Programs
Democracy and Governance
U.S. Ambassador Robert Blake presents a scholarship certificate to R. Jegatheswary of Batticaloa as part of the Supporting Regional Governance program. USAID provided funding for 18 students from the East to study media at the Sri Lankan Press Institute in Colombo.
The U.S. Agency for International Development is supporting an integrated strategy to address the development needs in conflict-affected areas of Sri Lanka. Through a wide range of programs, USAID will work to stabilize the East by strengthening human and economic security. Democracy and governance activities will contribute to this Mission objective by increasing citizen engagement with regional and local governments, strengthening inter-community reconciliation, and promoting social equity.
The Democracy and Governance program supports the establishment of a stable post- conflict society across Sri Lanka. The program creates structures and develops the capacity for increased citizen engagement in civil society, local governance, community empowerment and transformation, and open dialogue. Training and technical assistance for local government institutions, civil society organizations, community reconciliation mechanisms, and professional journalists create a channel for communication that links government agencies with local communities.
The program will enable citizens to engage with local officials to establish participatory and transparent local governance that will prioritize resource allocation for services to meet community needs. The program supports these inclusive processes by strengthening local government capacity to manage resources, improve administration and become more responsive to their constituents. Increasing citizen participation in government processes is an important tool in garnering support for a decentralized government.
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