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Timeline of USAID Assistance
1989 | 1990
| 1991 | 1992
| 1993 | 1994
1995 | 1996
| 1997 | 1998
| 1999 | 2000
1989
PL April, 1989
Solidarity signs the “Round Table Agreement” which includes
a Guarantee of full trade union freedom.
PL April, 1989
National Environmental Fund is established by the Government of Poland
to provide grants and preferential loans for environmental investments.
US May, 1989
East European Environmental Initiative is announced by President Bush,
launching several environmental projects in Kraków to reduce industrial
pollution, improve drinking water quality and supply and set up an air
monitoring network.
PL July, 1989
President Bush pays state visit to Poland.
US July, 1989
Joint Commission on Humanitarian Assistance is established with proceeds
from the sale of U.S. donated agricultural commodities which generated
approximately $46 million, for quality of life for Polish people and
to support private, non-governmental and independent institutions in
Poland.
PL September, 1989
Solidarity Government under journalist/Solidarity activist, Prime Minister
Tadeusz Mazowiecki, is approved by Sejm.
PL September, 1989
Foundation in Support of Local Democracy (FSLD) is established to build
NGO support for the legal activities concerning local government. By
1990, FSLD will receive its first support from USAID which will help
the institution evolve into the major support organization for local
government programs.
US September, 1989
Humanitarian Assistance of emergency equipment, medicines, vaccines,
antibiotics and improvement in rapid response to infectious diseases
in over 140 hospitals.
US October, 1989
Under the "Frost Committee," the U.S. Congress authorizes
Gift of Democracy Program, donating equipment and library to the Polish
Parliament which is later supplemented by USAID grants.
US November, 1989
U.S. Congress enacts the Support for Eastern European Democracy (SEED)
Act, authorizing $1 billion for Central and Eastern European assistance.
PL December, 1989
The Sejm approves "shock therapy" reform program to transform
the Polish economy rapidly from centrally planned to free-market, removing
price controls, eliminating most subsidies to industry, opening markets
to international competition, and imposing monetary discipline. The
country is renamed the “Republic of Poland.”
US December, 1989
Polish Stabilization Fund is established ($200 million USAID contribution)
to support the convertibility and stabilization of the Polish zloty
by creating a $1-billion hard currency reserve fund.
PL December, 1989
Law on Associations is adopted, following an earlier (1984) adoption
of the Law on Foundations and thus establishing legal framework for
NGOs in Poland.
Back to Top ^
1990
PL January, 1990
New Currency Law ends the previous artificial exchange rate for the
zloty and full domestic convertibility is introduced.
US January, 1990
The Polish YMCA is re-established after being closed in 1948 by the
communist government. A USAID grant in 1991 provides funding for youth
leadership to address problems of social, environmental and economic
concerns.
US February, 1990
First U.S. volunteer from U.S.-based private voluntary organization
arrives in Poland to assist Olsztyn Farmers' Solidarity Union in establishing
a farmer-owned commercial enterprise to replace the state monopolies.
PL February, 1990
Anti-trust Law is passed, ensuring consumer protection and equitable
economic development.
US February, 1990
National Endowment for Democracy begins distributing USAID funds to
a variety of institutions to meet the needs of pro- democratic forces,
independent cultural and publishing groups.
PL March, 1990
Local Government Act is passed creating 2,489 gminas (villages, towns
and cities) and communalizing state owned assets.
PL April, 1990
Antimonopoly office is established. In cooperation with the U.S. Federal
Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice, USAID initiates
long-term assistance to develop a strong legal and institutional framework
to address consumer protection and mergers and acquisitions.
US May, 1990
Polish American Enterprise Fund (PAEF) is established with $254 million
for a broad investment program of financing to small, medium, and large-scale
businesses, introducing Western business and legal practices, technical
expertise, management tools and free market concepts.
PL May, 1990
Local Elections are held with over 146,000 candidates campaigning for
52,000 local government elected seats.
US June, 1990
First Peace Corps volunteers arrive in Poland to provide advisory services
across a wide range of areas, including business, privatization, municipal
government, and secondary education.
US June, 1990
The first competition for local independent press organized by the
Institute for Democracy in Eastern Europe (IDEE). Since then, more than
300 local press received funding by USAID. Since 1994 IDEE has provided
training, advisory services and scholarships for NGOs and journalists
from the region.
PL July, 1990
Privatization Law for State-Owned Enterprises is passed, establishing
the framework for Poland's privatization program.
US July, 1990
First USAID-supported international educational/training program is
established -- East Central European Scholarship Program (ECESP), providing
U.S.- based training programs for Polish leaders in democratic leadership,
public administration, public policy, health care administration and
reform, rural development, finance and banking, business administration,
and education.
US September, 1990
USAID provides long-term advisers to the Ministry of Environmental
Protection to assist with environmental polices and to strengthen financial
institutions such as the National Fund for Environmental Protection.
US September, 1990
KLON/JAWOR Data Base on NGOs is established at the initiative of a
group of sociologists from the University of Warsaw and with start-up
assistance from USAID. In 1991 it becomes a part of the Regardless of
Bad Weather Foundation. Since then, the data-base has become the largest
in Europe and is also available on the Internet.
PL October, 1990
The Foundation for the Effective Utilization of Energy (FEWE), is established
in Krakow and supported by USAID to provide training, energy auditing,
and consulting services to gminas and small businesses.
PL November, 1990
First free presidential elections; Lech Walesa is elected President.
US November, 1990
Enterprise Credit Corporation, a small loan program of PAEF, is established,
utilizing the staffs and facilities of nine Polish banks processing
loan applications at over fifty locations throughout Poland.
