CIPE Europe & Eurasia

Kamen Slavov, advisor on public and private sector financial instruments and strategies, and Martin Gikov, experienced executive in banking, fund management and development finance, have known each other for years and have been colleagues while working at the “Fund of Funds” organization in Bulgaria and more recently, at the Ministry of Innovation. Their paths crossed again in April 2024 during the first Advocacy Academy in Bulgaria, led by CIDC - Center for Information, Democracy and Citizenship at AUBG, in partnership with BESCO - The Bulgarian Entrepreneurial Association and supported by Center for International Private Enterprise. Each of them had found out about the initiative through different channels: Kamen through the Ministry of Innovation and Martin through the network of BESCO. Read more about their experience at https://lnkd.in/dx7sjnsg

#Event | CIPE’s Anti-Corruption and Governance Center (ACGC) is hosting "𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝟭𝟬𝟭," a three-part virtual series featuring global experts with a combined 70 years of experience in measuring and combating corruption. Join us this 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟳, as Paul M. Heywood leads an insightful discussion on the importance of measuring corruption and effective approaches to doing so. This session includes a presentation followed by an open conversation tailored for #compliance & #anticorruption professionals across government, the private sector, and civil society. Sign up for this free virtual session: https://lnkd.in/dAMRmRng

#IBECA | On October 31, #CIPE participated in the International Financial Forum in Dushanbe, #Tajikistan. Organized by the Association of Microfinance Organizations of Tajikistan (AMFOT) with support from the National Bank of Tajikistan, the forum gathered about 300 participants, including government officials, international financial institutions, fintech companies, and international experts. CIPE hosted a panel titled “Fintech as a Driver of Investment Growth: New Opportunities for Investors and Entrepreneurs,” with speakers from the IBECA working group, top Tajikistani fintech firms, business accelerators, and government representatives. Key outcomes included reviewing recommendations from the National Business Agenda to develop Tajikistan’s investment ecosystem, with insights from government and international experts on boosting domestic investment. Participants also committed to expanding discussions and collaborating to create supportive conditions for local investors.

#NewResource | 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: 𝗔𝗻 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 A new resource is now available to help businesses in #Georgia meet gender equality standards in line with EU and ILO guidelines. Covering key areas like Equal Pay, Health & Safety, Work-Life Balance, and more, this guide equips employers to meet legal requirements and support women’s active role in the economy. #WorkplaceEquality #LaborRights #InclusiveEconomy

#IBECA | On October 27, the Central Asian e-Commerce Expo 2024 took place in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, marking the region's largest event in digital economy and e-commerce. The forum gathered top experts, business leaders, government officials, and international organizations, with attendees from #KyrgyzRepublic, #Kazakhstan, #Uzbekistan, and #Tajikistan. As part of IBECA's small grant initiative, the e-commerce Association of the Kyrgyz Republic is advocating for amendments to the Tax Code to support e-commerce by expanding permitted activities and allowing cash payments. Proposed changes also include differentiated tax rates based on payment methods, a popular request among Kyrgyz e-commerce entrepreneurs. During the forum's session on "Development of Marketplaces and Online Platforms," government officials responded positively, signaling a willingness to address these key issues. A major highlight at the event was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation among business associations from #CentralAsia. This agreement solidifies collaboration between Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to promote e-commerce, support cross-border trade, share knowledge, assist startups, develop joint educational programs, and improve digital platform security. All signatories are CIPE partners in their respective countries. The Central Asian e-Commerce Expo 2024 provided a crucial platform for stakeholders to discuss trends, share best practices, and establish partnerships to advance e-commerce across the region.

#IBECA | The Bishkek Investment Forum, hosted by the Business Association JIA on October 24, welcomed nearly 1,200 participants from 13 countries, focusing on investment promotion and sustainable development in Central Asia. As part of the IBECA program, #CIPE partnered on the forum's main plenary session, "Investment Potential of Central Asia." This session aimed to discuss factors affecting investment attraction, analyze current trends, and develop collaborative recommendations. The plenary provided an important platform for expert dialogue and idea exchange, featuring Bakyt Omurzakov from the Central Asia Leadership Institute (CALI), who presented key insights from IBECA’s investment research. This collaborative effort aimed to foster conditions for attracting investment and supporting sustainable development in the region.

#IBECA | On October 23, the Business Association JIA, supported by IBECA’s advocacy grant, hosted a session on waste management at the Regional Green Economy Forum 2024 in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. The session sparked productive discussions among Central Asian representatives, addressing challenges and opportunities in waste management and producing actionable recommendations for sustainable practices. Prior to the forum, JIA consulted local entrepreneurs and prepared a brief for the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, advocating tax exemptions for entities sorting and recycling plastics. A key challenge in the region is the informal nature of the waste sector, hindered by complex tax administration and high burdens. JIA’s efforts at the forum advanced the green economy agenda, facilitating regional collaboration. The event gathered 1,000 participants, creating a platform for sustainable development and eco-friendly innovation. #GreenEconomy #WasteManagement

#WarsawMediaConference Wrapping up the “𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦” conference in Warsaw, where policymakers, media leaders, and experts shared insights on sustaining independent media despite political and financial roadblocks.     With a keynote by U.S. Ambassador Mark Brzezinski, and insightful panels and breakout sessions on pressing media issues, the conference spotlighted urgent needs and innovative solutions to protect media freedom. CIPE’s Program Director for Europe, Jeff Lightfoot, delivered closing remarks to cap off the impactful discussions.    The full conference recap will be available on our YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/deu4Ysw6 Center for International Private Enterprise | Center for International Media Assistance | National Endowment for Democracy | U.S. Embassy Warsaw

#WarsawMediaConference 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝟯 𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 Independent media faces growing financial challenges as advertising moves online and foreign aid remains limited. This panel discussed innovative solutions to secure funding and protect media independence, crucial for democracy and the rule of law in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe.    Special acknowledgement to the panelists:  Joanna Rozycka-Iwan, FCCA, Chief Investment Officer, Media Development Investment Fund  Jakub Parusinski, Director, The Fix Media & Director KI Insights  Lot Carlier, Executive Director, Vereniging Veronica/V-Ventures  Maciej Kuziemski, CEO of PKO Bank Polski Foundation Nishant Lalwani, CEO, International Fund for Public Interest Media  Moderator: Heather Gilberds, Deputy Director, CIMA Center for International Private Enterprise | Center for International Media Assistance | National Endowment for Democracy

#WarsawMediaConference 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝟮 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴   This session offered an engaging discussion about the ongoing struggles in countries like Hungary and Slovakia, where independent journalism is under pressure. Despite these challenges, we also heard inspiring stories of resilience from media entrepreneurs who are fighting to protect independent voices and turn the tide.    Special acknowledgement to the panelists:  Jamie Fly, former CEO, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty  Michal Kovačič, Founder, 360°  Vaclav Muchna, Chairman, Czech Endowment for Independent Media  Zoltan Varga, Chairman and CEO, Central Médiacsoport Zrt.  Moderator: Anna Kompanek, Director for Global Programs, CIPE    Center for International Private Enterprise | Center for International Media Assistance | National Endowment for Democracy