The Samara Regional Initiative Internet Program is a 20-month program (January 1999-September 2000) that supports the use and application of Internet technology for joint US-Russian collaboration. The program increases public access to e-mail and the Internet by establishing seven Public Access Centers (PACs) in the cities of Samara, Togliatti and Syzran.

The program provides training for Internet users on developing and using Internet resources. Project Harmony staff and site coordinators work with specialists in the region to create Russian-language information resources and training materials for Russian Internet users.

Program Objectives:

Open seven Public Access Centers that provide free access to the Internet and e-mail for non-profit user groups and public user groups in general.

Teach groups of specialists to run Internet Centers.

Create educational materials and resources in Russian language, both for online and hard copy distribution.

Conduct a competition of mini-grants, enabling local specialists to develop online resources.

Conduct follow-on research among alumni of educational and professional exchanges financed by the US government.

Project Harmony works closely with partner organizations in the cities of Samara, Togliatti, and Syzran. A Community Advisory Board made up of leaders from working partner organizations helps to coordinate program activities with regional coordinators and organizations, which can make use of the program's educational materials and seminars.

This program is one component of the Samara Regional Investment Initiative Program, a US government program conducted in cooperation with the Russian Federation to attract investment into the Samara region. SRIIIP is a program of the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

http://pharmony.samara.ru