Sierra Leone https://www.southsouthfacility.org/ en Improving Foundational Learning Outcomes in Kenya, Nigeria, Mozambique and Sierra Leone - Lessons from Ceará State in Brazil https://www.southsouthfacility.org/results/improving-foundational-learning-outcomes-kenya-nigeria-mozambique-and-sierra-leone-lessons <span>Improving Foundational Learning Outcomes in Kenya, Nigeria, Mozambique and Sierra Leone - Lessons from Ceará State in Brazil</span> <span><span lang="" about="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/user/18" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">lporte</span></span> <span>Tue, 02/27/2024 - 15:57</span> <div class="field field--name-field-res-start-date field--type-datetime field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Start Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="2023-03-27T12:00:00Z">March 27, 2023</time></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-res-end-date field--type-datetime field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">End Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="2023-03-31T12:00:00Z">March 31, 2023</time></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-funding-amount field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Funding Amount</div> <div class="field--item">70000</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-publication-date field--type-datetime field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Publication Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="2024-02-27T12:00:00Z">February 27, 2024</time></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-res-image field--type-image field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Image</div> <div class="field--item"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/sites/ssf/files/resource/Visual%20for%20Results%20Story_1.jpg" width="693" height="471" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p><span><span>Knowledge exchange and peer learning activities were carried out for education officials from Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria (Edo state & national government) and Sierra Leone seeking to learn from the <span>Ceará</span> state in Brazil. Despite representing different continents and national contexts, the participating governments are encountering similar challenges to those faced by <span>Ceará</span> state in the late 1990s and early 2000 on extremely high levels of learning poverty (proportion of children aged 10 who cannot read an age-appropriate short text). The objectives of the exchange were to better understand how the state of<strong> </strong>Ceará transformed its education system and dramatically improved its foundational learning outcomes despite limited resources. The knowledge exchange took place from March 27- 31, 2023. </span></span></p> <p><span><span>Main topics explored during the knowledge exchange were:</span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span>What contributes to the success of foundational learning reforms in high learning poverty, low resource settings with focus on reforms around <span>literacy, teacher training, learning assessments, school management and recruitment and incentive schemes. </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span>What countries in Africa can learn from a state such as <span>Ceará</span> in Brazil. </span></span></li> </ul><p>A<span><span> five-day study tour, organized by the Accelerator Program, inspired the African officials to focus on tackling learning poverty as they implement ambitious education reform <span>programs in their own countries and states.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-lession-learned field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Lessons Learned</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span><span>In the five days of the study tour, traveling across the state of Ceará, it was clear that all key actors (secretariat, principals, teachers) were consistent in their hyperfocus on improving the foundational skills of all the children in the state. The key lessons included:</span></span></span></p> <ol><li><span><span><span>Starting the reforms in grades 1 and 2 with clear literacy targets is fundamental to achieving quick gains. </span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>Assessment of learning is indispensable to guide the interventions. </span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>In the context of Ceará, using structured materials with guided teaching plans makes teachers more effective in improving learning.</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>Peer coaching, in-service teacher training, and close relationship between school management and teachers effectively contributes to teachers' quality. </span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>Incentive mechanisms (e.g., financial, awards, recognition) can motivate and improve outcomes.</span></span></span></li> </ol></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-results field--type-text-with-summary field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Results</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span>During the study tour in Brazil (March 27-31, 20230, the African delegation met with <span>Ceará's Vice Governor, the State Secretary of Education, Sobral’s current and former mayors, and other officials; and visited schools in <span>the municipalities of Eusébio, Pires Ferreira, and Sobral</span></span><span>.</span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span><span>Ceará State strategies</span></span></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><span><span>In the initial discussions with the <span><span>vice governor, the Secretary of Education of Ceará, and the Institute for Research and Economic Strategy of Ceará (IPECE) </span></span>the officials emphasized that the key to success is sustained political leadership. This means making education improvement a priority, developing strategies for planning and monitoring, and providing the needed resources.</span></span></p> <p><span><span>The key strategy Ceará used to improve their results was an incentive scheme<strong>.</strong> The state implemented an incentives program for municipal governments, with the financial resources received by the municipalities being conditional on learning, measured by assessments. Other incentive mechanisms complement this policy, such as the state prize <em>Escola Nota 10</em>, which rewards schools that have achieved their learning goals.</span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span>During a workshop with the State Secretary of Education staff, the visiting delegations learned about the importance of regular monitoring, not only for the incentive mechanisms, but also for targeted action. Ceará’s government representatives explained how the external learning assessment functions in the state and how these assessments inform curriculum, teaching practices, school management, and student support (especially for low-performing students).</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>During the workshop, it was also shown that the state’s technical assistance provided to municipal school networks is vital in promoting foundational skills. For example, structured learning materials are publicly available </span></span></span><a href="#_ftn1"><span><span><span><span><span><span>[1]</span></span></span></span></span></span></a> <span><span> for all municipalities and are well-aligned with learning standards and targets. The state has also provided a curriculum aligned with the National Standards (BNCC) to guide municipalities. Despite the state’s assistance, full <span>autonomy with results-based accountability</span> is granted to municipalities, which in turn replicate the strategies with their own schools.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span><span><span><span>Municipal strategies</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span>The African delegation visited three other municipalities with higher performance in IDEB: Eusébio – a city in the metropolitan region of Fortaleza -; Pires Ferreira – a small municipality with 11 thousand inhabitants--; and Sobral – well-known for the successfully implemented reforms. The delegates discussed with the mayors and the Secretaries of Education of those municipalities and </span></span></span><span><span>visited seven schools in these three municipalities<span>.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span>One common strategy used in these municipalities is a focused curriculum that clearly states the expected learning outcomes by the end of each grade and is aligned with the state curricula. The structured materials and the teacher's lesson plan are aligned with the curricula, and teachers use them as a basis for their weekly planning. When the mission's delegates visited the schools in these municipalities, teachers reported that they are happy to use structured materials as they are free to use them as needed, so they represent a resource that can be complemented with other materials.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span>During the visits, it was also possible to see a number of highly motivated and prepared teachers. The in-service teacher training provided by the municipal secretary and the close relationship between school management and teachers contribute to teachers' quality. Another strategy is peer coaching, where the pedagogical coordinator conducts classroom observation and reviews lesson plans before implementation, providing teachers with feedback. Also, teachers receive monetary and social recognition based on their capacity to ensure their students' performance.</span></span></span> </span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Another strategy used by all levels -teachers, pedagogical coordinators, schools' principals, and municipal secretary of education- is the effective use of student assessment. Teachers clearly understand what to assess and the purpose of the evaluations. In some schools, teacher assesses what the students have learned at the end of every week so they can plan the lessons for next week. The schools have several external exams during the year, which the pedagogical school staff uses to target competencies that should be further developed and the students most in need.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Lastly, the municipality of Sobral and Eusébio have a meritocratic selection of principals through a rigorous and transparent process that recognizes classroom practice and leadership skills. There is clarity on what is expected by a principal, including performance targets for the schools and teacher management.   However, the school management is autonomous and accountable. In Sobral, schools also have the autonomy to manage their financial resources, which promotes efficiency gains for both the school and the municipality. The latter focuses on providing pedagogical and managerial support to the schools rather than micromanaging the school budget.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span><span><a href="#_ftnref1"><span><span><span><span>[1]</span></span></span></span></a> https://paicintegral.seduc.ce.gov.br/2023/01/02/elementor-6564/</span></span></p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-solution field--type-text-with-summary field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Solution</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span>The state of Ceará improved foundational learning at an accelerated pace in the last decade. Sixteen years ago, 33 percent of second graders in this Brazil’s ninth-poorest state could not read; today that number is only 0.5 percent. </span></span><span><span><span>In the municipality of Sobral, where the state’s education reform began, literacy rates rose from 52 percent in 2015 to 92 percent in 2021—elevating learning outcomes to some of the country’s highest levels. </span></span></span><span><span>The mission, supported by the South-South Facility, aimed to disentangle the key aspects that led to this change and that can be adapted in the African countries’ context. </span></span><span><span><span>It became clear to the delegations that many of the reforms that Ceará implemented were not costly and relied more on the commitment by the policy makers and focus given to the learning results than on financial resources. </span></span></span></p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-world-bank-contribution field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">World Bank Contribution</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span>The knowledge exchange took place within the framework of the Accelerator Program, <span><span>led by the World Bank and UNICEF with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, U.K.’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), UNESCO’s Institute of Statistics, and USAID.</span></span> The program aims to demonstrate that with focus, the proper technical support, and contextually appropriate, evidence-based intervention, it is possible for governments to improve foundational learning outcomes at an accelerated pace and scale. A priority of the Accelerator program is to encourage member governments to engage in south-to-south knowledge exchanges to learn from each other and other countries’ successes. Ceará offered an ideal model for participating countries to learn from. </span></span></p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-moving-forward field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Moving forward</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span>Overall, the participants were extremely satisfied with the lessons they learned during the study tour in the state of Ceara. The knowledge exchange presented the delegates with solutions they indicated that they will be implementing in their own countries and states. They highlighted the following as the key take-aways for them to address in their own countries: </span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span><span>Giving autonomy to states, municipalities, and particularly schools for them to be able to adjust to specific needs. </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>Supporting teamwork between teachers and supporting staff.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>Using assessment data regularly and effectively to improve teaching practices and take corrective action when needed. </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>Cultivating a well-prepared, motivated teaching force through continuous professional development and incentives; providing school-based teacher training. </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>Recruiting school leaders based on merit.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>Reimagining education finance to provide incentives to local authorities and other stakeholders.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>Giving attention to student absences with strong follow-up. </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>Strengthening special needs education by including special caretakers in addition to assistant teachers, as well as sign language interpreters where needed.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>Introducing technology and evidence-based learning materials into the classroom; ensuring that all students have their own textbooks for reading, numeracy, and all other subjects.