Press Releases 2005
U.S. Continues to Invest in Montenegro Through New Focus on Local Economic Development
July 1, 2005
On Tuesday, July 5, U.S. Ambassador Michael C. Polt, and Montenegro's President, Filip Vujanovic, will announce a two-year extension of the Community Revitalization through Democratic Action (CRDA) program. The program’s extension, to be called CRDA-Economy (CRDA-E), will focus on improving economic opportunities in local communities.
The CRDA and CRDA-E programs are financed by the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by USAID partners International Relief and Development (IRD) in southern Montenegro, and CHF International in northern Montenegro.
The new CRDA-E program will work with local stakeholders to identify the strengths and opportunities of their economies, and undertake projects that will aim to create jobs, increase employment and generate income. Funds will primarily assist projects that support development of the tourism and agriculture sectors, economic infrastructure, trade promotion and improved market access. Limited financial support will also assist local social development including activities related to education, health, youth, and the elderly.
The United States has provided $39.7 million in development assistance from 2002 to 2005 in support of the CRDA and CRDA-E Programs in Montenegro. These resources have enabled the implementation of close to 900 infrastructure, environmental, economic development and civic society projects in all 21 municipalities in Montenegro. Community contributions to these projects provided by citizens, local and republic governments, and private businesses, have totaled almost $17 million in cash, labor, and materials, accounting for over 45% of the total value of all projects implemented.
Montenegrin contributions have strengthened the development process and contributed to the completion of more projects than originally planned. The CRDA Program has successfully mobilized citizens to personally engage in improving the quality of their lives and has fostered growing partnerships between citizens, the private and public sectors, implementing partners, and USAID that will continue to expand under the CRDA-E Program.
Journalists interested in covering the event should arrive at the multimedia hall of the Budo Tomović KIC on Tuesday, July 5, no later than 11:30.
For more information on the U.S. Government's programs in Montenegro you can visit the Consulate's web site at http://podgorica.usconsulate.gov/