Typically, the World Bank does not finance the entire cost of a project. It finances the components of a project purchased with foreign exchange, which on average is about 40% of the total project cost. Each project may cover a wide variety of sectors and can involve anywhere from one to hundreds of separate contracts or export business opportunities for suppliers worldwide.
The first phase of the cycle, identification, requires approximately one to two years to complete. The borrowing country must identify a project that is a priority investment with the provisional support of both the bank and the borrowing country.
After the project objectives are defined and agreed upon, the borrowing country must develop the idea into a detailed proposal that considers all technical, economic, financial, social and institutional aspects. The preparation stage generally requires between one to three years.
Once project preparation has been completed by the borrower, the bank reviews the proposals and undertakes a full scale project appraisal. During this stage, which lasts about three to six months, the types of goods and equipment needed for the project and applicable procurement procedures are determined. In some cases, outside consultants are hired to assist with the process.
The next stage is negotiation and board approval. Negotiations between the bank and the borrower may last up to two months. During this phase, conditions are set to ensure the project's success, including procurement arrangements, the agreements are formalized in loan documents, and the documents are submitted to the Executive Directors of the World Bank for approval.
After the loan is approved, funds are available to implement the project and procure the necessary goods and services. Implementation and procurement is the responsibility of the borrower. Even though the World Bank is not a party to any contract, it does require that the procurement process follow agreed procedures as reflected in the legal documents. It carefully supervises the implementation and procurement process to ensure that these procedures are followed and the process is fair and impartial.
The Bank has three basic concerns that govern procurement procedures: 1) to ensure that the appropriate goods and services needed to carry out the project are procured efficiently and economically, 2) to make sure all qualified bidders from the bank's member countries have an equal opportunity to compete for bank financed contracts, and 3) to encourage the development of local contractors and manufacturers in the borrowing countries. These three criteria are best achieved by the international competitive bidding (ICB) procedure.
The ICB for World Bank projects is similar to public bidding procedures used by many governments but it does have some peculiar features and requirements. Peculiar features include: advertisement requirements, choice of currency of the bid, choice of language, and certain preferences for local companies in the borrowing country.
All goods and services to be procured through ICB must be advertised internationally in the United Nations publication, Development Business, at least one major local newspaper, and for large specialized contracts, in well-known technical magazines, newspapers, and trade publications of wide international circulation. Bidding invitations may also be obtained through certain World Bank publications such as the World Bank Operational Summary. U.S. companies can acquire some information about World Bank opportunities in the former Soviet Union and Bank publications by contacting BISNIS or calling the FlashFAX BISNIS Bank at (202) 482- 3145.
In all cases, the prospective supplier must contact the representative of the borrowing country to obtain bidding documents and specifications for that project. The contact name is usually listed in the advertisement for the bid.
The currency of the bid is determined by the bidder unless otherwise specified by the borrower in the bidding documents. Successful bidders are entitled to receive payments in the currencies of their bid, thereby minimizing the bidders' exposure to exchange rate fluctuations.
All documentation must be in English, French, or Spanish.
To promote the development of local industries within the borrowing countries, the Bank permits the borrower to give a margin of preference to locally-manufactured goods and contracting services when they are competing against foreign suppliers.
The Bank then requires that all ICB contracts be awarded to the lowest evaluated responsive bid, based on the evaluation criteria set forth in the bid documents. The lowest evaluated bid takes into account factors such as quality, durability, availability of after sales service and spare parts, and training. Therefore, the contract may not necessarily be awarded to the lowest-priced bid.
After the project is completed and the loan is fully disbursed, the Bank undertakes an independent evaluation to compare the actual results with the expectations set forth at the beginning of the project cycle. The results of this evaluation are made public in a variety of bank publications, including an annual review, Project Performance Results.
Application forms for guarantees by MIGA as well as further information about MIGA's programs and policies may be obtained by contacting MIGA at (202) 473-5419.
IFC invests in commercial enterprises of varying industries by means of loans and equity financing in collaboration with other investors. The loans and equity investments IFC makes for its own account are usually limited to no more than 25 percent of project cost. IFC normally invests in projects with a total cost greater than $25 million for Russia but will invest more or less in other countries depending on their size and wealth. The largest amount IFC will invest for its own account is around $100 million.
IFC does not accept government guarantees of repayment, but it does require that the project generate hard currency. IFC funds may be used for foreign or local expenditures related to the overall costs of a project including fixed assets, permanent working capital, interest during construction, and pre-operating cost.
