In April of 2023, PILARES began operations in Ecuador. Within months of the USAID funded citizen security program launching, Ecuador saw the assassination of a presidential candidate, a three-month state of emergency, and a national referendum.

What does ‘citizen security’ look like in this tumultuous context?

Citizen security is the process of establishing, strengthening, and protecting democratic civic order, and this program is designed to do so quickly, flexibly, and in a way that shares responsibility. Together with the government and civil society, the goal is to reduce threats of violence and foster a more inclusive, safe, and peaceful society.

As the team explains, citizen security is not simply the reduction of crime, but a comprehensive and multi-faceted strategy for improving the quality of life of a population. This can include community action for crime prevention, access to an effective justice system, and social inclusion initiatives based on values, respect for law and tolerance. Governments and communities alike invest in citizen security as a fundamental part of human security.

This is why PILARES’ work and achievements over the past year are so important.

Amidst unprecedented levels of violence, prison riots, and increased military presence, the program gained significant traction at the national, provincial, municipal, and community level in shaping inclusive and holistic citizen security across a diverse number of activities and programs.

For example, when the State of Emergency was declared in January 2024, the PILARES team sprang into action. Within 24 hours, the team had designed an ‘info-a-thon’ to provide critical information to citizens throughout the weekend. While the government was making critical decisions with consequences on everyday life, citizens had access to clear insights and information on those decisions in the midst of a confusing time of upheaval.

In a new report, the team shares what they learned over the year and what they’re taking into the second year of implementation.
"PILARES is at the forefront of exploring how different interventions can help bolster citizen security during this critical time in Ecuador,” explains Project Director Francia Poholchuk. “PILARES has been key in bringing multiple and diverse actors together to jointly engage in building safer communities."

The report outlines how a comprehensive citizen security program requires investments in traditional governance and creative co-design, including tailored and nuanced approaches, careful stakeholder dialogue, and identification of driving factors of violence in each geography.

From working hand-in-hand with both the private sector and government entities to investing in short- and long-term solutions, the report highlights diverse examples, including a pilot project for community alarms, and how the program is building momentum in the midst of a challenging environment.

For more, download the report or contact info@thepalladiumgroup.com.