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...
Office of Democracy and Governance
USAID
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20523
Tel: 202-712-1892
CIVIL SOCIETY ENABLING ENVIRONMENT: We offer a global rapid response mechanism to safeguard civil society space in politically challenging environments. This mechanism provides technical assistance in order to analyze and respond to restrictive legislation and opportunities for favorable legal and regulatory reform.
MEDIA SUSTAINABILITY INDEX: With support from the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), we spearheaded the expansion of the Media Sustainability Index (MSI) to measure the media environment in the Middle East and North Africa region. The MSI now provides in-depth analyses of the conditions for independent media in over 75 countries that span the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and Eurasia, and Asia
CIVIC EDUCATION: Together with the State Department Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and Bureau for South and Central Asia, we manage innovative, school-based civic education programs in 9 countries throughout the Middle East and in South Asia. We launched the Civic Education Partnership Initiative (CEPI) in partnership with MEPI and the USAID Office of Education. CEPI brings together universities and proponents of civic education in the Middle East and the U.S. to develop comprehensive civic education modules for teacher training colleges and universities.
YOUTH: We are at the forefront of efforts to better understand and develop the role of youth in advancing peace, democracy, and good governance. In addition to commissioning an analytical study on the topic, we are managing an intra-agency, cross-sectoral youth pilot program that is jointly funded by several USAID bureaus and missions and includes a comprehensive learning framework.
LABOR: In coordination with the State Department, we actively promote the adoption and implementation of core labor standards around the world through labor unions and trade agreements, and we support anti-sweatshop initiatives through civil society training, monitoring, and advocacy. We also manage a global labor union and NGO strengthening program that is active in 17 countries.
TECHNICAL PRODUCTS: We share our technical expertise in civil society through the design, production, and dissemination of technical publications, training modules, and workshops. These activities aim to inform thinking and practice around civil society, labor, and media.
