Casals & Associates, Inc. - International Development Capabilities

Casals & Associates works with local, state and national governments; businesses; civil society groups; and communities on democracy and governance, rule of law and justice, local governance, conflict management and recovery, health and other sustainable development challenges.

We have worked internationally since our founding in 1986. In the 1990s, Casals & Associates pioneered innovative strategies to reduce corruption in democratically elected governments while engaging citizens, businesses and civil society as active partners. Today, one of our strengths is the ability to operate in fragile, conflict or post-conflict settings, providing quick action to support fledgling democratic institutions until political transitions are solidly entrenched.

Range of services:

Democracy and Governance. Casals & Associates assists local, state and national governments in becoming more transparent, open and just while engaging citizens, businesses and civil society as active partners. Our programs nurture a prevailing public attitude that is intolerant of corruption, creating a demand for better government services. At the same time, Casals & Associates promotes the rule of law, peaceful conflict resolution, open elections, an independent media, democratic decentralization, and sound government financial accountability and audit systems.

Rule of Law and Justice. Casals & Associates works to strengthen legal, policy and regulatory frameworks to bring legitimacy, equity and fairness into government. We advise civil society groups on how to oversee legal and judicial professionals and advocate for transparency and change. Our work includes drafting new laws, codifying human rights, strengthening judicial and legal ethics, and developing new mechanisms for publishing legal opinions—all with the goal of combating corruption and giving citizens more equitable access to justice.

Local Governance. Casals & Associates works to strengthen democratic governance at the local level. Our programs help local governments plan, implement, manage and evaluate public policies effectively and transparently; design and implement financial management, procurement and auditing systems; hold fair and transparent elections; and deliver services that meet the needs of citizens and businesses. At the same time, our programs empower citizens, businesses and civil society to monitor local government spending, advocate reforms and hold local officials accountable.

Conflict Management and Recovery. Casals & Associates provides quick action in fragile, conflict or post-conflict settings to help shore up forces for peace and democracy until political transitions are solidly entrenched. Often a key component is helping local communities confront exclusion—from jobs, access to resources, a role in decision-making, social acceptance, etc.—so that exclusion does not spark violence. We also foster peace negotiations, reconciliation, citizen security, open elections, anticorruption programs and good governance.

Civil Society Strengthening. Casals & Associates helps civil society shape public policy, keep governments accountable, defend human rights, and mobilize citizens to participate in democratic politics in a constructive and effective manner. Our programs include assistance with organizational development, public outreach and coalition building. A key component of our work is building trust and relationships among citizens; government institutions; businesses; and civil society at national, regional and local levels.

Strategic Communications. Casals & Associates specializes in designing and implementing strategic, research-based public outreach campaigns. Our campaigns build original paths to audience segments, harnessing the strengths of a variety of communications channels and media. Casals & Associates also provides the campaigns’ editorial and multimedia services, including interactive video conferencing and multilingual television broadcasts via satellite or the Internet.

Health. Casals & Associates advances understanding of health issues in developing countries through data collection and analysis, comparative reports and public outreach campaigns. Our experience in this arena includes HIV/AIDS, nutrition, reproductive health, children’s vaccination programs, mental illness, substance abuse, domestic and youth violence, and infant and child mortality. Casals & Associates programs also strengthen civil society’s capacity to advocate for equity, transparency and accountability in health service delivery.