FINAL REPORT: Russia SME Advocacy Program for the Period of September 2002 - September 2011

The program aimed to promote small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) development in Russia. Initial diagnostic surveys were conducted in eight regions, laying the groundwork for the project's direction. The program focused on building the capacity of business associations and promoting advocacy for SME development. In May 2004, the "Small Business 2004" national advocacy campaign was launched, targeting SMEs and entrepreneurs. The International Institute for the Management of Business Associations was founded in Moscow in April 2004, with the goal of promoting business association management. The program expanded to include eight additional regional coalitions of business associations in October 2005, bringing the total to 16. A three-year, $500,000 extension was granted by USAID in October 2006, focusing on advocacy to decrease corruption and developing an anti-corruption methodology. The Saratov Anti-Corruption Methodology was introduced in June 2009, and regional coalition leaders were trained on its application. Implementation of the Saratov Methodology was supported by a $300,000, one-year extension of funding in September 2009. Business association executives from seven North Caucasus regions traveled to the United States for a study tour in May 2011. The final project conference, "Closing Implementation Gaps Through Regional Advocacy," was held in September 2011, with the U.S. Ambassador, USAID mission director, and CIPE director in attendance. The program's impact was significant, with SMEs and entrepreneurs benefiting from increased advocacy and capacity building. The Saratov Anti-Corruption Methodology was implemented in seven regions, and regional coalitions presented their results at a national meeting. The program's legacy continued, with a focus on promoting SME development and promoting business association management. The SME Policy Advocacy Program's success was attributed to its focus on building the capacity of business associations and promoting advocacy for SME development. The program's impact was felt across Russia, with SMEs and entrepreneurs benefiting from increased advocacy and capacity building. The program's legacy continued, with a focus on promoting SME development and promoting business association management. The program's geographic focus was on Russia, with a focus on promoting SME development and promoting business association management. The program's timeframes were from September 2002 to September 2011, with a focus on building the capacity of business associations and promoting advocacy for SME development. The program's recommendations were focused on promoting SME development and promoting business association management. The program's conclusions were that SMEs and entrepreneurs benefited from increased advocacy and capacity building. The program's findings were that the Saratov Anti-Corruption Methodology was effective in promoting SME development and promoting business association management. The program's methodology was focused on building the capacity of business associations and promoting advocacy for SME development. The program's diagnostics were conducted in eight regions, laying the groundwork for the project's direction. The program's technical assistance and capacity building were focused on promoting SME development and promoting business association management. The program's expansion was focused on expanding the program to include eight additional regional coalitions of business associations. The program's recommendations were focused on promoting SME development and promoting business association management. The program's conclusions were that SMEs and entrepreneurs benefited from increased advocacy and capacity building. The program's impact was significant, with SMEs and entrepreneurs benefiting from increased advocacy and capacity building. The program's legacy continued, with a focus on promoting SME development and promoting business association management.