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul><p> </p> <p><span><span><span><strong><em><span><span>Mrs. Eyitayo Salami, Chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board</span></span></em></strong><span><span> said she came away from the visit <em>“with not just learning but action points.”</em></span></span> <span><span>She was planning to explore linking incentives to goals the same way Ceara has: “<em>How do we tie all the reforms that we have initiated into an incentive that makes our reforms take off to the point that we can see the results that we actually want to achieve</em>”.  </span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><strong><em><span><span>Mrs. Joy Ene Onoka, Nigeria’s Deputy Director of Basic Education,</span></span></em></strong><span><span> added to the lessons that the Nigerian delegation will take back. While Nigeria holds annual campaigns aimed at ensuring all children are enrolled in school, the country still faces challenges with out-of-school children. “<em>Today I have discovered that you don’t just call their parents; you go to their homes to look for them, to know why they are not in school, so that is really a lot of follow up</em>,” Mrs. Onoka said. We can also “<em>do more in following up, so that [children] in fact keep on attending schools throughout the year</em>.” </span></span> </span></span></span></p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-beneficiaries-participants field--type-text-with-summary field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Beneficiaries / Participants</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span><strong>Mozambique</strong></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Permanent secretary</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>National Director of Planning and Cooperation</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>National Director of Primary Education</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>National Director of Management and Quality Guarantee</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>National Director of Teacher Training</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Director General of <span>INDE</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Advisor to the Minister</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>MINEDH</span></span><span> Focal Point Project Moz Learning on Diplac</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Department Head at <span>DNFP</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Department Head at <span>DINEP</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Department Head at <span>DNGGQ</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>INDE</span></span><span> Technique</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span><span><strong>Kenya</strong></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Director General of Education</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Director of Education</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span><span><strong><span>Sierra Leone</span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Education Advisor to the Minister</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Chair, Teaching Service Commission</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span><span><strong><span>Nigeria</span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Deputy Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Chief Education Officer, Basic Education, Federal Ministry of Education</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Deputy Director of Basic Education, Federal Ministry of Education</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board, Nigeria</span></span></span></p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-res-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Topics</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/browse-topics-results?field_res_topics_target_id=252">Education</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-providing-country field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Knowledge-providing Countries</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/33" hreflang="en">Brazil</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-recepient-country field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Knowledge-receiving Countries</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/155" hreflang="en">Mozambique</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/117" hreflang="en">Kenya</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/166" hreflang="en">Nigeria</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/200" hreflang="en">Sierra Leone</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-funding-source field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Funding Source(s)</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/270" hreflang="en">South South Facility</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-results-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Results Type</div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/272" hreflang="en">Results Stories</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-challenge field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Challenge</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span><span><span>Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Mozambique and Kenya, like most African countries, are facing a learning crisis. In sub-Saharan Africa, learning poverty, defined as the share of children unable to read and understand an age-appropriate text by age 10, is estimated at over 89% by the World Bank. The Accelerator Program is seeking to tackle this trend of learning poverty by working with a subset of governments that are committed to improving their foundational learning outcomes, through a mix of focus, technical support, and contextually appropriate, evidence-based interventions. Representatives of the four governments who visited Cear</span>á<span> were among the first cohort of Accelerator member countries and states.</span></span></span></span></p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-key-contacts field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Key Contact</div> <div class="field--item">Saamira Halabi</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-partners-info field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Partners</div> <div class="field--item"><p><strong><span><span><span>List of Ceará state government and municipal government representatives who met</span></span></span> with the African delegation</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><span><span><span><strong>State of </strong><strong><span>Ceará </span></strong></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Governor of the State of Ceará (acting)</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Special Advisor to the Governor</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Secretary of Education</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Executive Secretary of Cooperation with Municipalities</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Executive Secretary of Regionalization and Modernization</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Director of Economic Studies, Institute for Research and Economic Strategy (IPECE)</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>IPECE Public Policy Analyst</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span><span><span><strong><span>Municipality of Eusébio</span></strong></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Eusébio Education Secretary</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span><span><span><strong><span>Municipality of Pires Ferreira</span></strong></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Mayor of Pires Ferreira</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Pires Ferreira Education Secretary</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span><span><span><strong><span>Municipality of Sobral</span></strong></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Mayor of Sobral</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Sobral Education Secretary</span></span></span></span></p></div> </div> Tue, 27 Feb 2024 15:57:09 +0000 lporte 615 at https://www.southsouthfacility.org Working Regionally to Combat Plastic Pollution https://www.southsouthfacility.org/results/working-regionally-combat-plastic-pollution <span>Working Regionally to Combat Plastic Pollution</span> <span><span lang="" about="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/user/18" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">lporte</span></span> <span>Tue, 02/20/2024 - 16:22</span> <div class="field field--name-field-res-start-date field--type-datetime field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Start Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="2021-05-03T12:00:00Z">May 03, 2021</time></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-res-end-date field--type-datetime field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">End Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="2023-12-29T12:00:00Z">December 29, 2023</time></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-funding-amount field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Funding Amount</div> <div class="field--item">70000</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-publication-date field--type-datetime field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Publication Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="1924-02-20T12:00:00Z">February 20, 1924</time></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-res-image field--type-image field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Image</div> <div class="field--item"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/sites/ssf/files/resource/Visual%20for%20Results%20Story_0.jpg" width="780" height="439" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p><span><span><span>From transport to health, food to construction and textiles, plastics are among the most abundant materials in our economy. Globally, the plastic industry is valued at USD 600 billion and provides employment to millions of people worldwide. But plastic pollution has become a crisis of monumental proportions, with 8 million tons ending up in oceans annually. Around the world, different regions face unique challenges ranging from community awareness to waste and recycling capacity, to weak stakeholder engagement.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Through this South-South knowledge exchange, counterpart agencies mentioned above, working on plastic waste solutions in <a>East Asia and Pacific (EAP), South Asia (SAR) and Aub-Saharan Africa (AFR) regions</a></span><span>, with supporting World Bank (WB) team members, came together, in the form of a hybrid workshop, for a knowledge exchange on ongoing and upcoming regional plastic waste management projects. During the first part of the exchange, each region provided an overview of their initiative—highlighting regional challenges and project goals for addressing plastic waste issues. In the second part of the exchange, counterpart and supporting agencies — along with WB teams—participated in a moderated discussion covering pre-project analytics; project design (i.e., similarities and differences); institutional arrangements (i.e., structure and success); major project challenges and mitigation strategies; and implementation.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>As a result of the knowledge exchange, each project team left with a greater understanding of the unique challenges different regional teams face in their efforts to combat plastic pollution, and how a regional response, with WB support, has unique benefits to member countries. They also experienced increased knowledge of overlapping issues and solutions, and gleaned insight into the types of strategies regional teams are using to enhance their project outcomes and ensure continued stakeholder engagement.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-lession-learned field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Lessons Learned</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span><span>In addition to the lessons highlighted above, participants also expressed that the knowledge exchange reminded them of the importance of strong existing institutional mechanisms for cooperation and collaboration. For example, the SEA-MaP team recognizes that this is already set up within ASEAN through the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment, the ASEAN Senior Officials on Environment, and the ASEAN Working Groups, including the ASEAN Working Group on Coastal and Marine Environment. These mechanisms are essential to project teams’ abilities to address the current and future challenges related to plastic pollution. The ECOWAS participants expressed many lessons learned from the group discussion, including the importance of agreed plastic standards, monitoring and control, pilot projects, private sector support, stakeholder engagement, circular economy, and environmental integrity.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-results field--type-text-with-summary field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Results</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span><span>Increased knowledge:</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Through the exchange, each of the regional project teams expressed they had learned new information and approaches from the shared experiences of the other participants. Specifically, teams articulated an increased understanding of the different activities planned by the participating regions and greater insight into the specific challenges they faced (for example, in implementing a small grants program).</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>The SEA-MaP team also indicated they had a greater understanding within the team of the value of the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combatting Marine Debris in ASEAN Member States (ASEAN RAP), and planned to further utilize this document to clearly define and detail activities that are covered under SEA-MaP. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Participants from ECOWAS felt they learned from other participants regarding the development of extended produced responsibility and its enforcement. They were also intrigued by the involvement of the private sector as well as success stories from pilot projects and stakeholder engagement efforts shared by the other projects, and are eager find ways to implement similar activities in their upcoming initiatives.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Enhanced skills:</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Team members expressed that the session helped clarify what specific skills they want to focus on and enhance for the future of their programs. The SEA-MaP team, for example, after hearing about the strong branding and communications efforts of the other projects, wants to put a greater emphasis on these skills and plans to develop a full communications strategy for their project moving forward. Similarly, the WACA</span><span> </span><span> team wants to continue to leverage the work that has been done in the other regions by incorporating some of the shared activities and experiences in their own action plan implementation to improve the knowledge of member state entities.