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	What We Do Assessments Monitoring and Evaluation DCHA/DG Activities, October 2009 (862kb)
	Communities Drive Progress (Kyrgyzstan) Community-driven initiatives benefit a spectrum of residents Traditionally, women in Kazakhstan do not play a prominent role in public decision-making. Aisulu Duisbayeva was motivated to break this tradition and become involved in community affairs by the Dostyk village first aid station, which lacked the capacity to provide for even its current roll of patients. Aisulu sought better service for the 2,500 beneficiaries of the health center and began working with USAID to rehabilitate the building, supply basic medical equipment, and install a new heating system. More...
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Civil Society

STRATEGIC FOCUS

Strengthen the mediums through which citizens can freely organize and communicate with their government and with each other: It is vital to support legal frameworks that enable a strong civil society, democratic labor movements, and independent media to flourish. In many countries, formal restrictions limit freedom of association and expression. The Civil Society Division has sponsored research and activities that seek to bolster a global enabling environment for civil society. The Division also provides technical leadership in the broader areas of independent media development and democratic labor movements, recognizing that support to these areas is an important cornerstone of democratic development.

Strengthen a democratic political culture: Strong democracies rest on a political culture that values citizen engagement, tolerance, and respect for human rights. Many societies lack such values and behaviors. For instance, some political cultures may encourage religious and ethnic fissures to dominate civic life, while a culture of citizen deference may reinforce authoritarian trends. The Civil Society Division plays a lead role in advancing knowledge about strengthening democratic political cultures. This includes supporting civic education programs in the formal education sector and for adults and highlighting democratic principles in worker education programs.

Mobilize constituencies for reform: Because political reform generally occurs in response to civic action, the Civil Society Division emphasizes support for civil society organizations whose advocacy efforts give voice to citizens and expand their influence on the political process. These organizations may include human rights and pro-democracy groups, labor unions, professional associations, religious institutions, business associations, and informal groups such as student movements. Service delivery organizations may also become active in civic or political affairs on policy issues.

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