In addition to funding, IFC also provides financial, legal, and technical advice to private enterprises. Financing and advisory services include: structuring financial packages, deploying a full range of financial instruments, participating in large IFC loans to facilitate their syndication, underwriting and contingent financing, restructuring companies that have run into difficulties, and advising and assisting governments in privatization. IFC was instrumental in assisting Nizhny Novgorod, with Russia's first small scale privatization program.
Other IFC technical assistance projects in the NIS include: implementation of large scale privatization in five Russian regions; a trucking sector privatization program in Nizhny Novgorod; a program to develop the securities market in Russia; and a pilot program to privatize agricultural farms.
A company or entrepreneur from an IFC member country seeking to establish a new venture or expand an existing enterprise can approach IFC by requesting a meeting or submitting preliminary project or corporate information. Companies wishing to make project proposals or obtain additional information on IFC's capabilities, operations, or policies should contact the IFC's Business Development Department at (202) 473-1950.
Additionally, IFC and the International Moscow Bank (IMB) signed a $15 million credit line agreement to support IMB's project finance activities. IMB will lend the $15 million credit line to Russian private sector companies and joint ventures with projects that cannot be financed by IFC because of its small size or some other factor.
IMB will utilize the credit line to make hard currency project loans with maturities of two to six years. The average size of an IMB loan is about $1 million, and it is unlikely that they will consider loans over $5 million. During the project selection process, IMB generally applies the same project criteria as IFC, including: quality of management; financial strength of the borrower; and the projects cash flow.
Companies wishing to make project proposals, or obtain additional information about IMB should contact Mr. Alexander A Myagkov, Deputy General Manager of IMB's Corporate Finance Division. He can be reached by phone at +7-095-157-30-34, or by fax at +7-501-944-1009 (international fax). The local fax number is +7-095-975-22-14.
The ADB makes loans and equity investments, provides technical assistance to prepare and carry out development projects and programs, and regional advisory services; promotes investment of public and private capital for development; and responds to requests for assistance in coordinating development policies and plans of its member countries.
As a regional development bank, it helps mobilize additional resources within the region and attract investment from outside. It is able to finance projects either not financed or inadequately financed by existing national and international financial institutions. It also assists regional and subregional schemes of economic development and promotes regional economic cooperation.
Most ADB financing is designed to support specific development projects. Program loans are made to governments to support a sectoral development program, which includes policy reforms, investment programs, or institutional improvements.
Direct financial assistance to private enterprises mainly consists of loans without government guarantee and underwriting and investment in equity securities. Direct assistance is also provided to privately owned financial institutions. The ADB has underwritten the initial offering of several mutual funds. Financial institutions and sponsors of projects involving venture capital, leasing, factoring, investment management, and commercial finance, among others, are eligible for the Bank's direct assistance.
Indirect assistance to private enterprises is primarily provided through credit lines to development finance institutions for on-lending, mainly to small- and medium-sized new ventures as well as for balancing, modernization, replacement or expansion of existing ventures.
Financing of investment projects will likely be constrained by logistical and absorptive capacity. Initial investment operations will focus on infrastructure rehabilitation. Co-financing with other donors will be actively sought.
Possible reforms in industry and trade will include liberalization of international and domestic trade, elimination of subsidies and regulated prices, introduction of sound environmental practices, privatization, enterprise restructuring, and addressing redundant labor. Reforms in the financial sector include: bank restructuring, establishment of legal and policy frameworks; and, in the agricultural sector: land reform, market restructuring, enterprise reform, water resource management. The ADB envisions pilot projects and technical assistance to build needed capacities and skills. Special attention will be given to sound environmental management and regulation, the enhancement of social safety net mechanisms, and protection of vulnerable groups.
To promote regional cooperation among the Central Asian Republics, the ADB will explore the benefits and opportunities for policy coordination among the neighboring countries especially in finance, energy and industry.
The Bank will place high priority on high economic return and growth- oriented investments in physical infrastructure such as transport and power.
Through advisory technical assistance and program lending the ADB will support policy change in the agricultural, industrial and financial sectors. Specifically, it will address market distortions such as price controls and trade restrictions; land reform; agricultural infrastructure; restructuring and privatization of state-owned agricultural enterprises.
In the financial sector, efforts are needed to restructure the existing commercial banking system and consolidate activities of state-controlled banks; increase competition in the financial sector; and strengthen institutional, legal and regulatory framework for banking sector operations.