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Enhanced coordination:</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Each of the participants indicated that continued coordination and knowledge sharing between projects would be beneficial to their own work. This is especially true in relation to continued sharing of lessons learned, and specifically, technical topics (as they progress). </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Many of the participants are thinking ahead to the upcoming Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC)-4 and -5 discussions on an International Legally-Binding Instrument (ILBI) to combat plastic pollution, which will occur in April and November 2024. The successful implementation of this instrument will require a comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastic, including its production, design, and disposal—and continued coordination at the regional level and across regional teams will be key to adaptation.</span></span></span></p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-solution field--type-text-with-summary field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Solution</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span><span>Throughout the engagement, participants benefitted from hearing about the key strengths and results that each of the regional projects have been able to achieve. There were many elements that resonated across regions and some solutions that sparked ideas for ways that ongoing projects might enhance their current work.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>One such solution came from the PLEASE project. </span><span><span>The PLEASE project is a pioneering initiative funded by the WB, started in 2020, to address the issue of plastic pollution in rivers and seas in South Asia. The project is implemented by SACEP, a regional organization that promotes environmental cooperation among South Asian countries. The project's implementation experience and outcomes are valuable for other WB teams and partners who are working on similar interventions: (i) the project has a broad scope and requires additional implementation support for the project implementing unit (PIU), as well as analytical work to inform project implementation and monitoring; (ii) furthermore, regional projects should prioritize the harmonization of regional policies and the establishment of a regional engagement mechanism, as these are essential for effective cross-border collaboration and coordination.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>During the moderated discussion, the SEA-MaP team learned of the effective branding and communication efforts undertaken by the PLEASE implementors in South Asia. Their communication strategies included the dissemination of early products, such as a video, highlighting the PLEASE project objectives. SEA-MaP participants noted that this approach could be beneficial for their project as well.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>As they look to create their regional program, WACA and its counterparts also learned a great deal from the EAP and SAR projects. Specifically, the team was interested in the governing tools that SEA-MaP and PLEASE developed, as well as the pilot projects they implemented. The WACA team hopes to continue to engage with these existing regional projects for ongoing insight and support as their own plans develop further.</span></span></span></p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-world-bank-contribution field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">World Bank Contribution</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span><span>Through the South-South Facility, the World Bank funded the knowledge exchange activities, coordinated and moderated the knowledge sharing events, and brought the three distant regional organizations together into one platform – bringing regional organizations into one single event is an effective way to carry out learning events, as regional institutions have the ability to steer and influence all countries in the regions they cover. The planning and implementation of the event were a collaborative effort between WB teams from the SEA-MaP, PLEASE and WACA projects.</span></span></span></p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-moving-forward field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Moving forward</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span><span>SEA-Map: </span></span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span>Establishing strong branding and communications strategy.</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>Continue progressing various technical studies to address the actions in the ASEAN RAP.</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>It will be good to coordinate with other regional projects on both of the above topics to continue to share knowledge and lessons learned.</span></span></span></li> </ul><p><span><span><span>PLEASE:</span></span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span>Continue successful implementation of the project, including wrapping up all activities by January 2025.</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>Strengthen the WB external and internal communication activities to highlight the successful solutions to plastic pollution.</span></span></span></li> </ul><p><span><span><span>WACA:</span> </span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span>The next step for ECOWAS is to develop the regional plan to combat plastic pollution in collaboration with WAEMU and with the World Bank support. </span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>Moving forward, ECOWAS and WAEMU aim to support their member states in implementing the action plan.</span></span></span></li> </ul></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-beneficiaries-participants field--type-text-with-summary field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Beneficiaries / Participants</div> <div class="field--item"><p><strong><span><span><span>ASEAN Secretariat (SEA-MaP Counterpart):</span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span><span>Project Director, PMU</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Senior Officer, Environment Division</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Officer, Environment Division</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Project Officers (2), PMU</span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span><span><span>UNOPS:</span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span><span>Project Support Coordinator, RISU</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span>Project Support Specialist, RISU</span></span></p> <p><strong><span><span><span>PLEASE PIU:</span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span><span>Intermediate Project Director</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Senior Program Manager of UNOPS</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><strong><span><span>ECOWAS (WACA Counterpart): </span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Head Environment & Climate / ECOWAS Commission</span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span><span><span>WAEMU (WACA Counterpart)</span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span><span>Director of Environment and Water Resources / WAEMU Commission</span></span></span></p> <p><a><strong>IUCN</strong> </a><strong><span><span><span>(WACA Counterpart)</span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span>Program Officer/</span></span> <span><span>International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Dakar</span></span></p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-res-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Topics</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/browse-topics-results?field_res_topics_target_id=263">Sanitation and Waste Management</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-providing-country field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Knowledge-providing Countries</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/35" hreflang="en">Brunei Darussalam</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/40" hreflang="en">Cambodia</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/105" hreflang="en">Indonesia</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/124" hreflang="en">Lao People's Democratic Republic</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/137" hreflang="en">Malaysia</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/178" hreflang="en">Philippines</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/201" hreflang="en">Singapore</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/221" hreflang="en">Thailand</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/241" hreflang="en">Vietnam</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/21" hreflang="en">Bangladesh</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/28" hreflang="en">Bhutan</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/104" hreflang="en">India</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/138" hreflang="en">Maldives</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/159" hreflang="en">Nepal</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/172" hreflang="en">Pakistan</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/209" hreflang="en">Sri Lanka</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/26" hreflang="en">Benin</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/39" hreflang="en">Cabo Verde</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/57" hreflang="en">Cote d'Ivoire</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/82" hreflang="en">Gambia, The</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/85" hreflang="en">Ghana</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/94" hreflang="en">Guinea</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/95" hreflang="en">Guinea-Bissau</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/128" hreflang="en">Liberia</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/143" hreflang="en">Mauritania</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/166" hreflang="en">Nigeria</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/195" hreflang="en">Sao Tome and Principe</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/197" hreflang="en">Senegal</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/200" hreflang="en">Sierra Leone</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/223" hreflang="en">Togo</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-recepient-country field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Knowledge-receiving Countries</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/35" hreflang="en">Brunei Darussalam</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/40" hreflang="en">Cambodia</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/105" hreflang="en">Indonesia</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/124" hreflang="en">Lao People's Democratic Republic</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/137" hreflang="en">Malaysia</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/178" hreflang="en">Philippines</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/201" hreflang="en">Singapore</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/221" hreflang="en">Thailand</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/241" hreflang="en">Vietnam</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/21" hreflang="en">Bangladesh</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/28" hreflang="en">Bhutan</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/104" hreflang="en">India</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/138" hreflang="en">Maldives</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/159" hreflang="en">Nepal</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/172" hreflang="en">Pakistan</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/209" hreflang="en">Sri Lanka</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/26" hreflang="en">Benin</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/39" hreflang="en">Cabo Verde</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/57" hreflang="en">Cote d'Ivoire</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/82" hreflang="en">Gambia, The</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/85" hreflang="en">Ghana</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/94" hreflang="en">Guinea</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/95" hreflang="en">Guinea-Bissau</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/128" hreflang="en">Liberia</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/143" hreflang="en">Mauritania</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/166" hreflang="en">Nigeria</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/195" hreflang="en">Sao Tome and Principe</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/197" hreflang="en">Senegal</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/200" hreflang="en">Sierra Leone</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/223" hreflang="en">Togo</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-funding-source field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Funding Source(s)</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/270" hreflang="en">South South Facility</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-results-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Results Type</div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/272" hreflang="en">Results Stories</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-challenge field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Challenge</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span><span><span>Across different global regions, and despite varying socioeconomic contexts, the effort to curb plastic pollution faces many common barriers and challenges. In ASEAN member states</span></span><span><span>, rapid urbanization and inadequate waste management infrastructure contribute to the problem. In countries covered by the WACA platform</span></span><span><span>, urbanization, population increase, and economic growth have accelerated plastic use and waste and waste management systems cannot keep up with the demand. In SACEP countries</span></span><span><span>, densely populated cities and poor waste management systems are to blame. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Due in part to the similarities in the root causes of plastic management challenges and barriers across participating regions, the knowledge exchange revealed that many of the project teams encountered similar issues while launching their WB-financed projects or achieving project outcomes. For the SEA-MaP project, a key challenge arose while setting up institutional arrangements for the regional project, as SEA-MaP was to be a first-of-its-kind project financed by the WB and implemented by ASEAN (a regional organization representing 10 member countries). One of the solutions was to establish a Regional Implementation Support Unit (RISU), housed within the development partner agency the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). In South Asia, the PLEASE initiative already had experience partnering with UNOPS to bolster the implementation capacity of <a>SACEP</a></span></span><span><span>.