Croatia https://www.southsouthfacility.org/ en Management of Protected Areas for Green Tourism in Croatia https://www.southsouthfacility.org/results/management-protected-areas-green-tourism-croatia <span>Management of Protected Areas for Green Tourism in Croatia</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>Thu, 01/10/2019 - 09:50</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="2017-09-07T12:00:00Z">September 07, 2017</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="2018-07-31T12:00:00Z">July 31, 2018</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">24029</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_for_costa_rica-croatia_ke_results_story.png" width="458" height="302" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" class="img-responsive" /></div> </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><strong>Importance of clarifying and understanding the development priorities to guide the design and collaborative delivery of the study visit</strong></p> <p>Having consultations and early discussion involving both the client and counterparts in the planning and design process helped to identify the client knowledge and capacity requirements. This clarity and understanding guided the careful selection of technical experts, institutions, parks and communities to include in the site visits. It also highlighted the types of new knowledge, practices and experiences the that would be most beneficial to the Croatian delegation. It is important to clearly define the knowledge gaps and challenges the knowledge exchange should focus on. In addition to these discussions, guidance and support from the South-South Facility Knowledge Exchange Facilitator added value to the teams planning and design of a customized set of activities and tools to support optimal knowledge transfer.</p> <p><strong>Value of conducting Pre-visit surveys</strong></p> <p>A brief survey was emailed to participants in advance of the knowledge exchange visit. The purpose of the survey was to gather and confirm directly from participants their top three institutional challenges, top three things they were most interested in learning during the exchange, the last knowledge exchange they participated in addressing a similar challenge, what was the most useful knowledge from that exchange, and if they were interested in sharing some of their experiences and expertise during the exchange visit and if so what two aspects would they like to share. This survey was useful in surfacing the participants expectations, expertise and identify possible areas for peer-to peer learning. Knowledge sharing is not linear or passive. Creating opportunities for mutual knowledge sharing enriched the level of participation by the Croatian delegation who also had opportunities to share their knowledge and experience seven though they were the knowledge recipients.</p> <p>The information from these surveys can also be used to create a participant directory to facilitate rapport and networking. It can also as serve as a basic baseline and any important aspects that surface should be shared with the knowledge providers to enable them to better customize the knowledge exchange. In this case, feedback from the Croatian delegation was shared in advance with the Costa-Rican knowledge provider institutions which helped them customize the presentations, the selection of experts, structure of group discussions, the selection of sites and plan activities at each site.</p> <p><strong>End of day debrief and check in</strong></p> <p>At the end of each day, the teams gathered in the evening to debrief the highlights of the day, discuss key lessons learned and address any concerns. This was a useful exercise in tracking progress of the knowledge exchange and provided the flexibility to make some adjustments as needed.</p> <p><strong>Study Visit Evaluation</strong></p> <p>A post study evaluation was shared with all participants and the responses were consolidated and compared to aspects of the pre-visit survey. It was useful for both the clients and teams to get a sense of what knowledge and experiences were most useful, what expectations were met or not met, how participants intended to apply and disseminate their new knowledge.</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><em><strong>New knowledge</strong></em>:</p> <p>• Exposure to means and ways to implement bottom-up approaches and involvement of stakeholders in the management of protected areas</p> <p>• How to implement common marketing strategies and tools to achieve positive impacts in supporting conservation efforts in protected areas through sustainable tourism practices</p> <p>• Effective visitor management policies and practices</p> <p>• Innovative taxes and payment for ecosystem services (PES)to generate sustainable revenues</p> <p>• Establishing supportive legal, institutional and expert frameworks for green tourism to thrive.</p> <p><em><strong>Enhanced skill</strong></em>:</p> <p>• How to improve stakeholder involvement in the management of biological corridors</p> <p>• How to establish successful mitigation measures between conservation needs and the pressures of mass tourism</p> <p>• Finding common ground and synergies between nature protection, local communities and private interests</p> <p>• Ensuring local communities benefit from improved livelihoods</p> <p>• How to strengthen tourist safety and emergency evacuation policies</p> <p>• How to establish and operationalize a National Clearing House Mechanism (CHM) to oversee national biodiversity management, research and reporting</p> <p><em><strong>New ideas for improved actions</strong></em>:</p> <p>• How common branding can widen opportunities for reaching financial sustainability in protected areas</p> <p>• How marketing tools can support the promotion of responsible tourism in protected areas</p> <p>• How to establish and implement a national <em>Green Seal