CRDA-E program

Community Revitalization through Democratic Action – Economy (CRDA-E) is a program in Serbia funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). CRDA-E program initiates activities that promote local economic growth and job creation with the aim of bringing immediate improvements in people’s living conditions.

Project components include:

-	Identifying and addressing critical local constraints to economic growth
-	Forming partnerships with local governments, private businesses and NGOs to expand and increase access to economic and social infrastructure
-	Improving private sector growth to increase competitiveness and create new jobs
-	Strengthening civil society by motivating citizens to work together to achieve community goals

Results to date include:

-	Citizens, businesses, and local government officials throughout Serbia have learned to analyze their economic situation, compare their capacities to market demands, improve the quality of products, and define a strategy and set of programs to improve their economy
-	Approximately 25,000 full time equivalent jobs created
-	Over 4 million beneficiaries (60 percent of population)*
-	An estimated $80+ million dollars in additional income generated and over $30 million in increased agricultural sales *
-	Demonstrated commitment of the local population through local counterpart contributions in excess of 50% of project costs

This CRDA program started in 2001. A shifting emphasis to the development of local economic growth is reflected in ‘Economy’ being added to the program’s name. CRDA-E is being implemented through cooperative agreements with five American non-governmental organizations who work in cooperation with other local and international organizations that provide specialized services: ADF, ACDI/VOCA, CHF, IRD, and Mercy Corps.

CRDA-E IN WESTERN SERBIA

In Western Serbia CRDA-E is implemented by International Relief and Development (IRD). Since July, 2001 IRD has managed this community development, business, infrastructure, agriculture, health and social services program.
From July, 2001, through September, 2006, IRD has implemented 1002 projects in 15 municipalities of Western Serbia, with a total value of US$35,492,268, of which the 40% was provided by citizens and local governments.

International Relief and Development (IRD), has its administration and coordination office in Belgrade and is responsible for program management, administration, finance, and procurement, as well as three program offices in Sabac, Valjevo and Uzice;

IRD ACTIVITIES IN WESTERN SERBIA

From 2001 through 2005, CRDA program has been focused on four specific activities:

-	Community Mobilization (CM)
-	Economic Revitalization (ER)
-	Infrastructure & Environment (IE)
-	Family Planning and Reproductive Health (FP/RH)

Since 2005, CRDA-E program is focusing more intensively on job creation, local economic development, gaining access to new markets, and economic growth in Western Serbia. Each project directly support local economic development (LED) strategies developed by local citizens, businesses, and municipal officials.

IRD PROGRAM COVERAGE

There are 15 municipalities participating in the CRDA-E Western Serbia program. These are: Sabac, Loznica, Vladimirci, Sremska Mitrovica, Ruma, Valjevo, Mionica, Ub, Krupanj, Uzice, Cajetina, Kosjeric, Bajina Basta, Pozega and Arilje.

Western Serbia area is covered by three CRDA-E Field Offices. CRDA-E Office in Sabac covers North Region of Western Serbia and the municipalities of: Sabac, Ruma, Sremska Mitrovica, Loznica and Vladimirci.

Central Region and the municipalities of Valjevo, Mionica, Ub and Krupanj are covered by CRDA-E Office in Valjevo.

CRDA-E Office in Uzice covers South Region of Western Serbia and the municipalities of Uzice, Cajetina, Kosjeric, Bajina Basta, Pozega and Arilje

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