International donors and non-governmental organizations

International donors introduce measures and activities laid out in the PRS into their plans, and fully rely on the PRS document (World Bank, European Commission, the Kingdom of Norway, Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), Department for International Development (DfID), US Agency for International Development (USAID), Switzerland, etc.). An analysis of the realization of international assistance directed at the implementation of PRS-set goals during 2004 and 2005 will be included into the First Report on the Implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy in Serbia, prepared by the Government of the Republic of Serbia. For more information on activities of international donors in Serbia see http://emis.mier.sr.gov.yu/emis/PublicSite1/index.aspx

The Poverty Reduction Strategy in Serbia has been evaluated as one of the most successful documents of this kind by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The latest Country Assistance Strategy – CAS of the World Bank 2005-2007 relies fully on the PRS. Additionally, the PRS implementation is seen as a precondition for further World Bank financial assistance. The PRS is at the same time a precondition for receiving the most favourable development credits from the World Bank's IDA Funds (IDA – International Development Association), which are available for the Republic of Serbia.

In the latest Multi-Annual Indicative Programme 2005-2006, the European Commission calls upon the priorities defined in the PRS and underlines the complementary character of the goals of Serbia and Montenegro as defined in the European Partnership and the priorities identified in the PRS.

International NGOs gathered in the Council of International NGOs have initiated the process of coordinating their activities with the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Serbia aiming at poverty reduction. In order to encourage other institutions and organizations to take part in the PRS implementation, these international NGOs have created a database which includes information on ongoing and planned programmes, the link with priority sectors envisaged by the PRS and information on how widely in Serbia certain programs are implemented by international NGOs. In this way international NGOs are trying to estimate the current situation, and therefore pay more attention during the implementation of their programs to sectors and regions that have larger needs and that are recommended by the PRS

Role of international NGOs in the PRS implementation:

• Promotion of the PRS
• Linking the activities of international donors and national NGOs
• Building the capacities and providing support to national NGOs
• Cooperation with Civil Society Advisory Committee
• Transfer of knowledge and experience of international NGOs during their activity in Serbia

Activities of international NGOs in relation to the priority areas, as defined in the PRS:

Key Poverty Reduction themes (following Serbia 's PRSP)	Organizations that have activities in those areas:
Creation of New Employment Opportunities	IOCC, CRS, ARC, MC, CHF, KTK, HELP, DRC
Development of a More Effective Labor Market	MC, HELP, DRC
Improved Status of Pensioners and Elderly	IFRC, DRC, CRS
Health Care towards Poverty Reduction	IOCC, MC, CHF, KTK, IFRC, CRS
Education and Poverty	IOCC, SC UK, ARC, CHF, KTK, HELP, IFRC, CCF
Regional, Rural, Urban and Housing Aspects of Poverty	IOCC, ARC, CHF, HELP, DRC
Environmental Aspects of Poverty Reduction	CHF
Poverty Reduction among the Roma	IOCC, DRC, SC UK, ARC, CHF, KTK, IFRC, CCF
Gender Aspects of Poverty	DRC, IOCC, ARC, MC, CHF, KTK, HELP, CCF

Contact information of the Council of International NGOs (ICVA/CIS): 011/3343488, icvainfo@yubc.net