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>In West Africa, the team is working to get a regional operation targeting plastic pollution off the ground, using the WACA program as a launching pad. There is a recognized need for a regional action to help West African countries reach scale for policy adoption, knowledge base, innovation, and finance. ECOWAS has requested the World Bank’s support to draft a Regional Action plan on Plastics Management and Circular Economy in collaboration with WAEMU. This technical assistance is on-going with PROBLUE funds. Given the early stages of this regional effort, the knowledge exchange was especially helpful to the team and its counterparts who were able to ask specific questions to the other project teams regarding their project design and implementation. In particular, from the SEA-MaP project team, as the SEA-MaP project is implementing the Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN Member States which was also prepared with support from WB and PROBLUE.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-key-contacts field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Key Contact</div> <div class="field--item">Daniel Mira-Salama</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-partners-info field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Partners</div> <div class="field--item"><ul><li><span><span><span>ASEAN Secretariat</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>UNOPS</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>SACEP Secretariat</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>ECOWAS</span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>WAEMU</span></span></span></li> </ul></div> </div> Tue, 20 Feb 2024 16:22:32 +0000 lporte 614 at https://www.southsouthfacility.org Scaling Up Digital Citizen Engagement https://www.southsouthfacility.org/results/scaling-digital-citizen-engagement <span>Scaling Up Digital Citizen Engagement</span> <span><span lang="" about="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/user/18" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">lporte</span></span> <span>Tue, 02/20/2024 - 16:05</span> <div class="field field--name-field-res-start-date field--type-datetime field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Start Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="2022-11-01T12:00:00Z">November 01, 2022</time></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-res-end-date field--type-datetime field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">End Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="2023-08-31T12:00:00Z">August 31, 2023</time></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-funding-amount field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Funding Amount</div> <div class="field--item">70000</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-publication-date field--type-datetime field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Publication Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="1924-02-20T12:00:00Z">February 20, 1924</time></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-res-image field--type-image field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Image</div> <div class="field--item"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/sites/ssf/files/resource/Visual%20for%20Results%20Story.jpg" width="864" height="576" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p><span><span><span>The World Bank Group (WBG) aims to integrate Citizen Engagement (CE) systematically into its operations, particularly emphasizing inclusion and empowerment of citizen participation. The COVID-19 pandemic, with its impact on traditional CE mechanisms, prompted a strategic shift towards leveraging digital tools for transparent, inclusive, and accessible CE. The Citizen Engagement and Social Accountability Global Solutions Group (CESA GSG) at the Social Sustainability and Inclusion Global Practice (SSI GP) implemented a "lego approach," creating modular software components for cost-effective digital tools. The focus included a digital grievance mechanism, social audit, and community scorecard. The initiative involved operationalizing digital CE strategy, conducting country pilots, establishing a "South-South digital CE data collective," and providing guidance on data protection. Key deliverables comprised technical advice, country pilot expansion, and a data collective, aligning with WBG priorities like the Global Partnership for Social Accountability (GPSA) and progress in GovTech and CivicTech. Lessons learned emphasized customization options, co-creation with CSOs, comprehensive support, and the pivotal interface between CivicTech and GovTech. The final report detailed findings from country projects, including successes and challenges, highlighting the importance of open government data and addressing the dependency on GovTech for effective digital CE initiatives.</span></span></span></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-lession-learned field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Lessons Learned</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span><span>The "lego approach" aims to create a digital public good for CE that minimizes the challenges of developing and maintaining digital initiatives. Users' diverse needs can be addressed through three different approaches: customization, configuration, and custom development.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><strong>Customization:</strong></span></span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Refers to changes administrators can make to a standard template app.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Examples include renaming the app, selecting language and country, adjusting roles and permissions, adding new forms, and creating reports and dashboards.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Changes are easily packaged with each app, maintaining data standards while offering flexibility to users.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><p><span><span><span><strong>Configuration:</strong></span></span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Involves actions by configurators when creating a new app or modifying an existing one.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Results in either an entirely new app or a new version of an existing app.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Configurators can create or modify forms, update workflows, add pages, structure the app, develop core reports and dashboards, and utilize AI capabilities or communication channels.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Changes fundamentally alter app functionality, requiring careful testing and validation but offering flexibility within an existing codebase.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><p><span><span><span><strong>Custom Development:</strong></span></span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Involves software developers creating or modifying apps using any code library.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Common data standards provided by the Lego Approach ensure interoperability.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span>APIs are available for access to AI services and communication channels, saving time, money, and ensuring greater interoperability among different apps.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><p><span><span><span>While many customization options are currently available, further efforts are needed to streamline the customization process, providing enhanced ease of use. Additionally, providing comprehensive documentation and training guidance is crucial to support users in utilizing these customization features effectively. Co-creating apps with like-minded CSOs is also recommendable since it can enhance adoption and sustainability, and expertise can be crowdsourced. To facilitate the adoption and use of apps, it is essential to provide a comprehensive support package including: Data protection guidance, user guidance, user training, admin guidance, admin training, support, custom training, hosting, and server installation and set-up guidance and training. It is recommended that there be a dedicated entity responsible for managing these aspects, encompassing the development and maintenance of guidance and training materials. This entity would also be responsible for providing ongoing support and training to users, ensuring the effective implementation and utilization of the apps.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Finally, a recurring theme in the lessons learned is the interplay and interdependency between GovTech (government technology) and CivicTech (citizen technology). A recommendation is made for the CESA data collective to conduct an analysis, focusing on specific sectors, to identify core data sets crucial for open government data. Additionally, the analysis should consider key touch points for CE linking to the service delivery process. This will help assess GovTech maturity and identify areas requiring further investment to address this dependency. Furthermore, CESA apps like the Community Score Card (CSC), Social Accountability (SA), and Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) should include the option to import lists of facilities or projects, facilitating easier linkage between citizen data and government data.</span></span></span></p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-results field--type-text-with-summary field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Results</div> <div class="field--item"><p><strong><span><span><span>New knowledge: </span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span><span>Kwantu expanded country pilots by providing technical advice focusing on three key digital CE tools—digital GM, social audit, and community scorecard—in linkage with these operations. The goal was to showcase a proof of concept (thereby generating new knowledge on digital CE) for 'Template Apps' developed through a low-code platform. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Grievance Redress Mechanism </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>The grievance redress mechanism (GRM) app, initially developed by Kwantu and CSAT in 2022, is actively used by CSAT in Malawi to monitor grievances and inquiries related to projects funded by the Constituency Development Fund. The app consists of a web-based portal for administrators and a mobile app for citizens and field workers. Due to limited Internet and smartphone access in Malawi, cases are received in person or through a toll-free line, logged in the GRM.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>The logged cases undergo a workflow that allows for updates and routing to different team members. SMS alerts are provided to those raising grievances, keeping them informed about the status and resolution. To adapt this app into a prototype template app, the following steps were taken:</span></span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span><span><span>A copy of the app was created.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>The app was reviewed to identify and remove CSAT-specific elements to make it more generic.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>The case management workflow was extended and linked to additional roles resembling grievance workflows in other projects.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Verification was conducted to ensure inclusion of fields required for the proposed data standard.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>A report was generated to output data in accordance with the data standard.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><p><span><span><span><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Social Audit</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>This new app is developed based on an analysis of social audits from literature and key respondent interviews. Similar to the CSC app, it begins by prompting the admin user to input one or more facilities or projects for a social audit. Further consultation with users is required to determine the focal points for social audits, enhancing the app's relevance.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>To refine the app, engagement with organizations utilizing social audits is crucial. Areas for review include:</span></span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span><span><span>Whether the facility/project list should be merged with the CSC app, allowing organizations to record a CSC or social audit cycle from the same app.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Whether the app should empower admins to create surveys and collect responses, or if this process should remain on paper.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Identification of any necessary changes to the forms used in the app based on feedback and requirements.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><p><strong><span><span><span>Increased knowledge on the Applicability of CSC App:</span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span><span>The Community Score Card (CSC) app, originally created by Kwantu in 2011, has evolved to version 2 (funded by this grant), incorporating feedback from pilots in Malawi and Nepal in 2021. Within a profile, an admin user can initiate a CSC cycle and delegate responsibility to a user, typically the facilitator guiding the CSC process. The facilitator utilizes a series of forms to record data generated by CSC participants.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Key outcomes of this deliverable include:</span></span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span><span><span>Real-time Visualization: Data from the app is visualized in real time on dashboards, with filters enabling exploration from various group perspectives (e.g., female-only groups or groups of disabled people).</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Upcoming Changes: Version three of the app is in progress, with a few more months needed to finalize changes. The goal is to release version three by November 2023 and pilot it in Malawi for further feedback.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Template App Features: The app is close to being a template app, used by several CARE and VSO country teams. It allows customization of local language, country, and indicators scored.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><p><strong><span><span><span>Increased understanding: </span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span><span>Kwantu, a South African social enterprise specialized in digital CE was hired to provide technical advice to country teams regarding the applicability of digital CE for three pipeline projects with which development outcomes could be improved with the “lego approach.” As a result of this grant, our understanding of how digital CE can be implemented in World Bank project has increased tremendously. Here are some specific details: </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>P163592 CASA1000 Community Support Project:</span></span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span><span><span>Focus: Community-driven development in the Kyrgyz Republic involving over 300 villages.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Approach: Used a participatory needs assessment at the local/village level through in-person and later online forums (Your Priorities platform).</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Impact: Online forums increased accessibility, especially for groups like mothers. Overcame social norms, facilitated deliberation, and enabled voting on proposals.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Recommendation: Further analysis of this digital CE tool for online consultation and idea generation is advised.