Tajikistan
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan was torn apart by a five year long, brutal civil war, delaying most development. The government remains highly centralized, with the most power in the presidency. Tajikistan is facing increased instability due to the fall of remittances and return of migrant workers, high youth population, and rising pressures on social services and the economy. Partners seeks to assist democratic insiders of the country, and improve relations between the government and other sectors, to stabilize and develop the country.
In its work with the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) on a USAID-funded project from 2003-2006, Partners was very successful in engaging the growing civil society sector. The Civil Society Support Initiative (CSSI) program developed seven Civil Society Support Centers (CSSCs) throughout the country to serve as resources to the nascent third sector organizations.
Partners was able to cooperate extensively with local and national government departments. Various organizations expressed their appreciation for Partners' innovative and supportive programming in the country. For instance, a member of Malika, a grant recipient NGO starting an advocacy initative to increase citizens' involvement in public policy-making, reflected on the substantial shift in government policy towards NGOs: "...Local government and the President have been talking about NGO activities, and now they invite us as partners and advisers.”
