USAID/Lithuania Closeout Statement USAID/Lithuania Brochure (PDF, 9.69mb) SME Sector Impact Report Fiscal Sector Impact Report Financial Sector Impact Report Open Parliamentary Hearings in Lithuania Democracy Network Impact Report VOCA Impact Report Land O'Lakes Impact Report Training Program Overview Energy Program Report Environment Program Report USAID/Lithuania Post Presence Activities USAID/Lithuania Closeout Ceremony, May 31, 2000 USAID/Lithuania Success Stories USAID/Lithuania Staff (PDF, 282kb) USAID/Lithuania Projects/Implementing Partners (PDF, 38kb) Lithuania: Transition to Convergence: Set of Materials Lessons in Implementation: The NGO Story (PDF, 672kb) Contact Us More About USAID Last updated: Wednesday, 18-Jun-2003 21:18:31 EDT

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has played a major role in the economic, political and social development of Lithuania since 1992. The primary goals have been to stimulate the growth of a free market economy, promote strong democratic institutions and a dynamic civil society, improve environmental protection, and strengthen the social safety net. USAID assistance has enhanced Lithuania's capacity to integrate into Western political and security structures, develop a healthy economy, and achieve democratic reforms which rival many Central and Eastern European countries. Expertise has been provided by various U.S. Governmental agencies, the private sector, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). In 1992- 2000, the United States through USAID have provided almost $90 million in technical assistance, training, equipment, and investments.

Early years of USAID assistance for Lithuania (PDF, 884kb)

Initially, USAID's program of activities was broad-based and designed to affect many segments of the transforming society. More than 55 projects were undertaken in ten strategic areas. In the democracy sector, USAID provided assistance for legal reforms, protection of human rights, media, professionalism in the political arena, public activism in elections, energy sector regulation and safety, and environmental protection. In the economic sector, USAID supported privatization, national budget reform, fiscal and financial policies, and capital markets. Also, an extensive training program was launched. Independent evaluators have estimated the direct economic impact of USAID programs to exceed $400 million, and approximately 8,000 jobs have been created.

Post-1996 USAID/Lithuania Programs

After a broad-based program review in 1995, including extensive consultations with Lithuanian counterparts in the public and private sectors, USAID narrowed its activities to focus on four areas: Improving fiscal policy and national budgeting (PDF, 893kb), Developing a more stable financial environment with better capital markets (PDF, 895kb), Strengthening national energy policy and nuclear safety (PDF, 1,010kb), and Increasing democratization via enhanced citizen participation (PDF, 879kb). USAID also supported enterprise development (PDF, 873kb) and improved regional cooperation in environmental monitoring. All the projects were supported by an extensive training program (PDF, 916kb) for Lithuanian experts of various sectors.

USAID/Lithuania Post Presence Activities

After the closeout of USAID/Lithuania office, a number of activities are to be continued on regional basis. Further assistance will be provided in the sectors of energy, finance, fiscal, enterprise development, health, democracy and NGO development.

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