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Central Asia Republics Regional
>> Regional Overview >> Central Asia Republics Regional Overview Activity Data Sheet
PROGRAM: CAR Regional
TITLE AND NUMBER: Strengthened Democratic Culture among Citizens and Target Institutions, 176-0211
STATUS: New
PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $0
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $200,000 FSA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 2002 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2005Summary: The establishment of democracy in Central Asia requires, first and foremost, increasing awareness of, and demand for, democratic change. The purpose of the program is to foster attitudinal changes on what constitutes a democracy and on how citizens and targeted institutions can work together to bring about democratic reforms. USAID has specific democracy activities in each of the five countries of the region tailored to their democratic transition needs. This regional activity builds on the synergy of the region as a whole, transferring and sharing lessons learned. The activity will foster intra-regional dialogue, exchange and networks among citizenry.
Program Categories include civil society/NGO strengthening, political process support and support for independent media.
Key Results: Three principal results are necessary for the achievement of this objective: 1) stronger and more sustainable civic organizations; 2) increased availability of information on civic rights and domestic public issues; and 3) enhanced opportunities for citizen participation in governance.
Performance and Prospects: While this is the first year we are funding a regional approach, we have promoted regional cooperation in the past through country programs. With the help of USAID grants and training, NGOs in the region are developing working relationships with each other. Internet access allows them to follow up on ideas developed face to face.
Civil-society support centers in the Ferghana Valley (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan), funded by USAID's country programs, have opened and are fully functioning. These centers are managed and operated by indigenous NGOs, and provide local NGOs and other stakeholders with access to a comprehensive range of support services, including but not limited to training, internet access, grants, and technical support. The centers provide a crucial foundation for the future sustainability of Central Asia's NGO sector in a potentially high-conflict area involving three of the five Central Asian republics. FY 2002 regional funding will facilitate cross-border exchanges of people and information between NGO support centers in the Ferghana Valley.
Consistent with a new emphasis on promoting democratic ideals among younger generations, USAID continues to support civic education. A USAID-supported civic education curriculum and textbook has been developed in Kazakhstan and is being introduced in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The new methodologies and content of this curriculum are effective in promoting ideas related to civil society, rule of law, elections, and the role of the state in democracies among youth. FY 2002 regional funds will support cross-cutting training and workshops to bring teachers and officials together to learn from each other's experiences.
USAID assistance has helped to usher in important gender-related changes in the legal environment. In FY 2002, USAID will encourage the development of regional legal and judicial organizations, building on the successful national organizations. Judges', women's lawyers' and law students' associations, and legal information centers will be encouraged to network and share challenges and experiences throughout the region.
Journalists of local, more independent media outlets do not have the opportunity to travel due to a lack of funds. FY 2002 funds will support participation in regional events that can give journalists first-hand exposure to events in other areas of the region.
Beneficiaries: The immediate beneficiaries of USAID assistance include regional NGO activists, civic teachers, journalists, law students, and youth more generally. The ultimate beneficiaries are all the citizens of Central Asia.
Possible Adjustments to Plan: None anticipated.
Other Donor Programs: United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) works with regional NGOs on various issues that promote democratic reform and defends the rights of the independent media and actively facilitate contacts between donors and NGOs and among NGOs.
Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: Several USAID-supported NGOs, such as the American Bar Association/Central and East European Law Institute (ABA/CEELI), Internews, the National Democratic Institute (NDI), and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) play an active role in promoting democracy in Central Asia. USAID also funds the Soros Foundation's education reform programs. Counterpart International and the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law assist NGOs with technical assistance and sub-grants. The Initiative for Social Action and Renewal in Eurasia (ISAR) promotes regional environmental NGOs, as well as cross-border ties among NGOs. The Academy for Educational Development (AED) coordinates participant training and regional exchanges.
U.S. Financing
(In thousands of dollars)
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
