At the time of this partnership, the government of Kazakhstan had launched a sweeping reform agenda to assist the country in its transition from an overly centralized system to a more inclusive system of governance. The central government was working on a decentralization strategy that would transfer more powers and authorities to localities: regions (oblasts), counties (rayons), and cities. The Pavlodar oblast was one of the most progressively led and managed jurisdictions and was a testing ground for pilot projects in power devolution. The central city in the Pavlodar oblast was considered a showcase for innovative management.

A revenue-sharing program in drug rehabilitation and prevention between the city and the oblast was one of the pivotal points in the Helena-Pavlodar partnership. Although Pavlodar is much larger than Helena, it was able to tap into Helena’s innovative practices in water and wastewater systems management.

The City of Helena also has an exemplary drug rehabili­tation and prevention program featuring a partnership between the city, Lewis and Clark County, and NGOs. The city leadership was very open to engaging in partner­ships that allow the city to benefit from the effect of global integration on U.S. local management prac­tices. In addition, the state of Montana has had a stable track record in exchange programs with Central Asia on upon which the Helena-Pavlodar partnership could build and expand.