Sustaining Free Market Economic Education in a Transition Economy: A Romanian Experience

Abstract

Following the collapse of the socialist governments of Eastern Europe, the United States provided aid to assist those countries transition to a free market economy. A common model was to provide expert assistance for a defined period with the expectation that changes would be sustained after the project ended. In Romania U.S. aid included assistance to universities to revise curriculum and teaching pedagogy and to establish small business development centers. Ten years later only one small business development center still exists. The experience of the surviving center indicates that commitment to the continuance of the bureau is as important as the quality of service delivery in maintaining small business assistance programs.