RSPN, IN COLLABORATION WITH LUMS AND AiD, LAUNCHES USAID'S $45 MILLION INITIATIVE TO BUILD CAPACITY OF LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN PAKISTAN

27 October 2010, Islamabad: The ‘Assessment and Strengthening Program (ASP) for Civil Society Organizations and Government of Pakistan’, a five-year $45 million USAID-funded initiative that will strengthen the capacity of local organizations to effectively manage development funds was launched on 27 October 2010. ASP is being implemented by three Pakistani organizations: the Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN), Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and Associates in Development (AiD).

In order to mark the beginning of this important initiative, RSPN hosted a launching ceremony for ASP on 27 October 2010 in Islamabad. Mr. David Ostermeyer, Chief Financial Officer for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was the keynote speaker at the ceremony. Mr. Muhammad Saleem Sethi, Additional Secretary Finance, Government of Pakistan also spoke at the event.

The launching ceremony formalised the initiative with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between RSPN, LUMS, AiD and USAID, and also highlighted the respective roles of the local implementing partners within ASP. The ceremony was rounded off with an engaging question and answer session with the audience and the media.

“It is our responsibility, to our people, living in rural and urban areas, that they receive the benefits of Assistance.”

Ms. Shandana Khan speaking to Radio Pakistan, on the purpose behind developing assistance management under ASP
Click here to listen to the full interview

Within the next five years, USAID has plans to provide a major portion of its assistance directly through local organizations. ASP will help these local organizations develop their institutional capacities for handling U.S. Government funds, an important step in expanding the local share in the implementation of U.S. assistance programmes.

ASP will do this in the following way. It will assess the capacity needs of local civil society organisations and government institutions recognised as key to implementing USAID’s development goals and objectives within Pakistan. It will strengthen their capacities up to USAID’s standards of compliance, transparency and accountability through the provision of necessary technical assistance.

This assistance will include the designing and provision of training courses, research and development of best practices in financial management, administration and procurement functions, the simplification and streamlining of processes for effective management of funds, and the incorporation of these practices into the daily operations of local organizations.

Beyond establishing enabling institutional mechanisms for handling U.S. Government funds, ASP also promises to create closer bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United States. “This program will enable us to work directly with numerous Pakistani organizations,” said Mr. David Ostermeyer. “It will not only ensure most effective and efficient use of resources, but also cultivate a close longer term relationship between our two nations.”

Above all, ASP will have an important standalone effect within Pakistan: not only USAID, but other organisations working within Pakistan and the government of Pakistan itself, will be able to deploy necessary development processes within the country through standardised, and indigenously self-reliant and sustainable means.