A Bright Future for Croatian NGOs and Their Networks
EMBASSY OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
USAID
Zagreb, Croatia
A Bright Future for Croatian NGOs and Their Networks
ZAGREB, JUNE 8, 2006 - Certificates of recognition to non-governmental organizations (NGO) will be officially presented by USAID Mission Director, William Jeffers and Morana Smodlaka-Krajnovic, Acting Country Director of the Academy for Educational Development on Thursday, June 8, 2006 at 11 a.m. at the Sheraton Hotel. Croatian NGOs are creating new ways to engage citizen participation in shaping Croatia's future. Twenty-two NGOs received $520,000 of U.S. government assistance, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for innovative programs that promote voluntarism, improve public visibility, organizational and financial capacity of civil society organizations and their networks. Croatian NGOs are increasingly engaged in environmental protection, employment promotion, and public education programs.
This is part of USAID's Assistance to Croatian NGOs (CroNGO) program implemented by the Academy for Educational Development. Through technical assistance and training this program assists civil society organizations to contribute to Croatia's democratic, economic and community development. This program also increases the NGO advocacy capacity, financial viability, organizational capacity and networking. It also promotes the practice of voluntarism and visibility of the sector within Croatian society.
USAID is the primary assistance organization of the United States Government. Since 1992, the United States has provided over $407 million to Croatia (much of it through USAID programs) to strengthen democratic institutions and assist in postwar reconstruction and the return of refugees, to support de-mining and economic development, and to provide educational and training opportunities. The U.S. has also provided guidance and support to the Croatian judicial and military sectors to further Croatia's integration in Euro-Atlantic institutions.