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
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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