Certification </em>program</p> <p>• How to promote awareness and conservation practices among schools and local communities</p> <p>• Strengthening institutional collaboration and coordination in the national conservation effort</p> <p>• How to establish and manage biological corridors</p> <p>• How to connect local and tourism stakeholders with professionals and institutions involved in nature protection</p> <p>• Raising the capacities of professional nature conservation services, certification of biodiversity and conservation guides, park management and ranger services</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>Responsible tourism in Costa Rica is a genuine success story. Tourism has supported the creation of vast protected areas, improving livelihoods for the local communities and assisting with the protection of wildlife. Costa Rica with its rich biodiversity and extensive ecosystem is inarguably one of the global leaders in ecotourism. Ecotourism is rapidly becoming the largest sector of the country’s thriving tourism industry. The Costa Rican government has successfully stimulated economic growth and environmental conservation by marketing the country’s ecotourism destinations.</p> <p>The goal of the knowledge exchange with Costa Rica was to increase the knowledge and capacity of the Ministry of Environment and Energy of the Republic of Croatia. There is need to create synergies between nature conservation and further development of green tourism practices. These are expected to contribute to branding the Republic of Croatia as a globally recognized "green" destination.</p> <p>A knowledge exchange visit to Costa Rica took place from April 28 to May 6, 2018.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Visit to Irazu Volcano National Park</strong></p> <p>This National Park is home to Costa Rica’s highest volcanic mountain. During this visit, the Croatian delegation was hosted by Alejandra Varela, the Park Manager. An overview of the management practices of this protected area were shared. The park management shared how it established a conservation partnership with the local communities living around this natural resource. This being a high-volume tourist attraction, the park management has developed mechanisms to regulate the areas tourists visit to safeguard the biodiversity. The Croatian delegation leaned about the visitors’ safety and emergency response policies. The park management shared examples of practical ways to expedite evacuation in case of volcanic activity.</p> <p><strong>"Effectively managing visitors is one of the priorities of this National Park. During the last year we have worked on setting up of comprehensive system of visitor management, primarily through the preparation of the visitor management action plan as part of the Park’s management plan. We created an on-line ticket sales platform to reduce the long lines on the entrance points"- Tomislav Kovačević, Park Director.</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>High Level Meeting</strong></p> <p>A high-level meeting was held with the Costa Rica Minister of Environment, Edgar E. Gutierrez. Among the key issues discussed were the Costa Rican national orientation towards sustainable tourism, the importance of mainstreaming biodiversity and creating biological corridors. The Minister emphasized the importance of sustainable tourism which is the basis for Costa Rican innovative financing and tax policies. Some of these policies include a payment model for ecosystem services (PES), water tax, wildlife tax, and transport taxes all contributing to Costa Rica’s ambitious goal to become the first carbon neutral country in the world.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Meetings with Nature Protection and Conservation Experts</strong></p> <p>Experts from the Nature Protection Institute of Costa Rica; National System for Conservation Areas (SINAC); National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO) and National Forestry Financing Fund presented different mandates, policies and institutional arrangements of the Costa Rican nature conservation system. They also shared the Costa Rican National Biodiversity Strategy, the national reporting system and implementation of the Convention of Biodiversity (CBD). They have a working national Clearing House Mechanism (CHM) which oversees responsible research and utilization of wildlife species. The Croatian delegation found these presentations very useful. They were able to identify potential areas for implementation in the Croatian legislative framework and ways to establish a National Clearing House Mechanism in Croatia.</p> <p>The Costa Rican experts shared their experiences implementing Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) protocols. The emphasis was on ensuring improved livelihoods of local communities and providing incentives for various stakeholders to participate in conservation efforts. Costa Rica actively engages with local communities, private investors and civil society organizations using legal and institutional frameworks for each biological corridor. Croatia was interested in learning how it can improve the way it engages local communities and stakeholders in the management of EU ecological network Natura 2000 sites.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Visit to Braullio Carillo National Park/ Biological Corridor San Juan de la Selva</strong></p> <p>Braullio Carillo National Park is one of the largest national parks in Costa Rica. It encompasses over 44,000 hectares with a very rich plant and animal biodiversity. It is also home to several rivers and waterfalls making it an important national water resource. The Croatian delegation was able to observe firsthand the rich biodiversity and visitor management practices in the protected areas.