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EuropeAid

Analysing and Addressing Governance at sector level – ongoing work

Presentation at food security seminar

European Commission, EuropeAid, Unit E6

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EuropeAidSummary of presentation

• Setting the scene - EC definition and approach to governance

• What has been done in sectors?

• Why it is important and how to systematically addressed it

• What’s the methodology

• Governance in food security

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EuropeAidWhat do we mean by Governance?

• State’s ability to serve its people

• Public functions carried out

Refers to:

• rules, processes, behaviour:

• interests are articulated

• resources managed

• power exercised

(Communication on Governance and Development 615/2003)(Communication on Governance in the European Consenus on

Development 421/2006)

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EuropeAidWhy does the EC work on Democratic Governance?

• Increased aid demands effective absorption capacity • Governance is critical for aid effectiveness• Governance is required for better results, achieve MDGs,

increased service delivery and sustainable sector development• Governance is an end in itself; promoting better governance

at sector level over time contributes to consolidate democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights

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The challenge of weak governance in sectors:

state

o Leakage of fundso Sub-optimal spendingo Accountabilityo Lack of demando Political toolo Powero Institutional capacities

citizens

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EuropeAidWhat’s being done?

The history: • Mainstreaming in European Consensus • Draft Handbook on Good Governance (AIDCO E4 intranet)

pillars too normative and heavyThe findings: • Evaluation 2006 – much but not systematically• Increasingly important with the shift in EC sector policies and

practices towards sector approachesThe response:• Development of tools; reference document on « Analysing

and Addressing Governance at Sector level », transport unit’s « Operational Manual »• Train and sensitize the operational staff

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(from the Thematic Evaluation on the EC support to Governance June 2006)

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EuropeAidThe Reference DocumentThe process: - A participatory process with several workshops exploring the needs and learning

from existing approaches - supported by ECDPM- Application of the tool in a workshop in June 2008

The content:- Part one: analyses of governance (context; actors; relations)- Part two: methodology on how to address governance

Next steps:- Adapting the reference document to sector specificities- Training- Linking up with MS and like-minded donors- Governance indicators at sector level- Management approval October

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EuropeAidA pragmatic approach to sector governance

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EuropeAidThe governance analysis framework

Political system/government

Rule making and executive actors at

different levels

Non-state actorsCitizens, voters, consumers, user groups economic

agents, elites, media…

Checks and balances

organisationsSupervise sector organisations or

handle complaints (auditors, judiciary,

ombudsmen,…)

Frontline service providers

Public and private providers delivering

services

Core public agencies

Sector ministries, agencies with regulatory or

supporting roles, …

Context

Donors, international organisations

Influence on sector governance and accountability

relations

GovernanceAccountability

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EuropeAidFROM ANALYSIS TO ACTION

THREE OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLES when supporting improved governance in sectors:

1) Act strategically

2) Focus on basics first

3) Promote governance principles in sector operations

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How can we workwith governance?

Country ownership is crucial

Support both demand

and supply side

Align and harmonise with reforms

outside sector

Coordinate with other donors

Sector governance

Don’t get stuck in details

Results orientation

Dialogue important for understanding and trust

The context is astarting point

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EuropeAidGovernance at Food security level

1-Definition of Governance in Food Security• about transparent and consultative decision making processes

that lead to o definition of adequate policies o Implementation of policies

2-Practical measures to ensure Governance in FS: General support to governance sectors General support and regular monitoring of Public Finance

Management (emphasis on public procurement) Specific sector support to Agriculture/Food Security ‘Sector

(SWAP) governance systemes Political dialogue (Cotonou Art 8) with partner countries can cover

issues of food security

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EuropeAidGovernance at Food security level

Promotion of regional dialogue between countries on Food Security: this serve as dissemination of good practices and incentive for more transparency.

3.Challenges:• Internal peace• Rule of law (loss of property, breach of contracts)• Dispassionate assessment of food security conditions• Food security is usually a very sensitive public policy issue sometimes

misused by Government or opposition for Political objectives (especially during election period). • Food and nutrition security objectives (long term) are less government

led in comparison to education or health sectors because they are complex, multi-sectorial and therefore inter-ministerial coordination needed.

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EuropeAidTo open the debate

•democratic system we support are all geared toward short term goals and therefore conflict with FS goals. FS is a objective that requires long term commitment which democratic system in Africa (all less than 50 years old) may not yet be ready for in the soon future…working to establish a true independence between political leaders and public administration may be part of the solution.

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