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Why did Rinat Akhmetov need to create his own Foundation? Does he intend to influence the political situation in the country and the selection of Ukraine’s economic strategy?
Organizations similar to the Foundation have been created around the world decades ago by well-known American, European, and Asian businesspeople and public figures. Ukraine in this sense is following the world’s best practice. The Foundation for Effective Governance, just as the Brookings Institution or the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace cannot and will not try to either substitute the executive branch of the Government, or influence the way Ukraine is governed. Ukraine needs nationwide long-term economic policy. It needs well-thought out and properly executed long-term projects and programs. The Foundation plans to develop such programs jointly with all levels of Government, as well as experts and civil society organizations.
How will the Foundation be different from other similar organizations? How is it different from other Ukrainian foundations? Would it not have been easier to support the existing organizations? Do you think that others are unable to do what the Foundation is doing?
The Foundation has three main distinctive features. First, the Foundation is aimed at large-scale projects and has stable, guaranteed funding by Ukrainian capital. This is significant. Second, due to such funding, the Foundation is able to bring in the best international and Ukrainian experts. Third, the Foundation is strictly result-oriented, as all of its projects and recommendations are practical. The Foundation will cooperate with government bodies at all levels, authorized to jointly implement the developed recommendations. We believe in the strength of our formula: stable funding by local capital, world class expert support, and cooperation with the government.
What programs will be implemented by the Foundation? Which activities do you consider primary? Will the Foundation’s scope of work be expanded in the future?
The Foundation will be implementing programs which, first of all, are aimed at Ukraine’s economic development. It is in this field that the concept of introducing world best practices in cooperation with Ukrainian government should produce the most tangible results. Simultaneously, the scope of the Foundation’s projects will be broad – development programs on national and regional levels, technical support of government bodies of all levels, research projects and public discussion of the most burning issues.
Currently, the Foundation is working on three projects that are in line with its mission and principles and are important for Ukraine’s economic development:
- Preparing Ukraine’s Economic Development Program
- Preparing for the finals of the European Football Championships – Euro 2012
- Comprehensive analysis of the Ukrainian economy’s competitiveness at both national and regional levels, jointly with World Economic Forum
How will the Foundation choose the projects? According to what criteria? Who will be making such decisions?
The choice of projects and programs will be based on four main criteria. Firstly, projects and programs must be significant for the country; they must directly or indirectly facilitate economic growth. Secondly, the projects must be aimed at achieving sustainable results. Thirdly, the projects must be practical. Finally, we will be seeking projects where the Foundation’s involvement can bring the most significant results. This will include projects that require the application of best resources and a large-scale approach.
The choice of such projects will be made jointly by the Foundation’s specialists, representatives of Government authorities, and independent experts. We will be seeking local experts, familiar with the situation in Ukraine, as well as international experts with experience of implementing projects in different countries. The final decision regarding the Foundation’s support of specific projects will be made by the Board of Trustees, consisting of truly respected, renowned experts with impeccable reputations.
How will the Foundation cooperate with political parties? Will the Foundation support their programs? Does the Foundation plan to fund the programs of commercial companies, trade unions, or associations?
The Foundation’s projects are non-political. The Foundation does not take part in the political process and does not support any political party.
The Foundation’s activities are based on world best practice, they are in line with recommendations of the world’s leading international organizations, and are aimed at achieving sustainable, positive results for the country. The Foundation plans to involve representatives of business, as well as those of civil society and Government authorities, in open discussion of its projects and ideas to find the best possible solutions for Ukraine’s long-term development.
What specialists will the Foundation involve in developing programs and projects? Does the Foundation plan to involve only foreign specialists, or will it cooperate with Ukrainian experts, as well?
There are three criteria that serve as a basis for selecting experts for the Foundation’s projects.
Firstly, they must possess the necessary practical experience – successful and tangible. They must demonstrate experience of working with Governments with similar tasks and problems, as well as experience in preparing practical recommendations which, when implemented, have shown positive results.
Secondly, they must possess the means necessary to implement the projects: intellectual resources, the ability to provide high quality expertise, and relevant technologies.
Thirdly, experts must be prepared to work in a team, to seek understanding and get along with the program’s beneficiaries, and to cooperate with other invited experts.
Today, only international experts seem to match the above-stated criteria. However, the Foundation is not limiting itself to working only with them. We plan to actively involve Ukrainian experts to work on issues with which they are truly strong and competent. We intend to organize joint teams of international and Ukrainian experts.
With what Government authorities does the Foundation plan to cooperate?
The Foundation implements projects that are in demand by central, regional, and local governments and have the serious potential to generate sustainable results. Consequently, we will be working with government authorities, interested in such projects. Those can be government, oblast administration, municipality, or other authorities.
Simultaneously, the Foundation will implement projects it considers necessary for the stable and balanced economic growth of Ukraine, even if those projects are not yet in demand by, and are not on the agenda of, the Government.
With such an approach to selecting and implementing projects, is the Foundation not trying to replace the Government with its experts?
It is impossible for the Foundation to replace the Government in terms of its function. The Government’s executive branch is responsible for the implementation of the country or region’s economic policy. No Foundation or consultant could undertake such responsibility. However, the executive Government branch may not have enough time and resources to develop economic programs or lack experience in implementing them. That is why Governments in all countries cooperate with foundations, experts, and consultants. The work of all experts brought in by the Foundation will be done in close cooperation with the Government. This is the Foundation’s basic principle.
Does the Foundation have any platform, principles, or declared approach to solving economic problems? Does the Foundation follow conservative or liberal views? What are the Foundation views of the Government’s intervention in the economy?
The Foundation does not practice conservative or liberal values. It is simply not our task. The Foundation’s basic principle is to deliver practical, result-oriented projects, not to promote specific ideas. The Foundation’s task is to develop projects and programs, based on the world’s best practice, which are optimal for Ukraine at the time. The Foundation understands that different sectors of the economy require different solutions in terms of the degree of Government involvement in the economy.
Is the Foundation open to work with other donors? Is the Foundation prepared to accept money from other companies or persons?
We will be delighted if the Foundation has other donors that share our mission, goals, and objectives, as well as meeting the basic principle of donors remaining separate from operational decisions and the development of project and program content. Currently, the relevant memorandum to enable this is being prepared by the Foundation. In any case, the decision to expand the number of donors rests with the Board of Trustees, not the Founder.
What is the Foundation’s budget?
The approved budget of the Foundation is $50 million over 5 years.
How can you be sure that you involve other donors? What will be their benefit from supporting the Foundation?
There are no foundations in Ukraine similar to the Foundation for Effective Governance, both in terms of the scope of projects and the level of foreign partners, as well as in terms of impact and independence. Taking part in the Foundation’s funding provides the donors with an opportunity to publicly express their civic and leadership position, achieve something truly meaningful and tangible, have a say in the development of the country, and look far beyond immediate business interests. Supporting the Foundation is an investment in the future that in the end will bring benefit to the country, civil society, business, and donors.
Donors give The Foundation full independence of action within the framework of its mission and strategic mandate. The Foundation’s independence is guaranteed by the Board of Trustees, consisting of leaders in the international economy, politics, and the professional community, each with impeccable reputations.
How will you ensure the funding will not be misused?
The Foundation plans to conduct a regular independent financial audit of its activities. Besides which, the Foundation plans to create a mechanism for evaluating the effectiveness of its programs.
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Foundation for Effective Governance
23F Kudrjavska Street Kiev 04053, Ukraine
Reception: +380 44 501 41 00 PR Department: +380 44 501
41 07 Fax: + 380 44 501 41 05
e-mail: feg@feg.org.ua |
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