Transition Initiatives
The USAID Office of Transition Initiatives supports U.S. foreign policy objectives by helping local partners advance peace and democracy in priority countries in crisis. Seizing critical windows of opportunity, OTI works on the ground to provide fast, flexible, short-term assistance targeted at key political transition and stabilization needs.
Since 1994, OTI, part of USAID’s Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance, has laid the foundation for long-term development in 31 conflict-prone countries by promoting reconciliation, jumpstarting local economies, supporting nascent independent media, and fostering peace and democracy through innovative programming. In countries undergoing a transition from authoritarianism to democracy, violent conflict to peace, or pivotal political events, initiatives serve as catalysts for positive political change. OTI programs are short-term—typically, two to three years in duration. OTI works closely with regional bureaus, missions, and other counterparts to identify programs that complement other assistance efforts and lay a foundation for longer-term development. OTI programs often are initiated in fragile states that have not reached the stability needed to initiate longer-term development programs. OTI strategies and programs are developed and designed to meet the unique needs of each situation.
Recent Highlights and Successes
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Video Success Story
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Uganda - Acholi Cultural Festival: Bringing the Community and Leaders Together - June 2010
As peace and stability in northern Uganda become real, efforts toward recovery and development are taking center stage. The Acholi region has woken up to a critical moment of transition that requires a reawakening of societal values and norms that used to bring people together and foster unity. Sensing an an opportunity to reestablish its relationships with communities it serves, the Lira Palwo sub-county leadership with support from with USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives organized a gala to celebrate the richness and diversity of Acholi culture and rekindle the pride and spirit of the people.
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Sri Lanka - Protecting Lives and Mending Fences - September 2011
To promote reconciliation in Sri Lanka's war-torn North, OTI supported the Mines Advisory Group to bring different ethnic groups together to demarcate landmine risk areas in Madhu in Mannar District. The activity provided Tamil and Sinhala residents with an opportunity to work together to make their community a safer place to live.
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Libya - A Day of Liberation! - November 2011
While the Libyan people took to the streets to celebrate the end of the Qadhafi regime, a dedicated group of civil society representatives stayed focused on the difficult work ahead at a pair of workshops held at a new USAID-supported civil society resource and learning center in downtown Benghazi.
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Kyrgyzstan - Working Together, Communities Find Solutions - December 2011
When photographs from the OTI-supported Photo Voices project highlighted the striking differences in citizen access to clean water in Orto-Boz, residents were spurred to action. Eventually, 30 Tajiks helped lay pipes to bring clean water to the underserved Kyrgyz community.
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For media inquiries, please contact the Bureau of Legislative and Public Affairs at 202-712-4320 or USAIDPressOfficers@usaid.gov.
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