Transition Initiatives: Colombia Fact Sheet August 2007
USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) launched the Initial Governance Response Program (IGRP) in March 2007. The program's goal is to reinforce stability in high-priority, conflict-affected areas of Colombia. In support of this goal, IGRP's objectives are to —
- Strengthen the credibility and legitimacy of the Government of Colombia (GOC) in post-conflict areas through small, community-driven activities;
- Increase the willingness and capacity of communities to cooperate and interact with the GOC; and
- Increase the GOC's capacity to exercise timely, credible, and responsive civil functions.
OTI's strategic partner is the Centro de Coordinación de Acción Integral (CCAI), an inter-ministerial body tasked with coordinating the reestablishment of government presence in post-conflict areas. The IGRP will work with CCAI to deliver quick-impact activities in the short term to build trust between the government and vulnerable communities and to establish a foundation for longer term socioeconomic recovery and growth. The program is supporting the following activities:
- Community-based projects to engage communities in defining priorities and thereby increase citizen participation in decision making processes.
- Strategic communications, public information and outreach efforts that assist the GOC to communicate effectively with post-conflict communities and help the public understand the GOC's intentions, capabilities, and timetables for providing assistance.
- CCAI capacity building, including efforts in areas such as participatory program planning and community organization and mobilization.
To date, the IGRP has approved small activities totaling $271,296 including $22,889 in technical assistance to CCAI to build capacity in rapid appraisals and strategic communications, and $92,364 towards school renovations, sports and recreation, and improvements to water and lighting systems.
For further information, please contact:
In Washington, D.C.: Katherine Donohue, OTI/LAC Deputy Team Leader, 202-712-0498, kdonohue@usaid.gov
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