</p> <p>The tour guides are locals who have been trained and certified as biodiversity and conservation guides. The guide certification model was very useful for Croatia that has a shortage of qualified biodiversity and conservation guides. The park management shared how they work with local communities to promote awareness of good agro-forestry and agricultural practices to protect the biological corridors. Local communities are involved in the preparation and implementation of the park management plan and conservation policies.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Visit to Tortuguero National Park</strong></p> <p>This park is in the north eastern part of the Caribbean coast and is rich in wildlife, rainforests and waterways. It is also a sanctuary for protected species such as the Green Turtles, Jaguars, and Green Macaws. The park has a strict regime for visitor management with restricted numbers and zones that can be visited. The park has a unique <em>"Turtle Spotter’ </em>program that involves local communities in the protection of marine turtles especially during nesting season. Trained local people also referred to as <em>"Spotters" </em>help to locate turtle nesting places and communicate this information to the guides on the beach who then facilitate their group of visitors to approach these areas in a manner and numbers that do not disturb the turtles during the nesting session. Since the beginning of the Turtle Spotter Program the turtle nests are increasing with tourist visitation allowed in the controlled manner. There are opportunities for visitors to purchase stickers during the visitation and directly support the conservation of sea turtles in Tortuguero and improving local livelihoods. The Croatian delegation was able experience and learn from these collaborative conservation practices.</p> <p>Representatives of the Ranger Services shared how they work in protected areas to enforce the Forestry Act, Biodiversity Act and Wildlife Act. The main challenges they face include illegal hunting, logging, egg poaching, illegal human and drug trafficking. To combat these vices, the Ranger Services coordinates their work with the National Coast Guard, the Police force and the Judiciary system.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Visit to Bell Bird Biological Corridor and Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve</strong></p> <p>Experts gave presentations about the Bell Bird Biological Corridor. They also shared the conservation efforts and incentives to protect the Bell Bird which is an endangered species. The park management in collaboration with local communities developed a rural development strategy to expand conservation areas by promoting rural tourism. The park has a <em>Green Seal Certification </em>program for sustainable tourism. The Costa Rica Tourist Institute is the official entity responsible for this program. It is regulated by the National Accreditation Committee to ensure activities and services offered by businesses have minimal negative impact on the natural environment. From this example, the Croatian delegation learned practical ways to strengthen the certification process of the Natura 2000 ecological network sites</p> <p>The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a privately owned protected area and is popular with tourists. The management shared how they participate in developing education programs in environmental conservation for schools in biological corridor areas. They also give lectures in schools and regularly host field visits for school children. The park management shared how they generate revenues and 30% of revenues is allocated to conservation efforts.</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>The objectives of this knowledge exchange were in line with the Country Partnership Strategy (FY 2014-2017) under which EU Natura 2000 Integration project was supported under Pillar III: Maximizing the benefits of EU membership; Preparing National reform program for effective use of EU funds. In the addition, the challenges that the Ministry of Environment and Energy is facing even after the successful implementation of the project are tackled in the 2017/2018 Systematic Country Diagnostic (SCD). The SCD emphasizes the importance of natural resources and assets and the key role tourism plays in boosting Croatia’s prospects for shared and sustainable social and economic development. This knowledge exchange was an important and timely catalyst to the reform efforts and development of a thriving green tourism sector in Croatia.</p> <p>This knowledge exchange was funded through the South-South Facility, a multi donor trust fund executed by the World Bank. A Knowledge Exchange Facilitator provided support and guidance to the task team.</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>Upon return, the Croatian delegation prepared a report outlining the experiences, important knowledge gained and key lessons during the visit to Costa Rica. A presentation was made during the annual Croatian Nature Conservation Forum attended by conservation experts from 47 Croatian public institutions. This was a strategic gathering in which to disseminate the knowledge and lessons learned from the Costa Rica experience.</p> <p>Following this event, the development of strategic management plans for Natura 2000 sites are underway. These plans will incorporate aspects of the new knowledge gained i.e. establishing biological corridors and ecological networks, innovative payment models for ecosystem services (PES) to support biodiversity protection, community involvement in the management of biological corridors, establishing an enabling legal framework and institutional arrangements, protocols to ensure visitor safety and emergency evacuation, improved visitor management practices in protected areas, and the development of certification for Natura 2000 ecological network sites.