US November, 1990
Emergency Energy program is launched to provide quick-impact, low cost
assistance to improve energy efficiency, reduce oil import costs, and
promote energy rationalization.
US December, 1990
First fifty companies receive direct investments of $180 million from
PAEF; by the end of 1999, $505 million of loans and direct investments
will have supported 700 enterprises employing more than 21,000 people.
Back to Top ^
1991
PL January, 1991
Polish Bank Association is established to promote the transformation
of the Polish banking system.
PL January, 1991
The Association of Polish Cities, along with three other local government
associations, is re-established, with 60 cities joining initially. Today,
232 cities are members, representing over 70% of the urban population
in Poland. The Association was first established in 1917 and functioned
until 1939.
US February, 1991
First Polish-American Bank is established with an investment from PAEF,
providing for twenty branches and representative offices.
PL March, 1991
Under U.S. leadership, 50% of Poland's foreign debt owed to official
bilateral creditors, referred to as the Paris Club, is forgiven. The
U.S.'s portion of the forgiven debt is approximately $2.4 billion.
US March, 1991
The U.S. Department of Labor with USAID assistance initiates the Labor
Market Transition Project to assist workers adversely affected by economic
reforms through employment re-training and to assist in the reform of
employment services, social benefits payment systems, labor-management
relations, and statistical collection and analysis.
PL April, 1991
Warsaw Stock Exchange opens.
US April, 1991
The Central and Eastern European Law Initiative (CEELI) begins work
with the Government of Poland and Polish Universities in the area of
legal reform in addition to training judges, prosecutors, lawyers, and
faculty of law schools. At the request of the Bureau of Research and
Analysis of the Polish Parliament, CEELI provided comments on the White
Collar Crime Law (June, 1992), Poland's draft Constitution (July, 1991),
and draft Housing Laws (December, 1991).
PL May, 1991
Trade Union Act is passed, including a small provision allowing for
the formation of Workers' Credit Unions.
US May, 1991
Foundation for the Education of Entrepreneurs is founded with PAEF
providing publications, help with conferences and scholarships.
US May, 1991
Opportunities Industrialization Center Poland Foundation is established
with USAID funding through the U.S. Department of Labor to promote entrepreneurship
and economic development. OIC offers a wide range of training services
aimed at entrepreneurs, unemployed, youth, disabled, and women. As a
result, OIC Poland helped to decrease budget spending on unemployment
benefits and Labor Fund payments by saving the government of Poland
an estimated $1 million.
PL June, 1991
Foreign Investment Law is passed, providing a legal framework for foreign
direct investment; as a result, FDI in Poland will grow to over $30
billion by the end of 1999.
US June, 1991
USAID collaborates with eleven bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors
to implement the Polish Business Advisory Service (PBAS) project to
provide assistance to SMEs in preparing investment proposals, identifying
appropriate equipment and machinery, and developing market outlets.
By pairing expatriate consultants with Polish professionals, the project
also aims to upgrade Polish consultancy services.
US June, 1991
With a USAID grant and technical assistance, Solidarnosc opens a model
construction skills center in Warsaw to provide training in U.S. building
technologies to Polish construction workers.
US June, 1991
A variety of partnerships between Polish and U.S. universities under
the Management Training and Economics Education Project begins, including:
cooperation between the University of Minnesota with the Warsaw School
of Economics and the Agricultural College in Olsztyn; Central Connecticut
State University with Wroclaw Technical University and Gdansk University;
University of Maryland with University of Lodz; and DePaul University,
whose certificates in business management are offered by the Lublin
School of Business.
US August, 1991
Long-term assistance is initiated to the National Union of Cooperative
Banks in developing a private system of cooperative banks and to promote
banks’ capacity to provide financial services to rural communities.
US August, 1991
New wing of the Polish-American Children's Hospital in Kraków is dedicated,
marking USAID support to provide specialized medical care for eight
Provinces of southern Poland, and to serve as the pediatric training
center for the Copernicus Medical Academy of Kraków. With a capacity
of 560 beds, the facility is the largest all- pediatric facility in
Europe.
US September, 1991
Regional Council for Economic Solidarity establishes the 1st Rural
Telephone Cooperative in Rzeszow region (south-east Poland) with USAID
assistance which results in over 20,000 new telephone lines with more
than 3,000 subscribers.
PL September, 1991
The CASE Foundation, now a leading macro-economic think-tank, is established
to facilitate economic research, as well as conduct educational and
publishing activities and provide advisory services for government.
USAID funding is provided to address future reform requirements and
provide support for enactment of government policies.
US September, 1991
USAID assists the Polish Power Grid Company (PPGC) and the power generating
and distribution sectors to restructure and improve the Polish energy
sector. By September 1995, PPGC will have connected to the Western European
UCPTE system, mobilizing Polish power enterprises to export to the European
electricity market and enhance Poland's energy security.
US September, 1991
The Gemini project initiates long-term assistance to the Ministry of
Industry and Trade to strengthen its advocacy role for small business
development growth. Gemini advisers draft the statute for the establishment
of the parastatal small business development support organization, the
Foundation for the Promotion and Development of Small and Medium-sized
Enterprises.
PL October, 1991
First completely democratic Parliamentary elections are held.
US October, 1991
Training of Polish municipal leaders begins through a series of workshops
conducted in Poland by Polish-Americans. Later, USAID service providers
will partner with FSLD to develop training modules in response to the
needs of local governments in Poland.
