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USAID/Guyana 

Operational Plan 

FY 2006 

June 15, 2006 
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Please Note: 

The attached RESULTS INFORMATION is from the FY 2006 Operational Plan and was assembled 

and analyzed by the country or USAID operating unit identified on the cover page. 

The Operational Plan is a "pre-decisional" USAID document and does not reflect results stemming 

from formal USAID review(s) of this document. 

Related document information can be obtained from: 

USAID Development Experience Clearinghouse 

8403 Colesville Road, Suite 210 

Silver Spring, MD 20910 

Telephone: (301) 562-0641 

Fax: (301) 588-7787 

Email: docorder@dec.cdie.org 

Internet: http://www.dec.org 

Portions released on or after July 1, 2006 
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Program Performance Summary FY 2005: The Guyana situation continues to be challenging. Various 

factors such as the lack of political stability, absence of a favorable investment climate and inadequate 

infrastructure have impeded the expansion of domestic businesses and stymied foreign investment. To 

counter this, and the loss of preferential European markets, Guyana must aggressively pursue valueadded investments and non-traditional markets for its exports. With the second-highest sero-prevalence 

rate in the hemisphere, Guyana faces the likelihood of losing the young productive section of its 

populace. High out-migration of skilled personnel serves to exacerbate an already unstable situation. 

USAID’s assistance is designed to address these gaps and through its program interventions, seeks to 

reverse these trends. 

Over the year, the Mission completed the PMPs for all three SOs and following this made minor changes 

to the results frameworks of each SO, in order that they more accurately represent program interventions 

as they presently stand and are planned into 2008. 

Challenges: 

Presently, one of Guyana’s greatest challenges lies in issues surrounding the upcoming elections in 

2006. Disputes over methodology and technical aspects related to election polling have continued 

between the major political parties. As elections draw closer all major activities seem dependent upon 

the holding of elections and issues surrounding this eventuality. 

During 2005, USAID agreed to delay a planned survey under the Democracy and Governance program, 

after the Government voiced very strong concerns on how the data would be used by other parties, 

despite USAID’s assurances of the programmatic focus and intended use of the material. In the interim, 

USAID will utilize proxy methods for data collection. Meanwhile the countrywide survey will be conducted 

in 2007, after the elections, and very likely as part of the surveys being conducted region-wide by the LAC 

bureau. 

Tensions existing from lack of dialogue and subsequent agreement between major political parties, 

continues to exist. 

Local government elections will certainly not be held before 2007, as parties are still unable to agree to 

the system to be used for local government polling and other types of reform. This has largely affected 

USAID’s planned interventions in this area. 

In the economic sector, flat growth rates as well as the inadequate capacity of partner organizations, have 

impeded performance. To counter this, USAID focused its technical assistance on material support and 

training to increase organizational capacity and endow key counterparts with sector-specific expertise. 

 

Key Achievements: 

USAID continues to collaborate with the wider donor community to press for much needed policy 

changes, greater coordination of technical assistance in order to maximize efficiencies and other general 

assistance to ensure an election that is free and fair, transparent and non-violent. 

The role the media plays in this process is crucial, as they have the ability to reverse trends of stigma, 

discrimination, and perpetuation of destructive attitudes in society. USAID under all its program areas 

works towards delivering training and raising the professional standards of the media. More particularly 

interventions under USAID’s democracy and governance program have already begun building the skills 

of Guyanese journalists in investigative reporting. 

Under the economic growth program, USAID has focused its support to help strengthen policy making by 

reinforcing the capacity of trade institutions and encouraging greater civil society input into the trade 

negotiation process and also to enhance the competitiveness of the private sector by fostering the 

development of industry clusters for export-led growth and private-public interaction for marketing, 

certification and standard setting measures. Progress over the past year was realized when Guyanese 

trade negotiators increased their awareness of regional Caribbean Community trade and integration 
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issues as a result of USAID-funded seminars, and the Guyana Ministry of Foreign Trade and International 

