Celebrating 15 years of partnership

The US Agency for International Development is closing its mission in Croatia this year after more than 15 years of working with its local partners to build democratic institutions, rebuild infrastructure and develop a thriving market economy.

Agency Administrator Henrietta Fore, Ambassador Bradtke and high-level Croatian officials will speak at a May ceremony commemorating the completion of this transition. USAID began its work in Croatia in 1992.  Since then, USAID has delivered more than $320 million in assistance to Croatia.  The early USAID program focused on humanitarian assistance and support for refugee return and reintegration.  USAID activities also included support for strengthening civil society and development of an independent media.  Later, USAID turned its attention to revitalizing Croatia's economy with projects aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the private financial sector.  Assistance ranged from microcredit for small businesses to helping government ministries with budget planning, decentralization, and privatization processes.

In its final years, USAID/Croatia implemented a transition program that included economic and fiscal reform, social sector reform, strengthening democratic institutions, and training activities.  The assistance from the American people to the Croatian people was delivered through more than 500 local partners.

USAID works in more than 100 countries around the world.