US October, 1991
The FSLD Regional Center in Bialystok initiates the citizen participation
"Dialog" program with USAID support through the German Marshall
Fund. By 1997, Dialog will have been replicated in seven more Polish
communities, as well as Romania, Belarus and Albania.
PL November, 1991
Supported by USAID assistance to the National Union of Cooperative
Banks, 300 Local Cooperative Banks democratically vote to stay out of
State control, as a first step towards becoming financially sustainable.
PL November, 1991
The National Clearing House is established by sixteen banks and the
Polish Bank Association to build a reliable and safe system for exchanging
payment orders between banks.
US November, 1991
Warsaw Journalism Center is established with USAID funding from the
International Media Fund to assist the development of independent radio
and TV stations, newspapers and journals, and to cooperate with the
Polish Journalists Association in training working journalists and students.
US December, 1991
USAID begins work to strengthen the Solidarnosc as a viable national
trade union center by helping to establish 13 regional Consulting and
Negotiating Bureaus (BKN) to support union representatives on legal
and economic issues. The project provides training and support to 25
regional Legal Aid Centers to counsel union members on such matters
as regards their civil rights in enterprise disputes, lay-offs, etc.
US December, 1991
USAID initiates long-term aid to the National Bank of Poland to develop
policies, strategies, legislation, human resources and necessary manuals
in the Department of Banking Supervision in addition to the creation
of a "crisis management unit" to assist troubled banks.
Back to Top ^
1992
US January, 1992
USAID-funded work is initiated to support public policy change to promote
sustainable private health care markets and strengthen existing public
health care institutions to become attractive partners for private investors.
US January, 1992
In anticipation of the passage of the Mass Privatization Law, USAID
begins work with the Ministry of Privatization to prepare a realistic
implementation plan for Poland's Mass Privatization program through
the establishment of National Investment Funds.
US January, 1992
The Enterprise Promotion and Support Center in Sandomierz is established
with USAID funding as a counselling center for agriculturally related
enterprises in the southeastern region of Poland. Within a year, the
center will undertake a demonstration project to grow Russet-Burbank
potatoes in Poland, harvesting nearly 1,000 tons in 1993.
US February, 1992
USAID supports work to establish Emergency Medical Service Information
and Learning Resource Centers in Bialystok, Lódz, Kraków and at the
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Warsaw.
US February, 1992
The Environmental Training Project (ETP) begins, focusing on training
private business owners, environmental NGOs, academicians and local
government officials with regard to financial management of environmental
investments, policy making procedures at the local level, strategies
for pollution mitigation and management, business plans for environmental
companies, etc. Graduates of the program will subsequently invest $1.2
billion in environment-related projects.
US April, 1992
EcoFund is established, allowing for 10% of Poland’s debt to the
U.S. Treasury to be provided to fund environmental projects in Poland.
US April, 1992
The Atlantic Council of the United States begins work with the National
Security Bureau and the Ministry of Defense to introduce Polish officials
to western mechanisms that provide a system of checks and balances over
military forces, including the transfer of control over military establishments
to democratically elected civilian authorities.
PL May, 1992
Poland Participates in the drafting of the Framework Convention on
Climate Change.
US May, 1992
U.S. Internal Revenue Service through a USAID inter-agency agreement,
begins long-term assistance to the Ministry of Finance to assist Poland
with the establishment and sustainability of modern tax systems, including
review of tax laws and audit procedures, automated data processing and
taxpayer services.
PL May, 1992
Kraków Real Estate Institute is established to assist with USAID housing
conference, later evolving into a think tank and USAID technical assistance
provider in the real estate and urban development sectors.
US May, 1992
USAID service providers begin work training the Polish Securities Commission
staff and developing regulatory reporting procedures and standards for
companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
US June, 1992
USAID volunteer advisers initiate the Defense Conversion Program, assisting
Polish defense enterprises in transforming their manufacturing capabilities
from defense goods to consumer goods.
US July, 1992
American-Polish Homebuilder's Institute (APHBI) is established in Gdansk
to introduce modern construction technologies and business practices
in a free-market environment and to establish a trade association to
represent the Polish private housing industry. APBHI will establish
the Polish Association of Home Builders which will become Poland's premier
member-based association representing builders of single family homes
and associated industries.
US July, 1992
The Local Environmental Management (LEM) Project is launched to assist
local authorities in Poland to improve their capacity to manage their
environmental problems more efficiently, including technical solutions
for local wastewater treatment plants, investment planning, management
and organization of water utilities, etc.
US August, 1992
Warsaw Institute of Banking, supported with USAID long-term advisers
and trainers is established by eight of the largest Polish banks and
the Polish Bank Association
PL August, 1992
First Credit Union is formed at the Gdansk District Heating Company.
US September, 1992
Eastern European Real Property Foundation (EERPF) is founded to establish
associations of real estate professionals; with USAID assistance, it
will establish the Polish Real Estate Federation in 1995
(19 regional associations with 1,500 member brokers); and the Polish
Federation of Valuers' Associations (29 regional associations with well
over 3,000 member appraisers).
US September, 1992
With assistance from the Institutional Reform & the Informal Sector
(IRIS) project, a coalition of Polish academics, government leaders,
and business associations is formed to draft a new collateral law, creating
a system for credit based upon pledges of moveable property.
US September, 1992
The Automatic Air Pollution Monitoring Network opens in Kraków with
seven stations and one mobile monitor constantly measuring air quality
with three of the stations also registering meteorological data.
US October, 1992
Polish-American Mortgage Bank is founded with 50% capital from the
PAEF -- first private banking institution to provide construction loans
and mortgage financing.