Cooperation boosted its capacity to participate in trade negotiations with the acquisition of USAIDdonated IT hardware and software. Also, USAID and local partners worked together to guide the cluster 

creation process forward, with successful initiatives underway in the agro-processing, wood products, 

tourism and fisheries sectors. 
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FY 2006 Program 

SO: 504-006 Democratic Governance Consolidated 

Establish & Ensure Media Freedom & Freedom Of Information 

Establish & Ensure Media Freedom & Freedom of Information ($190,000 DA). USAID is providing 

technical support to improve the curriculum of the University of Guyana Centre for Communication 

Studies. USAID is also providing technical support to the Guyana Press Association and other civil 

society organizations to become better advocates on key issues of national interest, particularly media 

responsibility and national elections. Principal contractor: Research Triangle Institute (RTI). 

Mitigate Conflict and Support Peace 

Mitigate Conflict and Support Peace ($450,000 DA). USAID is working with the Ethnic Relations 

Commission (ERC) in conflict prevention, conflict management, and peace building. USAID is training 

ERC commissioners as well as their alternates and technical staff in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) 

methods. This includes using appreciative inquiry methods to improve relationships between 

communities and their residents. USAID is also funding workshops in Guyana's ten administrative regions 

and provide grants and training to civil society organizations (CSO). The objective is to increase 

awareness of citizens, particularly youth to the divisive role of “hate" speeches, the general causes and 

perpetuation of conflict, and the functions of a professional press. Principal contractor: RTI. 

Promote and Support Credible Elections Processes 

Promote and Support Credible Elections Processes ($780,000): USAID is the lead bilateral donor 

supporting free and fair elections in Guyana. USAID provides technical assistance to the Guyana 

Elections Commission (GECOM), which is responsible for logistical support for the 2006 national election, 

including registration, voter education and candidate forums. USAID continues support for the institutional 

strengthening of GECOM, and will fund the preparation of training manuals for 23,000 polling-place 

personnel. Principal contractor is RTI. 

Strengthen Civil Society 

Strengthen Civil Society ($300,000 DA). USAID is providing technical assistance to eight CSOs, building 

their capacity to promote information and communication exchanges that will influence decision-making at 

both the national and local levels. USAID is continuing to strengthen the capacity of two justice-sector 

CSOs to provide counseling and support services to victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. 

Principal contractor: RTI. 

Strengthen the Justice Sector 

Strengthen the Justice Sector ($260,000 DA). USAID strengthens the administration of justice in Guyana 

by providing technical assistance, including computer training, on how to improve case management, 

including case disposition through ADR. USAID is providing training to 15 judges of the High Court and 

Court of Appeals in case flow management, rules of procedure, and alternative dispute resolution 

mechanisms. USAID-funded training is being provided to 25 new mediators in arbitration and conciliation 

management. Principal contractor: RTI. 

Strengthen the Legislative Function/Legal Framework 

FY 2007 Program 
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SO: 504-006 Democratic Governance Consolidated 

Establish & Ensure Media Freedom & Freedom Of Information 

Establish & Ensure Media Freedom & Freedom Of Information ($150,000 DA). USAID plans to fund 

investigative and professional journalism training for Guyana media owners, editors, reporters, and 

journalism students. Curriculum assistance to the University of Guyana Center for Communication 

Studies will also continue. Principal contractor: RTI. 

Strengthen Civil Society 

Strengthen Civil Society ($850,000 DA): USAID plans to continue funding CSOs through sub-grants in 

order to build their capacity and ability to influence decision-making at both the national and local levels. 

USAID will continue to assist vulnerable groups through local CSOs in the provision of legal services. 

Building on Mitigating Conflict and Supporting Peace activities undertaken in FY 2006, USAID plans to 

provide new grants to CSOs and local government bodies, such as Amerindian Village Councils. These 

grants will enhance their capacity and knowledge of decentralization as well as launch local governance 

pilot initiatives in Guyana's ten administrative regions. Additionally, USAID will support CSOs to ensure 

that they participate in the process of local government reforms necessary for local government elections. 

Principal contractor: RTI. 