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><p> </p> <p><span><span><span>Strengthening the participation of vulnerable groups in municipal governance in Jordan (BETF implemented under the Municipal Services and Social Resilience Project (MSSRP - P161982):</span></span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span><span><span>Focus: Improving access to municipal services for vulnerable groups, refugees, and women in Jordan.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Approach: Utilized Google software for a Government Technology (GovTech) intervention in 28 municipalities, aiming for sustainability.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Challenges: Ensuring effective management processes within municipalities, and dealing with cultural dynamics, including strong tribal relationships bypassing the GRM.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Lesson: Sustainability lessons, particularly in CivicTech and GovTech interventions, should be explored further.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><p><span><span><span>Gulf of Guinea Lagging Regions Social Cohesion Project (P175043): </span></span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span><span><span>Focus: Development of a digital Governance Resource Management (GRM) and community-driven development app in West Africa.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Evolution: Started with the eHDW app in Indonesia, shifted focus to digital GRM in West Africa, currently used by 90 facilitators in Togo.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Challenges: Recruitment of developers and lack of geo-files at the village level. Highlights the interdependency between CivicTech and GovTech initiatives.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Lesson: Usability and flexibility of task-based user interfaces in managing complex interactions. A potential model for other CE tools.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><p><span><span><span><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">To increase the understanding of these digital applications, workshops were delivered amongst the selected World Bank project PIUs and related client agencies/institutions.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>GovTech, Citizen Engagement, and Social Accountability: Where to start? (June 21, 2023)</span></span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span><span><span>Participants included representatives from the Government of Malawi.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>The webinar explored the connections between GovTech, Citizen Engagement, and Social Accountability. It addressed how social accountability tools can generate demand and identify areas for improved data when government data management is weak. Conversely, in cases of stronger government data management, it discussed essential datasets for citizen feedback and engagement, considering packaging and the role of open government data standards. Practical examples from the Malawi Governance to Enable Service Delivery project were used to illustrate these linkages.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><p><span><span><span>Artificial Intelligence and Citizen Engagement (July 12, 2023)</span></span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span><span><span>Participants included CSCO representatives from the digital CE field—Kuja Kuja and Peloria.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>The webinar focused on exploring ways in which artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance citizen engagement in government service delivery. It addressed the opportunities and risks associated with the use of AI, considering the potential demonstrated by large language model AI, such as ChatGPT, and concerns about misuse. The experiences of two organizations using AI were shared, and the discussion delved into various applications of AI in enabling citizen engagement, along with the associated risk mitigation strategies.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><p><span><span><span><strong>Increased Regional Cooperation: </strong></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">With guidance from CESA GSG Kwantu also established and convened the “South-South digital CE data collective.” </span>In May and June 2023, consultative discussions were held with early adopters of digital Citizen Engagement (CE). These discussions served as a sounding board to determine the role and added value of the CESA data collective. Subsequently, a concept note was developed, outlining the collective's need and potential role. Formative activities include agreeing on a shared vision, articulating value, establishing principles, defining governance, and creating a costed work plan. To initiate the process, a multi-stakeholder collaboration meeting took place on July 12th, involving 27 participants representing Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and CivicTech organizations. The meeting aimed to frame the need for a "Collective" in digital CE work by CSOs globally, bringing together innovative actors. The report details participant feedback and emerging consensus on the group's focus. Meeting minutes and recordings were circulated, with further follow-up pending clarification of resources for this workstream.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Furthermore, guidance materials on data protection, governance, and safeguarding risks drafted and shared through the “South-South CE data collective” and relevant learning events. To help assess and mitigate potential risks a framework was developed based on the responsible data maturity model (developed by CARE). Lastly, data architecture across applications with definitions and taxonomies was shared through the “South-South CE data collective.” </span><span>Data Architecture Roadmap documents were developed to focus on a summary of commonalities across the three tools reviewed (GRM, CSC and Social Audit).</span></span></span></span></p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-solution field--type-text-with-summary field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Solution</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span><span>To this end and to employ a systematic approach for digital CE, CESA GSG identified the next steps for strengthening digital approaches and tools for CE in Bank projects through the “lego approach” from the recent World Bank Report <a href="https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/099102523151025995/p1761170f623290bb0bf180e85c05a24113"><em>Amplifying People's Voices – Opportunities for Mainstreaming Citizen Engagement Through Digital Technology</em></a>. The report suggests the “lego approach,” or the deliberate creation of software components—code, interface designs, data schema, and back-end functions—in a modular fashion so that individual components, groups of components, or entire applications can be readily re-purposed by other project teams. Through basic software development discipline and WB guiding principles, this approach can accelerate the creation of cost-effective digital tools. The CESA GSG implemented the South-South learning collaboration and data collective, focusing on three key tools—digital grievance mechanism (digital GM), social audit, and community scorecard.  </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Key activities included: </span></span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Operationalizing the strategy for digital CE following the “lego approach” focusing on three key tools: digital GM, social audit, and community scorecard.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Conducting country pilots to test applications, gather feedback for understanding implementation models and diverse needs, and offer recommendations for a sustainable model aligning with global challenges and World Bank priorities. </span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Assisting in establishing the "South-South digital CE data collective" for tool development and knowledge-sharing. </span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Providing guidance on data protection, governance, and safeguarding.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><span>Establishing a shared data architecture with definitions and taxonomies across applications, supporting decision-making on protocols or platforms for the data architecture.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-world-bank-contribution field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">World Bank Contribution</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span><span>The World Bank provided thought leadership and technical guidance on the data architecture creation and on prototype application development. The World Bank team directly worked on organizing the various knowledge-sharing events. </span></span></span></p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-moving-forward field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Moving forward</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span><span>There are three types of users of these tools. </span></span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span><span>Category 1: Types of CSOs who are going to use these tools as it is. </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>Category 2: Types that would require some modification. </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>Category 3: Types of CSOs who would require a lot of modification to be able to use these tools and may choose to build something themselves. </span></span></span></span></li> </ul><ol><li><span><span><span><span>The Data Architecture will primarily be used by the Category 3 users. We want them to use a similar data structure so that we can use AI and Machine learning (unsupervised machine learning) in the next phases of the project subject to additional fundraising.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>The Lego Approach will be used mainly by the Category 2 users and the World Bank will support the implementation of these tools and provide specific technical assistance if requested by CSOs.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>For Category 1, all 3 prototypes will be very useful. The World Bank team will support the implementation of these tools and provide specific technical assistance if requested by CSOs. </span></span></span></span></li> </ol></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-learn-more field--type-text-with-summary field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Learn More</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span><span>To learn more about ongoing efforts on scaling up digital citizen engagement, read World Bank blog article recently published on February 12, 2024 “<a href="https://blogs.worldbank.org/governance/generative-artificial-intelligence-enabler-citizen-engagement">Generative Artificial Intelligence as an Enabler for Citizen Engagement</a>” by Aly Rahim, Chris Mahony, and Sruti Bandyopadhyay that talks about how artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, combined with citizen feedback, can transform data into actionable insights for development finance.</span></span></span></p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-res-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Topics</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/browse-topics-results?field_res_topics_target_id=300">Social Inclusion</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-providing-country field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Knowledge-providing Countries</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/206" hreflang="en">South Africa</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-recepient-country field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Knowledge-receiving Countries</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/26" hreflang="en">Benin</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/57" hreflang="en">Cote d'Ivoire</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/85" hreflang="en">Ghana</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/94" hreflang="en">Guinea</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/128" hreflang="en">Liberia</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/166" hreflang="en">Nigeria</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/200" hreflang="en">Sierra Leone</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/223" hreflang="en">Togo</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-funding-source field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Funding Source(s)</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/270" hreflang="en">South South Facility</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-results-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Results Type</div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/272" hreflang="en">Results Stories</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-challenge field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Challenge</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span><span>While many developing countries strive to work in the digital economy for sustainable and inclusive growth, there are still many regions where the digital divide remains wide and where the incorrect application of technology could actually mute the very voices we hope to amplify. Issues of privacy, anonymity, and online safety continue to grow as quickly as solutions to them are developed. Further, the deployment and sustained use of these technologies can be challenging and complex. However, the promise of technology to help people be heard, to give citizens agency in their countries, to help governments and the policy community better understand regional, national, and global problems is tremendous. The growing access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) in developing countries has accelerated the urgency to integrate digital tools into participatory processes, thus ensuring they are scalable, sustainable, inclusive, and cost-effective.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Digital Citizen Engagement (Digital CE) seeks to digitize the most common mechanisms and tools for citizen engagement so that project teams across the global practice can re-purpose them for local uses. Recently the potential of Digital CE has been tapped into at a much larger scale due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as traditional ways for citizen engagement were not feasible in the context of quarantine and social-distancing. CE tools and mechanisms through digital platforms can facilitate inclusive, transparent, and active citizen engagement with much greater accessibility. WBG’s <em>Strategic Framework for Mainstreaming Citizen Engagement in World Bank Group Operations</em> addresses the impact of technology on CE, underlining that growing access to information and communication technologies in developing countries holds the potential to make participatory processes more transparent, inclusive, scalable, and cost-effective, and that ICT can play an important role in CE as a means to support scalable, sustainable, inclusive, and cost-effective participatory processes. Still, more work needs to be done to clearly identify the constraints and opportunities for digital technologies, and handhold client governments to pilot and scale up digital CE that enable meaningful “two-way interactions” between citizens and governments and thereby improve development impact.