US November, 1992
Participant Training Project for Europe commences with the establishment
of a Warsaw-based office to provide academic education, on-the-job training
and/or internships in the United States for approximately 300 Poles
per year.
US November, 1992
USAID and the Polish Government sign an intergovernmental agreement
to establish the Housing Assistance Program. Under the agreement, USAID
guarantees a $10 million long-term loan available for the Polish Government
in the U.S. capital market and initiates a substantial technical assistance
program to reform the housing finance system in Poland. The so-called
Housing Guaranty capital resources are used together with the World
Bank, EBRD and the Polish Government funds to capitalize a newly established
$400 million Mortgage Fund, an apex mortgage re-financing entity, designed
to leverage commercial interest in mortgage lending.
US November, 1992
First local housing support agency (AWIM) is created with USAID assistance;
the network of AWIMs will later support the construction of 1,700 affordable
homes leveraging more than $30 million in investment by 1999.
US December, 1992
USAID leads other donors in converting Polish Stabilization Fund into
the Bank Stabilization fund with $200 million of U.S. funding to restructure
bad debts and support the privatization of nine regional state banks.
US December, 1992
Twelve Polish American Enterprise Clubs are founded with PAEF assistance,
serving several thousand members.
Back to Top ^
1993
PL January, 1993
Energy Restructuring Group (ERG) is formed at the Ministry of Industry
and Trade with the collaboration of USAID, PHARE, British Know-How Foundation
and IBRD. U.S. long-term advisers support the ERG in the reform of the
energy sector , including the development of the Energy Law and the
creation of the Energy Regulatory Authority.
PL February, 1993
To take advantage of the Bank Stabilization Fund, the Government of
Poland enacts the Financial Restructuring of Enterprises and Banks Act,
enabling State-owned banks to be involved in the restructuring of state
owned enterprises with delinquent debts, thereby improving their portfolios
in preparation for privatization.
US March, 1993
First Breast Cancer Screening Site is established in Warsaw with USAID-funded
assistance
PL April, 1993
Law on National Investment Funds is passed, providing the legal framework
for Poland's Mass Privatization Program.
US May, 1993
Support Office for the Movement of Self-Help Initiatives (BORIS) is
established to provide support to the NGO sector with a start-up grant
from USAID through the German Marshall Fund. BORIS provides technical
assistance in management issues, program planning, proposal writing,
and fundraising. By June 2000, BORIS will have helped establish 60 Local
Initiatives Centers that help communities organize for local problem
solving.
US September, 1993
First US dollar-denominated mortgage given at First Polish- American
Bank.
PL October, 1993
New government is elected comprised of Democratic Left Alliance and
the Polish Peasant Party.
US December, 1993
First Polish-American Bank signs first loan agreement through its "windows"
loan program for small business; it will provide over 7,000 businesses
with $272 million in financing.
Back to Top ^
1994
PL February, 1994
European Communities-Poland Association Agreement, a precursor to Poland's
eventual membership in the EU, becomes fully effective.
PL February, 1994
The law on copyrights is adopted, improving the protection of intellectual
property rights; assistance was provided by USAID's CEELI project.
US March, 1994
With USAID technical assistance and training in capital fundraising
and organizing volunteers, the Litewska Children's Hospital in Warsaw
kicks-off a highly successful capital development fundraising effort
which, by October 1994, will have raised nearly $1.5 million.
US March, 1994
First market-rate-based, dual-interest mortgages for individuals are
re-financed by the Mortgage Fund.
US April, 1994
Commercial Law Center is established as a collaborative effort between
the American Bar Association and three Polish bar associations (the
Advocates' Association, the Chamber of Legal Advisors, and the Polish
Lawyers' Association).
PL April, 1994
Poland applies for membership in the European Union.
US May, 1994
Banking Inspectorate carries out its first on-site bank inspection
based on internationally accepted standards, utilizing USAID's complete
On-Site Inspection Manual provided by USAID advisers.
PL June, 1994
Condominium Law, drafted with USAID assistance, is passed, setting
a new standard for a mixed-ownership concept between municipalities
and private owners of individual condominiums, boosting the property
management and construction housing markets.
PL June, 1994
Polish Public Procurement Law is passed with subsequent amendments,
allowing equal access to government contracts by SMEs.
PL July, 1994
Rental Reform Law is passed, allowing for the rationalization of rental
policy; setting the groundwork for the proper and economic management
of existing buildings.
US July, 1994
Fundusz Mikro, the micro-lending spin-off of the Polish American Enterprise
Fund, is established with $20 million from PAEF and $4 million of USAID
funding; by the end of 1999, Fundusz Mikro will have expanded its portfolio
to over 31,000 loans valued at about $50 million.
PL August, 1994
Polish National Energy Conservation Agency (KAPE) is established; USAID
later provides support to KAPE in the drafting of the Thermomodernization
Law.
PL September, 1994
Foundation for the Promotion and Development of Small and Medium-Sized
Enterprises is established to facilitate and coordinate government and
donor-funded activities supporting SMEs; earlier work by Gemini advisers
helped the Ministry of Industry and Trade with the concept of an advocacy
organization and helped develop its statutes.
PL September, 1994
SPLOT (formerly known as the Open Society Network) is established,
as a Network of NGO-support and resource centers, providing NGOs throughout
Poland with advice and training. Between 1995-1998, USAID's Democracy
Network Project (DemNet) will help the Network improve the standard
of its services and access other sources of funding.
US September, 1994
The first civic education program is introduced in 50 secondary schools.
