Governance Initiative Review Paper

Governments around the world spend billions of dollars annually to provide basic services and development programs aimed at improving the lives of those living in poverty. At the same time a large number of foundations and international aid organizations channel their development dollars through government-run programs. But the effectiveness of such public spending is often compromised by a number of connected factors: policies that do not reflect the needs or wishes of the people, leakages due to corruption, lack of community participation, and poor oversight of public spending.