</span></span></span></p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-key-contacts field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Key Contact</div> <div class="field--item">Aly Zulficar Rahim</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-partners-info field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Partners</div> <div class="field--item"><ul><li><span><span><span><span>CARE </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>VSO </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>CESC (Mozambique NGO)</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>Aga Khan Foundation</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>Do for Children (Malawian NGO)</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>CSAT (Malawian NGO)</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span>National Local Government Finance Committee (Government of Malawi)</span></span></span></span></li> </ul></div> </div> Tue, 20 Feb 2024 16:05:13 +0000 lporte 613 at https://www.southsouthfacility.org Strengthening the Disability Inclusion Agenda in Cameroon, Nigeria and Sierra Leone https://www.southsouthfacility.org/results/strengthening-disability-inclusion-agenda-cameroon-nigeria-and-sierra-leone <span>Strengthening the Disability Inclusion Agenda in Cameroon, Nigeria and Sierra Leone</span> <span><span lang="" about="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/user/18" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">lporte</span></span> <span>Tue, 12/06/2022 - 19:35</span> <div class="field field--name-field-res-start-date field--type-datetime field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Start Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="2021-05-26T12:00:00Z">May 26, 2021</time></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-res-end-date field--type-datetime field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">End Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="2022-05-31T12:00:00Z">May 31, 2022</time></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-funding-amount field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Funding Amount</div> <div class="field--item">25000</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-publication-date field--type-datetime field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Publication Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="2022-12-06T12:00:00Z">December 06, 2022</time></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-res-image field--type-image field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Image</div> <div class="field--item"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/sites/ssf/files/resource/Visual%20for%20Results%20Story.png" width="598" height="565" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p><span><span><span><span>A knowledge exchange and peer learning program were carried out virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions through a series of webinars, bringing together practitioners and representatives </span><span>of key ministries and public agencies, as well as Civil Society Organizations <span>(CSOs),</span> and </span><span>Organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) from Cameroun, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>The objectives of the virtual exchanges were to promote the disability inclusion agenda in the three participating countries and allow participants to identify best practices and share </span><span>experiences in policy formulation and implementation in Nigeria, Cameroon, and Sierra Leone.</span></span></span></span></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-lession-learned field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Lessons Learned</div> <div class="field--item"><p>From the participant feedback and discussions from the webinars, the following key lessons emerged:</p> <ul><li>The importance of intersectoral coordination and collaboration: participants emphasized the need for synergy between MDAs, CSOs, and OPDs working on disability inclusion. The Government of Sierra Leone, OPDs and CSOs have taken the lead in this area by establishing the National Disability Consortium that has membership spread across MDAs, CSOs, and OPDs working on disability inclusion. Although, such initiative existed in Nigeria among INGOs alone but it has not been effective. A major gain from Nigeria was the engagement of the private sector in promoting the employment of persons with disabilities. Through this engagement, human resource managers in the private sector have been trained on inclusion, and the Nigerian Disability Business Network Forum was established.<br />  </li> <li>The importance of partnering with the private sector to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities was highlighted throughout the webinars.<br />  </li> <li>A right-based approach can be achieved if based on demand-driven capacity building programs are delivered to PWDs. More often than not, interventions of capacity building are supply-driven that is not sustainable (e.g., persons with disabilities should be consulted to identify their needs before interventions are delivered to them as against being fostered on them by stakeholders based on their felt-needs in line with Article 4 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities).<br />  </li> <li>The emphasis on disability disaggregated data by gender, disability, and age in tracking the progress on disability inclusion across all sectors and interventions among MDAs, CSOs, and OPDs is more urgent than ever before. This is needed to track the progress of disability inclusion across various interventions. An example of such initiatives happened with the support of the African Polling Institute (API) to the National Bureau of Statistics and the introduction of participatory research in Nigeria led by University Scholars.<br />  </li> </ul><ul><li>The knowledge exchange webinars served as an eye-opener for most of the participants as they were able to see innovations and approaches to disability mainstreaming and specific interventions happening across the various countries that  are shaping and advancing disability inclusion. Participants relayed the need to push forward the disability inclusion agenda in the three countries, by building on some of the innovative programs presented during the webinars. This issue was particularly highlighted by the Disability Rights Funds which described the importance of participatory grant making approaches for promoting disability inclusion.<br />  </li> </ul><ul><li>The need for the creation of a community of practice where CSOs, OPDs and government can regularly interact, share ideas, form partnerships and collaborate with each other both in-country and across the countries is recommended.</li> </ul><p style="text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px"> </p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-results field--type-text-with-summary field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Results</div> <div class="field--item"><p><strong><span><span><span><span>New insight and knowledge gained:</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span>The knowledge exchange participants gained a better understanding of the challenges faced </span><span><span>by</span></span> <span>the three countries across disability inclusion among civil societies, governments, and </span><span>organizations of persons with disabilities. They were able to reflect on the applicability of these learnings to their country’s context and further advance possible innovative approaches towards disability inclusion. Some of the examples include the disaggregation of data and support to the National Bureau of Statistics <span>by </span>the African Polling Institute, the capacity building of human resources managers in the private sector on the Inclusion <span>Work</span> Project <span>by</span> Sightsavers Nigeria; the development of inclusive educational policies <span>by</span> Sightsavers Sierra Leone and advancing the political participation of persons with disabilities within the governance system in Cameroun </span><span>was presented <span>by</span> Sightsavers Cameroun.</span></span></span></span></span> </p> <p><span><span><span><span><span>Others included the mentorship of human resources managers and persons with disabilities through the Chartered Institute of Management on the employment of persons with disabilities; these initiatives led to the employment of about 65% of mentees under the scheme among many </span><span>other successes recorded.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span><span><span><span>Enhanced skills:</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span>The knowledge exchange webinars offered an opportunity for participants to learn innovative </span><span>and programmatic approaches using practical experience and diverse perspectives in </span><span>promoting the advancement of disability and gender inclusion reforms in their countries. Some good examples came from the Sierra Leone Association for Persons with Albinism (SLAPWA), where the impact of their advocacy led to significant changes in the landscape of persons with </span><span>albinism. Also, the Disability Rights Funds approach of putting power in the hands of <span>OPD’s </span></span><span>and persons with disabilities to drive the agenda and prioritizing support for marginalized and emergent groups of persons with disabilities using grantmaking processes shed lights on the </span><span>capability of organization of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span><span><span><span>Improved need for collaboration and partnership:</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span>The participants across <span>CSOs,</span> MDAs, and OPDs identified the need for effective collaboration and synergy towards advancing the disability inclusion agenda in their various countries. Participants were eager to undergo some study tours and exchange visits towards improving their learnings on disability inclusion. Examples of this was exhibited <span>by</span> the presentation of CBM Nigeria within the humanitarian space in the Northeast Region of Nigeria, where a disability audit led <span>by</span> them brought about improved partnerships and collaboration between governments, International NGOs and UN Agencies under the NENTAD Project in Nigeria, CBM Cameroun had an exchange </span><span>visit to replicate some of these learnings and also received technical support towards their </span><span>humanitarian program in the southern part of Cameroun.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span><span><span>Enhanced networking and coordination:</span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span><span><span>From the outset of the webinars, participants from the various countries were unequivocal in their call for more networking opportunities and coordination both within their countries and with the participating countries. The participants from Sierra Leone have already taken the initiative to establish this mechanism in their work. Majority of participants, agreed on the need </span><span>to have an effective coordinating team in their respective countries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span><span><span>New and innovative approach towards disability inclusion:</span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span><span><span>The webinars exemplify innovative and programmatic approaches towards empowering persons </span><span>with disabilities across civic engagement, access to employment, education and inclusive </span><span>humanitarian actions. A good example was the Disability and Development nexus model being initiated <span>by</span> ActionAid Nigeria, where project was led <span>by</span> persons with disabilities in engaging their communities towards development focused issues, with women with disabilities playing </span><span>the leading roles in the northern part of Nigeria that is more patriarchal in nature.</span></span></span></span></p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-solution field--type-text-with-summary field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Solution</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span><span><span>A background desk <span>review</span> was carried out to key into the webinar themes, in order to ensure that the contents of the presentations from the various countries align with the </span><span>goals of the knowledge exchange. The desk <span>review</span> was then followed <span>by</span> a scoping </span><span>work conducted in coordination with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to </span><span>ascertain the various projects carried out <span>by</span> the governments, Civil Society Organizations, and </span><span>OPDs in the participating countries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Furthermore, key informant interviews were also conducted with key partners to ascertain the authenticity of the impactful projects which were presented during the webinars. This led to design the webinars which allowed the participants from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Cameroun to share their expertise and experiences and learn about the progress achieved in each <span>country, </span>identify the bottlenecks in advancing the disability inclusion agenda, and share innovations </span><span>made towards promoting disability inclusion in their countries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span><span><span><span>Emerging thematic areas and solutions led to the following propositions among stakeholders: </span></span></span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Advancing synergy and partnership among stakeholders’ working within the </span></span></span><span><span><span>disability inclusion ecosystem.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><ul><li><span><span><span><span><span>Improving the implementation of existing legislative and policy frameworks</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><ul><li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Advocating</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>for</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>effective</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>coordination</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>among</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>CSOs,</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>Ministries,</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>Departments,</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>and Agencies</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>(MDAs)</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>and</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>OPDs</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>both</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>within</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>and</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>across</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>the</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>region</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>remains</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span>a <span>veritable </span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span>approach</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>towards</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>advancing</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>knowledge</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>on</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>inclusion</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><ul><li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Strengthening the capacity of OPDs across structures and their institutions </span></span></span><span><span><span>using a demand-driven human rights-based approach</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><ul><li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Investing in the educational development of persons with disabilities through </span></span></span><span><span><span>their educational advancement.