TECHNICAL APPLICATION

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

After more than 40 years of repression by ’s government, an unprecedented grassroots movement is gaining strength in . Known as the Varela Project, the initiative calls for a referendum on political, economic and civil liberties by drawing upon a constitutional provision that enables citizens to introduce legislation when accompanied by 10,000 signatures. The Varela Project has planted the seeds of a genuine grassroots democracy movement. For the first time, calls on the island for peaceful political change are not emanating solely from a handful of courageous individuals whose appeals could be dismissed by the Cuban government, but from tens of thousands of ordinary citizens. In seeking to expand freedom through peaceful and legal means, the Varela Project has broken the culture of fear that has permeated Cuban society for decades.

Despite severe repression, including an unconstitutional rejection of the Varela Project and the imprisonment of more than 50 Varela Project leaders, the project’s organizers have managed to collect and submit over 25,000 signatures to the Cuban National Assembly, providing hope for thousands of citizens by moving forward with the signature campaign despite government attempts to crush this initiative.

Recognizing that Cubans do not only want their rights, but also to focus on their future and the Post-Castro transition process, Oswaldo Payá, the leader of the Varela Project, recently invited all Cubans to take part in a National Dialogue. Through a dialogue process, Payá seeks to develop a plan for a democratic transition designed and directed by all Cubans—from political prisoners to members of the government. As a starting point for discussion, Payá released a 100-page working document, covering issues ranging from calls for multiparty democracy, freedom for political prisoners, the return of exiles, privatizing much of the economy and preserving Cuba’s free education and health care. Although still in draft form, analysts point out that Payá’s plan is an important step for Cuba in that it outlines constructive mechanisms for peaceful change.

According to Payá, focusing international attention on the Varela Project is critical to provide protection for the organizers and citizens who have signed the petition and face harassment, intimidation, violence and imprisonment. He also believes that international attention raises the political cost of repressing the Varela Project and provides a sense of solidarity for often-isolated organizers who continue to collect signatures. To meet these international needs, Payá has asked his key advisors outside of Cuba to establish the Comité de Apoyo Internacional Proyecto Varela (International Committee to Support the Varela Project) to represent the initiative abroad.

The recently launched International Committee, which is headquartered in Madrid, Spain, will serve as the official representative of the Varela Project abroad, ensuring that voices of Varela Project organizers and other democratic activists on the island are heard. The Committee will also serve as a clearinghouse for information on political developments in Cuba and will seek to enhance and complement the critical international awareness efforts being conducted by the Cuban Democratic Directorate and Freedom House (United States), Pax Christi (Netherlands), People in Need Foundation (Czech Republic), Fundación para el análisis y los estudios sociales (Foundation for Analysis and Social Studies – Spain), Konrad Adenauer Foundation (Germany) and many others, by increasing communication and coordination both among these groups and with Varela Project leaders on the island.

Having worked with the Cuban pro-democracy movement since 1991, and in closed societies around the world, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) proposes to strengthen the ability of the International Committee to Support the Varela Project to design and carry out an international advocacy campaign to raise awareness about this initiative. Since 2000, NDI has helped a similar international campaign for democracy in Burma. Over the past 20 years, NDI has worked in democratic transitions in Chile, Nicaragua, Panama, Czech Republic, Poland, and South Africa, among many others. These experiences have enabled NDI to develop strategies to build international awareness in partnership with local democracy activists.

Drawing on its global network of world leaders and its unique official standing in the three largest international groupings of political parties – Christian Democrat and People’s Parties International (CDI), Liberal International (LI) and Socialist International (SI) – NDI is working with the International Committee to develop a network of political and civic leaders as well as ordinary citizens from around the world that will provide recognition, support and solidarity with those struggling for democracy on the island. These efforts seek to press the Cuban government to release its political prisoners, and to respect its own constitution by permitting a referendum thereby affording its citizens greater political and civil liberties.

With the support of an advocacy advisor and civic organizing and political reform specialists, NDI will strengthen the organizational capacity of the International Committee. This will include identifying and recruiting additional organizations to support the Committee’s efforts, thereby raising its political profile and underscoring the multi-partisan support that the Varela Project enjoys. NDI will partner with the Asociación Encuentro de la Cultura Cubana (Cuban Cultural Encounter Association – Encuentro) to help the International Committee disseminate information about Varela Project and National Dialogue activities, on the island and around the world, through an electronic newsletter; facilitate an on-line discussion on a democratic transition in Cuba; and update the official Varela Project website at http://www.elproyectovarela.org.

NDI will also help the International Committee organize advocacy activities around the world in support of the Varela Project and the approximately 320 political prisoners in Cuba’s jails. To the extent possible, NDI will offer Varela Project promoters in Cuba technical assistance, such as written training materials on organizational strengthening based on their needs. As appropriate, the Institute will also facilitate visits by political practitioners and individuals with experience in promoting democratic transitions, such as Chileans, Central Americans and Eastern Europeans. II. PROGRAM SUMMARY

A. Goals and Objectives

NDI’s overall goal is to promote peaceful democratic change in Cuba. To help advance that goal, the Institute will continue supporting efforts by Varela Project organizers and the Comité de Apoyo Internacional Proyecto Varela (International Committee to Support the Varela Project) to protect fundamental political and civil liberties, and to develop constructive mechanisms for a peaceful transition. The proposed two-year program is designed with the following objectives and results:

Objective 1: To strengthen the organizational capacity of the Varela Project and the International Committee.

o Result 1.1: The capacity of International Committee members to widely distribute information about political, economic and civil rights on the island is bolstered. o Result 1.2: The capacity of International Committee members to advocate for peaceful political change, mobilize action and increase participation in democratic initiatives is strengthened. o Result 1.3: The capacity of International Committee members to plan, implement and manage advocacy efforts and other activities, and to mobilize resources is improved.

Objective 2: To expand international, multi-partisan awareness of and support for Varela Project initiatives.

o Result 2.1: International public awareness of and support for the Varela Project-led signature campaign, National Dialogue and other democratic reform initiatives increases.

Objective 3: To support efforts by the International Committee to help the Varela Project develop a plan for a peaceful democratic transition in Cuba.

o Result 3.1: The International Committee offers feedback to Varela Project leaders about the perceptions of the National Dialogue transition plan from Cuban exile communities and transition experts abroad.

B. Background/Problem Statement

For decades, Cubans have risked their lives and livelihood striving for the political, economic and civil liberties that the Cuban government has long denied them. Among the most courageous and effective efforts to promote peaceful democratic change in Cuba is the Varela Project.

