
Governance
Pact gives voice to those without by fostering national, regional and local governance that’s inclusive, transparent and accountable – making them heard. Our efforts cut across all the work we do.
Inclusive, transparent and accountable governance is an essential foundation for long-term development. Societies with more effective governing institutions have been shown to do better in economic growth, human development, social cohesion and more. Yet around the world, civic space is narrowing and democratic ideals are under threat.
Working in more than a dozen countries across the globe, Pact's governance programming is both empowering civic change agents and strengthening public sector actors so that government institutions from the local to national level are ready to respond to citizens’ needs, deliver quality services and effectively manage public resources.
Our strategies and approaches focus at the point of engagement between communities and local authorities. All of our governance interventions are fundamentally aimed at connecting citizens to public decision-making processes that have a deep effect on their lives and well-being. To operate in challenging contexts, often marked by political closure, fragility or conflict, we have built a toolkit for ensuring flexible, adaptive programming. Recognizing that development outcomes are circumscribed by local power dynamics and incentive structures, we mainstream approaches such as Applied Political Economy Analysis (APEA) across our programming in to understand, respond to and positively affect local systems.
Our expertise includes:
- Civil society strengthening and civic engagement, especially in closing civic spaces
- Addressing conflict and promoting peace
- Strengthening local governance and social accountability
- Strengthening actors and institutions at a systems level
- Promoting adaptive, “politically-smart” programming, including through the use of APEA
Pact’s emphasis on partnership cultivates grassroots support for reform by encouraging cooperation among governments, communities, civil society and business.
Unless citizens take an active role in their own governance, adminstrations become out-of-touch and nonresponsive or, worse, wasteful and corrupt.
In 2021, along with IREX and our consortium partners, Pact was chosen to lead two new regional programs entitled Civil Society and Media – Strengthened Together and Advancing in New Directions (CSM-STAND). With one award focused on Africa and the Middle East and North Africa, and the other covering Asia, Europe and Eurasia, and Latin America and the Caribbean, these programs are achieving a global reach and partner with civic and media actors around the world. They are fostering innovative design and implementation of civil society and media programming, while partnering with local change agents to foster global learning. Learn more about CSM-STAND.
Stay Updated. Subscribe Now.
Pact's e-newsletter offers the latest on our efforts around the world to build thriving, resilient and engaged communities that are leading their own development.
Governance PROJECTS
Governance Work In Action
- News
New Pact guidance to help development practitioners make more informed, politically smart decisions
Oct 05, 2023 - Blog
In the face of declining global growth, protect and invest in civil society
Sep 15, 2023 Pact launches program in Dominican Republic to address citizen security through empowered civic actors
Sep 15, 2023
Governance Resources
Applied political economy analysis for human rights programs and campaigns: A guide for practitioners (second edition)
Applied Political Economy Analysis for human rights programs and campaigns: A toolkit for practitioners
Civic network analysis (CNA): A guide for strategy and action in restrictive contexts
Video: Understanding Applied Political Economy Analysis (APEA)
Video: Planning and getting started with Applied Political Economy Analysis (APEA)
MEET OUR EXPERTS
Caroline Brazill
Senior Governance Officer
Diana Muratova
Associate Award Technical Director, CSM-STAND
Kate Byom
Deputy Director, Governance
Laura Zambrano
Project Director, Conectando Caminos por los Derechos
Lauren Keevill
Governance Advisor
Lauren Serpe
Technical Director, Learning, Evidence & Impact
Mason Ingram
Vice President, Governance
Milica Panic
Chief of Party, CSM-STAND project for Africa-MENA and Asia, Europe and LAC