Fragile States

DAI’s Fragile States work builds on our global reputation for innovative post-crisis assistance to support political transition, ensure short-term stability operations, prevent and counter violent extremism (P/CVE), and lay the foundation for long-term development in fragile, crisis-stricken states.

Stabilization

In insecure environments, it’s critical that community revitalization efforts are driven by community members. We identify key groups committed to peaceful, participatory reform. We strengthen locally driven conflict mitigation efforts. And we help communities seize opportunities for economic recovery.

Our approach focuses on implementing rapid response initiatives that engage stakeholders in reconciliation and stabilization processes that build a base for long-term development. We seek to rebuild social capital through work with community institutions and support to culturally sensitive activities. We work with organizations and individuals to strengthen their capacity. We promote economic recovery and economic growth by engaging with the private sector.

When crises develop, we adapt quickly, deploying staff and funds and adapting program interventions as needed. We respond to a range of needs, from micro-projects at the community level to provincial, national, and even regional work with a variety of organizations, institutions, and partners.

Our Experts


Arthur Carlson is an international development practitioner with 28 years of experience leading complex projects in emergency response, governance, refugee assistance, countering violent extremism, peacebuilding, and institutional system strengthening.

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Kevin Casey is an advisor with experience bringing innovative methodologies to research in conflict, transitional, and stabilization contexts.

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Phelps Feeley has more than 10 years of experience in program design, leadership and management for political transition, governance, stabilization, peacebuilding, research, media, and civil society strengthening projects.

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Lindsay North has more than 10 years of experience in design, research, monitoring, evaluation, and learning for peacebuilding and stabilization programs.

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John Sampson has more than 17 years of experience leading complex, high-speed programs in conflict, post-conflict, and fragile environments, including stability and transition, countering violent extremism, governance, climate-related conflict, natural resource management, emergency assistance, crisis management, infrastructure, and civil-military coordination programs.

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Heather Skilling has more than 25 years of experience in strengthening water security and sanitation service delivery through analytic, project design, evaluation, and consulting work.

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Bruce Spake is Vice President for Field Engagement.

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Our Projects


Central Asia—Support for Stable Societies (CASSS); Countering Violent Extremism in Central Asia Activity (CVECA)

The Central Asia Support for Stable Societies activity identified and tested new methods for the prevention of violent extremism in Central Asia. CVECA assists hotspot communities to build resilient ecosystems that reduce risk and enhance protection against violent extremism.

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Nigeria—Accountable, Responsive, and Capable Government (ARC)

The programme helps local governments in Nigeria develop and implement policy by assisting them in tracking and accounting for how policies, plans, and budgets are used in delivering public goods and services to promote growth and reduce poverty.

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Guatemala—Nexos Locales

Nexos Locales works with municipalities in Guatemala’s Western Highlands to foster more responsive, inclusive, and effective socio-economic development while reducing local vulnerabilities such as food insecurity and natural disasters. To achieve this goal, the project works at the intersection—or nexos—of good governance.

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