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Democracy and Governance

Program Overview

The El Salvador of today is a vastly different country from that of 1992. It has taken historic steps toward setting democracy in motion. Former enemies now sit comfortably at the negotiation table and amicably argue their differences. The news media entertain diverse viewpoints, conduct in-depth investigations, and fight for greater editorial independence. While public support for democracy has increased since the 1992 Peace Accords, democratic institutions need to be strengthened in order to meet citizen needs.

Several key institutions of democracy – such as the judiciary and the legislature -- are stronger and more willing to exercise their independent role in governing the country and Salvadorans are increasingly willing to participate in political processes critical to democratic consolidation. Greater citizen participation and a stronger civil society are crucial to the strengthening of democracy in El Salvador. In March 1999,

District Attorney’s Office and Civilian Police Training.
District Attorney’s Office and Civilian Police Training.

the country held openly contested, free, fair and transparent presidential elections and in March 2000 municipal and legislative elections were successfully held.

USAID programs have supported the consolidation of El Salvador's democratic institutions and practices. Through a network of governmental and non-governmental organizations, USAID works to promote key judicial, legal and legislative reforms.

USAID/El Salvador’s Democracy and Governance program is its primary vehicle for promoting more inclusive and effective democratic processes. The program seeks to improve access to and responsiveness of the Salvadoran legal system, local governments and public institutions to the concerns of the Salvadoran poor and other marginalized groups. Efforts focus on enhancing citizen involvement in the definition and implementation of reforms and technical assistance to improve the response capabilities of targeted institutions/services. The program consists of four components:

Training in Crime Scene Investigations
Training in Crime Scene Investigations

 Rule of Law: Legal and judicial reform, working with national-level judicial institutions to provide for increased access to justice.

Citizen Participation and Civil Society Advocacy: Encouraging citizen participation in local decision-making processes; help organizations that can serve as advocates for the Salvadoran people; and fomenting greater transparency in the conduct of elections.

Local Governance: Strengthening municipalities to enable them to better serve the needs of their citizens.

Community Policing: Reducing the level of violence in country through an innovative community policing initiative.
 
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