. This new infrastructure has enabled grassroots organizations to more effectively advocate and provide services to their constituents. USAID's intention is that the ISOs will continue to support grassroots NGOs after Bulgaria's graduation from USAID assistance. In 2000, USAID initiated an assessment for the feasibility of community funds to be established as strategic partnerships between businesses, NGOs and local government in several Bulgarian cities. During the past year, a major accomplishment was the passage of a new law which governs the functions and legal status of NGOs and opens the way for changes in tax and related legislation to improve NGO sustainability. Work in the fiscal legislative area will continue and will result in increased opportunities for civic organizations to attract financial resources and bolster sustainability. During FY 2001, USAID proposes to obligate $930,000 for technical assistance in support of NGOs and civil society.
Recognizing that a competent and independent broadcast media is an essential element of a democratic and free market system, USAID continued support of independent media in Bulgaria in FY 2000. Through the Professional Media Program, USAID assisted organizations such as the Association of Bulgarian Broadcasters and the Bulgarian Media Coalition. During FY 2000, the Coalition became a unified voice of independent media by initiating the first public session of the Bulgarian Constitutional Court, which reviewed the draft Radio and Television Law. A provision in this parliamentary bill, which would have allowed authorities to enter private homes and search for undeclared television sets, was struck from the bill as a result of the intervention of these USAID-supported NGOs . The Television Training Center, which develops highly qualified news reporters and producers, provided 15 two-week training sessions to several private TV stations. During FY 2001, USAID proposes to obligate $500,000 to increase capacity of independent media to serve as an objective watchdog.
In the area of political process, USAID funded the Parliamentary Internship Program, where groups of volunteers serve as legislative assistants at the National Assembly, prepare comprehensive legislative studies and increase citizen participation in the legislative process by soliciting the input of civil society and the NGO sector. On the horizon, parliamentary elections are scheduled in June 2001. USAID will initiate two pre-election programs: (1) to conduct a voter education and a Get Out the Vote (GOTV) campaign to increase voter participation; and (2) to assist the major political parties in improving their election platforms and communication strategies. After the elections, USAID plans to provide technical assistance and training in support of the newly elected parliamentarians. During FY 2001, USAID proposes to obligate $2,300,000 to increase the voter turn out at the national elections, to improve the election practices of the political parties, and to provide support to the newly elected Parliament by training its new members, streamlining the legislative process and making it more transparent.
In 2000, USAID began the Conflict Resolution and Ethnic Integration Program to improve the situation of minorities by providing training in conflict resolution and cooperative planning skills, and by making small grants. A pilot program in the city of Lom is helping the Roma ethnic minority to improve their economic, social, and educational opportunities. By focusing activities on multiple groups, including the Roma, the program has united whole communities in a cooperative planning process around priority issues. During 2001, USAID proposes to build on the lessons of this pilot and obligate $250,000 to provide conflict resolution and cooperative planning training and small grants to minority populations in additional Bulgarian cities.
USAID has supported the successful anti-corruption initiative Coalition 2000, a consortium of non-governmental organizations in a public-private partnership to counteract corruption. As a result, anti-corruption is now high on the current government's agenda. Two important achievements during 2000 were a draft Ombudsman Law and a demonstrated public decreased tolerance of corruption. Coalition 2000's national success has spawned a regional activity, Southeast European Legal Development Initiative - a Stability Pact agenda activity. During FY 2001, USAID proposes to obligate $1,250,000 to continue to raise public awareness of corruption in specific target areas and to provide selected technical assistance to the central government.
In FY 2002, USAID intends to obligate $5,520,000 to continue support for NGOs, independent media, integration of minorities, anticorruption activities, and strengthening of the legislative process, as a way to establish a vibrant civil society in Bulgaria. USAID programs will promote corporate and community giving and will introduce a model of community philanthropy and strategic partnerships to promote sustainability.
Beneficiaries: Indigenous grassroots organizations and the Bulgarian populace will benefit from these activities at the community level. The citizens of Bulgaria will benefit from a stronger, pluralistic, democratic civil society.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: During FY 2001, USAID/Bulgaria will revisit its program strategy to determine the appropriate level and content of activities to support the establishment of a vibrant civil society in Bulgaria. Assessments and sector specific studies will provide valuable analyses for developing the strategy. Continued support for civic action activities carried out by NGOs, support for the legislative process, ethnic integration, and independent media are expected to be a significant set of activities of the revised strategy.
Other Donor Programs: There are numerous donors supporting the NGO sector in Bulgaria. A few work through networks of intermediaries (e.g., Soros Open Society), while others provide funding to individual NGOs. USAID continued its lead role in donor coordination by producing an overview of donor programs and strategies in civil society. Additionally, other donors are complementing the USAID anti-corruption activities (e.g., the Dutch Embassy has financed five additional projects through Coalition 2000).
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: Institute for Sustainable Communities; International Center for Not-For-Profit Law; International Research and Exchanges Board; International Development Law Institute; National Democratic Institute; International Republican Institute; Bulgarian Parliament; Bulgarian local government; and Bulgarian NGOs.
FY 2002 Performance Table
Selected Performance Measures: Increased, Better-Informed Citizens' Participation in Public Policy Decision- Making, 183-021
Indicator FY97 (Actual) FY98 (Actual) FY99 (Actual) FY00 (Actual) FY01 (Plan) FY02 (Plan) Indicator 1: NGO Sustainability Index 4 3.6 4 3.7 3.6 3.4 Indicator 2: NGO legal framework
(NL - NGO Law; TL - Tax legislation amendments)NL Drafted NL Introduced NL Passed 1st reading 6.6 NL Passed/TL Drafted NL Passed/TL Passed Indicator 3: Percent of public who receive significant portion of public affairs news from independent media:
- TV
- RadioN/A
N/A14%
45%25%
47%47%
46%45%
55%50%
60%Indicator Information:
Indicator Level (S)or(IR) Unit of Measure Source Indicator Description Indicator 1: IR Scale (7 - 1), with 1 indicating the highest level of civil society development NGO sector sample, DemNet reports, ICNL reports, other civil society donors Comprises five aspects of CSO Sustainability: legal environment, organizational capacity, financial viability, advocacy and public image. Three stages (stage 1 being the lowest) classify the maturity of CEE countries CSO sectors. Stage 1 (equiv. to Freedom House Civil Liberties Indicator 5 to 7); Stage 2 (equiv. to FH 4 to 3); Stage 3 (equiv. to FH 1 to 2) Indicator 2: IR Drafted; Introduced; Passed Government data Includes pending legislation on law governing NGO status, legislation that addresses tax issues, legal framework for NGO-local government partnerships. NL - NGO Law; TL - Tax legislation amendments. Indicator 3: S Percentage Bulgarian Stock Exchange Either the first source to which respondent turns for public affairs news, or the source to which respondent listens/watches most of the time. U.S. Financing
(In thousands of dollars)
Obligations Expenditures Unliquidated Through September 30, 1999 0 DA 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 2,568 ESF 2,474 ESF 94 ESF 15,715 SEED 11,768 SEED 3,947 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Fiscal Year 2000 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 3,756 SEED 3,438 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA Through September 30, 2000 0 DA 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 2,568 ESF 2,474 ESF 94 ESF 19,471 SEED 15,206 SEED 4,265 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Prior Year Unobligated Funds 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 1,875 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 5,230 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Total Planned Fiscal Year 2001 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 7,105 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Future Obligations Est. Total Cost Proposed Fiscal Year 2002 NOA 0 DA 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 2,568 ESF 5,520 SEED 0 SEED 32,096 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
