LEBANON: USAID'S OFFICE OF TRANSITION INITIATIVES

UNCLAS BEIRUT 000444 SIPDIS DEPT FOR STATE FOR NEA/ELA AND NEA/RA NSC FOR SHAPIRO/MCDERMOTT PLEASE PASS TO USAID/NE AND USAID/OTI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID LE SUBJECT: LEBANON: USAID'S OFFICE OF TRANSITION INITIATIVES (USAID/OTI) EXTENSION AND FUNDING SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. Post requests a one year extension to 2011 and additional funding for USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives, which is currently scheduled to conclude in August 2010 following the municipal elections of June 2010. Maintaining USAID/OTI's program for an additional year would allow the US Mission to support independent or moderate local leaders who will need assistance post-elections to meet expectations and cement their support base. In addition, the OTI program is seen as an important addition in mission's new five year strategy. End summary. ¶2. Since September 2007, USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) have forged partnerships with a range of civil society actors to provide youth with alternatives to extremism and mitigate tensions in conflict-prone areas. To date, the OTI program has issued approximately 90 grants worth $7 million to partners throughout Lebanon, including work in the Palestinian gathering areas; the Akkar district in the upper north, where Salafists have been gaining ground; and in the Hezbollah stronghold of Bint Jbeil in the deep south. ¶3. OTI catalytic role mobilizes youth toward civic activism and away from extremism in areas dominated by extremists. OTI is often the first USG entity to enter an area and/or to work with an organization, testing the waters and paving the way for broader U.S. support to new groups and communities. By countering the top-down approaches inherent in other political structures, young leaders have carved out an independent space for civic activism outside the sphere of influence of repressive political movements. ¶4. In the lead-up to the June 2010 elections, OTI will target progressive, high-performing municipalities where US assistance is welcomed. In these areas, OTI will support efforts that highlight strengthened municipal service delivery, transparency, and community participation. In contested districts where youth can galvanize support for independent or moderate candidates, OTI initiatives can focus youth activities on candidate performance over the past year and build the case for re-election or a change. In municipalities with slim prospects for change but significant political importance OTI partners an help communities find their voice to challenge he status quo and open the dialogue for change. ¶5. With an additional year mandate following the elections, OTI could continue to expand their work in Lebanon, supporting moderate candidates to fulfill reform commitments by partnering with them to respond to community needs; continue to work with independent municipal council members to strengthen their effectiveness; and provide democratic space in politically repressive environments where the municipal balance of power may remain unchanged. In addition, OTI's activities provide the US Mission with a unique in-country capability to respond to contingencies and windows of opportunity in a constantly changing environment. OTI staff has unfettered access to geographic areas that are often out of reach for USG personnel, making it possible to keep a close pulse on evolving political dynamics. ¶6. The OTI program would require an additional $7 million to maintain current levels of programming through September 2011. To meet existing program needs USAID Lebanon is budgeting $3 million in FY 09 ESF and $2 million in FY 2010. We request that DCHA/OTI allocate resources to ensure the success and extension of this critical program. SISON