The program "Civic Education in Local Government Schools"
was developed in cooperation with the Mershon Center of the Ohio State
University by the Center for Civic Education. Today, this program is
implemented by the majority of secondary schools (3,000 out of 5,000).
US September, 1994
National Association of Cooperative Savings and Credit Unions is organized
with USAID assistance and becomes an associate member of the World Council
of Credit Unions; by the end of 1999, there will be 417 credit unions
and branches in Poland bringing together 306,000 members with over $215
million in deposits.
PL October, 1994
Warsaw Stock Exchange is given member status in the International Federation
of Stock Exchanges.
PL October, 1994
Poland reaches agreement with its western commercial bank creditors
known as the London Club to forgive nearly 50%, approximately $5.3 billion,
of Poland’s official debt.
PL November, 1994
National Depository of Securities is established to carry out clearances
and settlements on securities.
US November, 1994
First Pollution Control Centers are established in Katowice and Lódz
to assist Polish industries to reduce their environmental liabilities.
By the end of 1996, 43 waste minimization projects are completed, decreasing
total pollution emission by 70,000 tons and bringing annual savings
of over $7,200,000.
US December, 1994
Polish Association of Homebuilders is founded to lobby for the legal
and regulatory framework necessary for private housing developers; will
grow to over 1,500 members.
Back to Top ^
1995
US January, 1995
Polish Federation of Real Estate Brokers' Associations (PFREB) is established,
(later to be renamed as the Polish Real Estate Federation), representing
19 regional associations with 1,500 member brokers. In summer of 1996,
PFREB signs a bilateral cooperation agreement with the Chicago-based
Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) to develop a training system
for property managers with the designation of IREM "Certified Property
Manager." In 1999, alumni of IREM training establish a Polish chapter
of IREM.
PL January, 1995
The zloty is redenominated with one new zloty equalling 10,000 old
zlotys.
US January, 1995
US Department of Justice (DOJ) begins work with the Sejm's Judiciary
Committee and Committee on Internal Affairs to propose and/or review
reforms such as Poland's new Code of Criminal Procedure and the allowance
of immunized testimony in connection with organized crime cases. Additionally,
DOJ advisers assisted prosecutors' offices in several major cities with
case management and investigative techniques.
US February, 1995
USAID's Public Administration Reform project begins, providing assistance
to the Government of Poland in re-defining the role of the voivodship.
US February, 1995
Democracy Network Program is launched to provide broad-based institutional
development support to NGOs to enhance their capacity to participate
effectively in policy debate. As a result 65 NGOs become stronger and
more effective in advocating for policy changes on behalf of their constituents
as evidenced by: 59 local government ordinances, four ministerial decisions,
three amendments to national legislation and one article in the new
Constitution.
PL March, 1995
With USAID policy advice on the parameters for the new deposit insurance
scheme, the Bank Deposit Guarantee Fund is enacted to cover losses up
to 3,000 ecu per account in Poland’s commercial banks.
US March, 1995
Municipal Development Agency is established to assist municipalities
in obtaining access to capital financing and to provide local government
with information, training and advisory services to improve standards
in municipal management. USAID initiates long-term assistance to MDA
to help build its organizational and financial viability.
US May, 1995
The Grain Storage and Marketing Project begins, providing long- term
assistance to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Warsaw Board of Trade
to develop a licensed warehouse receipt system in Poland, to enable
farmers to leverage the value of their crops for short-term loans as
well as help organize grain trading and a commodities futures market.
PL May, 1995
Warsaw Board of Trade is established.
PL May, 1995
Following assistance from the Gemini project, the Council of Ministers
approves Poland's first national SME Policy.
PL June, 1995
Moody's gives Poland an “investment grade” credit rating,
enabling it to return to international capital markets for the first
time since the 1980’s with a highly successful Eurobond issue of
$250 million.
PL June, 1995
PBK Bank makes first commercial mortgage in zloty outside of the Mortgage
Fund
PL July, 1995
Poland joins the World Trade Organization.
PL July, 1995
Poland pays back all of its obligations to the International Monetary
Fund ahead of schedule and graduates from IMF assistance.
US August, 1995
USAID provides the Loan Guarantee Portfolio facility to Amerbank as
first participating bank, providing a 50% guarantee on losses to small
to medium-sized businesses.
US August, 1995
USAID provides $9.5 million in grant funding for equity investments
in small Polish enterprises. As a result, the profitability of SME equity
fund investments is demonstrated with pre-tax return on investment of
30%. Additionally, the portfolio of 15 SMEs will on average increase
sales revenue by 104% and employment by 70%.
US September, 1995
Gdynia passes the first local ordinance in Poland regarding cooperation
with NGOs. Later, between 1996-1998, DemNet will have helped eleven
other gminas develop similar regulations. Through DemNet and the Local
Government Partnership Program (LGPP), USAID has been supporting similar
efforts in gminas all over Poland.
US September, 1995
USAID funds the Urban Management Support Program, providing grants
and subcontracts to Polish organizations that support local governments
through research, training and/or technical advisory services.
US September, 1995
The Mine Health and Safety in Silesia project is initiated, training
over 18,000 coal miners in 43 coal mines as well as post-diploma students
at the Technical University of Silesia on measures to reduce risk to
life and health in coal mines.
US September, 1995
First dual degree MBA Program between Warsaw School of Economics and
University of Minnesota is established.
PL November, 1995
Voters choose Aleksander Kwasniewski, as Poland’s President.
