USAID GIFT PROJECTS IN CROATIA

UNCLAS ZAGREB 001065

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/CIP/TA: NFETCHKO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS EINT EAID PHUM HR
SUBJECT: USAID GIFT PROJECTS IN CROATIA

REFTEL: STATE 142147


1. USAID in Croatia has two existing and one planned
program, which contribute to the goals of Internet
freedom in promoting access to and use of the Internet.


2. Project Name: Local Government Reform Program
Recipient: Local and regional governments throughout
Croatia
Project Description: Using E-Government software, the
project goal is to improve transparency between
government officials and local citizens. The software,
developed through USAID technical assistance, enables
government officials to post city budget, meeting
minutes and allows citizens to post questions of their
local officials. Governments will soon use the program
to advertise referenda and post forms on-line. The
system increases accountability and transparency by
giving citizens access to information and promotes
interaction between citizens and their local leaders.
IT component: USAID also funded software development
FY 05 Funding: approximately $400,000
FY 06 Funding: approximately $400,000
Funding is estimated because the e-government
component is only one part of the Local Government
Reform Program.


3. Project Name: Legacy Mechanisms Project
Recipients: NGOs involved in legal services, politics,
commerce and consulting
Project Description: The purpose of the Legacy Program
is to provide institutional capacity development
assistance to key organizations to enhance their
ability to be legacies of USAID assistance. These are
organizations, institutions or people who will protect
and build upon USAID investments and become advocates
for Croatia's development as a market-oriented and
democratic society. The project calls for improving
access to the Internet, provision of computers and
software, and training for IT professionals.
IT Component: USAID donated 10 personal computers to
Legal Services Coalition, Osijek, a coalition of 10
NGOs involved in legal services. GONG, a political NGO,
which serves as an alternative voice in the political
arena, received software. USAID established a new
portal and funded IT training through the Association
of Management Consultants, an NGO, which acts as a
coalition of consultants. USAID, along with the
Ministry of Tourism, helped build a reservation and
payment system on line for OMH, a coalition of small
and family-run hotels.
FY05 Funding: n/a
FY06 Funding: approximately $60,000



4. USAID is negotiating with the city of Vukovar, HT
(Croatia's Internet Company),Microsoft, IBM and HABOR
(Croatia's bank for reconstruction and development) to
expand Internet access to the public and to make
Vukovar, one of worst war-affected areas, a wireless
city. The goal of the program is for everyone in
Vukovar to have free access to the Internet.
FY07 Funding: between $3 million and $4 million.

BRADTKE