Europe and the Caucasus

CHF International’s programs in Europe and the Caucasus are assisting the region’s countries in their transition to market-based economies following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Programs incorporate CHF’s proven methodology of community-based development—mobilizing communities to democratically prioritize their needs and work in conjunction with local private, NGO, and municipal partners to achieve them. For those countries, such as Romania, that are further along the path of economic development, CHF International is helping to strengthen the competitiveness of industries through strategic partnerships and access to affordable finance.
 

Armenia: CHF is implementing the Building and Rehabilitating Infrastructure for Development and Growth in Employment (BRIDGE) program, providing employment opportunities for hundreds of people while restoring community-prioritized infrastructure. BRIDGE is doing so by involving local government, community groups and the business community at every step of the way.  

Azerbaijan:The Community Development Activity Program is working through direct community development by training democratically elected Community Development Councils (CDCs) help the communities prioritize, plan, budget and implement local projects. Projects include training in vocational skills, purchase or improvement of technical equipment, and developing market linkages. These local economic development projects require groups of citizens to work together to balance their prioritized business interests with market needs. Additionally, these projects provide an opportunity to engage local and regional governments in the regional economic panning process. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina: CHF International’s community-based development programs in Bosnia and Herzegovina are improving the social and economic circumstances of families and communities, by promoting linkages between civil society and local governments to promote cooperative development and expanding access to credit through our microfinance institution LIDER.

Georgia: CHF International is implementing a program that is assisting vulnerable communities in achieving greater self-sufficiency and stability by providing vocational training and employment opportunities in construction skills while rehabilitating community-prioritized major infrastructure.

Montenegro: We are implementing the Community Revitalization through Democratic Action—Economy program to assist Montenegrins to build a stronger economy based on citizen participation and targeted economic development, with special focus on the tourism and agriculture industries.

Romania: Express Finance has become one of the largest development finance providers in the country, operating in 25 of Romania’s 42 counties and partnering with over 50 non-governmental organizations, member-based business service organizations, and Chambers of Commerce. In addition, it works with the Romanian government in targeted rural and mining areas and has been a lead player in the flood response through home improvement lending. 

Serbia: CHF International began working in Serbia in 2000, and has been working to help build and support a community driven and democratic path to stability, peace, and economic development.      We are now working in partnership with Booz Allen Hamilton to help communities plan and prepare against disaster situations through a project called SCoPES, which also promotes partnerships with local businesses to help create jobs for the most vulnerable individuals in the population.