</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><strong>Croatian Delegation</strong></p> <p>The Croatian delegation of twelve included expert from:</p> <p>• Ministry of Environment and Energy, the ministry responsible for the development and implementation of nature protection policies, the management and coordination as well financing of nature protected areas in Croatia.</p> <p>• Members of the NIP project implementation unit (PIU)</p> <p>• Members of the Croatian Agency for Environment and Nature which is the expert national institution responsible for the protection and conservation of nature in Croatia</p> <p>• Representatives of Public institutions of National and Nature Parks in Croatia</p> <p><strong><em>List of Participants</em></strong></p> <p>• Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEE), Assistant Minister</p> <p>• Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEE), Chief Advisor to the Minister</p> <p>• Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEE), Head of Head of Service for Strategic Affairs in Nature Protection</p> <p>• Croatian Agency for Environment and Nature (CAEN), Head of Department for Nature Impact Assessment</p> <p>• Croatia EU Natura 2000 Integration Project (NIP)/Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEE), Project Coordinator / consultant</p> <p>• Public Institution of Nature Park Telascica, Director</p> <p>• Public Institution of National Park Paklenica, Director</p> <p>• Public Institution of National Park Mljet, Director</p> <p>• Public Institution of National Park Krka,Director</p> <p>• Public Institution of National Park Krka,Expert Manager</p> <p>• Public Institution of National Park Plitvicka jezera, Director</p> <p>• Public Institution of National Park Plitvicka jezera,Head of Department Marketing and Sales</p> <p><strong>Costa Rica Delegation</strong></p> <p>• Ministro de Ambiente y Energía Minister</p> <p>• Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía Dirección de Cooperación Internacional,</p> <p>• Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación (SINAC) Coordinador Investigación Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación (SINAC)</p> <p>• Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía, Departamento Gestión de Servicios Ambientales</p> <p>• Comisión Nacional para la Gestión de la Biodiversidad (CONAGEBIO)</p> <p>• Coordinador Coordinador Programa Nacional de Corredores Biológicos Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación</p> <p>• Irazu Volcano National Park, Co-manager de Áreas Silvestres Protegidas</p> <p>• Comité Local del Corredor Biológico San Juan La Selva, Miembro del Comité</p> <p>• Área de Conservación Tortugero – SINAC,Forestal,Programa Controlor and Protection</p> <p>• Área de Conservación Tortugero – SINAC, Investigacion Acto</p> <p>• Área de Conservación Tortugero, Head of Spotter Programme</p> <p>• Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve,Head of Research programme,</p> <p>• Área de Conservación Pacifico Central Director Técnico del Área de Conservación Pacifico Central</p> <p>• CB Pájaro Campana, Miembro del CB Pájaro Campana</p> <p>• Reserva Bosque Nuboso Monteverde</p></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><a href="http://jameskaiser.com/costa-rica-guide/parks/">https://jameskaiser.com/costa-rica-guide/parks/</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.govisitcostarica.com/travelInfo/conservation.asp">https://www.govisitcostarica.com/travelInfo/conservation.asp</a></p> <p>Costa Rica Blue Chanel promotion <a href="http://www.govisitcostarica.com/travelInfo/conservation.asp">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kbnB2U_xwQ</a></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=288">Environment</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/browse-topics-results?field_res_topics_target_id=285">Fishing and Forestry</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/browse-topics-results?field_res_topics_target_id=259">Industry and Services</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/56" hreflang="en">Costa Rica</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/58" hreflang="en">Croatia</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>More than one third of the Croatian national territory is included in the European ecological network Natura 2000. This is due to its exceptional natural and ecosystem value. Croatia is one of the EU countries with the highest proportion of protected areas versus the totality of its territory. The Croatian natural heritage constitutes a valuable economic and touristic asset. Some of the sites are listed as top international tourist destinations, known and recognized at a global level. In recent years, approximately 1 of 4 foreign tourists visited Croatian protected areas and Natura 2000 sites.</p> <p>A deeper analysis of data show that most tourists tend to concentrate on a small number of protected sites or target only particular areas. This creates problems related to over visitation and significant tourism pressures. On the other hand, some of the nature protected areas, not included in the classical tourism routes, show an extremely low number of visits leading to financial sustainability issues.</p> <p>Through the World Bank-funded EU Natura 2000 Integration Project (NIP), the common branding of nature and national parks has been planned, designed and successfully implemented. The action resulted in the creation of an umbrella brand <em>"Parks of Croatia</em>" that visually covers and includes the logos of each park. This new, modern and appealing visual identity resulted in increased visibility of every park to both national and international public. There is an increased sense of belonging among park managers and employees. The opportunities created by the common brand, including the financing of protected areas and conservation initiatives, have still to be fully explored.