Timor-Leste has faced daunting challenges to establishing a viable state and a representative democracy. The country still lacks the fundamental governance systems essential to adequately respond to persistently high rates of poverty, unemployment, growing socioeconomic inequality and unresolved conflict. It also faces challenges upholding human rights, reducing impunity and increasing access to basic public services.

Timor-Leste-is-deploying-USAID-trained-community-police-officers-to-all-442-villages-for-the-first-time-since-its-2002-independence,-contributing-to-post-independence-stability.

Cristovao Guterres/USAID Timor-Leste

USAID partners with the Government of Timor-Leste to strengthen democratic institutions further consolidate good governance practices and work with the judiciary and legal service providers to facilitate increased access to justice for rural populations.