PL November, 1995
Mass Privatization Program is finally launched after four years of
debates; 512 state-owned enterprises’ assets are distributed among
15 National Investment Funds which own the majority share of the SOEs
and manage them; 93% of Poles entitled to buy the certificates at about
USD 8.- each do so.
PL December, 1995
Credit Union Act is passed, providing for a better legal and regulatory
framework for credit unions.
Back to Top ^
1996
US January, 1996
The Local Government Partnership Program (LGPP) begins with eight gminas
in a pilot project to strengthen local government. Today LGPP is the
final, large technical assistance program and will work with 150 gminas
in building the blocks of local government by its completion.
PL March, 1996
First not-for-profit Rental Housing Society (TBSs) is established to
provide subsidies to develop new middle-income rental housing; the network
of TBSs, after receiving USAID technical assistance in business and
investment planning, developed 8,500 rental units by the end of 1999.
US March, 1996
Over-The-Counter Market (OTC) is established as a result of USAID-funded
assistance.
US April, 1996
Ostrow Wielkopolski issues first publicly traded Municipal Bond with
USAID assistance; public and private bond placements will grow from
zero in 1995
to over $71.5 million by the end of 1999.
US May, 1996
Polish Real Estate Fund is established with $5 million of PAEF capital.
PL May, 1996
SYNAPSIS Foundation (DemNet grantee) organizes one of the first social
advertising campaigns promoting the need to integrate autistic children
into the society.
PL May, 1996
USAID's Local Environmental Management (LEM) Project Polish staff establish
"successor" organization, LEM S.C., to provide continuing
assistance to local governments in environmental management and infrastructure
development.
US June, 1996
As a result, of USAID assistance, the Lublin community development
project is selected from among 600 submissions worldwide to receive
Best Practices Award for Excellence in Improving the Living Environment
at the U.N. HABITAT II conference in Istanbul, Turkey.
US September, 1996
Under the USAID DemNet Project, 800 NGOs participate in the first national
NGO conference in Poland, focusing on the role of NGOs in building civil
society.
US September, 1996
The Rural Entrepreneurship Promotion (WRED) program receives USAID
assistance to develop entrepreneurial skills and to provide access to
credit to in the economically depressed areas of rural Poland. By the
end of 1999, WRED will have extended over 2,000 loans valued at about
$3 million.
US September, 1996
First Polish Executive MBA Program is established at Lódz University
with the assistance of University of Maryland and new distance-learning
facilities.
US September, 1996
The Council of Ministers approves the "White Paper on Power Sector
Demonopolization and Privatization," drafted with the assistance
of USAID advisers and the Energy Restructuring Group, marking the first
official commitment by the Government of Poland to establish a competitive
market in the energy sector.
US October, 1996
In anticipation of USAID graduation from Poland, the Business Support
Program, later known as Project FIRMA 2000, is launched to strengthen
Polish business service and consulting organizations. By the end of
1999, the participating Business Support Organizations (BSOs) will have
delivered consulting services to 5,995 SME clients, trained 28,741 middle
and upper managers of SMEs and secured nearly $23,000,000 in equity
and debt financing for 626 of their SME clients.
US October, 1996
"Silesia On-Line," the first web-site in the USAID-funded
Wide Area Network of Regional Development Agencies appears, promoting
new business opportunities and regional contacts via the Internet.
PL November, 1996
Poland is admitted into the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD).
US November, 1996
Democratic Governance & Public Administration advisers commence
working with the Ministry of Finance's Department of Local Government
Finance to design and implement a system for government decentralization.
These efforts enabled the DLGF to play an important role in the implementation
of local government reform in 1999.
US December, 1996
USAID-funded consultants and the Municipal Development Agency publish
a manual, introducing the concept of task-based budgeting for municipalities.
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1997
US January, 1997
USAID assistance enables the Polish Bank Association to establish the
Central European Rating Agency with Polish and international investors.
US February, 1997
The Housing Finance Committee within the Polish Bank Association is
established. By the end of the decade, the committee brings together
representatives of over 30 mortgage lenders and will have a primary
role in lobbying for the development of a safe, stable and profitable
mortgage-lending industry in Poland.
PL March, 1997
REAS Sp. z o.o., a Polish "successor" organization to the
Housing Finance Technical Assistance and Municipal Advisory Program,
is established by local project staff.
US March, 1997
With the assistance of the DGPA Project, an experimental Public Services
City Zone is created in Nowy Sacz to test an intermediate level of government,
a precursor to the poviat. The success and popularity of the initiative
was a factor in the enactment of the 1998
legislation creating a complete system of poviats throughout the country
.
US May, 1997
Warsaw Stock Exchange receives the status as a designated offshore
securities market from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
US May, 1997
USAID hosts first national conference on market-driven housing finance.
US June, 1997
Polish experts under the Gemini project initiate work with the Ministry
of Industry and Trade and later with its successor, the Ministry of
Economy, to draft a new economic activity law, using a consultative
process between business associations, government, and legislators.
PL June, 1997
The Energy Law passes, following four and a half years of USAID assistance
to the Energy Restructuring Group in drafting and supporting the passage
of the law to develop a regulatory framework for utilities, including
an independent Energy Regulatory Agency.
PL July, 1997
Central European Flood disaster affects 500 gminas in south- western
Poland.
US July, 1997
Relief assistance valued at $233,000 is provided by USAID to fund emergency
supplies to victims of the disastrous flood in southern Poland. The
Polish Red Cross receives a grant of $100,000 to provide supplies of
food, toiletries and blankets to 1,000 families affected by the flood.
