22 USC 5841 - Authorization for establishment of Democracy Corps

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 26, 2024

§ 5841.

Authorization for establishment of Democracy Corps

(a)

Establishment; purpose

(b)

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of the Democracy Corps shall have not more than 10 members, appointed by the President. Individuals appointed to the Board—

(1)

shall, individually or through the organizations they represent, have experience and expertise appropriate to carrying out the purpose of the Democracy Corps, including involvement either with activities of the type described in subsection (d) or in the independent states;

(2)

shall be United States citizens; and

(3)

may not be officers or employees of the United States Government or Members of Congress.

(c)

Grants to Democracy Corps; purpose

The Administrator is authorized to make an annual grant to the Democracy Corps with the funds made available pursuant to this section. The purpose of such grants shall be to enable the Democracy Corps to maintain a presence in independent states of the former Soviet Union that will assist at the local level in the development of—

(1)

institutions of democratic governance (including judicial, electoral, legislative, and administrative processes), and

(2)

the nongovernmental organizations of a civil society (including charitable, educational, trade union, business, professional, voluntary, community, and other civic organizations),

by mobilizing the expertise of the American people to provide practical assistance through “on the ground” person-to-person advice, technical assistance, and small grants to indigenous individuals and indigenous entities, in accordance with subsection (d).

(d)

Activities

The Democracy Corps shall be required to carry out its purpose through the placement within the independent states of teams of United States citizens with appropriate expertise and knowledge. Under guidelines developed by the Board, these teams shall assist indigenous individuals and entities in the independent states that are involved in the development of the institutions and organizations referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c) by—

(1)

providing advice and technical assistance;

(2)

making small grants (which in most cases should not exceed $5,000) to such individuals and entities to assist the development of those institutions and organizations;

(3)

identifying other sources of assistance; and

(4)

operating local centers to serve as information, logistical, and educational centers and otherwise encourage cooperation and effectiveness by those involved in the development of democratic institutions, a market-oriented economy, and a civil society in the independent states.

These local centers may be designated as “Democracy Houses” or given another appropriate appellation.

(e)

Grant agreement

(f)

Coordination

The Democracy Corps shall be required to—

(1)

coordinate its activities pursuant to this section with the programs and activities of other entities operating in or providing assistance to the independent states of the former Soviet Union in support of the development of democratic institutions, a market-oriented economy, and a civil society; and

(2)

ensure that its activities pursuant to this section are designed to avoid duplication with activities carried out under other United States Government foreign assistance and international information, educational, cultural, and exchange programs.

(g)

Prohibition on campaign financing

(h)

Freedom of information

(1)

In general

(2)

Publication in Federal Register

(3)

AID review

(i)

Annual reports

(j)

Authorization of appropriations

(k)

Sunset provision

(l)

Definitions

As used in this section—

(1)

the term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Agency for International Development; and

(2)

the term “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Democracy Corps.

(Pub. L. 102–511, title IV, § 401, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3335.)

cite as: 22 USC 5841