</p> <p>The challenge is to create a common branding and marketing strategy for parks to boost tourism and visitor management. Effective marketing of a common brand would help address the problem of imbalanced tourism flows. More targeted communication is required for tourist groups that have an appreciation for biodiversity and site conservation. Strengthening Croatian current visitor management policies and practices would help promote responsible and sustainable tourism.</p> <p>As the visibility of a specific protected area increases, so do tourism flows giving rise to new challenges. These include the negative impacts of mass tourism actions such as tensions with landowners, land users and private investors. Excessive construction of touristic facilities results in a larger ecological footprint in the area. Croatia needs to improve the conflict mitigation measures between nature conservation and private investment sector. There is need to find common ground between nature conservation and private investor interests. Conservation efforts are further hindered by a lack of awareness and involvement of local population and stakeholders.</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">Natasa Vetma, Vera Dugandzic</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>• Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica</p> <p>• National Commission of Biodiversity Management – CONAGEBIO</p> <p>• National System for Conservation Areas -SINAC</p> <p>• National Forestry Financing Fund</p> <p>• Irazu Volcano National Park</p> <p>• Braullio Carillo National Park Management</p> <p>• Tortuguero National Park</p> <p>• Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve</p> <p>• Monteverde Institute</p></div> </div> Thu, 10 Jan 2019 09:50:52 +0000 ssf_admin 528 at https://www.southsouthfacility.org Strengthening the Public Internal Control System and the Internal Audit Function in Brazil https://www.southsouthfacility.org/results/strengthening-public-internal-control-system-and-internal-audit-function-brazil <span>Strengthening the Public Internal Control System and the Internal Audit Function in Brazil</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="2016-01-01T12:00:00Z">January 01, 2016</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="2016-10-31T12:00:00Z">October 31, 2016</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">33146</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/strengthening_the_public_internal_control_system_and_the_internal_audit_function_in_brazil.jpg" width="600" height="400" 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 class="rtejustify">The economic recession in 2015 in Brazil was exacerbated by a weak public sector internal control system (PIC), which was not strong enough to curb corruption. Brazil, whose democratic constitution stemmed only from 1988, needed to learn to how to approach strengthening PIC. In response to Brazil’s request for assistance, the World Bank organized a knowledge exchange for key Brazilian officials to learn from peers in Bulgaria and Croatia, countries which had undergone significant PIC reforms as part of successful efforts to join the European Union (EU). </p> <p class="rtejustify">The exchange between Brazil, Bulgaria, and Croatia enhanced the knowledge and skills of decision-makers and technical staff to improve Brazil’s PIC system. The knowledge exchange helped the participants increase their understanding of reforms and implementation issues faced in Bulgaria and Croatia and strategies used to overcome those challenges to improve the internal control system and internal audit function in Brazil’s public sector.</p> <p class="rtejustify"> </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>Participants and the World Bank team identified the following lessons and recommendations:</p> <ul><li>A demand-driven approach was critical to soliciting views of participants about the most relevant topics to cover to ensure that the knowledge exchange responded to client needs. It was important to present a summary of the reforms done in the knowledge providing countries before the study visit. This provided the participants key background knowledge to determine objectives of the exchange in advance.</li> <li>Strong preparation is essential to success. Knowledge exchange activities need to be well organized, materials need to be concise, and communications need to run smoothly to maximize learning for busy practitioners and policymakers. Soliciting regular participant feedback is critical to ascertain views and ensure that the knowledge exchange is tailored to country demands.</li> <li>When seeking policy reforms, composing a study tour delegation with technocrats and political leaders improves the prospect of designing and implementing follow-up actions with the required political support.</li> <li>Even when it is difficult to replicate exact approaches observed during a knowledge exchange, learning key principles and policies can provide valuable insights to support policy development and program implementation in the knowledge-receiving country.</li> </ul><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><strong>New knowledge:</strong> The exchange raised awareness about PIC reform issues and the process needed for reforms, including the administrative capacity needed to strengthen internal control and audit capacity.</p> <p><strong>Enhanced skills: </strong>The study visit and Brasilia conference enabled the Brazilian representatives to learn about different PIC practices and models to understand which would be best suited for Brazil. The exchange increased the Brazilian’s implementation expertise on PIC reforms, craft strategies to overcome challenges, and implement specific reform processes, including:</p> <ul><li>Definition of roles, responsibilities, and the development of Central Harmonization Units.</li> <li>Legal framework, including cooperation between internal and external audit, training for internal auditors and the process of certification, strategic and annual planning of internal audits, quality assessments of internal audit activities, and professional career development for internal auditors.