2016

Democracy, Rights and Governance Programs

Indonesia, a regional and global leader, has experienced a remarkable democratic transformation over the last two decades. Yet, consolidation of democracy remains a work in progress as state institutions struggle to control endemic corruption, improve management of public services, and protect citizen rights. The Government of Indonesia (GOI) prioritizes the strengthening of democratic institutions, and the United States strongly supports these efforts in line with its overall goal of advancing Indonesia’s national and global development. On behalf of the American people, USAID improves lives and accelerates progress in Indonesia and around the world.

Through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the United States partners with Indonesia to support the strengthening of democratic governance, which in turn, promotes pros-perity and stability in Indonesia and the region. USAID collaborates with the GOI on anti-corrup-tion, protection of citizen rights, promoting local governance, promoting better management of public services such as education and health care, and supporting South-South and Triangular Co-operation (SSTC). We support Indonesia’s efforts to advance an inclusive democracy with an active role for civil society. USAID takes a special interest in sustainable development in eastern Indone-sia, including the provinces of Papua, West Papua, Maluku and North Maluku. In FY 2015, USAID’s budget for democracy and governance programs in Indonesia was approximately $9.6 million.

CURRENT PROGRAMSIMPROVING A CULTURE OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Good governance and accountability are key priorities for the GOI and local governments, and the cornerstone of combatting corruption and strengthening the rule of law. USAID works with principal GOI accountability agencies to sustain and deepen their reform efforts, and produce more trans-parent and higher performing anti-corruption bodies, responsive to citizens’ needs. Our programs

• USAID established the first anti-corruption legal clinics at Indonesian law faculties, to foster a culture of accountability among future legal professionals.

• USAID enhances the capacity of local journalists to cover corruption stories, helping to raise public awareness.

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support specialized performance audit training at the Supreme Audit Body (BPK), improve public outreach capacity of principal GOI accountability institutions, and help to improve public access to budget information.

ENHANCING CIVIC PARTICIPATION

In a vibrant democracy, civil society organizations (CSOs) advocate for the interests of their com-munities and hold elected officials accountable to the citizens they represent. More than a decade after rapid decentralization of government to local authorities, corruption also has decentralized. Our projects support citizen-based groups to combat waste, fraud, and abuse of public funds, and strengthen oversight over political finance regulations. USAID provides Indonesian CSOs with tools and specialized training to monitor, analyze, and report on the quality of public services across sectors, including governance, citizen rights, education, health, and the environment. By working with CSOs, USAID also promotes inclusiveness and effectiveness of groups, networks, and institu-tions that express diverse views, interests, and aspirations to government.

PROMOTING PROTECTION OF CITIZEN RIGHTS

There are still many barriers for citizens to realize their rights under the law. USAID supports the rights of all citizens through implementation of good laws, reliable enforcement, and predictable access to justice for all people, and strengthening the capacity of citizens to advocate for their rights. USAID works with human rights defenders including individuals, CSOs, and institutions, and empowers governmental and non-governmental actors to eliminate cycles of violence against marginalized citizens, minorities, and women.

ENHANCING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN EASTERN INDONESIA

USAID has a long history of engagement and relationships in eastern Indonesia. We work with local governments and civil society groups to improve inclusion and participation of citizens in the democratic process; through training and capacity building of governments and CSOs, we augment their ability to protect vulnerable citizens who may not have adequate access to justice. USAID im-proves the quality of public services through support for improved governance in public health and education; our projects enhance local skills in executive management and leadership and assist lo-cal CSOs to advocate for quality services. USAID also partners with district governments to con-serve biodiversity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through strengthened local governance and improved forest management. We enhance civic participation efforts that bring communities and the government together to reduce social and political tensions, helping the nation realize its ambition as a world leader in democracy.

SOUTH-SOUTH AND TRIANGULAR COOPERATION (SSTC)

The demand for Indonesian development assistance has grown over the past decade and, along with it, the need to respond effectively and strategically. In 2010, the GOI established the National Coordination Team (NCT) for SSTC. The NCT is responsible for developing the institutional frame-works on SSTC and establishing priority technical and geographical areas for Indonesia’s develop-ment cooperation. As the NCT is encountering many of the same challenges USAID confronted in its early days, we provide technical assistance to support capacity building, learning and knowl-edge management, and triangular pilot programming with partner GOI institutions.

CONTACTSMission Andrew B. Sisson

Mission DirectorAmerican Embassy JakartaTel: (62-21) 3435-9000Email: jinfo@usaid.gov

PressJanice LaurenteU.S. Agency for International DevelopmentAmerican Embassy JakartaTel: (62-21) 3435-9000Email: jlaurente@usaid.gov