In the industrial sector, it will initiate measures to privatize Government assets; develop secondary trading and a well-functioning capital market; implement an exit program for state enterprises that cannot be successfully restructured and privatized; develop a strategy on redundant labor; and develop legal and institutional support for private sector activities.
Severe fiscal constraints will limit approaches to environmental problems so initial efforts will concentrate on developing an appropriate framework to avert adverse effects from new investments.
The U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Multilateral Development Bank's (MDB) can provide additional information on the ADB. MDB can be reached by telephone at 202-482-3399, or by fax 202-482-5179. The MDB also maintains a liaison officer at the ADB: Ms. Janet Thomas, Senior Commercial Officer; Office of the U.S. Executive Director; #6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong Metro Manila; P.O. Box 789; Manila, Philippines; telephone: +63-2-632-890-9364; fax:: +63-2-890-9713
EBRD combines merchant banking and development banking to help restructure the public and private sectors in the NIS. EBRD was capitalized with over $12 billion. The United States is one of the largest shareholder in the Bank, with roughly a 10 percent share. Japan owns an 8.5 percent share, while the countries of the European Community and its institutions own a combined total of 57 percent. Australia, Canada, Egypt, Israel, Mexico, Morocco, and all the East European and NIS members are also shareholders.
EBRD's charter mandates at least sixty percent of its lending for the private sector and for privatization of state owned enterprises. The remaining resources will fund public infrastructure and environmental projects that promote private sector development. EBRD will only finance projects that benefit the country in which they are located. U.S. companies may either approach the bank with a specific proposal or bid on EBRD-funded public sector projects.
Since its inception, EBRD has spent over $2.8 billion in the NIS. EBRD has already compiled investment and development strategies for Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. The primary sectors targeted in these strategies are telecommunications, energy, and infrastructure (including transportation services, roads, and sewerage). The distribution of goods and services, the banking system, and associated financial services (transfers, credit cards, and checks) are also key priorities to the bank.
For private sector projects, EBRD will typically finance up to 35% of the project cost and will lend no less than approximately $7 million for any single project. To support smaller projects, the Bank has helped to create numerous debt and equity investment funds (please see Section V).
Companies seeking private sector development financing should be prepared to submit a comprehensive business plan, with a description of the company and its activities. This business plan should include full financials, market information, ownership, and management. The applicant should also submit a full description of the project or transaction, a proposed financing plan, and financial projections.
Investment funds or venture capital funds are either regional or country- specific offering equity and/or quasi-equity finance. The funds make independent decisions about which projects they invest in, but the main investment criteria are consistent with the EBRD's overall investment policy. The size of each investment varies from fund to fund.
Investment and commercial banks make independent lending decision but their investment criteria are consistent with the EBRD's overall investment policy.
The EBRD provides long-term funding to local banks. These funds are used by the banks for project financing. The banks make independent lending decisions, subject to certain requirements that reflect the EBRD's investment policy.
The EBRD co-finances projects together with local banks. The projects are smaller than those financed directly by the EBRD. Project preparation and evaluation are delegated to the co-financing bank. Only after the bank decides that a project is a viable investment does the EBRD approve the project. EBRD investment policy is taken into consideration. The co- financing bank monitors and supervises the project and reports regularly to the EBRD.
The EBRD's part of the loan is in convertible currency, while the local bank's party may be in either local or convertible currency (dependent upon Central Bank regulations in each country).
The EBRD co-finances projects with other foreign banks. The arrangement is very similar to co-financing with local banks except that funding of the loan is shared with a foreign bank. The local office of the foreign bank does project preparation and administration. Both parts of the loan (from the EBRD and from the foreign bank) are in convertible currency.
Azerbaijan: See section IV for information on the New Europe East Investment Fund.
Belarus: See section IV for information on the New Europe East Investment Fund. Belarus SME Credit Line: The EBRD has made a loan to Belarus for on-lending to local commercial banks to finance investment projects of small- and medium-sized companies in the private sector. Contact: Belarus SME Credit Line; c/o EBRD Minsk Resident Office; Ul. Sovetskaya 7; 220050 Minsk, Belarus; Mr. C. Bloomfield; Tel: +375-172-201-537; Fax: +375-172-207-668.
Georgia: See section IV for information on the New Europe East Investment Fund.
Kazakhstan: See section IV for information on the New Europe East Investment Fund.
The EBRD has made a loan to the National Bank of Kazakhstan to lend to local banks which will on-lend to private sector projects. The loans will initially be made in hard currency only and are geared towards entities in the export sector. Contact: National Bank of Kazakhstan; c/o The Apex Unit; 37a Satpaeva; 4800780 Almaty, Kazakhstan; Mr. Dominique Demarguette; Tel: +7-3272-479-316; Fax: +7-3272-474-191.