</li> <li>Institutional responsibilities, including the fiscal responsibility system, the budgetary system, financial and budget supervision, and the role and responsibilities of the Supreme Audit Institution.</li> </ul><p><strong>New and improved actions: </strong> The Brazilian delegation expressed the usefulness of seeing another country’s Internal Control System “in action.” During and after the exchange, in meetings and presentations during conference, and in answers to SSKE questionnaires after the exchange, the participants stated that the exchange made them aware of what needed to be done and showed very concrete examples of options for Brazil. The report, <em>Strategic Report for Strengthening the PIC System in Brazil, </em>detailed the knowledge gained in Croatia and Bulgaria. The report specifies the activities required by each significant stakeholder or entity in Brazil to attain the most appropriate structure and achieve PIC reform in Brazil.</p> <p>“The information gained in the exchange was formally registered in a report and shared in a conference held in May, 2016 encouraging change and reform. New practices were discussed and more than 20 internal control entities from many regions of the country have taken part and gained awareness,” said Gustavo Ungaro, former President of CONACI.</p> <p>One key result was that the Brazilian team understood the importance of making a clear distinction between financial inspection and internal audit. In Bulgaria, for example, two separate laws segregate and differentiate the two functions.</p> <p><strong>Improved consensus: </strong> The exchange promoted ownership of Brazil’s PIC reform process and gave key Brazilian actors a chance to collaborate, align views, and set priorities for designing PIC reforms. In the 2016 conference, more than 100 Brazilian participants were exposed to findings from the study visit; 65% of the participants assessed the conference as “excellent”, while the rest assessed it as “very good”.</p> <p><strong><em>“The Exchange was a big success. All the participants, including the team leader, learned a lot from the European examples. This experience also strengthened the relationship between all the participants, creating a common and supportive group culture,”</em> said Maria Joao Kaizeler, World</strong><strong> Bank Financial Management Specialist in charge of the exchange.</strong></p> <p> </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>After the fall of the Soviet Union and communism, in 1991 Croatia declared independence and Bulgaria adopted a democratic constitution. As part of Croatia’s and Bulgaria’s respective bids to become European Union (EU) members (Bulgaria ultimately became a member in 2009 and Croatia in 2013), they had to comply with EU requirements, which included establishment and development of their own PIC system.</p> <p>Brazil had only adopted its democratic constitution in 1988, so it too was a young democracy. Brazil’s PIC systems in 2015 shared many of the same characteristics and challenges as Bulgaria and Croatia before reforms, including:</p> <ul><li>A centralized control system with no uniform and consistent internal control system;</li> <li>Ministries with poor internal audit capabilities;</li> <li>Inefficient public expenditure systems that exposed them to high risk of fraud and corruption; and</li> <li>Control and inspection bodies with narrowly defined and overlapping mandates.</li> </ul><p> </p> <p>In 2103, Brazil’s <em>Conselho Nacional dos Orgãos de Controle Interno</em> (CONACI) approached the World Bank for support to modernize the Brazilian Internal Control system and enhance the institutional capacity of control entities. In May 2014, the World Bank organized a seminar together with CONACI to share information and ideas for strengthening the internal control environment in Brazil and discuss options for a partnership with the World Bank. As a result, the participants signed a “Carta de Foz do Iguaçu”, a letter of commitment requesting formal Bank support to modernize the Brazilian Internal Control environment.</p> <p>One of the initiatives stemming from this initiative was the completion of a diagnostic using the Internal Audit Capability Model (IA-CM) for the Public-Sector tool. After the diagnostic, the World Bank team noted several weaknesses that other countries in Europe had faced. The World Bank then proceeded to organize a conference in May 2015 to present detail findings from the diagnostic. The Bank invited Bulgarian and Croatian representatives to explain their reforms, including speakers from the Ministries of Finance from both countries.</p> <p>Twelve Brazilian high-level government officials traveled to Brasilia, Brazil to attend the three-day seminar focusing on the Strengthening of the Brazilian Public Sector Internal Control System from May 27 to 29, 2015.  The title of the seminar was <em>Public Internal Control in Brazil – Advance for More Efficiency. </em>The Brazilian attendees were from entities in position to influence Brazil’s Federal and sub-national legislative bodies to undertake Internal Control and Internal Audit reforms, including members of CONACI; the Brazilian Federal Controllers Office (CGU); the Association of Audit Courts of Brazil (ATRICON); the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU); the Ministry of Planning, Budget, and Management (MPOG); and the Group of State Finance Managers (GEFIN).