Activity Data Sheet

PROGRAM: Georgia
TITLE & NUMBER: More Efficient and Responsive Local Governance, 114-023
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $5,932,000 FSA
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $5,464,000 FSA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1996 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2003

Summary: In the wake of civil and ethnic wars in the early nineties, Georgia succeeded in curbing lawlessness and establishing political and economic stability. Significant advances have been made in the creation of a vibrant civil society and enhanced governance. However, the legal and institutional reforms achieved over the past five years have had little, if any, impact on the majority of Georgia's population, who live in the regions. During this period, local officials appointed by the central government have functioned in isolation, with few resources allotted to them by the central government other than near-total authority, leading to corruption and the abuse of power.

The development of effective local governance is critical to USAID's efforts to foster democracy and economic development in Georgia. USAID activities under this objective emphasize local and political decision-making in the regions outside of Tbilisi, responding to citizens' needs and priorities for services and laying the foundation for the coming municipal elections (October 2001). Activities in this area support regional self-government initiatives, combined with promoting vibrant civil society, a free and independent press, and continued assistance for political processes. Georgians will directly benefit from efforts that empower them to more effectively demand accountability, as well as enabling local governments to meet the needs of its constituents.

Program Categories include Civil Society/NGO Strengthening, Local Government Management Capacity, Political Process Support, Support for Independent Media, Program Development and Support.

Key Results: To achieve this strategic objective, USAID has structured its program around three major intermediate results: increased community participation in local government oversight and political processes; increased local government capacity to plan and manage resources efficiently; and increased partnerships between local government, business and communities to provide services.

Performance and Prospects: USAID's assistance is based on supporting regional self-government initiatives, which are strengthened by a vibrant civil society and a free and independent press. Continued assistance in the political processes arena will help ensure that people have a valid choice when electing government during the 2001 local elections.

In the area of local government, since 1997 USAID has provided assistance with the development of legislation on self-government, municipal finance and local budgets, support for the local elections, the provision of training and handbooks for newly elected officials and modest grant programs for local initiatives. A Local Governance Reform Initiative (LGRI) was launched in October 2000, which will expand citizen participation in and transparency of local government, address critical legislative reform, and provide assistance to municipal, professional and other associations related to local government. A Councils Association of Georgia (CAG) has been formed, representing local councils from the village to the district level. More than 10,000 local council members have joined this nationwide association, and have begun to lobby central government for legislative reforms. In FY 2000 the CAG implemented a major national conference funded by USAID and two regional conferences bringing together local government officials to speak with the central government and be heard as a single voice in a substantive discussion of key legislation on local government. In FY 2001, USAID plans to obligate $1,850,000 for these efforts.

A leader in strengthening civil society, USAID promotes partnerships among South Caucasus non-government organizations (NGOs), with members collaborating on areas of mutual concern throughout the region and paving the way for increased future cooperation. One outcome was the launch of a weekly radio talk show for South Caucasus listeners covering regional issues such as corruption, freedom of press, taxation systems, military service, and women's and prisoners' rights. USAID also advances partnerships among NGOs and federal and local governments, and businesses. The vibrancy of this sector is demonstrated by successful advocacy efforts with the government recognizing that NGOs comprise needed constituents for reform. The Ministry of Justice has established Georgia's first citizen oversight council, which is charged with such diverse tasks as helping to monitor human rights in prisons and ensuring the transparency of the Ministry's budgets.

Promoting citizen advocacy has been one of the hallmarks of USAID assistance. A new institute of Citizens' Advisory Committees (CACs) involved in traditional advocacy campaigns on local issues (road repair, donation of a building for public purposes, etc.) has been developing in the regions. Eight such CACs are currently active. In some cases (e.g. in Zestaphoni, Telavi) they have contributed to the opening of major investigations into corruption by local officials. In FY 2001 the intended level of obligation for Civil Society/NGO Strengthening is $700,000.

USAID continues to support the development of free and professional print and broadcast media. There are now 41 non-governmental stations, of which 31 are producing local news, and 19 regional television stations in 11 cities producing daily news. Print media development focuses on improving reporting skills, making newspapers profitable, building a journalism association, and advancing ethics in journalism. Subsequent to training on journalistic ethics, one Georgian newspaper published on its front page the newspaper's "code of ethics." Though media professionalism is still lacking, a very well organized and unified response to obstacles created by government make the Georgian press the most independent in the South Caucasus. USAID supported a South Caucasus regional news program, which broadcasts stories on a given theme each week from independent television outlets in Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. The program, aired weekly during prime time in each of the three countries, won a silver medal at an international film festival in Parma, Italy in FY 2000. Recognizing the professionalism of these new efforts, television stations are now requesting daily news reports that are being produced by budding journalists who have completed USAID-funded training. USAID intends to obligate $1,100,000 for the Support of Independent Media in FY 2001.

USAID assistance in electoral reform provides legal analysis of election legislation, technical assistance to the Central Election Commission in election administration, including voter registration, training for election officials at every level, and voter motivation and education campaigns. USAID also supports political party strengthening, and training and deployment of domestic observers for elections. Over 2000 domestic election monitors were trained and deployed during parliamentary elections held in October 1999 and the presidential election in April 2000. One outcome of the support for the Central Election Commission (CEC) was the start-up of a website that posted information on candidates, regulations and normative acts, election laws, and updated election results. After the presidential election, for the first time in Georgia, precinct level election records were posted on the CEC website. More than 25,000 people had visited the CEC web site as of August 2000. Although both elections were marred with irregularities, USAID assistance promoted transparency in election administration and helped citizens to make better-informed decisions. Currently the Mission is developing a strategy to help promote greater transparency and fairness in the upcoming local elections scheduled for November 2001. During FY 2001, USAID plans to obligate $1,750,000 for advancing political processes.

During FY 2001, planned funding for program development and support under this strategic objective is $532,000.

In FY 2002, USAID will continue its focus on decentralization. The Local Governance Reform Initiative will expand to five additional cities throughout Georgia, providing critical training and support for newly-elected local council members. Following the local elections (currently slated for October, 2001), intensive training of key members of the Councils Association of Georgia will be undertaken. Independent media will be supported and expanded to encompass regional programs and efforts. Programs will continue to support a vibrant civil society through NGO development. Linkages with other donor programs in local governance will be strengthened. USAID will continue to integrate a focus on youth throughout this sector of democracy programming.

Beneficiaries: Media Professionals, NGOs, local self-governments, election officials, pertinent central government entities, and citizen groups, and major political parties.

Possible Adjustments to Plans: None anticipated.

Other Donor Programs: In the fields of local governance as well as civil society USAID has played the lead role due to its broad and comprehensive approach to the entire environment. The World Bank focuses on municipal infrastructure development, which should improve economic conditions in key municipalities over the strategy period. Other donors fill equally valuable niches, such as the United Nations Development Program's (UNDP) prominence in support of Georgian think-tank publications and Great Britain's support for tailored journalism skills training. The European Union (EU), UNDP, Great Britain, Germany, the Soros Foundation and other private foundations have been active in support of civil society and citizen participation. Soros and the British are currently implementing local government programs. The EU will start their Local Governance Reform program in the Imereti region early in 2001.

Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: International Foundation for Electoral Systems, Urban Institute, the National Democratic Institute, the International Republican Institute, Internews, the International Center for Journalists, and Initiative for Social Action and Renewal/Horizonti.

FY 2002 Performance Table

Selected Performance Measures: More Efficient and Responsive Local Governance, 114-023

Indicator Information:

U.S. Financing

(In thousands of dollars)