The Varela Project

Launched in 1997 by dissident leader Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, the Varela Project draws upon a provision in the Cuban constitution that enables citizens to introduce legislative initiatives when accompanied by 10,000 signatures. In May 2002, Oswaldo Payá and other Varela Project leaders submitted to the Cuban National Assembly of People’s Power 11,020 signatures calling for a referendum on open elections, , freedom for political prisoners, free association and free enterprise.

Achieving unprecedented success in political organization in Cuba, Payá received the help of many of the growing Box A: Influence of the Varela Project number of independent organizations in Cuba in collecting the signatures. Nearly 200 groups and “I firmly believe that someday, when democratic change has finally come to Cuba, as it surely will, all of us will personalities from across the democratic look back at this moment and say that Oswaldo Payá, his ideological spectrum—known together as Todos colleagues, and the signers of the Varela Project made a difference.” Unidos (All United)—coalesced in support of the Varela Project. However, without access to - NDI Chairman and former U.S. Secretary of State the media or the ability to organize meetings, the Madeleine K. Albright promoters have struggled to inform citizens about this bold initiative and Payá’s work.

In January 2003, the Constitution and Legal Affairs Committee of the Cuban legislature rejected the Varela Project, claiming it “went against the very foundation of the constitution, among other reasons.” To further crush the Project, beginning on March 18, 2003 the Cuban government arrested, summarily tried and jailed 75 civil society leaders in Cuba, including independent journalists, librarians and trade unionists. More than half were Varela Project organizers. Despite the repression, Payá and other project leaders collected and submitted an additional 14,384 signatures to the National Assembly in October, bringing the total number of signatures to 25,404.

National Dialogue on a Peaceful Democratic Transition

On December 12, 2003, Payá invited all Cubans to take part in a National Dialogue on a peaceful democratic transition in Cuba. Payá seeks to develop a plan for a transition designed and directed by all Cubans – from political prisoners to members of the government. As a starting point for discussion, Payá prepared a 100-page working document covering issues ranging from calls for multiparty democracy, freedom for political prisoners, the return of exiles, privatizing much of the economy and preserving Cuba’s free education and health care.1

After incorporating feedback from discussion groups held around the island and in Cuban exile communities abroad, the working document will be submitted to the Cuban National Assembly with calls for a referendum on the plan. Payá anticipates that an inclusive dialogue process will play an important role in helping educate all Cubans on transition issues and increase pressure for change.

The International Committee to Support the Varela Project

1 In recent months, other transition plans by Cubans on the island and in the exile communities have been presented, including plans from Vladimiro Roca, “Propuesta Programa,” Manuel Cuesta Morua, “Una Visión Socialdemócrata, and Cuban-American congressional and other exile leaders. These important plans, like the National Dialogue effort, can play a vital role in fostering discussion on Cuba’s future.

With support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the Fundación para el Análisis y los Estudios Sociales (Foundation for Analysis and Social Studies—Spain), NDI has been working with Payá’s international advisors to strengthen the organizational capacity of the newly established International Committee to Support the Varela Project. Once in full operation, the Committee will serve to increase international awareness of political developments inside Cuba. The Committee also seeks to coalesce support among governments, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, parliaments and political parties for the Varela Project—its organizers, signatories and goals—and for an open debate on a peaceful process of transition toward a pluralistic democracy and reconciliation within Cuban society.

The International Committee consists of Payá’s key advisors, who form the Executive Board of the Committee—including Francisco De Armas, international spokesperson for the Varela Project and Julio Hernandez of Christian Liberation Movement (MLC). This board makes policy decisions for the organization, based on specific guidance from the Varela Project’s leaders on the island. This communication will help ensure that the Committee’s activities reflect the wishes and needs of the organizers on the island.

The International Committee was recently registered in Madrid, Spain.2 The city was selected because of the important role that Spain is playing in building European support for the Varela Project. The commitment of Prime Minister José María Aznar, as well as former president of the Czech Republic Vaclav Havel and their respective foundations, has been critical to broadening international, multi-partisan support. These leaders have supported joint resolutions at the European Parliament and the Christian Democrat and People’s Parties International (CDI), and advocated for Payá’s receiving the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought and nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. These efforts have kept pressure on the Cuban government by condemning the regime’s repression and increasing calls for an open debate on a peaceful transition designed to encourage political pluralism and reconciliation within Cuban society.

In addition, as a Christian Democrat, Payá has also secured international support from the Organization of Christian Democrats of the Americas (ODCA) and CDI, as well as from leaders and organizations from other political tendencies around the world. NDI is working to deepen collaboration with other political organizations, including the Socialist International, which has begun to publicly criticize Castro’s human rights abuses. Payá has reiterated the importance of international support for the Varela Project to increase pressure on the Cuban government to recognize its own constitution and provide its citizens with fundamental political and civil liberties. Furthermore, international attention is critical in keeping pressure on the Cuban government to release activists arrested in March 2003, in addition to other political prisoners, and for the protection of Payá and other Varela Project organizers. Payá has welcomed and encouraged NDI’s support.

C. Proposed Technical Approach

2 While the Varela Project has an office in Miami, all international advocacy efforts will be coordinated through the main headquarters in Madrid. The Miami office is funded by separate sources. NDI has developed the following approach to implementation according to the three objectives highlighted under the Goals and Objectives section. The technical assistance that the Institute is proposing matches the International Committee’s priorities. In the event that new advocacy issues or opportunities arise, NDI will work with the group and in consultation with USAID to modify these activities as appropriate.

For the past two years, NDI has drawn on its unique standing in the three largest groupings of political parties—the Socialist, Christian Democrat and Liberal Internationals, which together represent more than 350 political parties in 150 countries—to gain the support of their members for the Varela Project and to help International Committee members build an international political party network.

In addition to broadening the International Committee’s multi-partisan network, NDI will provide expertise and comparative information through visits to Cuba by political practitioners and individuals with experience in promoting peaceful transitions in closed societies, such as Chileans, Central Americans and Eastern Europeans. NDI was proud to have worked with courageous democrats who organized the plebiscite campaign that ended military rule in Chile, helped consolidate free elections and civilian control of the military in Nicaragua, confronted an authoritarian regime in Panama, among other democratic initiatives the Institute has supported over the years. NDI will continuously use lessons learned from experiences elsewhere in the world as part of its effort to provide the Varela Project with the best possible assistance in helping it advance its agenda both within Cuba and abroad.

The Institute will complement guidance with in-house experts in the various areas of promoting civic education, policy advocacy and citizen organizing, and political reform and democratic transitions. NDI will also call on members of the Acuerdo de Lima, a regional network of Latin American and Caribbean civic organizations that NDI co-founded, to share written materials with Varela Project organizers and members the International Committee. This network was formed to facilitate an exchange of lessons-learned from civic education and advocacy efforts conducted in the last two decades by groups in more than 10 countries.

