Monthly Bulletin                                                                                                                                 March 2011

Commemorate USAID’s 15 years in BiH and

the Agency’s 50 years in existence

Over the course of the year, USAID/BiH will hold a presentation and exhibit in each of the 9 American Corners throughout BiH.  The Corners are located in Sarajevo, Mostar, Banja Luka, Tuzla, Brcko, Bihac, Doboj, Zenica and Trebinje.  At the events, USAID will show a short film and presentation followed by a photo exibit and reception.  Special materials/handouts will be prepared that highlight USAID/BiH’s accomplishments after 15 years, which also coincides with USAID’s 50 worldwide year anniversary.  Press, the general public, students, and government officials will be invited to these events.

ACHIEVEMENTS IN  WOOD PROCESSING

USAID/BiH and the Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency (Sida) supported the joint exhibition of BiH wood processors at INTERIO 2011, the most important trade fair of the year for the wood industry in BiH.  Through the Fostering Interventions for Rapid Market Advancement (FIRMA) project, USAID/BiH and Sida supported a joint “Tradition for Future” stand.  The stand consisted of high-quality furniture and other products made from wood, and was presented in a 510-m2 integrated apartment setting.  FIRMA supported the exhibition of 14 companies at this fair.  FIRMA is joint project between USAID and Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) that supports economic development and increases employment in the wood processing, tourism, and light manufacturing sectors.

Another USAID project supports ARTECO Wood Technology, which recently won three prestigious awards at Cologne’s International Furniture Fair.  This is the first time in the history of this fair that one company won three awards in one year.

 CERTIFICATES  TO  SEVENTEEN  GRADUATED  SOMMELIERS

Mission Director Allan Reed met with the 17 participants who successfully completed the USAID and Sida funded sommelier’s course in Medjugorje on March 7.  This course took place in Herzegovina, well-known for fine wines along the Herzegovina Wine Route, and was supported by USAID/BiH’s FIRMA project.  Twenty young professionals learned the fine skills of serving wine, and seventeen passed the final exam.  These sommeliers will be employed in Herzegovina’s leading hotels and restaurants and will increase the overall level of service of the venues

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 GOVERNMENT ALLOCATION TO THE NGO SECTOR

The USAID/BiH funded Center for Civil Society Promotion (CCSP) organized a forum entitled “Government Allocations to the NGO Sector”.  At the forum, CCSP and the Foundation for Social Inclusion in BiH presented findings of the research “Halfway There” on government allocations to the NGO sector in BiH in 2010.  The research provides reliable data on annual financial allocations for the NGO sector.  The research revealed that large levels of government funding at national and sub-national levels go to select NGOs through non-transparent processes. 

USAID PROMOTES TRANSPARENT POLITICAL PARTIES FINANCING

 On March 29, 2011, Transparency International BiH (TIBiH) organized a two-day conference on political party financing.  This conference brought together government and NGO representatives involved in the process of political party financing to reach consensus on legislation improvements necessary for increasing transparency.  The conference discussed different processes for political party financing, with a special focus on election campaigns and previous elections.  Domestic legislation and amendments to the Law on Political Party Financing were also discussed.

USAID/BiH Mission Retreat

 On March 9, USAID/BiH held a one day retreat at the Holiday Inn to discuss the Mission’s strategy, vision, priorities, budget and staffing.

COMMEMORATION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

On March 7, 2011, one day prior to International Women’s Day, the associations INFOHOUSE and CURE (Girls) cooperated with the BiH Agency for Gender Equality to organize a conference entitled “How to improve the economic and social status of women in BiH".  This event was supported by USAID/BiH’s Civic Advocacy Partnership Project (CAPP) II.  This project advocates for a systematic government approach to women’s unemployment through public events

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USG SUPPORTS RELEASED PERSONNEL OF BiH ARMED FORCES

The U.S. Ambassador to BiH Patrick Moon visited the Regional Resettlement Center for Discharged Soldiers in Sarajevo, which the USG, through USAID, supports in conjunction with a NATO multi-donor effort. The purpose of the program is to facilitate the resettlement into civilian and economic life of up to 3,320 soldiers who will be discharged from 2010-2012 as a result of the Law on Service which limits to 35 years the age for active service. The USG provides $2.1 million for this soldiers reintegration program.  In partnership with the Ministry of Defence of BiH (MoD), the project helps BiH to address some of the direct socio-economic consequences of the defence reform and downsizing.  USAID’s support provides assistance for education, vocational counselling and training, referrals, and tool kits/equipment for employment or self-employment.

April 1, Sarajevo —Ceremony to recognize senior-level officials from the BiH financial sector for their participation in the Strengthening Financial Regulation Study Tour in the U.S. under USAID’s  Partnership for Advancing Reforms in the Economy (PARE) project.

April 5, Jahorina —Training for NGOs to improvie their staff skills in communication, leadership, conflict resolution, and consensus building under USAID’s  Justice Sector Development Project (JSDP).

April 7, Sarajevo —Strengthening Independent Media Project (SIM) staff will participate in the Working Group Meeting on Improving Media Legislation and its Implementation in BiH. OSCE Mission will host the meeting, with participants from Office of the High Representative, European Commission , members of the CRA and the Press Council.

April 10, Banja Luka —Youth Communication Center working group meeting on establishing and evaluation of student voluntarism at the University of Banja Luka, under USAID’s   Civic Advocacy Partnership Program (CAPP).

April 13, Ribnik — Governance Accountability Project (GAP) opening 

April 14, Cazin — Governance Accountability Project (GAP) project opening

April 15-16, Teslic — Under USAID’s   Civic Advocacy Partnership Program (CAPP), NGO Tender organizes training for journalists on mechanisms to fight corruption in public procurement.

April 19, Neum — Training for NGOs to improvie their skills in monitoring the judiciary and other justice institutions under USAID Justice Sector Development Project (JSDP).

Second half of April — “Power over the media – do independent media exist?” debates will be organized in Mostar, Zenica and Brcko under USAID’s small media program.

April 26, Sarajevo — Round table on status and authority of professional associates in the judiciary of BiH, under USAID Justice Sector Development Project (JDSP).

April 28-29, Sarajevo — Under USAID's Civic Advocacy Partnership Program

This Monthly bulettin is issued by USAID/BiH    For further information please contact  Drazena Peranic, DOC     Phone +387 33 704 215;      Mobile: +387 61 199 547; 

email: dperanic@usaid.gov                    www.usaid.gov/ba

Justice Sector Reform

Presentation

USAID’s Justice Sector Development Project II (JSDP II) presented Documentation System, software developed by the project for BiH Ministry of Justice and designed for tracking the progress of the implementation of the Justice Sector Reform Strategy.

Visits  form USAID/Washington : 

Roberta Mahoney, the Europe & Eurasia (E&E) Bureau Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator, visited Sarajevo on March 2 and 3 to carry out consultations and provide USAID with input on E&E’s vision and strategy.  DAA Mahoney met with the Embassy Front Office, USAID staff, and senior officials of other main donors.

Mike Henning, the Division Chief for Elections and Political Processes of USAID’s Bureau for Democracy, Conflict & Humanitarian Assistance, visited BiH for 2 weeks to help USAID assess and plan for the next phase of activities to support political processes in BiH.