Following is a Web version of a document from USAID's 1997 Congressional Presentation. Please note that some formatting may have been lost in the automated conversion of the original file. This document is also available for download in its original WordPerfect 5.1 format.

Introduction.

Since its inception in 1989, USAID assistance to Central Europe has evolved from a regional program to a country- specific one. Initially the regional approach gave the United States the flexibility to respond quickly to varying needs across countries in a rapidly transforming environment. The program has matured. USAID now has more field staff which has provided improved knowledge of a country's transition environment and enabled country-specific strategy development. The allocation of regional funds within the countries of Central Europe is described earlier in this presentation.

Described below are activities that still operate regionally, across countries, such as: the South Balkan Development Initiative; Enterprise Funds; anti-crime and corruption programs, regional energy and environmental programs, contract personnel who provide technical services to more than one country; and regional working groups and courses that benefit participants from a number of countries.

FY 1997 Program.

USAID is pursuing the following strategic goals with regionally designated funds in Central Europe:

Strategic Goal: Economic Restructuring

USAID seeks to foster the emergence of a competitive, market-oriented economy in which the majority of economic resources is privately owned and managed.

Enterprise Funds: The Baltic-American Enterprise Fund budget remains regional, since it is not yet known where the funds will ultimately be invested. Another set of funds are reserved for the fastest performing Enterprise Funds throughout the region. Once performance is determined during the fiscal year, the funds will be transferred to the appropriate country Enterprise Fund.

Energy: By encouraging regional integration, our regional energy programs in the Baltics conserve energy resources. Another continuing activity is the U.S./Central Europe Energy Partnerships which support regional workshops.

Privatization and financial sector reform: Contract personnel who service the region are funded, and funds are available for Treasury and Security and Exchange Commission technical advisors who work in more than one country.

Strategic Goal: Democratic Transition

Under this goal, USAID funds support the transition to transparent and accountable governance and the empowerment of citizens through democratic political processes.

Rule of Law: Funds are provided for regional training, exchanges and technical assistance programs of the American Bar Association - Central and Eastern European Legal Initiative for key legal reformers and members of the judiciary.

Public Administration: Regional funding provides the opportunity for training and the sharing of experience in addressing basic public administration problems, such as decentralizing power, accountability, transparency and responsiveness.

Independent Media: Exchanges and regional training will be funded to encourage regional media linkages.

Political and Social Process: Funds will be set aside for unanticipated requests for election assistance, training of labor leaders, and possible assistance in conflict resolution.

Non-Government Organization (NGO) Development: Inter-country cooperation and training of newly developed, NGO advocacy groups is encouraged under "Democracy Networks," a regional program which came out of a Presidential Initiative.

Strategic Goal: Social Stabilization

USAID assistance responds to humanitarian crises and strengthens the capacity to manage the human dimension of the transition to democracy.

Humanitarian Assistance: Funds are reserved for emergency humanitarian assistance needs in the region.

Labor Market Transition: The Department of Labor maintains regional training programs for all countries in the region.

Environment: The Danube River Basin clean-up program focuses on reducing the emission of toxic compounds and pathogens to international waters in selected areas where potential pathways of human exposure cross national boundaries between Slovakia/Hungary and Hungary/Romania. The activity, which involves technical assistance as well as equipment provision and construction, uses the "polluter pays" principle to accomplish these reductions. The assistance focuses on transferring technology and speeding the adoption of new techniques of pollution prevention and waste minimization. The Regional Environmental Center in Budapest, with outreach offices in thirteen countries, promotes regional cooperation and helps build environmental skills and capacity among governments, NGOs, businesses, academic institutions, and the media. It also administers a competitive grant program which increases the capacity of NGOs to improve public awareness of and participation in environmental issues.

Cross-cutting/Special Initiatives

South Balkan Development Initiative: This program will help Albania, FYRMacedonia and Bulgaria, countries most severely affected by the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. With normal trade routes to Serbia cut off, the resultant economic setback has threatened the survival of these nascent democracies. In coordination with and with funds leveraged from other donors, the initiative will improve links among the South Balkan nations, encourage regional integration and promote cooperation.

Rule of Law: Funds are provided for an enhanced anti-crime and corruption program being implemented by various U.S. government law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Treasury and the Criminal Justice Division of the Department of Justice.

Health: The health partnership program holds regional conferences and workshops for management development and nursing reform.

Training: Funds are set aside for regional participant training and the Georgetown University program.
Evaluation and project development and support also are funded here.