Finally, NDI will help the International Committee explore ways to use traditional and new technology to promote participation in the Varela Project and in discussion groups on the National Dialogue transition plan in Cuba and around the world. This may include utilizing recorded audio and video cassette tapes for training purposes and facilitated on-line discussions on Cuba’s transition between Cuban reformers on the island and members of the exile and international communities. In addition, the International Committee may call on Radio Marti and European radio broadcasting stations to provide space for debate on the National Dialogue working document. Newsletters and other informational material for Varela Project organizers will be provided through diplomatic mail systems.

1. Objective One: Strengthen Organizational Capacity of Varela Project and International Committee

The International Committee seeks to improve its institutional effectiveness and has made important strides toward developing its organizational capacity. Since registering the office in Madrid, Spain, members of the International Committee have established a decision-making structure to facilitate internal coordination; developed partnerships with international NGOs and assistance foundations; organized international conferences and disseminated information on the status of the Varela Project and of political prisoners; and participated in meetings with government officials, legislators and international donor representatives to develop constructive relations.

Throughout this initial phase, NDI has drawn on its experience in developing different organizational models for advocacy efforts—including establishing new entities, forming umbrella coalitions and joint activities with existing groups, and fostering regional networks—to help guide International Committee members in choosing the best organizational model to provide efficient and effective support to the Varela Project. With support from USAID, NDI advisors will assist the International Committee with the next phases of strategic planning and with organizing long-term, systematic advocacy and citizen education initiatives. a. Advocacy Campaign and Fundraising Strategies

Since the goals of the International Committee are to inform and motivate action by Cubans and others around the world to advocate peaceful political change, NDI will help the Committee develop educational as well as collaborative advocacy strategies. The Institute will also help the Committee to conduct a baseline assessment in the first few months of the program to help measure the effectiveness of the International Committee’s communications efforts to date, and to establish benchmarks for improvement. Although depending on the results of the review, NDI anticipates providing advice and comparative information on the following issues:

• Identifying additional target audiences and establishing a solidarity network of governmental and parliamentary leaders, political party representatives, journalists and other civil society organizations;

• Creating an advocacy campaign to raise awareness abroad about Varela Project activities, recruit volunteers to work on solidarity and advocacy efforts and explain methodologies being used to gather and incorporate comments on the National Dialogue working document;

• Selecting appropriate technology tools for managing an effective advocacy campaign, i.e. contract tracking databases, e-mail lists, websites and blogs, SMS messaging, radio and television.

• Developing ways to increase media coverage, helping to manage the content of messages and reaching a larger international audience; and

• Establishing efficient mechanisms for consultation with other groups regarding solidarity activities and joint publications.

NDI will also work with the International Committee to develop a fundraising strategy to supplement the resources provided through this grant. This assistance will include advice on shaping an effective message for donors, diversifying donor support, drafting proposals, organizing fundraising events and managing funds with transparency and accountability.

ILLUSTRATIVE ADVOCACY TOOL KIT INSTRUCTIVE COLLABORATIVE General information: brochure, fact Providing supporting testimony at sheets, background materials on the European, OAS and UN human rights National Dialogue transition plan commissions Press kit: press releases, opinion pieces, Jointly sponsored letters of support international resolutions National Dialogue “How-To” kit: Public community meetings with Cuban participant guidebooks, posters, cassette exile communities and video tapes Compendium of commentaries on Moderated on-line discussions on working working transition document by theme transition document by theme or area or area Network database and e-mail lists: Cuban Website and regular electronic exiles, parliamentarians, political parties, newsletters international NGOs, development assistance foundations Jointly sponsored high profile workshops Press conferences and seminars Public Service Announcements, radio Editorial board meetings broadcasts

b. Training National Dialogue Organizers and Facilitators

The International Committee has started distributing copies of the National Dialogue working document and recruiting facilitators for discussion groups. The Committee plans to organize discussions in Miami, New Jersey, Madrid and Stockholm, cities with substantial Cuban exile communities. To ensure diverse, large-scale participation, NDI will encourage the International Committee to invite community leaders, academics, politicians, business leaders, authors, journalists, artists, religious leaders and organizations from across the democratic political spectrum. In addition, a special effort should be made to involve young Cubans, and to consider elements of other existing transition plans in the discussion groups.

NDI will also assist International Committee members and National Dialogue organizers on effective group facilitation for “study circles,” small groups of individuals from different backgrounds and viewpoints that would meet informally to discuss ways to further engage Cubans on transition issues important to their community. Dialogue organizers are expected to recruit up to twelve citizens who could meet for six sessions to discuss a transition topic that has been selected by a sponsoring NGO or the participants themselves, including fundamental liberties, reconciliation, role of the armed forces, political and economic reform, and education, among other topics. All participating NGOs would work toward the same objective – increasing citizen participation in a dialogue process about a peaceful democratic transition in Cuba. Upon completing the study circles, participants will come together in larger forums to work together on action plans emanating from the study circle recommendations.

To strengthen the International Committee’s capacity to organize and facilitate National Dialogue study circles, NDI will offer the following:

• National Dialogue How-To Kit—To conduct trainings for NGO members, NDI will help the International Committee design and publish, with other sponsoring groups, facilitator and participant guidebooks and background materials on the National Dialogue Box B: NDI Experience with Study Circles transition plan. In addition, the Institute will develop “how-to” Study circles are typically small, diverse groups of citizens who meet regularly over a period of weeks to manuals and other resource material address critical public issues in a democratic and on study circles for distribution to collaborative way. The circles are led by a trained facilitator, typically from a local NGO, who is skilled in sponsoring organizations, such as a managing dialogue and debate in an impartial manner, manual on how to facilitate enabling participants to discuss their perspectives on an issue and work together to develop strategies for action discussions on important social issues and policy change. In recent years, NDI has successfully in inclusive and non-confrontational used the study circles methodology to enhance citizen participation in the policymaking process in Bangladesh, ways. where the vast majority of citizens have been largely disenfranchised from the political realm. Working with local NGOs, the Institute has involved more than 1,000 • Methodology Workshops—NDI will Bangla citizens in study circle activities. help the International Committee organize, in cooperation with other sponsoring groups, approximately four methodology workshops. National Dialogue working documents and training material will be distributed at these events. Members of the international community will be encouraged to participate in these discussions to help garner additional support. Training topics will include convening and moderating forums, key facilitation skills, techniques for generating and managing media coverage, and reporting on discussions. c. Internet Organization and Advocacy

NDI will work with the Asociación Encuentro de la Cultura Cubana (Encuentro) to launch an internet communication campaign that utilizes emerging best- practices in online organization and advocacy. This online campaign will employ a website, contact tracking databases and email.

