2008 - 2012

WHY USAID/OTI WAS IN CUBA

In October 2008, USAID/OTI launched a program to enable new social sectors in Cuba to become actively engaged in advocacy for change through community organizing and citizen participation focused on solving legitimate concerns. Following the passing of power from Fidel Castro to his brother Raul in 2008, subtle openings in Cuban society emerged, representing a potential window of opportunity to support nascent democracy on the island by encouraging greater participation.

USAID/OTI'S ROLE IN CUBA

USAID/OTI’s overall goal in Cuba was to promote the creation of citizen platforms that sought greater democratic input into public decision-making. The program worked to create “people-to-people” linkages between non-traditional civil society actors on the island with other like-minded regional organizations in the hemisphere. The program focused on grassroots participation, organization and networking designed to coalesce citizens to work together on issues of common interest and form citizen associations centered on basic needs and services.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• USAID/OTI organized activities with civil society actors as a regional exchange program and focused on community development and organization, and networking designed to coalesce citizens to work together on issues of common interest and form citizen associations centered on basic needs and services.
• USAID/OTI worked to help break the information blockade on the island by providing new media support in the form of assistance to bloggers, and technical training in expanding access to the internet.