In addition to its own considerable in-house expertise, OCEEI draws on the 27 years of experience of IDRC, an internationally recognised leader in the development and research fields. OCEEI employs this expertise and experience to administer its own projects and offers these assets to other interested parties. These assets include:

In-house technical expertise
OCEEI has a staff of technical and managerial experts with experience throughout the world. In C&EE, OCEEI has concentrated on the following:

• municipal utilities services
• technical and managerial training
• management information systems
• good governance
• environment and water issues
• economic reform
• general development issues

Project management
OCEEI has considerable accumulated experience in project management.

Strategic planning
OCEEI's extensive experience in program and management planning, combined with familiarity with the region of C&EE, gives it an edge in planning for public sector and development work in C&EE.

Needs assessment, project definition and proposal preparation
OCEEI brings a wealth of experience in these areas. Moreover, it conducts significant research on C&EE on an ongoing basis, subsequently preparing proposals and obtaining external funding for development activities in the region.

Networks
Through its work in C&EE, OCEEI has generated an extensive network of political, scientific, and NGO contacts in the region. Likewise, OCEEI has built up a cadre of partners and associates in North America, Western Europe, and elsewhere in the world that has interests in C&EE. This, in addition to the global network that IDRC has cultivated over the years, strategically positions OCEEI to bridge knowledge and technical gaps between C&EE and the rest of the world.

Field support in C&EE
To increase efficiency and hold down costs, OCEEI has established Cooperation House in Kyiv, providing logistical support and office services to Canadian and Ukrainian agencies that are exploring avenues into or already active in Ukraine. As the founder of Cooperation House, IDRC has assumed responsibility for bringing together under one roof like-minded groups that share the goals and missions of development, technical assistance, charity or education. Partner organisations can share information, office equipment, personnel, and relevant experiences, thus harmonising activities and economising on time, effort, and money.