Headquartered in Madrid, Encuentro has produced a quarterly journal since 1996. The journal is devoted to a broad discussion of issues in the humanities, the arts and the social sciences, and publishes articles and commentary from international scholars and independent Cuban intellectuals living in Cuba. The journal provides a forum for intellectuals and writers in Cuba to publish their work and, as it is distributed inside of the island, serves as a vehicle for uncensored information, debates and ideas to reach Cuba. The magazine is dedicated to discussion and promotion of political change in the context of Cuban culture, philosophy and history. Encuentro recently launched a new initiative, “Connections,” establishing a secure Internet site that will link Cubans and others interested in Cuban issues via the Internet for discussions on various topics related to Cuban culture, art and history

NDI will draw on Encuentro’s Internet expertise and vast distribution network, to assist the International Committee in implementing the following activities:

• Website—The Varela Project website (currently available at http://www.elproyectovarela.org) will be updated and expanded to include more information from on and off the island, including: press releases, statements by prominent international supporters, articles and policy papers written by Payá and other Varela Project leaders. In addition the site will be expanded to grow into a tool for informing the international community on the Varela Project, soliciting and connecting supporters, facilitating dialogue on democratic reform and post-Castro governance, and coordinating pro- reform activists worldwide.

• Facilitating Broader Discussion on a Democratic Transition—The website will provide tools for the Cuban exile and international communities to become informed about and participate in the discussion on a democratic transition and post-Castro governance in Cuba. The website will utilize the National Dialogue working document to organize this discussion. The working document and comments by prominent individuals and organizations will be posted on site. The site will facilitate collection and posting of study circle comments and conclusions, and will help individuals sign up for a study circle in their area. Finally, facilitated online discussions organized around different sections of the document will allow worldwide participation in this dialogue. These discussions will be summarized by Encuentro staff and the resulting summaries will be sent to Varela Project leaders in Cuba. The summaries will also be used in advocacy and fundraising as appropriate. If possible, the “Connections” initiative will be used to organize direct discussion between Cuban reformers on the island and members of the exile and international communities. In the event that these discussions occur, great care will be taken to verify the authenticity of participants and protect the identity of those who do not wish to publicize their name or contact information.

• E-mail Networks for Information and Activism— NDI will help the International Committee create databases to track the contact information of supporters, organizers, facilitators, and participants. The contact networks will be used to distribute timely information to supporters such as press releases and regular electronic newsletters that contain summaries of the political and human rights situation in Cuba, the progress of the Varela Project, and resources for information and inquiries. The networks will also be used to distribute action updates that will seek to mobilize supporters to engage in timely advocacy efforts such as letter-writing campaigns to political and civic leaders, letters to the editor. Visitors to the website will be invited to sign up for electronic newsletters and action updates.

2. Objective Two: Expand international, multi-partisan awareness of and support for Varela Project initiatives a. International Advocacy Activities

NDI will continue to promote the initiative by supporting the participation of Varela Project representatives at inter-governmental and democratic activists’gatherings, such as the Community Box C: Use of Conferences by NDI to Encourage of in early 2005; and arranging Democratic Development meetings between the International NDI has a long history of organizing conferences that bring Committee members and individuals and together global political leaders to discuss and advance the organizations, including government enhancement of democratic principles throughout the world. The Institute’s ability to attract individuals from the highest officials, legislators, international levels of political life to these conferences has enabled such organizations and human rights groups. events to not only draw high levels of attention to the issues discussed, but also provide the requisite, high-level commitment for moving agreed-upon agendas forward in the In addition, NDI will arrange wake of such events. Two examples of NDI’s work in this regard follow: conferences to discuss the Cuban transition to democracy and inform the international Win with Women Global Forum, December 2003. Under the leadership of NDI Chairman Madeleine Albright, the Institute community about the status of the Varela convened an international working group in Washington, D.C. Project and Dialogue study circles. To The group of high-level women political party leaders from 27 countries met to identify how best to establish mechanisms establish a network of political and civic within political parties that enhance opportunities for women. leaders who could undertake actions in The Forum examined political party structures that have encouraged more active leadership roles for women, support of the Cuba’s growing democracy candidate recruitment and training programs, successful movement, each event will target different outreach efforts, fundraising and communication opportunities, and avenues for influencing government audiences, including parliamentarians, policies. From this study, the Forum participants developed a political party leaders, policy advisors, "Global Action Plan" of recommendations that will benefit both women and political parties, which stand to gain from more journalists and democracy assistance inclusive organizations with wider appeal. foundations. The conferences will take place Congress of Democrats from the Muslim World, April 2004. in cities where there are Varela Project NDI is finalizing preparations for this groundbreaking event, advocates or where it will be important to which will bring together government and political leaders from predominantly Muslim countries in Africa, Asia, Europe seek support, such as Brazil, Mexico and and the Middle East to create a platform calling attention to Uruguay. the principles of democratic governance that are in place in many countries throughout the Islamic World. Delegates, who will include current and former presidents, prime ministers NDI will coordinate these conferences and party leaders, intend to highlight the compatibility of democracy and Islam by discussing their countries’ common with other organizations already working to commitment to multiparty elections, independent legislatures, support the domestic activists in Cuba —such women’s political participation and an active civil society. They will also discuss challenges to democracy and develop as the Cuban Democratic Directorate and a platform to advance democratic governance. Freedom House (United States), Pax Christi (Netherlands), People in Need Foundation (Czech Republic), Fundación para el Análisis y los Estudios Sociales (Foundation for Analysis and Social Studies—Spain), and Konrad Adenauer Foundation (Germany). For example, with support from FAES, the International Committee and NDI organized a conference in January in Washington, DC that brought together a diverse group of academics, human rights activists and policy analysts to offer feedback on Payá’s working document and to discuss the Cuban transition to democracy.

This year, FAES and NDI will continue working with the International Committee and these organizations to raise international awareness of Payá’s efforts by helping to foster discussion of the National Dialogue working document, offering comparative international information on transition experiences, and mobilizing international support and solidarity for their pioneering work. Planned conferences in Brussels (late April), Madrid (mid-June) and Prague (September) will include activities such as sponsoring the travel of Cuban democratic activists to testify before the European Parliament Human Rights Commission; submitting a draft resolution to the European Parliament on the Castro Government’s repression and calls for an open debate a peaceful process of transition toward a pluralistic democracy and a reconciliation of Cuban society; and organizing town hall meetings with Cuban exile communities.

