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Kazakhstan
>> Regional Overview >> Kazakhstan Overview Activity Data Sheet
PROGRAM: Kazakhstan
TITLE & NUMBER: Strengthened Democratic Culture among Citizens and Target Institutions, 115-0211
STATUS: New
PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $3,500,000 FSA
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $6,100,000 FSA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 2001 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2005Summary: The establishment of democracy in Kazakhstan requires, first and foremost, increasing awareness of, and demand for, democratic change. The purpose of this 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. Technical assistance will support the development of stronger and more sustainable civic organizations; the development and strengthening of independent media outlets and media organizations; the strengthening of parliamentarians' skills in constituency outreach and legislative drafting; and the improvement of civic education for youth in Kazakhstan.
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: Overall, the results of this objective have been mixed. Progress in areas such as advocacy, have been tempered by setbacks in other spheres, such as the development of an independent media.
With the help of USAID grants and training, NGOs in Kazakhstan are continuing to develop strong networks, supported through more than 30 newsletters and seven associations, and are increasingly advocating for their interests. A new coalition of NGOs has formed to facilitate dialogue between the government and the NGO sector. With over 97 member organizations, as well as the support of the United Way and the U.S. Embassy's Democracy Commission, this coalition has already scored some early successes. They held meetings with parliamentarians and Ministry of State Revenue officials to discuss the draft Tax Code. Government acceptance of citizen and NGO participation in decision-making was evident in this process. Early drafts of the tax code contained many elements that NGO experts considered a colossal step backwards for the NGO sector. The energetic participation of NGOs, however, resulted in several material changes to the code, thus ameliorating some of its more egregious articles.
A USAID-supported national advocacy campaign collected over 80,000 petitions from Kazakhstani citizens in support of local government reform and publicly delivered them to the parliament in Astana. This high-profile grassroots campaign, also supported by the Eurasia Foundation, resulted in 62 one-on-one meetings with parliamentarians, the formation of a multi-party, multi-NGO working group on local self-government legislation, and the parliament's decision to publicize the draft laws. Although the law on local self-government has been criticized, the process of mobilizing citizens to force transparency on parliamentary deliberations represents a milestone in efforts to involve communities in the legislative process.
Three civil-society support centers, funded by USAID, have opened and are fully functioning. Sites and partner NGOs for an additional three have been identified. 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 Kazakhstan's NGO sector.
Consistent with a new emphasis on promoting democratic ideals among younger generations, USAID continues to support civic education in Kazakhstan. A USAID-supported civic education curriculum and textbook has been adopted by the Kazakhstani Ministry of Education and approved for use in approximately 600 profile schools in all regions of the country. 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.
USAID assistance has helped to usher in important gender-related changes in the Kazakhstani legal environment. USAID worked to reform Kazakhstan's criminal code by successfully lobbying for the removal of the "private prosecution" of rape cases under the criminal code. Previously, it had been incumbent upon victims to take the lead in investigating rape cases and bringing them to court. Also, the Women's Bar Association established an office in Almaty to provide assistance to its members.
Media independence has come under continuing pressure from the government, as authorities deploy direct legal and indirect financial means to concentrate control over, or outright ownership of major media. Some editors and journalists have lost jobs and civil cases have been brought against others. Several independent newspapers have suffered intermittent operations and closures as a result of this pressure. A new draft Media Law is proposing changes would mandate registration of internet sites and call in to questions the ability of independent media outlets to survive, and thus could be a serious blow to press freedom in Kazakhstan. Local NGOs, such as the journalist's rights advocacy organization, Adil Soz, as well as international actors, such as the OSCE and the U.S. Embassy, have responded with an active lobbying campaign in an attempt to blunt or reverse the proposed changes. Despite government pressure, independent media outlets succeeded in expanding their reach this year. Channel 31, an Almaty-based independent television station, has expanded to republic-wide coverage. At least two new analytical newspapers and one new analytical television news program have appeared.
As part of an increasingly grassroots approach, USAID will establish a presence in the northeastern regional capital, Oskemen (Ust-Kamenogorsk) in 2001. This initiative effort will include development of a lawyers' association, law students' association, a legal information center, and the establishment of an NGO support center
In FY 2001, USAID intends to allocate the following amounts per category: Civil Society/NGO Strengthening, $1,893,585 for NGO strengthening through institutional support, training and technical assistance, Political Process Support, $340,000 for grassroots approaches through technical assistance and training; and Support for Independent Media, $1,266,415 for strengthening organizations through training, technical assistance and institutional support.