Kyrgyzstan: See section IV for information on the New Europe East Investment Fund.
Moldova: See section IV for information the New Europe East Investment Fund.
Russia: See section IV for information on: Europe East Investment Fund; Framlington Russian Investment Fund, and; Regional Venture Funds for Siberia, Smolensk, St. Petersburg, and the Urals region.
The EBRD has established a line of co-financing with the International Moscow Bank. This financing is available only for private sector enterprises. Loans range from $500,000 to $8 million. Contact: International Moscow Bank; Ul. Pushkinskaya 5/6; 103009 Moscow, Russia; Mr. Dmitry Mercuriev; Tel: +7-501-944-1002; Fax: +7-501-944- 1009.
The Russia Small Business Fund provides loans for financing small enterprises (fewer than 50 employees). Finance is available in U.S. dollars and rubles indexed to dollars. It offers loans up to $50,000 and, in exceptional circumstances, up to $75,000. An additional component of this fund is the micro credit facility providing loans from $100 to $30,000 for a period of 1-24 months. The Small Business Fund is currently operating in Nizhny Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Tomsk, Tula, Togliatti, Samara, and St. Petersburg. (See contact information on page 31).
Tajikistan: See section IV for information the New Europe East Investment Fund.
Turkmenistan: See section IV for information on the New Europe East Investment Fund.
Ukraine: See section IV for information on the New Europe East Investment Fund, and the Ukraine Fund.
In cooperation with the National Bank of Ukraine, the EBRD has established a medium-term investment credit and short-term trade financing program. Financing will be provided through private banks to private small- and medium-sized companies. Loans range from $50,000 to $2.5 million. Contact: National Bank of Ukraine; ul Institutska 9; 252007 Kiev, Ukraine; Irina Kravchenko; Tel: +380-44-293-6995; Fax: +380-44- 293-4204.
Uzbekistan: See See section IV for information on the New Europe East Investment Fund.
The EBRD has provided a loan to the National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity of the Republic of Uzbekistan to finance small- and medium-sized projects in export-oriented investment projects. Only private enterprises, joint ventures with foreign partners and state enterprises in the process of being privatized will be eligible for funding. Contact: National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Ahunbabaev Kuchasiy 23; 700047 Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Forouza Eshonova; Tel: +7-3712-337-151; Fax: +7-333-200.
Firms seeking involvement in EBRD-funded projects or wishing to be placed on the EBRD mailing contact Sarah Shackelton in the U.S. Executive Director's Office, in London at 44-71-338-6569 or by fax at 44-71-338- 6487. The U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Multilateral Development Bank's can provide additional information on the EBRD. The Office of Multilateral Development Banks can be reached by telephone at 202-482-3399, or by fax at 202-482-5179.
Association Commercial BankNovosibirsk
ul. Beketova 73
603600 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
Lubov N. Guseva
Tel: +7-8312-689-206
Fax: +7-8312-683-450Nizhegorodsky Bankirsky Dom Bank
Ploschad Gorkogo 6
603000 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
Andrei Morov
Tel: +7-8312-333-337
Fax: +7-8312-343-948 Sberbank
ul. Bolshaya Pokrovskaya 3
603005 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
Evgeniy Bolonin
Tel: +7-8312-390-852
Fax: +7-8312-391-583
Mosbusiness BankTomsk
ul. Lenina 12
630099 Novosibirsk, Russia
Anatoly Zviglin
Tel: +7-3832-22-09-41
Fax: +7-3832-22-18-31Kuzbassotsbank
pr. Lenina 90/4
Kemerovo
630099 Novosibirsk, Russia
Nelly Morozenko
Tel: +7-3842-539-900
Fax: +7-3842-537-677
Mosbusiness BankTula
ul. Lazareva 3a
634040 Tomsk, Russia
Vladimir Gonchar
Tel/Fax: +7-3822-768-571Kuzbassotsbank
ul. Gertsena 18
634050 Tomsk, Russia
Nikolai Potapov
Tel: +7-3822-233-304
Fax: +7-3822-232-552
OrbitabankSt. Petersburg
Komsomolskaya 54
300002 Tula 2, Russia
Tayana V. Igonina
Tel/Fax: +7-0872-775-327First Commercial Tula Bank
ul. Oktyabraskaya 36
300002 Tula, Russia
Sergey Isaev
Tel: +7-0872-345-977
Fax: +7-0872-772-079Mosbusiness Bank
Krasnoarmeisty proezd 25
300341 Tula, Russia
Mr. Shimayev
Tel/Fax: +7-0872-316-789Togliatta and Samara
Avtovazbank ul. Novopromyshlennaya 22a
445009 Togliatti, Russia
Elena F. Yefimova
Tel: +7-8469-221-797
Fax: +7-8469-221-708
Petrovsky Commercial Bank
ul. Ruzovskaya 8
198013 St. Petersburg, Russia
Marina Kanunnikova
Tel: +7-812-167-1512
Fax: +7-812-316-7443Mosbusiness Bank
pr. Metallistov 115
195197 St. Petersburg
Alexey A. Stoletov
Tel/Fax: +7-812-540-6824Avtovazbank
ul. 2-ya Sovetskaya 3/7
193036 St. Petersburg
Maria A Gibizova
Tel: +7-812-277-4836
Fax: +7-812-277-4180
USAID finances technical assistance and training to support reformers who demonstrate a vision for change and the will to pursue it. By sharing American experience and expertise, USAID seeks to help reformers create enduring institutions essential to sustainable democratic and market systems, and establish mutually beneficial relationships between the U.S. and these newly emerging democracies.
