Encouraging Civic Participation
Association Development

Regional or industry-specific associations are able to bring economic and professional benefits to members that would not be possible through the efforts of individual enterprises. Pragma helps specialized associations become effective advocates for member interests by developing their institutional management and governance structures, their advocacy skills, and their capacities for sustainable income generation. For example, through a combination of hands-on technical assistance and a grants program in Central Asia, Pragma‘s Enterprise Development Project supported business and professional associations in the areas of advocacy, member services, accounting reform, and cross-border trade development. Our association development activities also support associations strengthen their financial capabilities and promote an enabling environment for business growth and development. In Central Asia alone, Pragma has assisted more than 130 viable associations ranging from associations for professional accountants to bee keepers and regional farming concerns.

A key characteristic of a healthy free market is the ability of the private sector and government to work together in a dynamic relationship to address issues of common interest. In this context, not only must government be open to private-sector participation in the governance process, but the private-sector must have the capacity necessary to participate effectively and be a reliable source of information and advice for government.

Pragma has developed and supported such partnerships. Through collaborative efforts with government and private-sector counterparts, and through our ability to leverage the resources and competencies of our projects, open economic governance systems have been fostered, and responsive and open dialogue among all relevant actors in the economic sphere have been developed.

• Access To Credit Initiative – mobilize credit for the use of small and medium businesses, prospective homeowners, farmers and municipalities by developing an appropriate legal environment; developing of training programs to build a knowledgeable cadre of financial professionals and the development of appropriate financial products to meet the needs of the Ukrainian SMEs, agriculture, and municipalities.

• Business Environment Improvement – promote entrepreneurship and economic development by reducing the legal, regulatory, and administrative burden for SMEs by working with governments to streamline legal and regulatory processes and facilitate informed and effective dialogue between the private and public sectors.

Over the past decade, Pragma has successfully implemented many USAID projects that supported SME development, including:

• Enterprise Development Program – built capacity for Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SME’s) in Central Asia through providing entrepreneurs with the opportunities to acquire business information, knowledge, and skills through: 1) Business Training, 2) Accounting Reform, 3) Business Advisory Services, 4) Regional Trade Promotion, 5) Association Development, 6) Quality Management, and 7) Cross-Cutting Activities

• Small and Medium Enterprise Development Initiative – improved the environment for small-and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in the five Central Asian Republics through 1) Business Education, 2) Business Advisory Service, and 3) Business Association and Advocacy development.

• Trade Facilitation Initiative – improved the trade and investment environment for small and medium-sized enterprises through the reduction of investment constraints, trade facilitation, accession to and active participation in the World Trade Organization and adopting international practices in the fields of Metrology, Accreditation, Standardization and Quality.

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