USAID is working in partnership with the people and Government of Maldives (GoM) to build a more inclusive society and strengthen democratic governance. In response to a request from the GoM, the USAID Strong and Inclusive Maldivian Democracy (SIMD) activity supports the government's reform agenda in the areas of decentralization, judicial strengthening, and increased women’s participation in decision-making bodies.

SIMD works to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable groups, increase the effectiveness and accountability of government institutions, and support civic engagement in the decentralization process.    

Implementing Partner: Consortium for Elections and Political Processes; Total Estimated Cost: $19 million; Performance Period: August 2020 – July 2025

ACTIVITIES

LOCAL GOVERNANCE: Develop and implement training on decentralization and oversight to build the capacity of elected officials and council members to support policy planning and the development of transparent community development plans.

JUDICIAL REFORM: Strengthen independent court administration; provide support to government and non-governmental institutions to increase public access to free legal assistance; and increase citizen awareness of and engagement with the justice sector.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: Strengthen civil society capacity to monitor political processes and engage with the government; improve media literacy among the public by countering disinformation and misinformation and provide assistance to civic education campaigns; strengthen networks on media literacy and countering disinformation.

RESULTS

  • Conducted inaugural bar exam in Maldives in 2022, establishing legal profession standards for first time. Second bar exam successfully conducted in 2023.

  • Developed and launched automated case management systems in the Judicial Services Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission.

  • Supported the Judicial Academy to develop a multi-year strategic plan and a strategy for training non-judicial personnel.

  • Conducted four decentralization policy coordinating conferences to improve knowledge of newly appointed members of Local Councils and Women’s Development Committee (WDCs) and created an arena to discuss the issues faced by the local authorities and possible remedies with the President and the central government authorities.

  • Trained approximately 700 WDC members on effective communication, leadership, public speaking, and collaboration with local councils, to promote equal representation within councils.

  • Produced five videos and two radio ads on the importance of women leaders in traditional and non-traditional roles in Maldives’ democratic processes. The videos were collectively viewed by over 108,000 people.

  • Launched an engagement campaign for people with disabilities, training 80 women with disabilities and eight trainers with disabilities, on advocacy skills and policy priorities for improved access to education, social protections, employment, and transportation services. The trainees developed an engagement plan to lobby the authorities for better service delivery for persons with disabilities, and to be included in development and decision-making processes.

  • Supported 240 investigators from the Maldives’ Anti-Corruption Commission to participate in the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s International Certificate in Corruption Investigations course and receive certificates, becoming the first Maldivians to receive an international certification in corruption investigation.