USAID Bulgaria Graduation Strategy (2003-2007)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

After thirteen years of growing and sustained U.S. assistance to Bulgaria totaling over USD 430 million, this document presents a framework for graduation from U.S. assistance and lays groundwork for a post-graduation relationship between the U.S. and Bulgaria that serves as a strategic partnership in the region and strengthens the worldwide anti-terrorist alliance. USAID efforts were driven by our vision of Bulgaria as a country with a more energetic society, i.e. increased NGO advocacy, more jobs, more optimism, more widely shared economic gains, and stronger and more reliable international partnerships. USAID/Bulgaria believes that by the time USG programs end, Bulgaria will be securely grounded on a sustainable path toward democratic governance at all levels and its successful market economy will be better integrated in the international markets.

The strategy clearly supports the U.S. foreign policy interests in Bulgaria and the five top priority strategic goals comprising the overall U.S. strategy for Bulgaria, as defined in the FY 2005 Mission Performance Plan: Counter-terrorism; Regional Stability; Rule of Law; Economic Development; Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. Achievement of these goals will ensure that Bulgaria remains a dependable ally and continues to play a stabilizing role in this region. The strategy is based on a comprehensive analysis of the assistance environment in Bulgaria focusing on achievements to date and the remaining challenges faced by the country in the nearterm. It outlines the priorities and major areas of donor involvement and addresses the importance of the donor coordination process. The Mission summarizes some of its major achievements to date and the legacies that we will leave behind. On its graduation path,
USAID/Bulgaria will continue to build upon the comparative advantages identified during the years, while at the same time looking for other efficient mechanisms to preserve its current investments and guarantee the success of other major initiatives. USAID’s comparative advantages are: long-term strategic approach; flexibility and immediate responsiveness; and a partnership approach to providing assistance.

USAID/Bulgaria defines graduation as the point at which Bulgaria has achieved a level of development, measured by Mission graduation targets, after which the country will be able to continue its path toward democracy and open markets without the need for USAID assistance. A fundamental assumption of the Mission is that the funding levels requested for the strategy, will be available through FY 2006. During this period programs will start phasing out and the Mission will close soon after that. USAID/Bulgaria anticipates that by 2007 the country will have reached most of its graduation targets. For that reason, this document builds upon the notion of an overlap between a well thought-out transition to a graduation strategy and an efficient and effective exit strategy.

During the transition period (2003-2006) the Mission will consolidate activities, achieve the highest impact possible, and ensure sustainability of USAID’s legacies in Bulgaria. By early FY 2005, we will articulate post-presence opportunities and ensure their continuation.

Full text of USAID Graduation Strategy 2003-2007, (1.6 MB, PDF)