DECENTRALISED SECTORAL APPROACHES?

1. DECENTRALISED SECTORAL APPROACHES? SWAP Joint Learning Event

2. Tensions in decentralisation • Functional and political dimensions, • «Center regulating, local level implementing» - reality differs • Autonomy of local level vs. control by central government • Accountability: downward first vs. upward first (where are service delivery objectives set?) • Fiscal decentralisation must match administrative decentralisation • Need for strong local governments but also need for a strong centre SWAP Joint Learning Event

3. International experiences • Autonomy and downward accountability is difficult without a degree of fiscal autonomy (locally generated revenue) • No matter how great the autonomy, some form of upward accountability is always present • Design of system of fiscal transfers is shaping/shaped by decisions on how upward accountability is organised (sectoral or overall) • Funds must accompany functions (functional assignment…) • Support to decentralisation can be programme-based • Sector programme support tends to overlook decentralisation SWAP Joint Learning Event

4. Policy and planning processes • Deepen knowledge and understanding of sector policies at local level (incl. elected councils) • Ensure that districts are represented in sector policy dialogues (domestic processes as well as joint reviews, thematic groups…) • Clarify central-local functional assignments and linkages, ensure consistency across sectors • Clarify financing of functions now and in future; both recurrent and investment… • Avoid proliferation of local government financing mechanisms SWAP Joint Learning Event

5. Medium and short term budget preparation, district PFM • Sector ceilings within district ceilings?  District MTEF/budget process to include sectors or • District ceilings within sector ceilings?  Sector MTEF/budget process to include districts… • Calendar: Steps, inputs (ceilings), outputs (draft and final budgets with projections) … • Integral strengthening of local PFM capacity SWAP Joint Learning Event

6. Capacity Development • Clarify bottom-up, top-down and horizontal drivers for and constraints to capacity development • Clarify capacity development responsibilities and linkages: local government organisations, sectors, cross-cutting ministries • Ensure coordination/complementarity between capacity development efforts – who has authority? • If progression (greater capacity  greater autonomy): who is responsible for assessment? SWAP Joint Learning Event

7. Accountability & performance monitoring • Who defines which targets, and how is consistency with national objectives ensured • Streamline possible performance contracts & all reporting & monitoring mechanisms • Ensure upward accountability mechanisms also strengthen local accountability… • Accountability/reporting to district council: local financing and mandate only, or all government activities in district? • Who is in charge of consistency in approaches across sectors? SWAP Joint Learning Event

8. Harmonisation and alignment • Do no harm… Avoid new separate financing mechanisms • Support «mapping» of interventions and overall pattern of resource flows • Ensure horizontal presence in sector programme dialogue structures SWAP Joint Learning Event