Strengthen the Justice Sector 

Strengthen the Justice Sector ($500,000 DA). USAID plans to further support the justice sector to 

eliminate case backlogs and improve case management through training of judges and use of appropriate 

computer technology. USAID will continue to work with the Guyanese judiciary to institute a courtmandated use of ADR. Principal contractor: RTI. 

Strengthen the Legislative Function/Legal Framework 

Strengthen the Legislative Function/Legal Framework ($500,000 DA). USAID will work closely with the 

newly-elected National Assembly to provide assistance for increased transparency in its administrative 

and fiduciary functions. USAID plans to work with both the Executive and Legislative branches in 

preparing the legal reforms that need to be in place to facilitate local elections. Principal contractor: RTI. 

FY 2006 Program 

SO: 504-007 Environment for Sustained Growth of Value-Added Exports Strengthened 

Improve Economic Policy and the Business Environment 

Improve Economic Policy and the Business Environment ($300,000 DA). USAID is providing technical 

assistance and training to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, the Guyana 

Revenue Authority (GRA) and other trade institutions to implement outstanding policy, legislative, 

regulatory and administrative reforms. This will enhance compliance with international trade obligations, 

particularly within the context of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Caribbean Community 

(CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME). It will also improve institutional capacity of public trade 

institutions to affect their mandates, and strengthen the enabling business environment for exports. 

Principal contractor: Carana Corporation. 

Improve Private Sector Competitiveness 

Improve Private Sector Competitiveness ($ 880,000 DA). USAID is focusing on strengthening the private 
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sector’s capacity to participate in trade negotiations and to take the lead in formulating policies and 

decisions shaping the business environment. USAID is providing technical assistance for strategic 

planning and administrative capacity strengthening to the umbrella Private Sector Commission. USAID is 

also offering specialized business cluster development assistance to four working groups in tourism, 

forest products, agro-processing, and fisheries sectors. USAID is working with the cluster groups to 

develop better inter-firm collaboration, strengthen supply chains, honor contractual arrangements, and 

improve standards of compliance and consistency in product quality. USAID is also providing technical 

assistance to develop private sector-driven Trade Capacity Building (TCB) modules. Principal contractor: 

Carana Corporation. 

Increase Trade and Investment 

Increase Trade and Investment ($650,000 DA). In recognition of the critical need for investment to move 

Guyana's economy from its current flat growth path, USAID is supporting several initiatives that stimulate 

trade and enhance the attractiveness of the country as a destination for foreign direct investment (FDI). 

USAID is providing training in topics ranging from company presentations and trade show etiquette to 

assisting participating firms to maximize use of these shows. USAID, in collaboration with regional export 

groups and business associations, is organizing sales trips for firms in order to create market linkages 

and identify trade and investment opportunities. Additionally, USAID is conducting a Strategic Investment 

Opportunity Assessment that focuses on tourism, agro-processing, and wood products. A proactive 

investment attraction program is being launched in conjunction with the Guyanese trade and investment 

promotion agency, GO-Invest. USAID is training GO-Invest staff in various modules of the World Bank’s 

Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency Investment Promotion Toolkit. Principal contractor: Carana 

Corporation. 

Strengthen The Financial Services Sector & Increase Access to Capital 

Strengthen The Financial Services Sector & Increase Access to Capital: ($150,000 DA). USAID is 

collaborating with a private development/commercial bank to leverage approximately $2 million in a total 

guarantee facility. Support allows for new banking services, tailored specifically for small and medium size 

enterprises in the agribusiness, light industry and tourism sectors which have faced difficulties accessing 

credit. 

FY 2007 Program 

SO: 504-007 Environment for Sustained Growth of Value-Added Exports Strengthened 

Improve Economic Policy and the Business Environment 

Improve Economic Policy and the Business Environment ($500,000 DA). USAID plans to organize 

workshops and provide technical assistance to allow Guyana to more fully refine and modernize traderelated policies and legislation. Specifically, assistance will be provided to allow Guyana to fulfill 

obligations arising from the December 2006 WTO Ministerial and subsequent WTO negotiations. USAID 

will provide assistance to advance the CSME implementation agenda. Principal contractor: Carana 

Corporation. 

