Pilot Engagement of Peer Institutions in PB across West, East, and Southern Africa on Government Dialogue and Advocacy

1. Lekan Fadeyi (CGQS) Tunde Afolabi (SAEDC) Dalitso Kubalasa (Malawi Economic Justice Network) Pilot Engagement of Peer Institutions in PB across West, East, and Southern Africa on Government Dialogue and Advocacy Pilot Peer Learning: Civil Society & Govt Dialogue

2. Outline • Objectives • Background • Methodology • Rationale & Context • Main Findings • Lessons • Recommendations Pilot Peer Learning: Civil Society & Govt Dialogue

3. Objectives • To create educative and re-orientation literature for promoting cooperation and PB peer-learning • To provide and promote platform for CSO- Government Dialogue & Advocacy • To provide insights on key issues to help stakeholders acquire skills for planning & Implementing PB • To initiate & foster a sustainable support and mentorship program for PB peer institutions • To enhance capacity for adoption/adaptations based on widely approved/practiced PB models and success stories Pilot Peer Learning: Civil Society & Govt Dialogue

4. Background • Pilot project demand-driven based on urgent need to create platforms for practitioners to share innovations and lessons in maximising resources by improving PB • Pilot Engagement Team has members from Nigeria, Malawi and dedicated associates from Ghana and South Africa • Documentation, Awareness and General PB Engagements undertaken between April and October 2009 • Selected PB engagements piloted in • Oyo West LG, Onitsha South LG & Ejigbo LG (Nigeria), Asunafo North MC (Ghana) and Drakenstein MC (Western cape, South Africa), … Pilot Peer Learning: Civil Society & Govt Dialogue

5. Methodology • Conducted an Online study of PB best-practices identifying typical processes, stages, key outcomes, challenges & lessons • Research & documentation of PB success stories’ booklet for use by peer learners • PB Sensitization & Awareness Campaign through web blog • Engagement and Capacity Building of selected PB Peer Institutions through meetings and web blog in pilot areas • Evaluation and Impact assessment of adopted PB best-practices Pilot Peer Learning: Civil Society & Govt Dialogue

6. Rationale & Context • Study design basing on initial demand of filling in the gaps caused by capacity constraints… • Online study unveiled & documented identified PB best-practices of some LAC and African countries • Purpose was to benchmark What works, What has not, Why & What ought to be improved… • Project particularly examined deficiencies caused by capacity constraints in pilot areas of Africa in the light of LAC best practices and success stories • Ultimately geared at continued examination of factors that can aid or inhibit adaptations of LAC experiences in Africa (by sharing lessons) Pilot Peer Learning: Civil Society & Govt Dialogue

7. Rationale & Context cont’d... • Project study reviewed literature on PB processes and its applicability to developing countries of Africa • Study compared drawn lessons and experiences of LAC with those of African cities/town contextual examples • Analyzed the influence of the various contexts. • Explored variables that can lead to effective knowledge-sharing & adequate learning for value-adding PB processes • Explored links in PB practices in developed countries & their insights for conveyance to under-developed & developing countries in Africa Pilot Peer Learning: Civil Society & Govt Dialogue

8. Main Findings (1) • Best practices enlisted are not exclusive but represents scope of study • There is a significant departure in the realities of PB experienced in Africa compared with those in LAC… • PB awareness & capacity-building for Africa is often Donor-led rather than local communities-driven • 95% of municipalities that adapted PB best-practices observed increase outputs in public works • Process-driven PB and CSO-Government dialogue thrives when defined within local contexts Pilot Peer Learning: Civil Society & Govt Dialogue

9. Main Findings (2) cont’d... • Study indicates civil society largely influences the patterns and quality of PB processes • Engagement programs largely serve as budget analysis & advocacy Entry points for up to 60% of CSOs in Africa • Popular consultation & women participation is chequered where the Right to Information is yet to be legislated into law • Attribution of effects/impact from PB processes in Africa is a major reason for PB’s inadequate and unsustainable support • 85% of participants categorised in survey said knowledge and/or experience gained is already yielding real impacts • CSO/Govt change affects (internal & external) PB continuity variables which determines active-use of capacities Pilot Peer Learning: Civil Society & Govt Dialogue

10. Lessons Learnt (1) • Demystifying/Unpacking complexities in socio-cultural; socio-political and socio-economic environments is quite key to developing feasible methods of best-fit PB model adaptation • No one PB initiative/process is self-encompassing or can be deemed as best • There is a distinction between providing ‘illustrations of change’ and ‘measuring change’ in PB • PB Awareness & Civic Engagement can neutralise resistance & fear of the unknown for most communities and even govt authorities • Residents of Oyo West LG indicated that integrating PB topics in school curriculum will foster quick learning • All studies support running initial PB initiatives as pilot, to help identify possible constraints and potential drivers, ahead of the process Pilot Peer Learning: Civil Society & Govt Dialogue

11. Lessons Learnt cont’d... (2) • Technical trainer’s training is key to help NGOs /CSOs develop momentum to achieve their missions in PB processes • If dialogue (among CSOs, Govt & Donors) is intensified, there will be increased understanding of each others’ expectations and obligations • it establishes a strong link that sustains effective capacity building • Evolving locally/indigenous but internationally applicable tools are also quite key to realistic dialogue, communication & effective PB processes • Asunafo North MC residents mentioned Scoring systems as way of getting qualitative & quantitative PB issues into perspective • Budget still remains an area of government’s due processes, • and it remains a challenge for civil society to effectively engage and hold Government accountable particularly at the local level Pilot Peer Learning: Civil Society & Govt Dialogue

12. Recommendations • Further interventions are clearly needed to focus on developing stakeholders’ skills if PB is to maximise benefits • Civil society must be encouraged to develop systems of practice with virtues to sustain PB processes for effective dialogue • A network (community of practice) of skilled PB facilitators must be engaged and strengthened across Africa • Fair representation for minority groups (those traditionally marginalised or excluded) should be given priority • Public Social Accountability frameworks should be streamlined to integrate Macro and Micro level stakeholder relationships with CSOs • Poverty monitoring systems should be set up and timed alongside PB programs Pilot Peer Learning: Civil Society & Govt Dialogue

13. Sustainability of Mutual Learning Initiative • Already existent facilitators should be re-equipped & re-engaged on medium/long terms to spread continuity in PB Campaigns and predictability of PB process benefits • Step-down trainings & Internships must be explored as a mechanism of further entrenching PB virtues in society • New Innovations/Perspectives to the initiative should be invited to explore uncovered areas and contexts • Mutual Learning networks should be kept alive with dedicated (online & offline) platforms • SWAP (Sector Wide Approach) may integrate & elicit useful information & support for CSO interventions from the corporate world and other key players • Knowledge-sharing & advocacy should be identified/conceptualised, designed, implemented and monitored with clear and measurable impact indicators Pilot Peer Learning: Civil Society & Govt Dialogue