Press Releases
U.S. SPONSORS RESEARCH THAT RECOGNIZES THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF NGOS TO DEMOCRATIZATION IN CROATIA
EMBASSY OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Public Affairs Section
Zagreb, Croatia
Zagreb, September 25, 2006 - U.S. Ambassador Robert Bradtke will address participants of the conference "Contribution of Civil Society Organizations to Democratization of Croatia". The conference will take place on September 26 at 10:00 at the Westin Hotel, Krsnjavoga 1. He will be joined by President Stjepan Mesic and Vice-Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor.
At this event, B.a.B.e (Be Active Be Emancipated), a leading non-governmental organization (NGO) for women's issues, will present the results of a study called "Raising Visibility of Democratization NGOs". This study analyzed the contribution that NGOs active in democratization and human rights have had in Croatia and their influence on policy making at the national level.
The U.S government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) granted $27,500 for this study, to help increase public recognition and support for the contribution of NGOs in Croatia's democratic, economic and community development.
This is part of USAID's Assistance to Croatian NGOs (CroNGO) program implemented by the Academy for Educational Development (AED). This program 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. Details on these activities are available on www.aed.hr
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.