Belgrade, 15 Decembar 2021 - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is marking twenty years of partnership with Serbia, with the slogan "Creating Together". On the occasion of this important jubilee, an exhibition entitled #20Years of Partnership – Creating Together showcased the partnerships that have been created during the past two decades throughout Serbia. The multimedia exhibition was held at the Yugoslav Cinematheque, and the opening ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Ana Brnabić, the President of the National Assembly, Ivica Dačić and several ministers. U.S. Ambassador to Serbia, Anthony F. Godfrey and USAID Mission Director for Serbia Susan Fritz.
Since 2001, USAID has invested $ 882 million to support Serbia's economic and democratic development, and the exhibition presented some of the most successful projects in the fields of entrepreneurship, agribusiness, education, cooperation with local governments and many other areas.
In cooperation with the Government of Serbia, the private sector and the civil society, USAID has implemented thousands of activities across the country, aimed at improving living standards, creating new jobs and supporting Serbia's aspirations to become a member of the European Union.
The Government of the Republic of Serbia has been an important partner in USAID's efforts to help the country's economy be more competitive, work on strengthening the rule of law, improve the capacity of state institutions, fight corruption, but also mitigate consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Ana Brnabić, thanked USAID for the cooperation and support to the citizens of Serbia: "USAID has been a partner of the Government of Serbia for 20 years, and not only of the Government, but also of businessmen, individual companies that have the potential for growth and development, agribusinesses, civil societz organiyations, as well as the media. In this partnership and cooperation, USAID has always been a flexible, stable and honest partner. The slogan marking 20 years of partnership – Creating together, reflects accurately our joint work during these two decades. I believe that together we will continue to change things for the better - our business climate, entrepreneurial activities, digital literacy and all those areas that will support Serbia and its citizens for even faster progress and a better future," said the Prime Minister.
“USAID's cooperation with the citizens of Serbia is inseparable from the one that has been nurtured for more than a century by two countries - the United States and Serbia,” said U.S. Ambassador Anthony F. Godfrey, and added: “Over the past two decades, USAID has worked hand-in-hand with people all across Serbia. Both USAID and their partners should be proud of what they have achieved through their joint initiatives over that period. The support USAID has provided to small businesses, on everything from providing equipment and technology to helping them to improve their products and better connect with and compete on local and international markets has helped Serbia to create more and better paying jobs. Meanwhile, their work with various government institutions has helped make government more responsive to citizens’ needs”.
“This year USAID is also celebrating our sixtieth anniversary, we are the largest bilateral development organization operating in over 100 countries around the world. Serbia has proven to be a strong development partner and we will continue our work together. Over the next five years, we plan to build on what we’ve accomplished together and also focus on the energy sector, environmental protection, the continuation of cooperation with local self-governments, as well as support for projects aimed at the development of entrepreneurship and the democratic development of Serbia,” said USAID Serbia’s Mission Director, Susan Fritz.
Guests at the exhibition were invited to join USAID staff members and NGO ADRA in providing donations for people living without quality housing in Belgrade. Donated holiday boxes will be distributed on 20 December.
USAID Serbia