Grants >> 2004 Central and Eastern Europe Programs Highlights

Program Highlights Grantee Spotlight 2004 Central and Eastern Europe Program Descriptions: Albania Bosnia-Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Kosovo Macedonia Moldova Montenegro Romania Serbia Central & Eastern Europe Regional Jump to Regional Programs Four years after the dramatic fall of Slobodan Milosevic, serious challenges still face democrats in Central and Eastern Europe, and the Balkan countries remained a priority for the Endowment in 2004. Despite the presence of NATO troops and numerous international aid organizations, the region continued to be plagued by political instability, inter-ethnic tension and economic problems. In the midst of region-wide elections, efforts by the Balkan countries to reform their political and economic systems continued to be impeded by weak institutions, political extremism and corruption. The outbreak of violence in Kosovo in March brought to the surface the precarious condition of the province. The low voter turnout and Serb boycott of the October parliamentary elections, the lack of progress in fulfilling the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) standards, and the uncertainty over the timeframe and procedures of final status negotiations further strained stability in the region. In Macedonia, the tragic and unexpected death of President Trajkovski in April and the November referendum on the government's redistricting plans, part of the implementation of the Framework agreement, tested the country's fragile stability. The election of a president in June, after three failed attempts, brought a glimmer of hope to Serbia's transition, which is still marked by continued political volatility, extreme nationalism, and economic difficulties. Despite these problems, the Balkans showed signs of stabilizing with the entry of Bulgaria and Romania into NATO in May and their continued progress towards achieving EU membership by 2007. NED continued to address the deep-rooted problems of the region with programs that encourage the nongovernmental sector in countries where civil society is weak, strengthen the development of independent media throughout the region, increase transparency in the political process and accountability of elected officials, and promote economic reform and the rights of workers. The Endowment gave greater emphasis during 2004 to programs that support citizen participation in local government and develop civic institutions that monitor and, where necessary, assist reformist governments. NED support also encouraged greater crossborder cooperation between civic organizations within the region and between Balkan democratic activists and their counterparts in Central Europe and Eurasia. The republics of the former Yugoslavia continued to be the major area of focus for the Endowment. In Macedonia, the Association for Democratic Initiatives implemented a monitoring and advocacy project aimed at ensuring that the government properly implements the minority rights and decentralization provisions contained within the Framework Agreement. CIPE began working with the Akcioner Association, Macedonia's only shareholders' rights association, to educate members about their rights under the new Company Law. In Serbia, NED assisted media programs designed to increase the awareness of ordinary Serbs about key events of the last decade, in particular the role of the Milosevic regime in the wars in Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo. The Humanitarian Law Center used Endowment support to create the first online searchable database of the complete transcripts of the Milosevic trial in local languages. Because of the lack of professionalism of the region's media, NED also supported programs that educate journalists in professional standards and train young journalists in investigative reporting techniques. Endowment funds maintained the operations of the Faik Konica Journalism Academy, the only independent journalism school in the volatile province of Kosovo. NED funded the production of TV documentaries addressing local community issues in Bosnia and live debates on cutting edge social, political and economic topics in the Serb Republic. Endowment programs in Bosnia also focused on promoting effective local governance and increasing civic participation, particularly prior to the October municipal elections. Despite the entry of Romania and Bulgaria into NATO in May 2004, and the general pro-reform direction of their political leadership, their economies remained largely unreformed. Romania's parliamentary and presidential elections in November were marred by fraud and scandals. Due to rampant corruption and insider politics, citizens in both countries appeared increasingly apathetic and disillusioned with their leaders. Endowment assistance in Romania focused on improving local governance and accountability. The Center for Legal Resources monitored and publicized conflict of interest violations by newly elected officials following the June 2004 municipal elections, while the journal Sfera Politicii worked to increase the transparency of Romania's political policy making process. In Bulgaria, the School of Politics and Bulgarian Institute for Legal Development prepared young activists to play a more active and informed role in promoting the country's democratic and free market reforms. Moldova continued to be plagued by inadequate state institutions, widespread corruption, a weak civil society and a marginalized opposition. Moreover, Moldova is still a divided state, with one quarter of its territory controlled by the break-away "Transdniester Republic," which is dominated by Russian extreme nationalist and military forces. In 2004, the Endowment increased its funding for programs in Moldova. The Association for Participatory Democracy produced two online publications which tracked the activities of key government institutions and analyzed new parliamentary legislation. Reforms in Albania continue to be thwarted by weak state institutions, an underdeveloped civil society and a deeply divided political landscape. NED-funded programs promoted greater cooperation between civic groups and municipal government institutions. The Albanian Institute for International Studies advocated for greater transparency and accountability of local government institutions and increased citizen involvement in the decision-making process. The Institute promoted greater cooperation between the governmental and nongovernmental sectors through a series of public opinion surveys, training sessions and town hall meetings organized in ten municipalities. The Endowment continued to support regional programs which share useful experiences, skills and program models across borders. IRI's regional office, based in Bratislava, Slovakia, trained young leaders from 14 countries in Central and Southeastern Europe in practical election campaign and political party building skills. NDI initiated a regional program to train and support young Roma political party activists in Bulgaria and Slovakia and ACILS continued to strengthen independent trade unions in Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro.

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