Looking at the region from 2009 to June 2011, the study identifies 423 projects being implemented and 30 additional projects still in the design phase. It looks at funds committed over the years as well as funds actually spent on projects. Detailed figures for the various projects will be available online soon. Though this study is essentially an inventory, it will lead analysts to question how the funds are being used and what results they are achieving.

The study groups international assistance into four broad categories: violence prevention, institutional strengthening, efforts against organized crime, and rehabilitation. It shows that, of the projects being implemented, about 30% of donor funds go to prevention, about 46% to institutional strengthening, 18% to organized crime efforts, and 5% to rehabilitation programs. This is a helpful first step in conceptualizing the priorities and interests of the international community.

The study also reveals a serious lack of coordination and consultation between governments and donors and among the different bilateral and multilateral donors supporting citizen security-related initiatives. In some cases, investigators found a duplication of efforts in the region. In worse cases, different programs support contradictory initiatives, which can undermine the effectiveness of the aid.

Click here to read the summary. The complete online version and the database of all donations will be completed shortly.