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><ul><li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Investing more in disability disaggregated data as a way of tracking and </span></span></span><span><span><span>monitoring progress on inclusion.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><p> </p> <p><strong><span><span><span><span>Overview of webinar series as presented</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Webinar 1: Current issues and challenges across legislations and policies</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span>The webinar took a critical look at the various legislative and policy frameworks that promotes the inclusion of persons with disabilities across governance, education, health, employment, </span><span>etc. Participants acknowledged that legislative and policy frameworks exist through the </span><span>activities of their respective governments. <span>However,</span> the implementation of these policies and frameworks remains a challenge. Also, the issues of <span>poverty,</span> inaccessible infrastructure, stigma, discrimination, and prejudice against persons with disabilities remain the dominant challenges </span><span>across the participating countries.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Webinar 2: Example of good practices</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span>Some examples of good practices across humanitarian and development sectors were shared from the three countries that further gave credence to the level of ongoing disability inclusion <span>strategy.</span> These ranges from interventions that promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities within the humanitarian space targeting UN agencies MDAs, NGOs, and the general populace in Cameroun and Nigeria. These were shared <span>by</span> Christian Blind Mission (CBM) (Cameroun and Nigeria), and include the BMZ projects and the DFID (now FCDO) North-East Nigeria Transition to </span><span>Development program (NENTAD) in the Northeast Region of Nigeria.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Also,</span></span> <span>the <span>strategic</span> <span>advocacy</span> <span>with</span> <span>MDAs,</span> <span>CSOs,</span> and <span>other</span> <span>stakeholders</span> <span>that</span> led to the <span>passage</span> <span>and signing</span> of the <span>Disability</span> Act in <span>Nigeria</span> was <span>shared</span> <span>by</span> the <span>Centre</span> <span>for</span> <span>Citizens</span> <span>with</span> <span>Disabilities</span> <span>(CCD). </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span>Furthermore, a novel approach that brings together <span>CSOs,</span> government MDAs and OPDs at a one- stop point towards for promoting disability inclusion in Sierra Leone led to the formation of the National Disability Consortium in Sierra Leone. </span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span>Additionally, Sightsavers and the British Council under the Inclusion <span>Works</span> and the Rule of <span>LAW</span></span> <span>and Anticorruption <span>(ROLAC)</span> projects, presented some of their innovative programs on the employment of persons of disabilities through building partnerships between the private sector and government agencies. Some of these innovations include the mentorship of human resources managers and persons with disabilities through the Chartered Institute of Management on the </span><span>employment of persons with disabilities.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Webinar 3: Innovation in the programming of disability inclusion</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Some amazingly innovative approaches across civic engagement, education, academic research, </span><span>governance, data collection, and children with disabilities in humanitarian space were shared </span><span><span>by</span></span> <span>participants at the <span>webinar.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>ActionAid</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>Nigeria:</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>disability</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>inclusion</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>through</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>capacity</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>building</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span>and <span>promoting </span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span>strategic</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>partnerships</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span>and <span>collaborations</span> <span>using</span> <span>talent</span> <span>traction</span> and <span>projection</span> of <span>OPDs.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><ul><li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Sierra Leone Association of Persons with Albinism: the use of social, print, and conventional media platforms towards raising awareness and organizing sensitization campaigns on the issues responsible for myths and superstition </span></span></span><span><span><span>causing persecution and killings of people with albinism in the region.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><ul><li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>African Polling Institute (API): Engagement of scholars in universities to conduct research on disability across the six geopolitical regions and the development of </span></span></span><span><span><span>accessibility tool.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><p> </p> <p><span><span><span>Webinar 4: Way forward - Promoting accessible and inclusive environments</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>The fourth webinar sessions focused on accessible and inclusive environments. <span>However,</span> the </span><span>opportunity to share the interventions carried out <span>by</span> the World Bank with the governments of Sierra </span><span>Leone and Nigeria came to the forefront.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>The Global <span>Team</span> shared the areas where the World Bank has been promoting disability inclusion. </span><span>Additionally, the team shared with participants some online knowledge resources. </span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span>Thes</span></span><span>e</span> <span>in<span>c</span></span><span><span>l</span></span><span><span>ud</span></span><span><span>e</span></span><span>:</span></span></span></p> <ol><li><span><span><span><span><span>The <span>World</span> Bank Group Commitments on Disability-Inclusive Development</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ol><ol start="2"><li><span><span><span><span><span>Environmental and Social Framework</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ol><ol start="3"><li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Information on the International Development Association (IDA)19 and IDA20 </span></span></span><span><span><span>commitment to Disability</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ol><p> </p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-world-bank-contribution field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">World Bank Contribution</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span><span><span>The <span>World</span> Bank, through the South-South <span>facility,</span> funded the knowledge exchange webinars as face-to-face meetings were not feasible because of the COVID19-related travel restrictions. The design, planning and implementation of this exchange was a collaborative effort among <span>SSI </span>teams based in Washington <span>DC,</span> Cameroon, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, with an active intervention </span><span>of the Global Disability Inclusion <span>World</span> Bank <span>Team.</span></span></span></span></span></p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-moving-forward field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Moving forward</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span><span><span>Overall, the participants were <span>satisfied</span> with the knowledge exchange webinars. They applauded the World Bank initiative which helped shed light on best practices and innovations in the area of disability inclusion across the three countries and offered an open communication channel </span><span>between the different stakeholders to have a candid discussion on the key challenges that hindered the disability inclusion agenda. They were happy with the richness of the webinar </span><span>contents and the innovation happening within the disability space across the various countries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>The next steps would be to build on this knowledge exchange <span>by</span> creating a knowledge sharing platform that will bring together more practitioners and a network of professionals working on </span><span>disability inclusion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span><span><span><span>Recommendations were as follows:</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <ol><li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>An urgent need to create a platform where continuous learning can take place. Accordingly, this will help guard against duplication and multiplicity of similar projects, address issues about inadequate coordination, and reduce the effect of working in silos <span>by</span> INGOs, MDAs, and OPDs working on mainstreaming and </span></span></span><span><span><span>providing disability-specific interventions.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ol><ol start="2"><li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Also, a proposal for a physical meeting for the next phase of the engagement was suggested. The aim is to create more time for networking, strengthen engagement and facilitate future collaboration and opportunities to share experiences, network, promote peer-to-peer learning and update them on </span></span></span><span><span><span>emerging practices and lessons learned appropriately.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ol><ol start="3"><li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Governments</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>and</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>other</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>donor</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>partners</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>should</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>invest</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>more</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>resources</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>in</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>building</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>the capacities</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>of</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>organizations</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>for</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>persons</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>with</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>disabilities</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>in</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>the</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>respective</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>countries.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ol><ol start="4"><li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The need for a committee of practice to be established across the three countries </span></span></span><span><span><span>that will involve came to the forefront.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ol></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-beneficiaries-participants field--type-text-with-summary field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Beneficiaries / Participants</div> <div class="field--item"><ol><li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>CSOs:</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span>CBM (Nigeria and Cameroun), Sightsavers (Cameroun, Nigeria and Sierra </span></span></span><span><span><span>Leone), Plan International, Disability Right Funds,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ol><ol start="2"><li><span><span><span><span><span>OPDs from Cameroun, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ol><ol start="3"><li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Nigeria: Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Federal Ministry of <span>Women</span> Affairs, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ol><ol start="4"><li><span><span><span><span><span>Cameroon: Ministry of Social Affairs <span>(MINAS)</span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ol><ol start="5"><li><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Sierra Leone: Ministry of Social <span>Welfare,</span> Ministry of Gender and <span>Children’s </span></span></span></span><span><span><span>Affairs/ Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education/ National Commission </span></span></span><span><span><span>for Persons with Disabilities</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li> </ol></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-res-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Topics</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/browse-topics-results?field_res_topics_target_id=290">Fragility, Conflict and Violence</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/browse-topics-results?field_res_topics_target_id=256">Gender</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/browse-topics-results?field_res_topics_target_id=300">Social Inclusion</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-providing-country field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Knowledge-providing Countries</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/41" hreflang="en">Cameroon</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/166" hreflang="en">Nigeria</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/200" hreflang="en">Sierra Leone</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-recepient-country field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Knowledge-receiving Countries</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/41" hreflang="en">Cameroon</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/166" hreflang="en">Nigeria</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/200" hreflang="en">Sierra Leone</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-results-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Results Type</div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/272" hreflang="en">Results Stories</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-challenge field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Challenge</div> <div class="field--item"><p><span><span><span><span>Cameroon, Nigeria and Sierra Leone are all committed to moving forward with the disability inclusion agenda, but each country at its own pace. They all face similar challenges in advancing the disability agenda, despite having ratified the United Nations Conventions of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and developed legislative and policy frameworks to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities. <span>However,</span> most of these legislations are not implemented and persons with disabilities still experience different forms of discrimination and socio-economic exclusion. Another challenge is the lack of coordination and the difficulty in creating synergies between the different stakeholders, particularly between governmental agencies, Organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) and <span>CSOs.