</p> <p>From 29 February to 4 March 2016, the Brazilian delegation then traveled to Croatia, and from March 5 to March 11, 2016, the same officials travelled to Bulgaria to meet with and hear presentations from experts from the Ministry of Finance’s Central Harmonization Unit, State Treasury, State Audit Office, and other agencies and departments of both countries. The Brazilians listened to a series of prepared presentations and participated direct face-to-face meetings with key officials. The type of presentations and meetings depended on the expert and department; for example, discussions with the CHUs were mostly backed with power-point presentations, while meetings with State Audit Offices were face-to-face discussions. In both cases, the Bulgarian and Croatian officials explained their recent experience with internal control systems and the reforms they undertook to reengineer their PIC systems.</p> <p>Upon return, each Brazilian participant contributed to a report, the <em>Strategic Report for Strengthening the PIC System in Brazil, </em>detailing the knowledge gained in Croatia and Bulgaria and specifying activities required by each significant stakeholder in Brazil. Nearly 100 participants attended a report dissemination conference, organized by World Bank Financial Management staff, in Brasilia in May 2016. The conference presented the findings of the study visit and listed the activities needed to reform internal control systems</p> <p>in Brazil. Representatives from the Brazilian General Comptrollers entities at the federal, state and municipal level; the Association of Audit Courts of Brazil (ATRICON); the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU); the Ministry of Planning, Budget and Management; the Ministry of Finance; select Secretaries of Finance; and the Group of State Finance Managers (GEFIN) participated in the conference.</p> <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>A World Bank task team facilitated the knowledge exchange, which was funded by a grant of US$50,000 from the South-South Facility. The World Bank team was led by Maria João Kaizeler (FMS, FAR-LAC) with assistance from Yanny Rocha (ACS, LCC5C-Brazil), who supported the preparation and logistics from Brazil; Arman Vatyan (Sr. FMS, FAR ECA); Sanja Madzarevic-Sujster (Sr. Country Economist, Croatia); Ruzica Jugovic (ACS-Croatia); and Adela Nachkova (ACS Bulgaria).</p> <p>This grant was auxiliary to the World Bank parent project P154958 - Assessing the Internal Control System and Internal Audit Function in Brazil, which included several activities implemented during FY 2015 and FY 2016 with Bank funds.</p> <p> </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>Two years after the study visit, the group of experts continues to share information and applaud each other’s successes when promoting strengthening of the PIC in their own entities. The participants created a “WhatsApp” group and they regularly communicate with each other and share information. The Brazil participants still therefore maintain contact with the representatives met in Croatia and Bulgaria, and representatives of CONACI participate in the PIC meetings in Europe (PEMPAL IA COP) every six months.</p> <p>CONACI applauded the organization, content and delivery of the products during various conferences/meetings held, including CONACI’s annual conference, and quarterly leadership meetings. CONACI Board members expressed their appreciation for the World Bank’s support, as well as detailed analysis undertaken, and expressed their willingness to continue collaborating with the World Bank in areas of mutual interest. The World Bank will continue to support CONACI.</p> <p>The State of Espírito Santo also undertook a reform of its Public Internal Control system. It officially created a Coordination of Internal Control Harmonization Unit on 07/18/17, through a SECONT Decree 4130-R which institutionalized the Policy for the Modernization of Management Standards. The objective was to begin the process of standardization of activities and automatization of the work processes. This was the basis for first-line defense activities. The State also approved a second Decree 4131-R, establishing the executing Units of Internal Control (UECI). All government bodies and entities must have an UECI that, in the first instance, will have two functions: i) continuous monitoring of the manager's accounts for accountability, with a "road map" prepared by SECONT; and ii) coordinating and promoting the policy modernization of management standards. That would be the basis of the second line of defense. The intention is to work in the UECI’s as management standards are institutionalized, and then, focus on risk management.</p> <p> </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>The participants were mainly practitioners from internal control entities. Twelve representatives from CONACI, ATRICON, TCU, MPOG and GEFIN participated in the exchange and provided in-kind contributions with their time and knowledge to the study visit: they helped prepare a report, made presentations, and participated in discussions, meetings, and a conference.</p> <p><strong>Brazilian participants:</strong></p> <ul><li>Manager, Subnational Internal Control Entity of the State of Santa Catarina</li> <li>Coordinator, Subnational Internal Control Entity of the State of Ceará</li> <li>Special Advisor, Subnational Internal Control Entity, State of Minas Gerais</li> <li>Chief Ombudsman, former President of CONACI, State of São Paulo</li> <li>Internal Audit Coordinator, Subnational Internal Control Entity, State of Espirito Santo</li> <li>Auditor, Secretariat of Federal Control of the Federal Internal Control Entity (CGU)</li> <li>Chief of Audit Division, Secretariat of Federal Control, Federal Internal Control Entity (CGU)</li> <li> Auditor, Federal Supreme Audit Institution (Federal Court of Accounts - TCU)</li> <li>Counselor, Subnational Supreme Audit Institution of Espirito Santo and ATRICON (Association of Subnational Courts of Accounts)</li> <li>Special Advisor on Internal Controls, Ministry of Planning, Budget and Management</li> <li>President, GEFIN (Group of Financial Managers), Finance Ministry, State of Bahia</li> <li>Coordinator of Audit Adjustments, Subnational Internal Control Entity of the Federal