Improve Private Sector Competitiveness 

Improve Private Sector Competitiveness ($1,000,000 DA). USAID will provide technical assistance and 

training to ensure that private sector firms are fully compliant with international standards and certification 

requirements in order to enhance their competitiveness in international markets. USAID plans to further 

consolidate its cluster sector work in areas such as agro processing and packaging facilities, and in 

exploiting new niches such as bird watching in the tourism sector. USAID will also provide technical 

support to the private sector to participate in the activities of the proposed Competitiveness Council and in 
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the implementation of the National Competitiveness Strategy. Principal contractor: Carana Corporation 

Increase Trade and Investment 

Increase Trade and Investment ($500,000 DA). USAID plans to continue to support initiatives that target 

non-traditional exports. In collaboration with GO-Invest and the New Guyana Marketing Corporation, 

USAID will establish international linkages to promote the development of nontraditional agro-products for 

sustainable export through contracting arrangements. USAID will also provide assistance to develop an 

awareness campaign based on existing bilateral agreements with Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, 

and Colombia as a means of fostering greater implementation of these agreements by Guyanese 

businesses. Principal contractor: Carana Corporation 
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Results Framework 

504-005 HIV Transmission Reduced and the Impact of AIDS Mitigated 

Program Title: Reduced Impact of HIV/AIDS 

 1: Improved Policy Coordination and Managment 

 1.1: Enhanced capacity and quality of GOG strategic information and their use in decision making 

 1.2: HIV/AIDS policy & advocacy environment strengthened 

 1.3: Multi-sector & human resource capacity strengthened to mitigate HIV/AIDS 

 2: Increased use of risk reduction practices by most vulnerable populations 

 2.1: Abstinence and Faithfulness Prevention Programs Strengthened 

 2.2: Community dialogue and action facilitated among NGOs, CBOs, FBOs and others 

 2.3: Condoms available, acceptable and used appropriately by high risk populations 

 3: Increased use of prevention and treatment services 

 3.1: Expanded access to counselling & testing services 

 3.2: Expanded access to PMTCT services 

 3.3: Expanded access to STI/OI/ARV therapy including drug procurement and strengthening supply 

chain management 

 3.4: Human resources in health expanded and strengthened in HIV/AIDS 

 4: Increased use of community-based care and support services 

 4.1: Enhanced capacity for comprehensive community-based care 

 4.2: Enhanced capacity for comprehensive community-based response to needs of OVC 

504-006 Democratic Governance Consolidated 

Program Title: Democratic Governance Consolidated 

 1: Citizens' participation in Policy Making Increased 

 1.1: Capacity and credibility of CSOs increased 

 1.2: Civic education programs institutionalized 

 1.3: Local government reforms adopted and implemented 

 1.4: GECOM capacity to hold national and local elections increased 

 2: Transparency and accountability in governance increased 

 2.1: National assembly's legislative oversight improved 

 2.2: Capacity of media to objectively analyze & report increased 

 2.3: Administration of justice improved 

 3: Vulnerability to ethnic/political conflict reduced 

 3.1: Political will to reduce conflict increased 

 3.2: Conflict response mechanisms strengthened 

 3.3: Knowledge of efforts to reduce trafficking in persons increased 

504-007 Environment for Sustained Growth of Value-Added Exports Strengthened 

Program Title: Environment for Sustained Growth of Exports 

 1: Key trade & investment policies, standards and practices are consistent with negotiated obligations 

and international best practices 

 1.1: Human & institutional capacity to prepare negotiating positions and implement negotiated 

outcomes strengthened 

 1.2: Consultative processes that foster public & private consensus on priorities and domestic support for 

negotiating positions and commitments under international trade agreements developed 

 2: Firms interact to increase competitiveness in the export of value-added products & services to highvalue niche markets 

 2.1: Technical & business development services delivered to increase export competitiveness of valueadded products and services 

 2.2: Institutional capacity strengthened to identify & establish links to high-value niche markets