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Bulgaria
>> Regional Overview >> Bulgaria Overview Activity Data Sheet
PROGRAM: Bulgaria
TITLE & NUMBER: Special Initiatives, 183-041
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $1,950,000 AEEB
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $4,125,000 AEEB
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1991 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2005Summary: USAID Special Initiatives meet criteria outlined in Agency guidance for special objectives or interests in that they are of limited scope and duration, or respond to particular windows of opportunity. For USAID/Bulgaria, past activities have supported the Bulgarian-American Enterprise Fund, the humanitarian relief program, and the Kosovo Educational Project. Currently activities include the Biodiversity Conservation and Economic Growth Program, the Bulgaria Crisis Recovery Program, USAID/Bulgaria's contribution to the Internet Initiative for Economic Development, the Peace Corps Small Project Assistance, and the Labor Force Restructuring Program.
Program Categories include Management of Natural Resources and Biodiversity; Information Technology and Communications; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Technical Assistance; and Labor Market Transition.
Key Results: (1) Improved environmental practices by the Government of Bulgaria (GOB), (2) greater protection of biodiversity resources, (3) wider access to information technology resources through increased internet connectivity, (4) and improved economic growth in Bulgaria.
Performance and Prospects: In FY 2001, USAID intends to obligate $1,950,000 under this strategic objective. Performance to date has been satisfactory.
During FY 2000, USAID supported the Bulgarian nature protection management program by providing technical assistance to the Rila and Central Balkan National Parks directorates; training of park staff; renovation and refurbishment of the park headquarters; and provision of equipment. The development of the first management plan for a national park in Bulgaria is a significant achievement. Under the Peace Corps SPA Program, twenty-three community projects were funded supporting environmental activities and the establishment of computer labs and/or English language centers at Bulgarian secondary schools. Four pilot activities in eco-tourism development and non-timber forest products collection will be launched during this year in the municipalities surrounding the parks. In total, USAID proposes to obligate $1,300,000 for the management of natural resources and bio-diversity during FY 2001.
The Internet Initiatives program is in the early stages of implementation. Demonstration versions of the Southeast Europe Online and the Bulgarian Economic portal will be tested in the first half of FY 2001. USAID will solicit bids to select Bulgarian private entrepreneurs and communities for development of pilot telecenters for improved Internet access. In FY 2001, USAID proposes to obligate $250,000 for the Information Technology and Communications program.
In response to the Kovoso crisis, the Bulgaria Crisis Recovery Program was funded with $5 million of SEED resources to accelerate the economic recovery of communities affected by the crisis. Assistance, provided via the Danube River Initiative, included over 400 micro-credit loans, a business incubator in Vidin, extensive technical assistance and training to municipalities, grants to small and medium enterprises, small-scale infrastructure grants in 9 municipalities, 10 local community economic development projects, Customer Service and Information Centers in four cities, and seven NGO grants to create multi-sector partnerships within the communities. In addition to these accomplishments, nearly a thousand jobs in the Danube River region have been created or sustained. In addition, as part of the BCRP, AUBG provided vocational training, English Language training, or undergraduate education to young Kosovar refugees, thereby improving their employment potential. Additionally, a total of $25 million Economic Support Funds (ESF) were transferred to the GOB for external debt service to the U.S. (PL 480 debt) and the World Bank. Using local currency allocations from the ESF cash transfer, the GOB completed 36 activities under the Regional Initiatives Fund (RIF), including rehabilitation of market structures, bridges, schools, and healthcare centers. Thirty additional activities are in progress. The objective of the Regional Initiatives Fund is to improve local facilities and create short-term and long-term employment in municipalities with high unemployment rates. No additional funding is anticipated for the RIF; however, USAID is expecting to support the Social Investment Fund, which will succeed RIF with major financing from a World Bank loan.
In FY 2000, the Bulgarian American Enterprise Fund began a residential mortgage lending program; entered into a joint venture with a local pension company; and continued to play an important financing role within sectors not served by commercial banks. In 1999, the Bulgaria Fund turned profitable, earning about $181,000 in that year and about $365,000 in FY 2000.
The American University in Bulgaria's (AUBG) reputation as a top-notch US-style university has enabled it to attract high-caliber students who graduate into leadership positions in Bulgaria and the region. USAID has provided $38 million in assistance to AUBG since 1991. Funding is being depleted under a $15 million quasi-endowment fund. AUBG is drafting a new sustainability plan, but it seems evident that additional support will be required over the next several years. At present, USAID has not allocated resources to this effort, but is considering a DCA facility for student loans.
In FY 2001, USAID intends to obligate $300,000 to support Chitalishta (existing Bulgarian cultural and civil society organizations) to contribute to economic growth and local governance programs in Bulgaria.
