The Importance of Partnerships
The needs of countries in transition far outweigh OTI's modest resources. Because OTI is a small part of U.S. foreign policy and the international donor community, it is committed to coordinating its efforts to achieve the greatest impact in transition countries. OTI's partners include other USG and USAID offices, as well as local, national, and international organizations, businesses, and governments. These partnerships are essential for creating targeted strategies that maximize both the resources and expertise of the donor community. By leveraging additional funds to support transition activities, OTI ensures that each dollar of its core funding has maximum impact.
USAID
OTI country teams cooperate closely with USAID's regional bureaus and missions to conduct field assessments for new OTI country programs, develop country strategies, and ensure that elements of its programs can be handed off smoothly. Within USAID, OTI relies heavily on its partnerships with:
- The Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, which is usually the first on the ground in any emergency.
- The Office of Democracy and Governance, with which OTI coordinates work on elections, legal reform and civil society development.
- OTI has also begun to work closely with USAID's newly created Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation whose mission is to maximize the effectiveness of all of USAID's conflict reduction and reconciliation efforts.
- Regional Bureaus and USAID Missions, which have the sustained presence and expertise that are key to effective conflict management and long-term development
- The Office of Procurement, which issues all grants and contracts.
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U.S. Ambassador to Macedonia Lawrence Butler lends a hand to help
rehabilitate a local primary school in eastern Macedonia where deep
political differences have split communities. |
U.S. Government
OTI coordinates closely with USG offices to develop a coherent USG strategy. Partners include the Department of State, the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, and the National Security Council, among others.
Other Governments
Britain, Canada, Germany, Japan, and other countries are actively involved in responding to complex emergencies. Many of these governments have created units like OTI or have strengthened existing units within their humanitarian assistance agencies or foreign ministries to undertake similar work. OTI coordinates with these units to explore joint action in implementing transition activities.
International Organizations
As international organizations such as the World Bank, the United Nations, and their affiliates channel more of their resources into postconflict reconstruction and rehabilitation, it is increasingly important for OTI to coordinate its efforts on a multilateral basis. OTI not only works directly with international agencies to implement its programs, it also collaborates on the ground with UN administrators and peacekeepers to ensure that programs and policies are complementary.
Partnership in Action
In Sierra Leone, OTI worked with Management Systems International (MSI) to develop the curriculum and methodology for a non-formal education initiative for ex-combatants and war-affected youth. In order to reach local communities, OTI turned to World Vision and its extensive network of staff and offices throughout the country. World Vision organized local communities to select trainers and participants for the program, which eventually provided reintegration orientation and counseling, life-skills training, vocational assistance, agriculture skills development, civic education, and functional literacy training to approximately 48,000 young adults.
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Implementing Partners
Through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements, OTI works with U.S.-based development firms, international agencies, and private voluntary organizations to implement its programs. Often, these groups have long-term experience in the countries where OTI operates. Their trained personnel and ability to rapidly mobilize resources and their in-country networks enable OTI to act quickly and effectively on the ground.
Local Partners and Host Governments
Peace and democracy cannot be imposed from without. They must be created from within. OTI supports local, indigenous organizations that work to expand political participation, promote ethnic harmony and reconciliation, and create hope for the future. Whether faith-based or secular, many of these civil society organizations are new to the political arena and have little experience with international aid agencies. With help from OTI to get off the ground, some of these groups have become key engines for democratic reform and conflict resolution in their countries. OTI also works closely with host governments to ensure that programs started by OTI continue once OTI leaves.
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