</span> These challenges have been exacerbated <span>by</span> limited knowledge dissemination. Accordingly, this knowledge exchange aimed to bring together practitioners and representatives of key ministries and <span>CSOs</span> to share their expertise and exchange the “know- how” in order to move forward with the disability inclusion agenda in Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and </span><span>Cameroon.</span></span></span></span></p></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-key-contacts field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Key Contact</div> <div class="field--item">Jana El-Horr and Hala Ballout</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-partners-info field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Partners</div> <div class="field--item"><p><strong><span><span><span><span>NIGERIA:</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p>A) <span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Ministries, department and agencies of governments (MDAs): Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Federal Ministry of <span>Women</span> Affairs, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span>Federal Ministry of Information, National Orientation Agency</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>B) <span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Civil</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>Society</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>Organizations</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>CSOs:</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>ActionAid,</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>Africa</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>Polling</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>Institute,</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>CBM,</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>Sightsavers, </span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span>British</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>Council</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>(ROLAC</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>project)</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>Plan</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>International,</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>Disability</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>Rights</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>Fund.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>C) <span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Organization of Persons with disabilities OPDs: Joint National Association of </span></span></span><span><span><span>Persons with Disabilities, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Association </span></span></span><span><span><span>of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span><span><span><span>CAMEROON:</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>A) Ministry, Development and Agencies (MDAs): Ministry of Social Affairs <span>(MINAS)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>B) Civil Society Organizations <span>(CSOs):</span> Sightsavers, CBM International,</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>C) <span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Organizations of Persons with Disabilities: Center for Empowerment of Females </span></span></span><span><span><span>with Disabilities (CEFED)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span><span><span>SIERRA LEONE:</span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>A) Ministries</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>Department</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span>and <span>Agencies</span> <span>(MDAs):</span> <span>Ministry</span> of <span>Social</span> <span>Welfare,</span> <span>Ministry</span> <span>of Gender</span> and <span>Children’s</span> <span>Affairs/</span> <span>Ministry</span> of <span>Basic</span> and <span>Senior</span> <span>Secondary</span> <span>Education/ National</span> <span>Commission</span> <span>for</span> <span>Persons</span> <span>with</span> <span>Disabilities</span> <span>Educational</span> <span>Centre</span> <span>for</span> the <span>Blind </span></span></span></span><span><span><span>and <span>Visual</span> <span>Impairment</span> <span>(ECBVI),</span> <span>Milton</span> <span>Margai</span> <span>School</span> <span>for</span> the <span>Blind</span> <span>(MMSB).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>B) <span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Civil Society Organizations: Dorothy Springer Trust, Leonard Cheshire Disability, </span></span></span><span><span><span><span>World</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span>Hope International, ActionAid.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>C) <span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Organizations of Persons with Disabilities: Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues (SLUDI), Association of Persons with Albinism (SLAPWA), Freetown Cheshire </span></span></span><span><span><span>Home; <span>Welfare</span> Society for the Disabled-Sierra Leone (WESOFOD<span><span>-</span></span>SL)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p></div> </div> Tue, 06 Dec 2022 19:35:27 +0000 lporte 604 at https://www.southsouthfacility.org Enhancing Natural Resource Management in Africa https://www.southsouthfacility.org/results/enhancing-natural-resource-management-africa <span>Enhancing Natural Resource Management in Africa</span> <span><span lang="" about="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/user/1" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">ssf_admin</span></span> <span>Tue, 11/27/2018 - 08:48</span> <div class="field field--name-field-res-start-date field--type-datetime field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Start Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="2011-05-27T12:00:00Z">May 27, 2011</time></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-res-end-date field--type-datetime field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">End Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="2012-04-30T12:00:00Z">April 30, 2012</time></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-funding-amount field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Funding Amount</div> <div class="field--item">93246.81</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-res-image field--type-image field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Image</div> <div class="field--item"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/sites/ssf/files/resource/SW-TZ1130a.jpg" width="400" height="264" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>The governments of Cameroon and Ghana wanted to use oil and gas revenues more effectively to promote economic growth and reduce poverty. They also wanted to improve transparency and accountability in the sector. However, Cameroon and Ghana, as well as many other African countries, have had difficulty managing and sustaining the windfall wealth and savings from their natural resources. With funding provided by both the South-South Facility and the Knowledge and Learning Center, World Bank staff organized a conference in South Africa, where high-ranking African officials involved in managing natural resource revenues and civil society representatives could learn from Latin American (LAC) peers. Many LAC countries have successfully dealt with challenges similar to those that Africa now faces. Countries such as Chile are forerunners in designing safety net systems for poor consumers, enhancing food supply through innovations in technology, and improving policies and institutions to manage commodity price volatility.</p> <p>The exchange helped the African participants realize that they need to change the policy environment and take ownership of the reform agenda. They learned how to increase transparency and achieve a more equitable distribution of natural resource wealth. Government officials and civil society representatives engaged in the discussions, working to formulate strategy and policy frameworks for their respective countries in consultation with their Latin American counterparts. Thus the exchange also improved cooperation between governments and civic organizations.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-moving-forward field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Moving forward</div> <div class="field--item"><p>This first dialogue created the foundation for future exchanges between the two continents on management of natural resources. The Johannesburg conference inspired a similar forum organized by the International Monetary Fund in Kinshasa in March 2012, which also relied on South-South cooperation to bring tailor-made advice to African governments.</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-beneficiaries-participants field--type-text-with-summary field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Beneficiaries / Participants</div> <div class="field--item"><p>For developing countries with significant natural resources, rising commodity prices present a golden opportunity for economic growth and development. However, managing and sustaining this new wealth has challenged many countries. Both Africa and Latin America are heavily dependent on a wide range of resource-based sectors. While prices may fluctuate, increased demand in the high-growth economies should ensure increasing prices in the foreseeable future. The governments of Cameroon and Ghana wanted to maximize the mobilization and effective use of oil and gas resources to promote economic growth and reduce poverty. Despite the two countries’ resolve to improve accountability and transparency in natural resource management, lack of cooperation among key stakeholders still cripples the sector. Additionally, citizens do not view natural resources as a public good benefiting all. Further, many African governments must cushion the adverse impacts of increased food prices, while managing both sector and macroeconomic policies to get the most out of the boom in natural resource prices. In Ghana, for example, there is a continuing debate on how to enforce the sound oil and gas sector laws already in place. The government does not have the capacity to formulate and implement policies that balance development with the interests of the powerful and well-organized corporations involved in the sector.</p> <p>In the past, many Latin American countries faced similar sector challenges. Today they are leaders in designing safety net systems for poor consumers, enhancing food supply through technology innovations, and improving policies and institutions to manage commodity price volatility. Chile and Bolivia, for example, have managed to use their extractive industry revenues to generate growth and reduce poverty. Using funding provided jointly by the South-South Experience Exchange Facility and the Knowledge and Learning Center, the World Bank organized a conference for Ghana and Cameroon, as well as representatives from 19 other African countries, to meet with peers from Chile and Bolivia. The knowledge exchange aimed to increase awareness of resource management ownership and equip stakeholders to demand greater accountability in the sector in their home countries.</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-res-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Topics</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/browse-topics-results?field_res_topics_target_id=289">Extractives</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/browse-topics-results?field_res_topics_target_id=290">Fragility, Conflict and Violence</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-providing-country field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Knowledge-providing Countries</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/33" hreflang="en">Brazil</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/46" hreflang="en">Chile</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/29" hreflang="en">Bolivia</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/206" hreflang="en">South Africa</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-recepient-country field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Knowledge-receiving Countries</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/9" hreflang="en">Angola</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/26" hreflang="en">Benin</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/31" hreflang="en">Botswana</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/41" hreflang="en">Cameroon</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/44" hreflang="en">Central African Republic</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/69" hreflang="en">Equatorial Guinea</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/81" hreflang="en">Gabon</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/85" hreflang="en">Ghana</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/128" hreflang="en">Liberia</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/139" hreflang="en">Mali</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/165" hreflang="en">Niger</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/166" hreflang="en">Nigeria</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/200" hreflang="en">Sierra Leone</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/284" hreflang="en">South Sudan</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/211" hreflang="en">Sudan</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/220" hreflang="en">Tanzania</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/232" hreflang="en">Uganda</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/248" hreflang="en">Zambia</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/53" hreflang="en">Congo, Democratic Republic of</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/54" hreflang="en">Congo, Republic of</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-funding-source field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Funding Source(s)</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/270" hreflang="en">South South Facility</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-results-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Results Type</div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/272" hreflang="en">Results Stories</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-key-contacts field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Key Contact</div> <div class="field--item">Eric Bell</div> </div> Tue, 27 Nov 2018 08:48:31 +0000 ssf_admin 481 at https://www.southsouthfacility.org