3. Objective Three: Support efforts by the International Committee to help the Varela Project develop a plan for a peaceful democratic transition in Cuba a. Providing Technical Information to Democratic Activists in Cuba

To the extent possible and appropriate, NDI will offer Varela Project leaders in Cuba technical assistance, such as written training materials and visits by political practitioners with experience promoting peaceful transition in closed societies. These practitioners will be part of a team of democracy and human rights advisors who could be called upon by the International Committee to provide comparative international experiences in transition processes. For example, resource materials and discussions could draw on Box D: experts and participants from various truth commissions throughout the world – Argentina, Chile, Peru and South Africa – to discuss the document and its call for reconciliation and the tradeoffs and benefits inherent in the different approaches. NDI will coordinate technical assistance visits with activities that other organizations are undertaking.

Through one-on-one and small group meetings, NDI will discuss ways to strengthen the Varela Project leaders’ advocacy skills and broaden their support bases. Drawing on “tool kits” developed by Acuerdo de Lima members, the Institute will also provide Varela Project leaders with resource materials on organizational development and other technical assistance on framing advocacy issues, and determining appropriate strategies and tactics. Other materials will include party constitutions, party training manuals, NDI training manuals, party platform manuals and message development manuals.

III. MANAGEMENT PLAN

A. Organizational Chart

The above organizational chart illustrates the support role that NDI proposes taking under the proposed program.

Box E: Focus of Proposed NDI Assistance vis-à-vis Varela Project Structure

National Citizens Organizing Committee of the Varela Project

Province-level Citizens International Committee Organizing Committees to Support the Varela Project (CAI-PV) (14 + 1 provinces) *President *Vice President/Treasurer Municipal-level Citizens *Secretary Organizing Committees *Spokesperson

(169 municipalities) Focus of NDI Support

District-level Citizens Organizing Committees Latin America CAI-PV Headquarters Outreach Office and European Outreach (609 electoral districts) (Miami) Office (Madrid)

*Director *Director *Administrative Assistant *Administrative Assistant *Volunteers *Volunteers

Latin American Solidarity European Solidarity Networks Networks

Human Rights Groups Media Parliaments Political Parties Cuban Exiles International NGOs International Development Assistance Foundations

B. International Committee Financial Support

No direct financial assistance will be provided to the Project Varela in Cuba. In addition, the International Committee is legally independent from the Cuba-based Varela Project. At this time, no funds will be provided directly to the International Committee from NDI. However, given the resource constraints faced by this newly established entity, NDI has included in its proposed program budget (submitted under separate cover) some costs associated with running the International Committee headquarters over the proposed two-year period of the program. NDI will pay these expenses directly without financial involvement of the International Committee. Included in this program of support are the costs associated with two of the staff positions to be located in the headquarters office in Madrid; the Director and Administrative Assistant. Additional International Committee costs are being funded by other donors and foundations located in Spain and elsewhere in Europe.

Given that the International Committee has only functioned as an organization since late 2003, it does not yet have the capacity to administer grant funds, and for that reason the NDI has not included a sub-grant to the International Committee as part of its proposed budget. With the above in mind, NDI’s intention is to develop the International Committee’s financial and administrative capacity such that a sub-grant could be issued to the International Committee during the course of the program, should it further develop its accounting capacities to administer grant funding. The Institute would coordinate closely with USAID prior to making a final determination about the possible issuance of a sub-grant to the International Committee in the future. Further, such a determination would only be made after a rigorous analysis of International Committee capacities, which would be conducted by the Sub-Grants Unit located within NDI’s Accounting Department. Such an analysis would be guided by the Institute’s financial policies concerning the issuance of grants, which are detailed in the manual entitled Establishing a Cooperative Agreement with NDI: Procedures Manual. Should a sub-grant be issued to the International Committee, NDI would work with USAID to modify its budget so that it could transfer to a sub-grant the direct costs included in its budget for International Committee operations.

C. Scopes of Work

NDI will be responsible for ensuring the technical, financial and administrative quality of the proposed initiative. Additionally, the Institute will serve as the sole point of contact for USAID. The scopes of work of the NDI staff who will provide assistance to the Varela Project are presented below; the experiences of these individuals are presented under Section IV.

Chief of Party. The Chief of Party for the program and will be the key NDI individual supporting the development of the Varela Project’s international advocacy and organizational capacities, and will have ultimate technical, financial and administrative responsibility for the program. The Chief of Party will provide training services in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Cuba throughout the course of the program. Additionally, the Chief of Party will interact on a continuous basis both with NDI’s in-house technical advisors and personnel working on similar ongoing programs around the world to ensure that best practices are shared with the Varela Project.

International Advocacy Advisory (Madrid). As highlighted under Section III.B above, NDI will temporarily fund the International advocacy advisor position for the International Committee headquarters in Madrid. While this position is directly funded by NDI (as opposed to included as part of a sub-grant to the International Committee), the Institute will fill it with a current staff member, contingent upon the approval of the Varela Project. The Institute is following this practice to enable the International Committee to move forward with the activities highlighted in Section II, which it would otherwise not be able to carry out in the short term. Should fiscal responsibility for this position be transferred to the International Committee in the future as part of a sub- grant, the International Committee will have the option of retaining the NDI employee filling the position, or hiring another qualified individual.

The International Advocacy Advisor will focus on two primary issues:

• Institutional Sustainability. Work in this regard will focus on guaranteeing the economic viability of the International Committee and assisting with the growth and institutional permanency that allow for achieving the International Committee’s mission. • General Administration. This work will facilitate the process of technical coordination of projects. The International Advocacy Advisor will offer general guidance that will allow for the efficient execution of activities and the attainment of anticipated results. The International Advocacy Advisor will help organize internal and external means of communication, putting an emphasis on the coordination between projects and message. Additionally, the International Advocacy Advisor will directly execute all relative operational and management procedures, including the control of financial, material and human resources of the organization.

Temporary Administrative Assistant (Madrid). Similar to the Director position, NDI will be responsible for compensating the individual filling the Administrative Assistant position for the Madrid headquarters of the International Committee. This individual will be responsible for maintaining files, translating and distributing documents, scheduling appointments and arranging conference calls, making travel arrangements, sending correspondence and mass mailings, maintaining a database and email mailing list, and conducting online research.

Short-term Advisors. NDI will call upon the support of numerous experts to provide as-needed assistance during the course of the program. Such individuals will be drawn from a variety of sources, including: NDI’s in-house technical advisors; the Institute’s roster of pro bono trainers and consultants from Latin America, Europe and other parts of the world; NDI staff working elsewhere in the world on initiatives similar to the proposed project; and members of the Institute’s Board of Directors.

