Central administration bodiesCentral administration bodies (apart from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance, which are the main links of Polish development assistance) implement assistance projects or provide assistance by making contributions to organisations, programmes and international funds (multilateral assistance). Central administration bodies can implement foreign assistance and development assistance projects. Local administrationWe started co-operation with local government in 2006. We want local governments to become involved in assistance activities. After the announcement of the possibility of submitting project applications by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, they can submit development co-operation or democratization and civil society development projects. The technical and financial assessment of the project is made by the MFA Development Co-operation Department based on certain criteria defined in the “Guidelines”. NGOsNGOs are one of the main partners of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the development and execution of annual assistance plans. Due to the specific nature of activities carried out within the framework of foreign assistance, the MFA co-operates mainly with NGOs that carry activities abroad. Current contacts are made through the Zagranica Group (a platform of 40 organisations oworking abroad). Every year, the MFA announces several calls for proposals directed to NGOs. In 2004, the total amount of funds provided in this way was more than PLN 1.5 million, and in 2005 it reached the level of more than PLN 10 million. There was also an increase in the number of organisations that implemented projects co-financed by the MFA. In 2006 the amount of funds at the disposal of NGOs reached PLN 30 million. An important instrument of co-operation between the MFA and NGOs is the Council for Co-operation with NGOs at the Minister of Foreign Affairs, whose work was inaugurated on 16 January 2003. It is an important part of social diplomacy, a forum on which views on the trends and priorities of Polish foreign policy are exchanged. The Council’s members include: Caritas Polska, the Centre for International Relations, the Stefan Batory Foundation, the Institute of Public Affairs, the Polish-American Freedom Foundation, the Polish Association ”Dom Europejski”, the ”Pro Europa” Association, the Polish Red Cross, the Foundation in Support of Local Democracy, and the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights. PRTsProvincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) play an important role in rebuilding Afghanistan. Currently there are 27 such teams active in the territory of Afghanistan. The PRT is a team of people - civilian workers and military representatives - whose task it is to support and rebuild a given province. Their tasks are centred on implementing long-term investments and projects aimed at improving the living conditions of Afghan citizens. PRTs co-operate with local administration entities and international and local organizations in implementing aid projects to develop a given region. The team of Polish specialists in the US PRT operates in Ghazni, where Polish soldiers are stationed and where most Polish foreign aid is directed. It began carrying out its tasks in the framework of PRT Ghazni on June 28, 2008, during the third rotation of the Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan. The Team consists of civilian specialists (dealing with social, legal, educational and infrastructural issues, road and bridge construction and local media contacts), two officers from the Central Support Group for Civilian-Military Co-operation (including the head of the Specialists Team - deputy head of PRT Ghazni) and a security group. The PRT's key task is the implementation of aid programmes. In 2002-2009, over 100 projects were implemented in the framework of the Polish foreign aid programme, amounting to a total sum of PLN 55m (USD 16.7m). In 2009, the funds allocated towards development aid in Afghanistan saw a significant boost - they increased fivefold on 2008. The funds administered by the MFA and allocated for this purpose amounted to PLN 40m (approx. USD 12m). Most of the funds were channelled towards projects implemented by the Polish Specialists Team in PRT Ghazni. In 2009, the Team implemented 34 projects: 27 investment projects and 7 training projects. In 2009, the total funding for PRT projects equalled PLN 22.374m (approx. USD 7m). In 2011, the amount of Polish development aid for Afghanistan will remain at a level similar to that of 2010, equalling PLN 34m (approx. USD 12m). Polish Embassies and ConsulatesThe Small Grants Fund provides additional financing for aid activities which are initiated and drafted locally (in partner countries). Projects financed in the framework of the Fund are put forward by Polish foreign service posts and are characterized by fairly limited implementation costs. They aim to produce direct, positive consequences for the everyday lives of local communities. They include such tasks as building wells, minor infrastructure revitalization works, purchasing equipment for hospitals and school, as well as various types of trainings.
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