Through FY 1993, USAID provided approximately $700 million for the NIS. For FY 1994, Congress appropriated $2.1 billion, and for FY 1995, approximately another $750 million package for economic cooperation and development. Several U.S. Government agencies will implement this program, with USAID managing the largest portion.
As a consequence, there are large global warming emissions, massive waste in the distribution of heat, flaring of gases and gas liquids in oil production, low productivity in coal mines, and a host of serious pollution problems. The primary purpose of the CIP is to transfer specific technologies to help Russia improve energy efficiency in an environmentally sound manner. Based on an assessment of the energy sector, a joint Russian-USAID CIP Secretariat in Moscow invited Russian entities to submit applications for allocations of EECIP funding. Four hundred fifty applications were received and fifty were selected as best supporting the goals of the program. Equipment will be purchased in the following areas: natural gas, oil, district heating systems, power, coal mining, and environmental protection.
During the next year, more than fifty solicitations will be issued on behalf of the Russian purchasers. Each of these solicitations will be announced in the USAID Procurement Information Bulletin (PIB), which is a free bi-weekly USAID publication. The PIB can be ordered by sending a faxed request to the USAID Office of Procurement at (703 )875-1957 or (703 )875- 1498, or by accessing the USAID Gopher or USAID's web site.
USAID's training strategy in the NIS is to support the NIS transition to participatory democracy and economic freedom. Training supports USAID's sectoral activities in the NIS and targets those private and public sector leaders and professionals who are attempting to implement structural change and jumpstart the market economy. To the extent possible, all training programs are combined with contacts with U.S. practitioners and/or internships in U.S. public and private sector organizations. Moreover, each program is designed to include exposure to U.S. community- based activities, including the operations of federal, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations and cultural institutions. Follow-on training is provided, as appropriate, in order to reinforce and evaluate training acquired in the U.S. Key components of USAID's NIS training initiative are:
Short-term Training: Highly focussed, demand-driven short-term (4-6 weeks) training programs are targeted at private and public sector NIS leaders and professionals who are in positions to effect rapid change. This is accomplished by exposing the participants to the necessary skills, attitudes and "hands-on" practical experiences needed for solving short- term problems and guiding their nations' successful transition. Long-term Training: Designed to provide degree and non-degree graduate-level programs which complement on-going USAID and other donor technical assistance efforts.
U.S./NIS Partnerships: Through this initiative, the impact of short- and long-term training will be reinforced by fostering sustainable U.S./NIS partnership relationships which will build and strengthen select educational and technical institutions and professional associations through practical skills transfer, on-the-job training and U.S.-sponsored internships.
Agribusiness Partnerships: USAID is helping to create efficient NIS systems for providing inputs to agriculture and for processing and distributing agricultural products. The intent is to catalyze NIS private sector activity by facilitating the involvement of private U.S. agribusiness companies and cooperatives.
Farmer to Farmer Program: USAID supports linkages between NIS and U.S. farmers which facilitate the transfer of U.S. technical expertise to help new private farmers learn the skills needed to operate in a market economy, improve crop quality, reduce losses and respond to consumer demand. The Farmer-to-Farmer Program is funded through an appropriation to USDA which is transferred to USAID for management.
