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Kazakhstan
>> Regional Overview >> Kazakhstan Overview Activity Data Sheet
PROGRAM: Kazakhstan
TITLE & NUMBER: Cross-Cutting Programs, 115-042
STATUS: New
PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $3,000,000 FSA
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $3,100,000 FSA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 2001 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2005Summary: This cross-cutting objective supports all of USAID's strategic objectives in Kazakhstan. Training and exchanges continue to support USAID's technical assistance programs in areas directly relevant to the transition to democracy and a free-market economy. Training is provided via short-term training courses in the United States and through in-country and third country training programs. Annually, USAID trains approximately 15,000 citizens of Kazakhstan.
Support to the Eurasia Foundation provides training and sub-grants for business education and development, particularly women.
This objective also supports special studies, evaluations and technical assistance to coordinate and manage a regional initiative in Atyrau province. The Atyrau initiative is an unusual public-private cooperative effort among multiple donors, U.S. Government agencies, private U.S. companies such as Chevron, and host country agencies and non-governmental groups. The initiative addresses barriers to private sector growth and foreign investment as well as serious health, environmental and governance issues. Despite its significant oil and gas reserves, Atyrau is among the poorer regions of Kazakhstan with unacceptably high unemployment and disease rates.
Program Categories include support for participant training, program development support, evaluation and Eurasia Foundation.
Key Results: USAID carefully selects training participants and training courses that improve the capacity and skills of key individuals that support our six strategic objective areas: improved environment for the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), strengthened democratic culture, improved management of critical natural resources, increased access to quality primary health care, increased soundness of tax and budget policies and administration and more effective, responsive and accountable local governance.
Performance and Prospects: USAID places a greater emphasis on more cost-effective in-country training programs and on training of local trainers. This effort benefits all citizens by training qualified public officials, who are then able to establish legislation that is transparent and fosters market growth and democratic governance. More than 1,000 decision-makers, professionals and active citizens of Kazakhstan were trained in FY 2000.
The overall impact of USAID's training on economic development in Kazakhstan has been broad and deep. Enterprises are now able to determine their true profitability and their accountants have the tools and techniques to help senior managers make the changes necessary to survive and thrive. A three-week SME Development program in Israel provided methods and techniques to better enable decision-makers in local and national governments, as well as in businesses and banks, to appropriately allocate their financial and human resources. This, in turn will stimulate local entrepreneurs to invest in and manage new businesses and industries and to compete in national markets. The ultimate goal of which is to transform Kazakhstan into market-and consumer-driven economy responsive to the needs of citizens.
After receiving USAID training, a local bank became the primary certified mortgage lender in Kazakhstan and established a new procedure to lease real estate and provide mortgage and consumer loans. Eurasia Foundation has provided a grant to improve the operation of a bank training center. Also after a training program law students established the "Kazakhstan Association of Young Lawyers" which now has 50 official members and approximately 80 active supporters. As a result of training in media management skills, a local TV station "RIKA" adopted new advertising practices. RIKA claims that they increased commercial airtime sales by 60 to 70%.
As a result of USAID training, Youth Information Service of Kazakhstan (YISK) conducted an effective media campaign to raise the general public's awareness of the need for education reform. The Director of YISK, with an Almaty-based rating firm, Eurasia Consulting, developed a system to rank universities' performance. Using a grant received from the Eurasia Foundation, YISK purchased computers for four of its oblast offices, created a website, designed and printed posters and opened a hotline that students from all over the republic can call with complaints or to learn more about the organization.
In Atyrau, Regional Initiative coordination efforts brokered additional funding from Chevron to support USAID primary health care efforts and convened symposia for alumni of training programs to promote information sharing among reformers in the region.
In FY 2001, USAID intends to obligate the following amounts per category: Participant Training, $1,500,000, for in-country and third country training; Program Development and Support, $500,000 for studies, evaluations and technical assistance; and Eurasia Foundation, $1,000,000 for small scale grants and NGO institutional strengthening activities. In FY 2002, USAID will expand participant training activities continue support to the Eurasia Foundation.
Beneficiaries: Citizens of Kazakhstan
Possible Adjustments to Plans: None anticipated.
Other Donor Programs: The Atyrau Regional Initiative is a joint effort among the U.S. Government, international donors and the private sector. U.S. agencies include Peace Corps, the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service and the U.S. Public Diplomacy program. International donors working in Atyrau include the United Nations Development Programme, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank. Chevron is a large private sector donor in Atyrau.
The training program collaborates with U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy and the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service to maximize the use of expertise and resources. Other donors working in the field of training, exchanges and education include European Union-Technical Assistance for the Commonwealth of Independent States (EU-TACIS), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), the UNDP, the Asian Development Bank, Soros, the British Council and the World Bank.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: The Academy for Educational Development is the principal contractor for training and exchanges. Principal partners for the Atyrau Regional Initiative are Initiative for Social Action and Renewal in Eurasia; Booz Allen & Hamilton, Carana Corporation, International City/Country Management Association; International Executive Service Corps; KPMG/Barents Group and Project Hope.
Selected Performance Measures: Due to the cross-cutting nature of the training and grant activities, reults are captured and reported on under other strategic objectives. Measures for the Atyrau regional initiative are under development.
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 279 ESF 279 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 17,484 FSA 14,537 FSA 2,947 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 2,655 FSA 1,522 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA Through September 30, 2000 0 DA 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 279 ESF 279 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 20,139 FSA 16,059 FSA 4,080 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Prior Year Unobligated Funds 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 523 FSA 0 DFA Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 3,000 FSA 0 DFA Total Planned Fiscal Year 2001 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 3,523 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 279 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 3,100 FSA 0 FSA 26,762 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