In FY 2002, USAID support for democratization will focus on advocacy and sustainability of a broad range of citizens' organizations, on expanding civic education and information dissemination, and on building capacity of parliamentarians.
Beneficiaries: The immediate beneficiaries of USAID assistance include NGO activists, civic teachers, journalists, law students, and youth more generally. The ultimate beneficiaries are all the citizens of Kazakhstan.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: None anticipated.
Other Donor Programs: United Nations Development Program (UNDP) funds an NGO resource center and actively facilitates contacts between donors and NGOs and among NGOs. UNDP also lobbies for an improved legal climate for NGOs in Kazakhstan. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) works with NGOs on various issues that promote democratic reform and defends the rights of the independent media.
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 Kazakhstan. USAID also funds the Soros Foundation's education reform programs, as well as Eurasia Foundation's small grant programs. Counterpart International and the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law assist local NGOs with technical assistance and sub-grants. The Initiative for Social Action and Renewal in Eurasia (ISAR) promotes Kazakhstani environmental NGOs, as well as cross-border ties among NGOs. The Academy for Educational Development (AED) coordinates participant training.
FY 2002 Performance Table
Selected Performance Measures: Strengthened Democratic Culture among Citizens and Target Institutions, 115-0211
Indicator FY97 (Actual) FY98 (Actual) FY99 (Actual) FY00 (Actual) FY01 (Plan) FY02 (Plan) Indicator 1: Percentage of targeted population exhibiting civic consciousness and activism N/A* N/A N/A 0 0 2 Indicator 2: Stronger and more sustainable civic organizations N/A N/A 4.8 4.93 4.82** 4,73 Indicator 3: Increased # of students participating in USAID/CAR civic education programs N/A* N/A N/A 30,932 39,000 72,000 Indicator 4: Scorecard of public access to meetings and records of legislative proceedings at all levels N/A* N/A N/A 42% 45% 47% *New indicator introduced in FY2000.
Indicator Information:
Indicator Level (S)or(IR) Unit of Measure Source Indicator Description Indicator 1: S Percent Public opinion poll A list of basic information questions are included in a survey to determine what percentage of targeted population exhibits increased civic consciousness and activism (as defined by percentage of citizens with civic knowledge and skills, exhibiting democratic values, and participating in political activities). Questionnaire responses are defined as positive or negative by the SO team. The mean percentage is calculated for all positive responses. Targeted population is defined as youth between 18 and 35 years old. Data is also disaggregated by gender. Indicator 2: IR Index score NGO Sustainability Index The democracy roundtable uses the E&E NGO Sustainability Index to assess the sustainability of the NGO sector. Roundtables consist of crosscutting focus groups of approximately 10 participants (5 donors and 5 NGOs). A seven-point scale is used (7 is worst and 1 is best).
**Changes by E&:E in the Index methodology from 1999 to 2000 required a reassessment of target values. Therefore, current targets are projected beginning only from 2000 onwards.Indicator 3: IR Number of students/participants Soros, IFES Calculated will be a number of students who received USAID/CAR civic education classes in a given academic year. Students comprise pre-school to tertiary. Indicator 4: IR Percent Cross-cutting focus groups A scorecard will be calculated, based upon the following criteria: a) do citizens have access to records of public meetings; b) are citizens able to find out who or what group is responsible for particular areas and decisions; c) are citizens able to obtain voting records of MPs; d) are citizens granted access to meetings of the parliament; e) are citizens granted access to committee meetings; f) are committee meetings, public hearings, town hall meetings, and other forums for citizens' participation open to the independent media; g) are open committee meetings, public hearings, town hall meetings, and other forums for citizens' participation held frequently. Each of these criteria should be scored from 0 to 5 (0 - never, 5 - always). The score is the mean for all elements converted to a percentage. U.S. Financing
(In thousands of dollars)
Strengthened Democratic Culture among Citizens and Target Institutions, 115-0211
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 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 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 0 SEED 0 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 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Prior Year Unobligated Funds 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 738 FSA 0 DFA Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 3,500 FSA 0 DFA Total Planned Fiscal Year 2001 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 4,238 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 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 6,100 FSA 0 FSA 10,338 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Citizen Participation, 115-021
Obligations Expenditures Unliquidated Through September 30, 1999 0 DA 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 650 ESF 650 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 25,367 FSA 21,743 FSA 3,624 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Fiscal Year 2000 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 3,767 FSA 3,787 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA Through September 30, 2000 0 DA 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 650 ESF 650 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 29,134 FSA 25,530 FSA 3,604 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Prior Year Unobligated Funds 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Total Planned Fiscal Year 2001 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 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 650 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 29,134 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
