[CivilSoc] US-RFE Partnership Activity

[Robbyn Kistler]

U.S. - RFE PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITY
The U.S.-RFE Partnership Activity is a new grant program sponsored by the
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to support
existing partnerships and encourage developing partnerships between groups
working together in the Russian Far East (RFE) and the United States.  The
funds provided through the Partnership Activity will be targeted to support
changes that will strengthen democratic society, improve the economic
environment in the RFE and further integrate the RFE into the Pacific Rim.
The Foundation for Russian American Economic Cooperation (FRAEC) is
implementing the U.S.-RFE Partnership Activity for USAID and is responsible
for the award and monitoring of grants and technical assistance under this
program.  A brief summary of the activity is included below.  More
information is available at www.fraec.org.
PROGRAM PURPOSE:
The U.S. - RFE Partnership Activity is intended to support long-term
collaboration that enables Russian public and private organizations to
solidify their relationships with U.S. counterpart organizations.  The
Activity will be focused on targeted support of concrete, demand-driven
partnership efforts that are linked to real needs and serve an RFE
constituency.
The collaboration can take place at various levels and may be focused on:
	-Community to community connections
	-Innovative technology transfer
	-Strengthening of non-governmental organizations
	-Developing grassroots citizen awareness and participation
	-Provision of particular skills to Russian leaders and professional to
bring about sustainable changes
	-Strengthen networks and capacity building of partner organizations.
WHAT IS A PARTNERSHIP?:
A Partnership is a relationship in which organizations work together to
achieve common goals, directed by their mutual interests and sharing efforts
and responsibility to achieve those goals.
WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM OFFER?:
-Grants for Russian and U.S. public and private organizations engaged in
noncommercial (not for profit) partnership projects.
Additional details will be released on the website www.fraec.org in early
December in the application instructions (RFA).
GRANT STATISTICS:
-Total funding for grants: $3 million
-Maximum amount for existing partnerships:  $100,000
-Maximum amount for new partnerships:  $70,000
-Maximum term of grant funding:  1 year
-Technical assistance, in the form of consulting and training for the
organizational development of organizations involved in partnership
projects.
WHO CAN RECEIVE GRANTS?:
Russian and U.S. public and private organizations with activities (new or
existing) focused on the Russian Far East (RFE), with particular emphasis on
Sakhalin and the U.S. West Coast.  Partnerships which involve multi-lateral
Pacific Rim relationships are encouraged.
WHAT AREAS?
The partnership activities may address one or more of the following
identified strategic areas of focus. Included under each area of focus are
examples of possible activities.
1.  Rule of Law
-Sister-bar partnerships
-Judicial administration partnerships
-Promotion of international contract law
-Strengthening business law programs in RFE universities.
2. Professional Association Strengthening
-Strengthening advocacy skills of professional associations to reduce
barriers in the development of small and medium enterprises, NGO sector and
foreign trade
-Develop the institutional capacity of RFE professional associations.
3. SME Development
-Develop policy advocacy to promote trade, business development and
investment
-Facilitate mutually beneficial collaborations of business-related training
institutions to disseminate best business practices, train young business
professionals and enhance institutional capacity.
4. Support of Environment Advocacy
-Develop relationships between environmental organizations
-Facilitate partnerships between environmental and native groups
establishing land rights and the protection of traditional ways of life.
5.Good Governance
-Improve information exchange between local governments
-Develop legislative partnerships to better respond to community needs.
6.Social and Economic Infrastructure Development
- Link several  sectors and lead to the elimination of factors constraining
the social and economic viability of the RFE (eco-tourism, social and
community service, energy efficiency, alternative health care systems and
administration).
Those interested in receiving more information are encouraged to subscribe
to the program's listserv and/or register their projects by sending an email
to <partners@fraec.org> in either English or Russian.
Robbyn Kistler
US-RFE Partnership Activity
Foundation for Russian American Economic Cooperation
1932 First Avenue, Suite 803
Seattle, WA 98101
206.443.1935
http://www.fraec.org