USAID/Moldova Overview

Kent Larson, Country Director

57/1 Banulescu Bodoni St., ASITO 5th Fl., 2005 Chisinau, Moldova. Phone: +373(22)20-1800; Fax: 23-7277; http://moldova.usaid.gov

USAID in Moldova• 1989: USAID began a series of programs in Eastern European and Eurasian

countries to establish functioning democracies that have open, market-orientated economic systems and responsive social safety nets.

• 1992: USAID began work in Moldova out of a few offices in the basement of the US Embassy.

• 1994: the US Government and Government of Moldova signed an official agreement establishing USAID in Moldova.

• Today: USAID Moldova has an approximate annual budget of $15 million and is part of the regional Mission for Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova. – Moldova Office – 4 US, 16 local staff– The Mission Director is Janina Jaruzelski, who is based in Kyiv, Ukraine. – Kent Larson is the Country Director based in Chisinau.

57/1 Banulescu Bodoni St., ASITO 5th Fl., 2005 Chisinau, Moldova. Phone: +373(22)20-1800; Fax: 23-7277; http://moldova.usaid.gov

Assistance Objectives• USAID supports U.S. foreign policy goals in Moldova by helping

Moldova to achieve its reform agenda and European integration goals. To achieve this, USAID focuses on 2 of the 6 U.S. Foreign Assistance Framework Objectives:

1. Governing Justly and Democratically2. Economic Growth

• 7 projects are implemented under these assistance objectives. Implementing partners include international and local NGOs, and US businesses.

57/1 Banulescu Bodoni St., ASITO 5th Fl., 2005 Chisinau, Moldova. Phone: +373(22)20-1800; Fax: 23-7277; http://moldova.usaid.gov

Governing Justly and Democratically

• The Strengthening Democratic Political Activism program works with Parliament, political parties, independent activists, youth, and the Central Electoral Commission to share international experiences in political organizing and elections.

57/1 Banulescu Bodoni St., ASITO 5th Fl., 2005 Chisinau, Moldova. Phone: +373(22)20-1800; Fax: 23-7277; http://moldova.usaid.gov

Elections and Political Processes

Implementing Partners: NDI, IRI, IFES

Governing Justly and Democratically

• The Rule of Law Institutional Strengthening Program (ROLISP) will continue to help automate judicial processes in Moldova, increasing transparency and ensuring that resources are used effectively.

57/1 Banulescu Bodoni St., ASITO 5th Fl., 2005 Chisinau, Moldova. Phone: +373(22)20-1800; Fax: 23-7277; http://moldova.usaid.gov

Judicial Administration

Implementing Partners: TBD

Governing Justly and Democratically

• The Local Government Support Project (LGSP) will strengthen locally-elected administrative bodies ability to plan for and provide basic public services to their citizens.

57/1 Banulescu Bodoni St., ASITO 5th Fl., 2005 Chisinau, Moldova. Phone: +373(22)20-1800; Fax: 23-7277; http://moldova.usaid.gov

Local Administration - Decentralization

Implementing Partners: TBD

Governing Justly and Democratically

• The Civil Society Strengthening Program supports NGOs to enhance their skills and help them to become more financially sustainable.

57/1 Banulescu Bodoni St., ASITO 5th Fl., 2005 Chisinau, Moldova. Phone: +373(22)20-1800; Fax: 23-7277; http://moldova.usaid.gov

Civil Society Strengthening

Implementing Partners: FHI 360

Economic Growth

Development Credit Authority (DCA) backed loan guarantees with three Moldovan banks ensure that adequate credit is available in CEED II supported sectors to help industries to grow.

57/1 Banulescu Bodoni St., ASITO 5th Fl., 2005 Chisinau, Moldova. Phone: +373(22)20-1800; Fax: 23-7277; http://moldova.usaid.gov

Industrial Competitiveness The Competitiveness Enhancement

and Enterprise Development II (CEED II) Project helps Moldovan private enterprises compete in the global market and create a business environment that stimulates and supports vibrant economic growth

Implementing Partners: Chemonics, local banks

Economic Growth

57/1 Banulescu Bodoni St., ASITO 5th Fl., 2005 Chisinau, Moldova. Phone: +373(22)20-1800; Fax: 23-7277; http://moldova.usaid.gov

Business Enabling Environment

The Business Regulation, Investment, and Trade Environment (BRITE) Project will institutionalize a process of continuous improvement in the business enabling environment while achieving specific and measurable reforms in the areas of greatest concern to the business

Implementing Partners: TBD

Economic Growth

The Agricultural Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Project, co-funded with MCC, supports high-value agriculture and agribusiness development in Moldova, including the Transnistria region.

57/1 Banulescu Bodoni St., ASITO 5th Fl., 2005 Chisinau, Moldova. Phone: +373(22)20-1800; Fax: 23-7277; http://moldova.usaid.gov

Agricultural Productivity

Implementing Partners: DAI / Nathan

• The Rule of Law project includes specific focus areas to help address the problem of human trafficking.

57/1 Banulescu Bodoni St., ASITO 5th Fl., 2005 Chisinau, Moldova. Phone: +373(22)20-1800; Fax: 23-7277; http://moldova.usaid.gov

Focus Area: Women

• The Women’s Career Development Program, implemented by Pro-Business Nord, is training and finding employment for vulnerable and disadvantaged women from northern Moldova.

57/1 Banulescu Bodoni St., ASITO 5th Fl., 2005 Chisinau, Moldova. Phone: +373(22)20-1800; Fax: 23-7277; http://moldova.usaid.gov

Focus Area: Local Capacity Building

• The Development Grants Program provides support for three local NGOs to help support their organizational objectives and build their capacity to be strong local implementing partners for U.S. foreign assistance.

• USAID supports the People with Disabilities project to help this local organization to ensure that disabled Moldovans have access to employment and education.

Final Thoughts & Questions

Donor Coordination

Q & A

57/1 Banulescu Bodoni St., ASITO 5th Fl., 2005 Chisinau, Moldova. Phone: +373(22)20-1800; Fax: 23-7277; http://moldova.usaid.gov;