In May 2010, USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (USAID/OTI) launched a program in the Kyrgyz Republic in response to the country’s political crises. Popular demonstrations in April led to the ouster of former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Given this window of opportunity, the U.S. Government was able to further demonstrate its support of democracy in Central Asia by supporting efforts aimed at establishing transparent, accountable and effective governance at both national and local levels. The violence and mass displacements stemming from the June 2010 events in the southern part of the country highlighted the need for immediate and targeted assistance to address emerging sources of instability and conflict within communities that have the potential to derail the ongoing democratic transition. The constitutional referendum, followed by parliamentary, presidential, and local elections, represented critical milestones to establishing a more stable and secure democracy.

 

The Kyrgyz Republic Transition Initiative (KRTI) effectively ended in December 2013, although one administrative piece of close-out necessitated a task order extension through February 6, 2014. Over a span of forty two months, the USAID/OTI program in the Kyrgyz Republic achieved significant gains in encouraging democratic processes and building trust both within communities and between citizens and the government.