D. Administrative and Financial Controls

NDI maintains comprehensive systems to ensure effective control of all administrative and financial aspects of its programs. These systems help NDI maintain rigorous control over all aspects of program management and make certain that potential problems are identified before they have the opportunity to impact program implementation. The key aspects of the Institute’s administrative and financial controls are as follow:

• Administrative Controls. The basis for managing the administrative aspects of any NDI program rests in the division of labor and lines of responsibility that are evident in every country where the Institute operates. NDI clearly defines roles and responsibilities so that every staff member is fully aware of his or her duties, and thus accountability for any action can always be tracked to the source. Internal reporting mechanisms ensure that potential problems are identified as soon as they begin to emerge. In the Institute’s experiences, such accountability empowers staff to perform to their full potential, which leads to better and more long-lasting results.

• Financial Controls. NDI constantly monitors the financial ramifications of all program actions, and as such is able to maintain one of the most competitive cost structures in the international development industry. These controls are guided principally by the Institute’s Accounting Department, which closely monitors all expenditures. Further, the Operations Department provides comprehensive guidance in terms of issues ranging from equipment procurement to leasing documents, and is thus able to ensure that the Institute is constantly complying with all requisite laws and regulations, in addition to eliminating the possibility for financial improprieties. The most notable result of such policies is in the costs savings realized under all NDI projects. The extent of such savings for the proposed program is detailed as part of the separate financial application.

Senior Program Assistant, Rebecca DeMar. The Senior Program Assistant will be the NDI employee principally responsible for overseeing and coordinating the administrative and financial issues highlighted above. Additionally, The Senior Program Assistant will conduct reporting, handling logistics related to any international travel conducted as part of the program and maintaining program files.

E. Coordination with USAID, the State Department and Other Organizations

NDI is committed to communicating frequently with USAID, the Department of State and other relevant organizations as part of its management approach. Successful coordination can be accomplished by creating channels for regular communication, in addition to delivering program and financial reports in a timely fashion on a quarterly and annual basis. Most importantly, the Institute’s Washington-based staff will maintain an ongoing dialogue with USAID and the Department of State to ensure that both organizations remain aware of program activities and is given the opportunity to provide commentary on continuing or upcoming events. IV. KEY PERSONNEL

The qualifications of the individual NDI proposes to fill the Chief of Party role, Gerardo Le Chevallier, are presented below. In addition, the experiences of other Institute staff who will support the program are also highlighted. Resumes for all named staff are presented in Annex A.

Although not requested by the RFA, the Institute has included a Financial Officer as part of its management plan. As one of the largest democracy-promotion organizations in the world, with annual revenues of approximately $50 million, the Institute maintains a large Accounting Department that provides support to all programs that NDI is implementing at a given time. No one accountant is assigned to a project; rather, the Accounting Department as a whole is responsible for all financial matters related to NDI programming. The Department of State conducts an independent financial audit of NDI every year, and has never had negative findings.

A. Chief of Party

Chief of Party, Gerardo Le Chevallier. Gerardo Le Chevallier is Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean for the National Democratic Institute, where he directs the organization’s design, development, implementation and evaluation of programs in the Americas. He has conducted in-country training and assessments in more than 40 countries, including Cuba. In recent years, he has also acted as a field director in Paraguay, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Haiti for NDI. During his political career in El Salvador, Mr. Le Chevallier served in various positions within the government. He was elected as a Deputy in the Salvadoran Legislative Assembly and in the Central American Parliament, and as member of the National Committee of the Christian Democratic Party. He was appointed Secretary of Information for Presidents José Napoleón Duarte and Álvaro Magaña and as Director of the Tourism Institute by the Junta Revolucionaria de Gobierno. Mr. Le Chevallier is recognized as one of the key negotiators in the Salvadoran Peace Accords that ended the 12-year civil war. He also led advocacy efforts for the Christian Democratic Party in the United States and Europe during the war. Mr. Le Chevallier received his MBA from the Hautes Etudes Commerciales in France; he has also received a Doctor Honoris Causa from the Universidad del Pacífico in Paraguay as well as from the Centre National de Formation des Journalistes Haïtiens in Haiti.

B. Other Staff

International Committee (Madrid) Director, Deborah Ullmer. NDI has chosen Deborah Ullmer to serve as the International Advocacy Advisor of the International Committee headquarters, given her unique set of skills and experiences. As noted under Section III.C, Ms. Ullmer will serve as the Advocacy Advisor only until the International Committee assumes fiscal responsibility for the position, at which time it may either retain Ms. Ullmer’s services directly or hire another qualified professional. Further, Ms. Ullmer’s participation is contingent upon final approval by Varela Project leaders.

Ms. Ullmer, a fluent Spanish speaker, holds a long tenure with NDI, for which she has worked in a variety of senior-level positions since 1996. She currently serves as NDI’s Director for Cuba Programs, and is providing support to International Committee staff in Madrid and Miami concerning organizational development and advocacy. As a result of this work, Ms. Ullmer holds solid working relationships with all key Varela Project staff; these relationships will enable NDI to smoothly incorporate the proposed program into the work it is already conducting with the International Committee.

Prior to assuming responsibility for the Institute’s Cuba programming, Ms. Ullmer served as Resident Director in Guatemala, where she organized and managed the country’s first nationwide election-monitoring effort. As a testament to her strong networking, advocacy and fundraising skills, within a matter of months she attracted and coordinated financial support from a coalition of government donors, including the United States, Canada, Sweden, Norway and Switzerland. This group of sponsors represents perhaps the broadest range of international support NDI has ever garnered for an election-monitoring effort. As Resident Director, Ms. Ullmer was also responsible for all technical support provided to domestic groups involved in election-monitoring activities, including: an investigation of the voter registry list and monitoring of political parties and candidates; monitoring of political campaign financing, the quality of media coverage, and acts of intimidation and coercion; observing the voting and counting process on election-day, including systematically evaluating the quality of the elections process through the implementation of Guatemala’s first “quick count,” an independent projection of election results.

From 2001 through 2003, Ms. Ullmer served as NDI’s Director of Development, a role in which she was responsible for overseeing the organization’s fundraising efforts. In this position, she worked closely with NDI Chairman Madeline Albright and the Institute’s Board of Directors to conduct fundraising efforts. In this position, Ms. Ullmer as responsible for organizing the Institute’s 15th Annual Harriman Award event, for which Oswaldo Payá was selected as an honoree. The event drew more than 700 individuals, including Members of Congress, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and international dignitaries. It was through this event that Ms. Ullmer first developed close ties with Varela Project staff, including Mr. Payá.

