Overview

USAID’s Increased Demand and Engagement for Accountability (IDEA) project encourages a vibrant civil society in Sri Lanka that empowers citizens to advance democratic values of citizen participation and government accountability on a range of governance and reform issues. IDEA works with civil society organizations (CSOs) to strengthen their organizational capacity, protect and enhance their operational environment, and support their ability to advocate for good governance reforms.

Implementing Partner: Management Systems International; Total Estimated Cost: $13.9 million; Performance Period: February 2018 – August 2024

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Objectives

In support of a robust civil society, USAID’s IDEA project has three core objectives: 

  • Strengthen the organizational capacity and sustainability of civil society organizations. 
  • Improve the enabling environment for civil society and volunteerism.
  • Empower civil society and citizens to advocate for governance that is responsive to citizens, with emphasis on women and youth.     

Areas of Focus

  • STRENGTHEN CSO NETWORKS: IDEA strengthens national and local civil society organizations across the country and helps civil society networks as they work together to advance reform priorities. 
  • IMPROVE CSO OPERATING ENVIRONMENT: IDEA supports initiatives to advance the self-regulation efforts of CSOs and promotes improvements in the operational environment for CSOs. 
  • STRENGTHEN CSO CAPACITY: IDEA also strengthens the capacities of CSOs, focusing on advocacy, self-governance, social and financial resource mobilization, and public communication, in support of their long-term sustainability and self-reliance.

Results

  • Fortified and increased programming and advocacy for CSOs that work in areas of gender inclusion, women’s empowerment, and mental health services for victims of exploitation and sexual and gender-based violence.
  • Improved communications between civil society and government organizations to better address public concerns, including COVID-induced needs and human rights violations, resulting in increased transparency, accountability, and autonomy within civil society. 
  • Bolstered civil society organizations' abilities to address human rights concerns, including struggles with land rights issues, labor rights, domestic violence, discrimination, and workplace harassment, by providing legal recourse and services.