A second grant is provided to Project Hope to cover the cost of chemical
and biological reagents for testing municipal water supply and for the
transportation cost of the $6 million worth of Hepatitis A vaccines
that Merck and Co. donated to Poland.
US August, 1997
The Association of Polish Cities (APC), on behalf of the four municipal
associations, requests USAID assistance to establish a local damage
assessment system and a system of monitoring the effectiveness and fairness
of the reconstruction process financed by the central government.
PL August, 1997
Mortgage Bank Legislation is passed, providing for the creation of
specialized mortgage banks, the first in Poland since World War II.
Mortgage banks are entitled to refinance their mortgage loans directly
at the capital market, issuing "listy zastawne," a special
type of long-term security backed by the pull of mortgages.
US September, 1997
USAID launches a 15-month Gmina Assistance and Reconstruction Program
to provide advisory services to gminas that have been affected by the
1997
flood to help them undertake infrastructure repairs and access financing.
PL October, 1997
Solidarity and Freedom Union Coalition government is elected.
PL October, 1997
Poland's new Constitution is passed.
US October, 1997
The Constitution includes an article, guaranteeing children’s
rights as advocated by the DemNet grantee, Children’s Letter to
the World Foundation.
PL October, 1997
Energy Regulatory Agency is established to oversee the electricity,
gas and heat markets, ensuring customer protection and promoting market
forces, an outcome of USAID assistance to the Energy Restructuring Group
commencing in 1993.
US November, 1997
2,000 enterprises receive $3.5 million for flood disaster relief from
Fundusz Mikro.
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1998
US January, 1998
The DGPA Project begins working with the Ministry of Finance to determine
the revenue needs of Poviats. By the spring of 1999, this leads to direct
cooperation between DGPA and the Polish Ministry of Education in order
to determine funding norms for both primary and secondary schools.
PL January, 1998
European Institute for Democracy is established as a "successor"
organization to the USAID political party building program to support
Poland's multiparty system.
PL June, 1998
Superintendency of Pension Funds Supervision is established and supported
with $4.5 million of USAID assistance to build the regulator's capacity
and to support a public education campaign for pension reform.
PL June, 1998
New Housing Strategy is drafted to increase the effectiveness of government
interventions in the housing market; abolition of the income tax deduction
is to become a key component of Deputy Prime Minister Balcerowicz’s
tax reform.
PL June, 1998
Polish Association of Women Entrepreneurs is founded; with USAID assistance
the Association reaches 167 dues-paying members by the end of 1999.
US July, 1998
Water Standards Board is established to advise the President of the
Housing and Urban Development Authority in drafting standards for water
provision services and tariff setting.
PL July, 1998
Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland, a "successor"
organization of the USAID DemNet Project, is established.
PL September, 1998
Intermediate Law on Local Government Finance is passed.
PL September, 1998
Criminal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure are amended, enhancing
the efficiency of Poland's criminal justice system.
US September, 1998
Following USAID Emergency Management Training of 40 officials from
central and local government, NGO leaders and flood experts begin drafting
the Civil Preparedness Law and other relevant legislation.
US September, 1998
First loan using a licensed grain warehouse receipt is made to a farmer
by Cukro Bank in Wroclaw, as a result of USAID assistance under the
Grain Storage and Marketing Project.
US September, 1998
The Polish-American Association for Health and Safety in Mining Industry
is established as a "successor" organization to the Mine Health
and Safety in Silesia project to continue providing job safety training
as well as measuring health conditions in the mines.
US September, 1998
Opportunities Industrialization Center Poland Foundation graduates
from the USAID's organizational development grant having trained 35,000
people in business development, management and employment preparation
services.
US October, 1998
Poland-America-Ukraine Cooperation Initiative (PAUCI) is launched to
help Ukraine use Poland’s experience in implementing market reforms.
PL October, 1998
Third local government elections mark an important step in shifting
significant authority from the central government to local governments
in several spheres of civic administration.
PL November, 1998
Polish Know How Foundation establishes operations to provide technical
assistance and training to other transition countries.
PL November, 1998
The European Union and Poland close negotiations regarding small and
medium enterprises, in recognition of Poland's conformance to EU regulatory
standards.
PL December, 1998
The Thermomodernization Act is passed, allowing for substantial new
investment to improve energy efficiency with reliance on the private
sector, an initiative supported by USAID in the preparatory phase with
assistance to the Polish National Energy Conservation Agency.
PL December, 1998
First Mortgage Banks are licensed.
US December, 1998
Training of 1,200 senior representatives of the new poviat level of
local government by trainers from the Krakow-based Poviat Advisory Consortium
and FSLD thanks to funding provided by USAID under the DGPA program.
Back to Top ^
1999
PL January, 1999
Financial and Administrative Decentralization Reform commences with
voivodships consolidated from 49 to 16 and a new poviat (county) level
of government is introduced, establishing 373 poviats.
PL January, 1999
Health Reform Law is passed and Ministry of Health initiates health
sector reform with USAID assistance focused on strengthening the management
of 16 newly created HMO-like health insurance funds.
PL January, 1999
Pension Reform Legislation comes into effect.
US February, 1999
With a USAID grant, the Association of Polish Poviats is formed, serving
85% of all poviats, joining with the four municipal associations to
lobby the Government of Poland and Parliament.
PL February, 1999
Collateral Law and Registry Law comes into effect, creating the legal
framework for secured asset-based lending, and thus promoting greater
private sector investment. Passage of the Collateral and Registry Laws
represents the culmination of five years of USAID assistance to the
Ministry of Justice in bringing about secured transactions reform.