Ms. Ullmer has also served as NDI’s Resident Director for Guyana, as well as a Senior Program Officer for the Latin America and Caribbean region. In these positions, she has worked extensively in supporting democracy-strengthening activities throughout the Americas. In Guyana, where Ms. Ullmer served as one of the Institute’s youngest-ever Resident Directors, she was responsible for all technical activities conducted by the Institute under a multi-million-dollar, multi-year democracy- promotion program funded by USAID. This program provided support to parliament, civil society, women’s groups and local government.

Short-term Advisors. NDI will call upon a variety of individuals to provide training and support under this program, and may include the following:

• Tom Andrews directs the Institute’s efforts in supporting initiatives to build pro-Burma working groups in key Asian countries and international campaigns to pressure the military junta. In December 2001, he assisted in organizing the Nobel Peace Laureate Campaign, which honored Aung San Suu Kyi.

Senior Program Assistant, Rebecca De Mar. Rebecca De Mar has been working on NDI’s NED-funded Cuba program to support the Varela Project since the beginning of the program in April 2002. For the past two years she has been working with Oswaldo Payá and his representatives outside the island, as well as representatives from other local and international nongovernmental organizations, human rights organizations and Cuban organizations to promote the Varela Project internationally. Ms. De Mar holds direct experience in Cuba, having traveled to Cuba twice, the first time through an American University-sponsored program where she studied at the Instituto Superior de Relaciones Internacionales in Havana, and again while conducting research on “Civil Society in Cuba” for her Master’s thesis. While in Cuba for the second time, in May 2003, Ms. De Mar met with Mr. Payá on several occasions to discuss NDI’s program strategy and support for the Varela Project, family members of the political prisoners arrested during the March 2003 “Crackdown” on dissidents, other Cuban dissidents, Cuban government officials and representatives of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana. Ms. De Mar has focused her undergraduate and graduate studies on U.S-Cuban relations, the social effects of the Cuban dual economy, and Cuba’s growing grassroots civil society movements. V. APPLIANT QUALIFICATIONS

Below NDI presents a summary of its relevant program experiences; past performance references are presented in Annex B.

1. Overview of NDI

NDI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1983 to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide. With nearly 55 field offices and 700 staff on four continents, NDI has conducted democratic development programs in more than 100 countries around the world. Calling on a global network of more than 500 volunteer experts worldwide, NDI provides practical assistance to civic and political leaders in citizen participation, legislative strengthening and democratic governance, elections and political processes, political-party development and women’s empowerment.

2. Promoting Democracy in Cuba

NDI’s efforts with the Cuban pro-democracy movement began in 1991, when the Institute assisted the Cuban Democratic Platform – a coalition of exiled political party leaders from across the ideological spectrum – in providing Cubans with comparative information about democratic transitions and lessons to apply to the Cuban situation. Over the years, NDI continued to provide political and moral support to the Platform as it sought to promote a democratic transition on the island.

In 1999, NDI teamed up with Georgetown University’s Cuba 21 Project, the Center for a Free Cuba, and the Portuguese foundation Cursos de Arrábida in a conference and book development project intended to help ease a transition to democracy. The project sought to allay fears within the country about political change, expose Cubans to democratic principles, share with Cubans and the international community the experiences of militaries in other countries and educate the international community about the armed forces in Cuba.

For this conference in Portugal, NDI shared its global experience promoting democratic civil-military relations and by organizing the participation of practitioners who shared their firsthand experiences with the military in political transitions. To further disseminate information from the conference, NDI has supported the development of a Spanish-language book of the conference presentations for distribution inside and outside the island.

In June 2001, NDI supported the Cuban Democratic Platform in organizing an event to share with Cubans and the international community ideas about how to solidify democratic gains following a transition in Cuba, and to support political parties and other democratic institutions within Cuba. In the event, NDI sponsored the participation of experts involved in political party development and democratic consolidation efforts. In addition, NDI compiled materials on political party development for distribution on the island.

Building International Support for the Varela Project

In April 2002, NDI began helping to garner international support for the Varela Project. Drawing on its global network of world leaders and its standing in the three largest groupings of political parties, NDI is supporting proponents of the Project in their efforts to design and carry out an international advocacy campaign to raise awareness about this historic effort. The advocacy campaign aims to encourage the Cuban government to permit a referendum and afford its citizens greater political and civil liberties.

Since NDI’s support to the Varela Project began, the Institute has assisted in organizing two meetings that brought Box F: Honoring Payá for His Support for together the Initiative’s most committed Cuban Democracy advocates to cooperate in the development In January 2003, Oswaldo Payá was able to travel of a advocacy campaign plan; arranged to Washington, D.C., to receive the 15th Annual W. meetings in Washington, D.C., for Averell Harriman Democracy from NDI Chairman and former U.S. Secretary of State Madeline representatives of the Varela Project to gain Albright. Payá was previously denied permission by the support of key political and civic the Cuban Government to travel in September 2002 for the award ceremony. leaders, including members of the Inter- American Commission on Human Rights; collaborated with other international organizations in efforts to promote the candidacy of Oswaldo Payá for the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize; and facilitated communication between representatives of the Varela Project with parliamentarians and other key actors at international events such as the 2002 Community of Democracies Non-Governmental Forum in Korea. NDI also supported the development of a web page to provide information to the international community about the Initiative.

Furthermore, NDI honored Payá with its 15th annual W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award at a ceremony that drew 800 representatives of the international community and attracted international press coverage. In anticipation of Payá’s absence from the event, NDI produced a documentary about the initiative, and arranged for viewings at international events and media coverage in Europe, Asia and Latin America. The documentary, entitled “Dissident: Oswaldo Payá and the Varela Project,” was accepted into the Florida, Maryland and TriBeCa film festivals. Events that NDI organized around the film’s showing at TriBeCa in New York City in May 2003 have resulted in coverage of the Varela Project in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, and on Fox 5 News.

Finally, NDI gained the opportunity to personally present the Award to Payá during his unexpected travel abroad to receive the European Parliament’s highest honor, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in January 2003. During his time in Washington, NDI arranged opportunities for Payá to seek the support of the Washington community for his efforts. As part of the agenda, Payá met with Secretary of State Colin Powell and former Secretary of State and NDI Chairman Madeleine Albright, Members of Congress, leaders of human rights groups, representatives of Cuban interest organizations, and the press, including a Washington Post editorial board meeting. NDI also arranged public events, including a lecture at Georgetown University, to enable him to advocate for peaceful, democratic change in Cuba.

