Key Resources
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The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) strengthens democracy around the globe through private enterprise and market-oriented reform. CIPE is one of the four core institutes of the National Endowment for Democracy. Since 1983, CIPE has worked with business leaders, policymakers, and journalists to build the civic institutions vital to a democratic society. CIPE’s key program areas include anti-corruption, advocacy, business associations, corporate governance, democratic governance, access to information, the informal sector and property rights, and women and youth. CIPE programs are supported by the National Endowment for Democracy, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Middle East Partnership Initiative, and the U.S. Embassy in Iraq Office for Private Sector Development.
Mission
To strengthen democracy around the globe through private enterprise and market-oriented reform.
Objectives
- Foster institutions necessary to establish and sustain market-oriented democracies.
- Increase private sector participation in the democratic process.
- Increase support for and understanding of the freedoms, rights, and responsibilities essential to market-oriented democracies among government officials, businesspeople, media and the public.
- Improve governance through transparency and accountability in the public and private sectors.
- Strengthen freedom of association and private, voluntary business organizations.
- Promote an entrepreneurial culture and understanding of how markets work.
- Expand access to information necessary for sound entrepreneurial and policy decisions.
Areas of Work
- Democratic Governance – CIPE works to create and strengthen institutions of accountability and increase public participation in reform.
- Combating Corruption – With the private sector leading the way, CIPE seeks to improve governance mechanisms and standards and make a link between cultural norms and the rule of law.
- Business Association Development – CIPE supports grassroots participation of private sector organizations by providing support and technical assistance.
- Corporate Governance – CIPE initiates and supports programs to educate private sector leaders and the public on fairness, accountability, responsibility, and transparency.
- Legal and Regulatory Reform – CIPE encourages the private sector to identify laws and regulations that hinder business activity and make reform recommendations.
- Access to Information – CIPE works with local partners to achieve greater transparency in government and an unrestricted voice for reformers.
- Women and Youth – CIPE supports women and youth through entrepreneurship and management programs.
- Informal Sector and Property Rights – CIPE and its partners support the democratic voice and participation of the informal sector, reforming business registration procedures, and strengthening private property rights.
CIPE Approach
CIPE was founded on the idea that economic freedom and
political freedom are intertwined and that progress and development comes through a combination of political and
economic liberalization. Democratic consolidation
is not achieved through simply holding elections, establishing a free press, and recognizing human
rights (although these remain necessary components). Functioning democracies require opportunities,
between election cycles, for the public to participate in the policy process. Functioning democracies also require a private sector that is capable and willing to provide an outside voice in the democratic
policy process.
CIPE maintains that countries need to build market-oriented and democratic institutions
simultaneously, as they are essentially two sides of the same coin. Without a functioning market system,
democracies will remain weak. Likewise, without a democratic process, economic reforms are unlikely to
succeed.
To support the private sector as a leading advocate for
market-oriented reform and democratic governance, CIPEworks through a partner network to support grassroots
networks in developing countries, capacity building programs,
and technical assistance through field offices. CIPE partners with business associations, think tanks, and other private sector organizations in
countries where there is both a need for progress and an opportunity for reform. CIPE's work is unique in that it employs transparency, accountability, fairness, and responsibility in
institutional reform, laying the foundation for democracy at all levels of society. This institutional
approach to development recognizes that changes will not occur overnight and a long-term commitment is
needed for reforms to succeed.
Long after a country or a region disappears from the headlines, important work remains to
prevent reforms from being overturned at the first sign of difficulty. CIPE supports its partners to
develop and become leaders of sustainable development initiatives in their countries. At the same time,
CIPE also assists key reformers in places where serious progress has yet to take hold.
CIPE recognizes that successes in one region may provide a model approach for another. CIPE and its
partners continue to apply lessons learned across regions, creating new approaches in countries at
various stages of democratic reform.
CIPE's Grant Program
CIPE’s grants program provides management assistance, practical
experience, and financial support to business groups and think tanks to strengthen their expertise while accomplishing key development goals. The four-step grants management program includes:
- needs assessment and agenda setting
- development of a business plan (program of work)
- progress monitoring
- comprehensive evaluation and follow-up
CIPE grants are used to advance policy advocacy, business services, educational programs, and other
development goals. Most grants include communication and advocacy components to build policymakers’
support for reform. Grants range from full-scale programs with national business associations and think
tanks to integrated small grants that reach grassroots organizations throughout a country.
All partners that receive grants are indigenous to their local areas. To qualify, the partner organization must have a
grassroots constituency and a detailed action plan.
Nearly all projects funded through CIPE require the partner to provide matching funds to facilitate
the program’s implementation. Using grant funds from the National Endowment for Democracy, the United States Agency for International Development, the Middle East Partnership Initiative, and the U.S. Embassy in Iraq Office for Private Sector Development, CIPE leverages additional funds from the private sector and other organizations to maximize efforts to strengthen democracy and market-oriented
reform.
Field Offices
Over the years, CIPE has established field offices to coordinate large-scale technical assistance
programs. Currently, CIPE maintains six field offices to provide an on-the-ground presence in key
transitioning areas and to coordinate wider regional efforts. View contact information.
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