About ADF In Serbia

America's Development Foundation (ADF) is a U.S. nonprofit private voluntary organization (PVO) established in 1980. ADF works around the world to support responsive democratic governance by strengthening the capacities of civil society, private sector and government to work together for social and economic development.

ADF has close to 30 years of institutional experience and expertise working with civil society, government and the private sector in more than thirty countries of the world to promote democratic governance and support social and economic development.

ADF began working in Serbia in 2000. From July 2001-June 2007 with funding from USAID, ADF implemented the Community Revitalization through Democratic Action Program (CRDA) in 26 municipalities in Vojvodina and Eastern Serbia. Since July 2007, ADF has continued to implement CRDA program activities but now throughout Serbia working in cooperation with Serbia’s Development Organization, the private sector, local, provincial, national government organizations and international donors.

ADF programs mobilize citizens to engage in improving their quality of life; promotes economic development in local communities; builds mutual trust between citizens and government and promotes responsive democratic governance. ADF has been very successful in raising awareness of the importance of civic participation and facilitating the creation of an array of community organizations through which communities can plan and manage local initiatives while building dialogue and cooperation with local governments.

Over the years in Serbia, ADF has developed and implemented more than 1,035 projects in cooperation with local communities and local governments  in the areas of agriculture, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), tourism, market access and trade, economic and public infrastructure, local economic development, civic participation and the environment. Approximately 1,382,300 people are beneficiaries of ADF project activities amounting to more than $50 million in value including $30 million mobilized in matching resources in Serbia from communities, municipalities, Vojvodina  provincial government, national government agencies, and international donor organizations. 

Improvements in infrastructure have always been a high priority for communities and municipalities and 591 such projects valued at $27,470,440 have been completed. In addition to establishing 67 community development centers and 15 citizens assistance centers, ADF reconstructed and equipped 85 schools, 32 kindergartens, 53 health clinics and hospitals, 27 cultural institutions, 7 sports centers and 17 children playgrounds. Other important public infrastructure improved include roads in 25 communities; water supply in 18 communities; electricity and gas in 26 communities; and solid waste and sewerage in 33 communities.

ADF economic development projects include assistance in establishing 93 modern agricultural cooperatives and associations including 9 agricultural marketing federations. Also, ADF has assisted hundreds of SMEs, facilitating their access to credit, investment and markets, and supported the capacity building of SME development agencies, business associations and business resource centers. Through ADF’s assistance, Serbian banks and development institutions have provided more than $7 million in loans on favorable terms to agricultural cooperatives, associations and SMEs.  As a result of ADF’s program activities, there was a recorded increase of 10,747 person years of new employment and $18,125,520 in additional income generated for  SMEs, farmers,  and other organizations.

ADF has mobilized citizens to take an active role in communities through the organization of  400 open citizens meetings, where more than 37,000 citizens took part in decision-making processes. Approximately 1,500 citizens participated in ADF organized local economic development efforts resulting in the development of 11 municipal economic development strategies and plans. Tourism and economic development has been supported by the organization of  ethno food and music festivals celebrating the richness of diversity of communities throughout the country with the Vojvodina  Ethno Food and Music Festival annually attracting over 25,000 visitors for its one day event.