Grain Storage: USAID is helping to improve storage capability for perishable foods and feed grains to help the NIS republics provide their people with a stable and secure food supply.
Privatization/Post-Privatization: Assistance is focussed in two areas: policies, programs and transactions designed to move government owned assets into the hands of private owners; and aiding the development of a market-based legal and regulatory framework and financial and business support infrastructure to allow the newly transferred firms to operate effectively on a commercial basis.
Business Development: In addition to assisting recently privatized firms, USAID provides assistance to meet the special needs of new and small businesses which play an important role in generating employment and income as the NIS countries restructure their economies and shut down unproductive and non-competitive state enterprises.
Other USAID programs designed for the NIS include: USAID Special Initiatives Program; Energy Efficiency and Market Reform; Environmental Policy and Technology; Housing Sector Reform, and; Economic Restructuring/Financial Sector Reform. For additional information on contracting opportunities in these areas, contact the Center for Trade and Investment Services.
Center for Trade and Investment Services
USAID, G/EG/BD
Room 100, SA-2
Washington, D.C. 20523-0229
Tel: 1-800-872-4348 or (202) 663-2680, ext. 2
Fax: (202) 663-2670
E-mail: CTIS@USAID.GOV
USAID Web Site: http://www. info.usaid.gov
Yerevan, Armenia +7-885-215-1955
Almaty, Kazakhstan +7-3272-63-5448
Moscow, Russia +7-095-956-4281
Kiev, Ukraine +380-44-220-5589
Foundation assistance is provided in the form of grants for educational programs, expert advice, training, and policy research. On occasion, it may make modest sums available for items such as computer or communications equipment required to support an educational, training, institutional development or research program.
Economic Reform: Includes management training, business and economics education, development of free market institutions, private sector development, policy advice and information systems.
Governmental Reform and the Non-profit Sector: Includes public administration reform, public policy advice, law, assistance in the development of non-governmental organizations, and information systems.
Media and Communications: Includes projects in print, broadcast, electronic media and electronic communication that further the Foundation's goals of economic reform and democratic institution building.
The Foundation does not normally fund programs in health care, humanitarian aid, scientific-technical research, the environment (except as related to economic development and improving management of nongovernmental organizations), or scholarships for long-term study abroad. The Foundation does not ordinarily make large grants for free- standing international conferences. It may consider limited support for conferences, including travel, primarily for NIS citizens, if a meeting clearly is essential in the long term development of specific activities relevant to the Foundation's program objective.
The Eurasia Foundation expects to make grants totaling approximately $16 million per year. To date, the average size of grants made in the United States is $40,000. The Foundation occasionally makes grants in the $100,000-$150,000 range and, in limited circumstances, may consider larger commitments. Most initial grants to NIS organizations have been for less than $25,000. As the Foundation gains experience in the NIS it expects to consider larger commitments to NIS organizations.
The Washington D.C. office, staffed by language and area specialists, is responsible for overall planning and management of the Foundation's programs. The Washington office works directly with US-based institutions seeking funding to carry out field programs in the NIS. The Foundation responds rapidly to small grant needs through both its field office network and its Washington DC headquarters.
The Eurasia Foundation actively seeks collaborative relations with other institutions and individuals interested in reform in the NIS. It welcomes private funds and collaborative projects in support of its work.
The Eurasia Foundation's charter allows it to support US 501(c)(3) nonprofit institutions or comparable institutions in the NIS, and government entities in the NIS. It also may support initiatives by private for-profit institutions if the project serves a charitable or educational purpose related to economic reform or democratic institution building.
Where appropriate, the Foundation may provide support in the form of recoverable grants (to be repaid if certain conditions are met) or loans. Criteria for recoverable grants and loans include: the extent to which the purposes and goals of the project are related to the Foundation's program, and the project's potential impact; the financial feasibility of the project; the lack of commercial financing for the project on suitable terms; the potential recipient's managerial effectiveness and internal financial controls.
Generally small loan programs are conducted through intermediary institutions. Areas of current interest are small business development and media and communications in the NIS.
The Foundation receives its funding through the US Agency for International Development, which administers the US government's foreign assistance program. Any organization receiving $25,000 or more in government funds is subject to audit in conformance with applicable US government regulations.
Proposals need not be elaborate but should include the following information where applicable:
Proposals should be submitted to:
Program OfficeCorrespondence by electronic mail is encouraged.
The Eurasia Foundation
1527 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036Tel: 202-234-7370
Fax: 202-234-7377
E-mail: eurasia@eurasia.org