The main topics of the three-day event are public advocacy, legal framework for organising civil society, financial sustainability and organisational development.
CroNGO provides grants, training, and technical assistance to NGOs and citizen groups countrywide to address issues related to advocacy, community mobilization, transparency and professionalism, domestic funding, volunteerism, public perception, the legal environment, and support services. The program focuses on improving NGOs' capacity and legitimacy and on activating citizens to advocate for and effect changes which improve their quality of life.
CroNGO is financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the Academy for Educational Development (AED). The six-year program will conclude in August 2007.
The conference marks the end of the 14-year USAID mission in Croatia.
USAID is the principal U.S. agency extending assistance to countries implementing economic and democratic reforms to escape poverty and/or recover from disaster. USAID operates in over 100 countries around the world and manages a budget of approximately $9.5 billion.
USAID has been operating in Croatia since 1992. During this time more than $320 million in assistance has been delivered to Croatia . USAID/Croatia implements a comprehensive transition program that includes economic and fiscal reform, strengthening democratic institutions, and training activities. Croatia 's successful transition is integral to achieving the U.S. core policy goal of stability in Southeast Europe and serves other important American interests such as fighting terrorism and trafficking in persons.