3. Relevant Global Experiences—Burma

In expanding its support to Varela Project and other Cuban democratic activists, NDI is applying lessons learned from the Institute-supported international advocacy campaign to promote democracy in Burma. NDI began helping Burmese democrats to advocate for the restoration of democracy in their country in 1995 at the request of leading human rights activist Aung San Suu Kyi. Since that time, NDI has contributed to: the establishment of international communication centers; the development of communication strategies, both within and outside of the democracy movement; the generation of international media coverage; and skills-building for the Burmese activists. NDI also facilitated strategic planning sessions among the movement’s supporters in different parts of the world. Other notable activities include:

• In 2001, NDI helped to organize an international celebration of the 10th anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Suu Kyi. NDI and its partners linked 21 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, via satellite and the Internet, to celebrations in 40 cities around the world. This historic international event generated an immediate response from the ruling military junta, including the re- opening of the movement’s office in Rangoon.

• Also in 2002, NDI joined its European and Southeast Asian partners in the development of an International Burma Summit. The Summit featured a “Blue Ribbon Panel” that heard testimony from former political prisoners on the human rights situation in Burma and issued a statement of findings to European and East Asian leaders and the international media. The Summit also included a “National Reconciliation Roundtable on the Future of Burma” that concluded in an agreement to cease hostilities against the army of Burma if the military were to declare a nation-wide ceasefire. VI. INTERNAL MONITORING/EVALUATION

The following performance monitoring plan expands upon the results framework highlighted under section II.A. NDI will establish initial baseline data to help measure communications and advocacy strategies, and to provide an opportunity to benchmark performance and target improvements. NDI will work with the International Committee to develop precise targets for all identified indicators during the initial phases of program implementation. NDI will measure progress towards result targets through a variety of means, including documentation of consultations, interview reports, resolutions and testimonials; tracking the medium used to disseminate the reports; earned media, i.e., television and radio coverage, newspaper and magazine articles; sub- grantee reports; training and workshop reports; and on-site observations and trip reports.

GOAL: TO PROMOTE PEACEFUL DEMOCRATIC CHANGE IN CUBA

RESULTS INDICATORS TARGET SETTING OBJECTIVE 1: To strengthen the organizational capacity of the Varela Project and the International Committee. RESULT 1.1: The capacity of The International Committee International Committee and International Committee members publish timely updates Encuentro members will develop members to widely distribute and opinion pieces, and present targets, based on the results of a information about political, them to the media and general baseline assessment, for economic and civil rights on public. measuring outreach and the island is bolstered. communications strategies, and increased awareness. RESULT 1.2: The capacity of Degree to which the International NDI will draw on answers from International Committee Committee organizes advocacy the baseline assessment to members to advocate for efforts and identifies new determine whether target peaceful political change, opportunities to promote Varela audiences view advocacy mobilize action and increase Project initiatives. activities as useful and timely. participation in democratic initiatives is strengthened. RESULT 1.3: The capacity of The International Committee NDI will analyze and compare International Committee establishes financial management existing management and members to plan, implement and participatory decision- decision-making structures, and manage advocacy efforts making procedures. The degree planning and evaluation, and and other activities, and to to which planning and evaluation funding base at the beginning and mobilize resources is is systematic and funding base is end of the program, and at improved. diversified would also be regular intervals throughout the considered evidence. program.

GOAL: TO PROMOTE PEACEFUL DEMOCRATIC CHANGE IN CUBA

RESULTS INDICATORS TARGET SETTING OBJECTIVE 2: To expand international, multi-partisan awareness of and support for Varela Project initiatives. RESULT 2.1: International Governments, political parties, NDI will compare past number of public awareness of and support international analysts, and the positive media references with for the Varela Project-led media reference and commend those documented during the signature campaign, National Varela Project and international lifetime of this program. Dialogue and other democratic solidarity initiatives. reform initiatives increases. OBJECTIVE 3: To support efforts by the International Committee to help the Varela Project develop a plan for a peaceful democratic transition in Cuba. Result 3.1: The International Varela Project leaders draw on NDI will work with the Committee offers feedback to results from dialogues and International Committee Varela Project leaders about the roundtables, as well as research members to determine perceptions of the National to shape civic advocacy appropriate targets for usage of Dialogue transition plan from strategies on the island. research and dialogue results. Cuban exile communities and transition experts abroad.

Monitoring and evaluation data will be updated for all quarterly, annual and final reports provided by NDI to USAID throughout the course of the program. VII. SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

NDI approaches all programmatic efforts with a view towards achieving sustainable results over the long run, and the proposed program of support to the International Committee is designed along similar lines. The Institute’s involvement with the International Committee is designed to provide the support necessary to enable it to operate independently without organizational assistance. NDI is confident that the International Committee is able to achieve sustainability as a result of an implementation strategy that results on the following premises:

• Building Upon Existing Relationships • Supporting the Internally Determined Initiatives of the Varela Project • Leveraging Best Practices

These concepts, which have served as the foundation for determining the objectives, results, activities and necessary resource inputs for the proposed initiative, are defined as follows:

Building Upon Existing Relationships. As highlighted throughout this proposal, NDI has served as a key supporter of the Varela Project for the past two years. The Institute maintains the trust and confidence of the Varela Project’s leader, Oswaldo Payá. The importance of this point cannot be overstated, given that the particularly sensitive nature of conducting democracy-building programs focused on Cuba, as well as the harsh punishment that has been levied by the Castro regime on Varela Project organizers on the island in recent times.

Supporting the Internally Determined Initiatives of the International Committee. NDI programming is based in large part on a core institutional methodology that allows for locally led initiatives to be supported by the provision of international technical assistance and comparative information. In this way, NDI provides technical assistance to build capacity, shares experiences and offers a range of options so that leaders can adopt those practices that may work best in their own political environment. This practice has been followed throughout NDI’s history of support to the Varela Project, and will continue under the proposed program. To be successful, the activities carried out by the Varela Project must be seen as an effort for Cubans by Cubans, not an endeavor forced upon the country by foreign organizations. As such, the Institute will maintain a purely advisory role in its efforts to assist the Varela Project and the International Committee.

Leveraging Best Practices. As highlighted above, NDI has supported democratic activists working within autocratic environments in many countries. In the Institute’s first years of operation in the 1980s, support was provided to promote democracy in countries such as Chile and the Philippines; at present, NDI supports activists in Burma and elsewhere. The support provided by NDI to the Varela Project will be based upon the tools and methodologies developed over the many years that the Institute has conducted similar programming.