Supporting Labor Force Restructuring, USAID (in conjunction with the U.S. Defense Attaché) developed a program to provide English language, entrepreneurship and computer training to officers affected by the downsizing of the Bulgarian military. The pilot phase will begin in spring 2001, to be implemented by a local NGO and AUBG. The goal is to provide training in new vocations and career paths, congruent with the market economy and democratic realities, and to assist trainees to find jobs. This activity supports the Government's employment generation efforts, its efforts to join NATO, and provides needed income to AUBG.
In FY 2002, USAID/Bulgaria intends to obligate $4,125,000 to continue special initiatives of limited scope and duration, or respond to particular windows of opportunity. These initiatives are expected to include support for the Social Investment Fund (successor to the RIF), Chitalishta organizations, and social sector initiatives including education.
Beneficiaries: Direct beneficiaries include the Ministry of Environment and Waters, the National Nature Protection Service, the Rila and Central Balkan National Park Directorates, the Rila Monastery Nature Park, the local communities surrounding the two national parks, the selected communities in the countryside without public access to Internet. All Bulgarians will benefit from Internet access to reliable and up-to-date information about the Bulgarian Economy and civil societies in the SEE region. All Bulgarians benefit from the economic development efforts under the Bulgaria Crisis Recovery Program, and the Bulgarian American Enterprise Fund. Discharged military officers benefit from the labor force restructuring activity.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: During FY 2001, USAID/Bulgaria will revise its program strategy and will determine the appropriate level and content of activities for special initiatives at that time. Assessments and sector specific studies will provide valuable analyses for developing the strategy. Continued support for special initiatives is expected to be a part of the revised program.
Other Donor Programs: Other donors in the areas related to the special initiatives include: the Swiss Government through the Bulgarian Swiss Biodiversity Conservation Program (BSBCP) and the National Trust EcoFund; the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Global Environment Facility (GEF); and the World Bank.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: USAID implements its activities primarily through the following partners: Associates in Rural Development, Inc. (ARD), Academy for Educational Development (AED), Applied Research and Communications (ARC) Fund, and the Center for Economic Development (CED), American University in Bulgaria (AUBG), and the Government of Bulgaria.
FY 2002 Performance Table
Selected Performance Measures: Special Initiatives, 183-041
Indicator FY97 (Actual) FY98 (Actual) FY99 (Actual) FY00 (Actual) FY01 (Plan) FY02 (Plan) Indicator 1: Environmental Partnerships - Nature Conservation: Number of contemporary protected area management practices adapted and implemented by Bulgarian national park managers N/A N/A N/A 17 28 28 Indicator 2: Internet Initiative for Economic Development: Percentage of target groups utilizing the services of the telecenters and Portals N/A N/A N/A 0 30 70 Indicator 3: Bulgaria Crisis Recovery Program: Jobs created by Regional Initiatives Fund (RIF) projects N/A N/A N/A 1062 800 N/A Indicator 4: American University in Bulgaria (AUBG): Revenue generated by AUBG from non-U.S. Government and non-Soros Foundation funds N/A N/A N/A 21.5 30 40 Indicator 5: Labor Force Restructuring: Percentage of participants who improved their employment positions (find new job, started own business) N/A N/A N/A N/A 25 45 Indicator Information:
Indicator Level (S)or(IR) Unit of Measure Source Indicator Description Indicator 1: IR Number Activity progress reports The number of contemporary protected area management practices adopted and implemented by the National Park Directorates. Indicator 2: IR Percentage Monitoring reports from telecenters and database of NGOs using the Civil Society Regional Internet Network. The percentage of target population trained and using the telecenter servies and percentage of target group NGOs included in the Civil Society Network. Indicator 3: IR Number Reports from the Regional Initiatives Fund office of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy The number of jobs created while implementing activities under the RIF program. The RIF finances activities for communities throughout Bulgaria, based on community needs and the relative merits of the activity. Indicator 4: IR Percentage AUBG financial reports Percentage of revenue generated by AUBG from non-U.S. Government and non-Soros Foundation funds. Indicator 5: IR Percentage Activity progress reports The percentage of total participants who improved their employment position (find new job, started own business, etc) as a result of the training program. 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 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 129,948 SEED 118,141 SEED 11,807 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Fiscal Year 2000 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 25,000 ESF 25,000 ESF 4,291 SEED 13,185 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 25,000 ESF 25,000 ESF 0 ESF 134,239 SEED 131,326 SEED 2,913 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Prior Year Unobligated Funds 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 450 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 1,950 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Total Planned Fiscal Year 2001 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 2,400 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 25,000 ESF 4,125 SEED 0 SEED 140,764 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
