Good Governance

In Peru, el Centro de Información y Educación para la Prevención del Abuso de Drogas (CEDRO) built 38 technology centers (telecenters) in the regions of San Martín, Huánuco and Ucayali and provided training in digital and financial literacy. Photo by Jack Gordon for USAID / Digital Development Communications

Citizens have confidence in a government that is able to deliver basic services.  The degree to which a government is able to carry out its functions at any level can often determine a country's ability to sustain democratic reforms and provide for the well-being of its citizens.

Governance refers to the exercise of political, economic, and administrative authority to manage a country's affairs at all levels, including the capacity to formulate, implement, and enforce public policies and deliver services. Good governance includes modes of administrative authority that are inclusive, participatory, transparent, responsive, effective, and accountable. This includes support for strengthening legislatures and local governments; capacity-building; security sector reform; separation of powers through institutional checks and balances, between the executive and legislative branches, in particular; and avenues within government structures for accountability, oversight and meaningful public participation. In conflict or post-conflict environments, this includes support for reconstruction of state institutions and systems. 

Key Resources