Our Commitment

URC helps governments and communities address the connected challenges of security, resilience, and stabilization by working to prevent violence, respond to crises, and rebuild trust in public institutions. We work with local partners to restore services, improve how institutions perform, and create more stable conditions for growth. Our approach is practical, grounded in a strong understanding of local needs, and designed to include people who are often left out.

Our work focuses on three areas: stronger public institutions, recovery after conflict, and safer communities. We help improve public services and financial management, restore basic systems and rule of law, and support violence prevention and youth reintegration. We also help local and national partners create better economic and social options, so people are less likely to leave their communities.

URC promotes citizen security through violence prevention interventions, municipal government strengthening, and expanding opportunities for at-risk youth. Our work helps make America safer by addressing the causes of migration: strengthening national and local capacity, supporting reintegration planning, expanding job readiness services, and empowering local organizations and communities to connect  at-risk people with sustainable economic and social opportunities.

“(URC) consistently demonstrated technical expertise, strategic innovation, and proactive problem-solving. Their ability to integrate multisectoral approaches, advance municipal governance reforms, and enhance data-driven crime prevention strategies has positioned Safe Cities as a flagship initiative in urban security and governance.”

– US Government Performance Appraisal of URC’s work in  Guatemala

Our Experience

Guatemala Support for Reception and Reintegration of Returnees in Urban Areas

URC works with the public sector and private partners to support trade, investment, and job growth. Working closely with the U.S. Embassy, we help improve market access and identify economic opportunities in sectors including infrastructure, logistics, and technology. We do this through evidence-based studies and research, providing technical support to close gaps, and building new partnerships with outreach, trust, and aligning key interests.

We also help the Government of Guatemala reintegrate returnees by expanding access to job training, community support, and key services, the primary factors driving repeat migration. These actions help people rebuild their lives and strengthens local capacity over time.

Key results:

• Designed and launched a National Case Management System centralizing returnee registration, profiling, follow-up and monitoring in a single platform. The system was adapted for and transferred to the Secretaría de Obras Sociales de la Esposa del Presidente de la República de Guatemala.  
• Facilitated coordination among eight U.S.-funded projects to promote an efficient use of USG resources, avoid duplicating efforts, and advance shared goals on deterring migration. 
• Launched a targeted reintegration strategy throughout Guatemala linking returnees to employment services, workforce orientation, entrepreneurship support, and financial education through coordinated public–private partnerships. 
• Advanced the national ports law through a joint legislative working group, laying the groundwork for stronger port security, increased investment, and improved logistics competitiveness in Guatemala. 
• Completed an economic feasibility study that identified opportunities to strengthen Guatemala’s electricity generation infrastructure. 

Guatemala Safe Cities Project (Somos Ciudad)

The Safe Cities Project helped reduce crime and violence in Guatemala by improving coordination among local government, civil society, and community groups. The project operated in high-risk urban areas where crime and violence undermine governance and economic growth. URC supported violence prevention planning, better municipal services, and stronger urban management to help make cities safer and more resilient.  The project supported the development of a National Strategy for Violence Prevention in Schools, and designed and piloted a municipal assessment that analyzed and evaluated municipal capacity in transparency, accountability, access to public information, e-government, and open government.

El Salvador – Technical Advisory Services for Democratic Governance and Security (DGS)

Justice services, police performance, and public safety programs in El Salvador were improved, providing support for legislative drafting, process improvement, and coordination across institutions. URC’s work helped increase transparency, improve efficiency, and strengthen violence prevention, police reform, and reintegration efforts.

Liberia – Justice Administration Management Support (JAMS) Project

URC helped Liberia’s Ministry of Justice improve planning, budgeting, procurement, staffing, technology, and performance tracking. We built core systems and tools, including a strategic plan, budget and audit procedures, and interim financial software, to improve accountability and day-to-day operations.

Liberia – Administrative and Systems Strengthening (LASS) Program

URC helped Liberia’s National Elections Commission improve planning, budgeting, procurement, and internal systems before national elections. We provided targeted support in finance, procurement, technology, human resources, and asset management to strengthen performance across the agency.