Fragile States Assessment Tool — Activity Summary

Based upon PPC IDEAS’ previous work on the fragile states strategy and the work of USAID in this area, PPC IDEAS will assist in moving the fragility framework from the conceptual to the practical. The objective is to develop a methodology for conducting rigorous, generally field-based, investigations into the dynamics of fragility and translating that analysis into effective and actionable program options.

IRIS assembled a team of technical advisers to contribute to this effort. The team consists of a senior expert in each of the four institutional dimensions of the Fragility Framework: Dr. Nicole Ball, Center for International Policy (security dimension); Dr. Jack Goldstone, George Mason University (social dimension); Dr. Jonathon Haughton, Suffolk University (economic dimension); and Dr. Ronald Oakerson, Houghton College (political dimension).

The kick-off session on September 17, 2004 initiated development of the assessment framework. Following the meeting, each of the senior technical advisors prepared a memo on how to assess institutional effectiveness and legitimacy for their respective domain. The USAID team and the advisors are now developing an assessment framework for use in field tests in the coming months. Based on the results of the field tests and other comments, the USAID team and the advisors will prepare a final assessment framework.