PL February, 1999
First Private Pension Funds are introduced; more than 9 million initially
participate in the private funds.
PL March, 1999
Poland joins NATO. First Polish troops sent to Kosovo as part of NATO
peacekeeping force.
US March, 1999
USAID advisers begin assistance to the Ministry of Finance to draft
the Local Government Finance Act which will provide for a local supplement
to the national personal income tax as the key source of local revenue.
US April, 1999
USAID advisers under the DGPA project begin intensive work with the
Ministry of National Education to prepare a unified system for the distribution
of education subsidies to local governments which accounts for 13% of
the national budget. The system is adopted by the government and take
effect January, 2000.
US April, 1999
Fourteen organizations receive grants from the Local Government Partnership
Project (LGPP) worth approximately $400,000 to implement projects that
aim to support local government through: increased public participation,
increased access for women to local government positions, and improved
management of financial resources. By the end of March, 2000, LGPP provided
grants worth $1.2 million to over 60 organizations that support local
government by providing them with training, advisory or information
services.
US April, 1999
An effective advocacy campaign by NGOs results in Parliamentary changes
to article No 118 of the Public Finance Law, improving NGO access to
financing from local government.
US June, 1999
Association for Public Administration Education is established with
USAID support to facilitate cooperation among universities and schools
of public administration, share experiences and set educational standards.
US June, 1999
Municipal Development Agency publishes the first handbook on multi-year
capital investment planning (CIP) for local governments. The publication
presents important steps in the planning process, including criteria
for prioritizing investment, financial analyses and forecasts needed
to ensure sufficient funding and suggestions of public participation
in the process.
US July, 1999
Number of mortgages issued passes 100,000.
PL August, 1999
FIRMA 2000Sp. z o.o. is established by local project staff as a "successor"
organization to the Business Support Program.
US August, 1999
Over 100 Polish and American women leaders from business, academia,
social services, NGOs, and government participate in First U.S. all-women's
Trade and Study Mission to Poland.
US September, 1999
Poland Global Climate Change Program is initiated with $5 million to
mitigate climate change and to lay the groundwork for Poland's accession
into the EU. The grant is contingent upon government progress with legislative
and policy reforms that enhance the prospects for environmental protection
and greater energy efficiency.
US October, 1999
USAID signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bank for Socio-Economic
Initiatives (BISE) to promote energy efficiency projects in an effort
to help Poland comply with the newly enacted Thermomodernization Law.
Through the Development Credit Authority, a USAID loan guarantee program,
$300,000 of USAID funding will be used to leverage $10 million in bank
loans for environmental improvement projects, many of which will be
initiated by local governments.
PL October, 1999
Poland opens negotiations with the EU with regard to environmental
protection.
US October, 1999
USAID assistance to the Polish Bank Association establishes the Working
Group on Municipal Credit to address the various legislative, administrative,
and market barriers to increasing the role of private banks in financing
municipal infrastructure.
US October, 1999
First Town Meeting is held as part of a Strategic Communications Activity
launched by the Prime Minister's Chancellery to build Public support
for Social Sector Reform.
PL November, 1999
Economic Activity Law is passed after nearly two-and-a-half years of
USAID assistance from the Gemini project, laying down fundamental regulations
for business in Poland.
PL November, 1999
Council of Ministers approves the tenets of the new National Environmental
Policy.
PL November, 1999
USAID-funded Gemini Project local staff establish a "successor"
organization, UNILOB, S.C., to assist governmental and non- governmental
organizations in developing the institutional capacity to identify,
analyze and advocate policies in support of private sector development,
especially SME development.
Back to Top ^
2000
PL January, 2000
Ministry of Education implements reform of educational finance with
the new system for distribution of education subsidies to local governments.
For the first time, money is allocated on a purely weighted per pupil
basis.
US March, 2000
Nine local philanthropic organizations raise funds and establish endowments
for community foundations valued at 500,000 PLN, to provide grant and
scholarship programs helping youth access better education, promoting
job creation, supporting local cultural and sport events. Local funds
are matched by the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland.
US March, 2000
Housing and Urban Development Authority initiates work to draft legislation
to standardize and rationalize water and wastewater utility pricing.
US March, 2000
Polish American Freedom Foundation is established with $180 million
from the liquidation of more than half of the value of the Polish American
Enterprise Fund's investment portfolio with the remaining $120 million
returning to the U.S. treasury.
PL May, 2000
With assistance from USAID's Increasing Municipal Access to Capital
Program, the Bond Law is amended, enabling the issuance of revenue bonds
for the first time in Poland.
US May, 2000
USAID provides the Polish Know-How Foundation with a USD 600,000 institution-building
grant to enhance its capacity to transfer Polish transition experience
to other countries in CEE
US May, 2000
International conference on Ethics in Public Administration is organized
by the School of Public Administration in Bialystok (SPAB), with participants
from Central and Eastern Europe, Western Europe and the United States.
Two other organizations, Malopolski Institute of Local Government and
Public Administration (MISTIA) and the Federation of Gminas and Poviats
of the Republic of Poland also engaged in activities to promote ethical
standards in local government.
US June, 2000
A new electronic quarterly local government finance report system is
established with USAID assistance to provide equalizing subsidies and
grants from the central budget to local governments.
PL June, 2000
Poland hosts World Democracy Forum, a joint initiative of the Stefan
Batory Foundation and Freedom House of New York. The Forum gathers hundreds
of activists, academic experts, representatives of NGOs, leaders of
civic and religious organizations, the business community, labor and
the media to discuss the continued advancement of democratic governance
and values.
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