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Egypt
>> Regional Overview >> Egypt Overview Program Data Sheet
263-021
USAID MISSION: Egypt
Summary: Major program components under USAID’s Democracy and Governance program provides technical assistance and training to—
PROGRAM TITLE: Democracy and Governance (Pillar: Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance)
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE AND NUMBER: Egyptian Initiatives in Governance and Participation Strengthened, 263-021
STATUS: Continuing
PLANNED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $9,420,000 ESF
UNOBLIGATED PRIOR YEAR FUNDS AND FUNDING SOURCE: $11,092,000 ESF
PROPOSED FY 2003 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $17,877,000 ESF
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 2000 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2009
- build the institutional and technical capacity of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to be more efficient development partners;
- promote the application of innovative participatory models for the management of community services in targeted communities; and
- improve selected areas of administration of justice in pilot courts.
Inputs, Outputs, and Activities: FY 2002 Program: The USAID-funded NGO Service Center and its associated activities will strengthen the technical and institutional capacities of individual NGOs and allow them to engage in civic action activities. Funds will be used to provide operational support as well as to provide opportunities for networking and information exchange among NGOs, other private-sector organizations, and government. Training will reach 800 NGO representatives in areas of internal governance, advocacy, organizational management, financial systems management, leadership and networking, and information exchange. In addition, 50 sub-grants, with necessary technical assistance, will be provided to NGOs to support their developmental civic programs and activities.
The Collaboration for Community Level Services activity will provide a mix of training, technical assistance, and limited commodities to governing bodies, which include citizens and local executive organizations. The purpose of this assistance is to develop models to strengthen local-national linkages, improve the capacities of local bodies to formulate policies in a more participatory and informed fashion, and to elicit the interest of key central government actors in institutionalizing the transfer of authority and resources to local communities. During this period, two activity sites will be selected (one in Upper Egypt), and communication to build solidarity among the pilot sites will be fostered.
The Administration of Justice Support activity will end in late 2002. During the year, funds will be used to consolidate efforts carried out in the two participating pilot courts to ensure their sustainability. These efforts include developing a plan for the nationwide replication of the project’s automated systems, institutionalizing the automated court management systems, and completing the training of the Judicial Information Center staff and court staff to ensure that they can sustain and monitor the automated systems. Funds will also be used to design a follow-on activity aimed at strengthening the counterparts’ capacity to replicate current successes in civil and commercial courts nationwide.
Planned FY 2003 Program: USAID's NGO strengthening will continue to focus on providing capacity building training and technical assistance and grants. It is planned that the NGO Service Center will be registered as a permanent Egyptian entity, a step toward sustainability. The Collaboration for Community Level Services activity will be approaching the completion of phase one. During this year, USAID intends to complete its support to the pilot communities, amass lessons learned and assess the viability and validity of replicating the developed model(s) through an expansion of the activity more broadly. In addition, a small grants program is underway to provide seed money for emerging NGOs involved in the delivery of local services. Training in fiscal decentralization is planned for a core group of central and local government and non-governmental officials to improve resource mobilization at the local level. The new Administration of Justice program will begin during FY 2003. The new activity will provide technical assistance, training, and limited commodities to the Judicial Information Center and the National Center of Judicial Studies. The expeditious, fair, and predictable administration of justice will provide an environment that is more supportive to domestic and foreign investment.
Performance and Results: All targeted NGOs demonstrated their improved capacity building skills and designed and executed effective plans for advocacy and service delivery. For example, a number of grantees held public meetings and fora attended by decision-makers to elicit their commitment to local problems. One NGO carried out 12 health caravans in a number of villages in lower Egypt, extending services to their constituencies and at the same time petitioning a member of the Parliament to establish a health clinic at the local level. Another NGO held a local conference on the role of civil society development that was attended by 1,500 activists and decision-makers to raise awareness among these groups and improve linkages. Informal networks were established among a number of NGOs with the intent of promoting public-private dialogue.
Continued progress in the Administration of Justice activity yielded a 50% reduction in case processing time in the two pilot courts, with judges now able to review a larger number of cases and accurately apply Egyptian law by having greater access to legal references. An improved cadre of judges trained to use modern legal tools and strategies is now equipped to better serve businesses and individual clients. As a result of the improved efficiency and fair handling of cases in the pilot courts, private businesses can now look to the Egyptian courts as a real option for resolving commercial disputes. In the area of local governance, progress is being achieved. For example, activities in one of the pilot communities have demonstrated improved governance through the initiation of a web site that is designed to improve domestic/foreign investment and generate local employment opportunities.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: USAID implements democracy and governance activities through prime contracts and grants with Save the Children Federation; Development Associates and America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc.; and subcontracts with America’s Development Foundation and Infonex Corporation.
US Financing in Thousands of Dollars
263-021 Egyptian initiatives in governance and participation strengthened ESF Through September 30, 2000 Obligations 35,874 Expenditures 9,965 Unliquidated 25,909 Fiscal Year 2001 Obligations 0 Expenditures 9,669 Through September 30, 2001 Obligations 35,874 Expenditures 19,634 Unliquidated 16,240 Prior Year Unobligated Funds Obligations 11,092 Planned Fiscal Year 2002 NOA Obligations 9,420 Total Planned Fiscal Year 2002 Obligations 20,512 Proposed Fiscal Year 2003 NOA Obligations 17,877 Future Obligations 97,820 Est. Total Cost 172,083
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