District</li> </ul><p> </p> <p><strong>Croatian participants: </strong></p> <ul><li>CHU Head, Ministry of Finance</li> <li>Head of Service, CHU, Ministry of Finance</li> <li>Head of Service, CHU, Ministry of Finance</li> <li>Coordinator, CHU, Ministry of Finance</li> <li>Coordinator, CHU, Ministry of Finance</li> <li>Coordinator,CHU, Ministry of Finance</li> <li>Coordinator, CHU, Ministry of Finance</li> <li>General Secretary, MA</li> <li>Head of Finance and Budgetary Supervision Sector, Ministry of Finance</li> <li>IA Head, Ministry of Finance</li> <li>Head of Service, AFCOS, Ministry of Finance</li> <li>IA Head, Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Crafts</li> </ul><p> </p> <p><strong>Bulgarian participants:</strong></p> <ul><li>CHU Head, Ministry of Finance</li> <li>Head of Service, CHU, Ministry of Finance</li> <li>Head of Service, CHU, Ministry of Finance</li> <li>IA Head, Sofia</li> <li>Internal Auditor of Sofia</li> <li>Ombudsman officer</li> <li>IA Head, Ministry of Health</li> <li>Director, Internal Audit Unit, Ministry of Education and Science</li> <li>Head of Internal Audit, Ministry of Education and Science</li> <li>Head of Internal Audit, Ministry of Education and Science</li> <li>President, Supreme Audit Institution</li> <li>Director, National Agency of Financial Inspection (NAFI)</li> <li>Director, Directorate of Procurement, NAFI</li> <li>Director, Directorate of Analysis and Reporting, NAFI</li> </ul><p> </p></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"><ul><li>P154958 - Assessing the Internal Control System and Internal Audit Function in Brazil</li> <li>CONACI - <a href="http://conaci.org.br/">http://conaci.org.br/</a></li> <li>2015 Seminar - <a href="http://www.worldbank.org/en/events/2015/05/19/brazil-internal-control-system-seminar">http://www.worldbank.org/en/events/2015/05/19/brazil-internal-control-system-seminar</a></li> <li>News about the Study Visit - <a href="http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2016/03/07/from-croatia-to-brazil-sharing-experience-on-internal-financial-control">http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2016/03/07/from-croatia-to-brazil-sharing-experience-on-internal-financial-control</a></li> <li>2016 Conference - <a href="http://www.worldbank.org/pt/events/2016/05/12/brazil-internal-controls-opportunities-improvement">http://www.worldbank.org/pt/events/2016/05/12/brazil-internal-controls-opportunities-improvement</a></li> <li>CHU - Ministry of Finance of Croatia: <a href="http://www.mfin.hr/en/central-harmonization-unit">http://www.mfin.hr/en/central-harmonization-unit</a></li> <li>CHU - Ministry of Finance of Bulgaria: <a href="http://www.minfin.bg/en/page/48">http://www.minfin.bg/en/page/48</a></li> </ul><p><strong>Photo</strong></p> <p>A street scene in the city center of Rio de Janeiro</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Story Author: </strong>Aldo Morri and Maria João Kaizeler</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=295">Public Administration</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/browse-topics-results?field_res_topics_target_id=296">Public Finance Management</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/browse-topics-results?field_res_topics_target_id=298">Rule of Law</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/36" hreflang="en">Bulgaria</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/58" hreflang="en">Croatia</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/33" hreflang="en">Brazil</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>Brazil’s economy fell into recession as a result of the ending of a long period of commodity price surges. The Government of Brazil’s (GoB) reaction to the recession was weak as corruption scandals and upheavals, including impeachment of the President, paralyzed institutions. The weak response threatened to reverse key government reforms over the preceding decade to enhance integrity and prevent public administrative corruption.</p> <p>The <em>Conselho Nacional dos Orgãos de Controle Interno</em> (CONACI), the association of Public Sector Brazilian Internal Control Entities, requested World Bank support for CONACI’s efforts to modernize the Brazilian internal control system, and enhance the institutional capacity of control entities and address key issues that undermine their performance.</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">Maria Joao Pagarim Ribei Kaizeler</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>Brazil:</strong> CONACI provided USD 10,000 to support the study tour, paying for the hotel stays of its representatives.</p> <p><strong>Croatia:</strong> The Croatian core team was led by Larisa Vukoja, Head of the International Activities Service of the Internal Audit and Financial Control Harmonization Sector of the Ministry of Finance of Croatia.</p> <p><strong>Bulgaria: </strong>The Bulgarian core team was led by Svilena Simeonova, Director of the Internal Control Directorate of the Ministry of Finance of Bulgaria. </p> <p> </p></div> </div> Tue, 27 Nov 2018 08:48:31 +0000 ssf_admin 500 at https://www.southsouthfacility.org Moldova Builds Capacity to Align with EU Corporate Financial Reporting Standards https://www.southsouthfacility.org/results/moldova-builds-capacity-align-eu-corporate-financial-reporting-standards <span>Moldova Builds Capacity to Align with EU Corporate Financial Reporting Standards</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="2009-07-15T12:00:00Z">July 15, 2009</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="2010-09-30T12:00:00Z">September 30, 2010</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">107568.08</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/4248396975_8247c2a118_b.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 government of Moldova has been pursuing reforms to strengthen corporate financial reporting (CFR) since the mid-1990s, but by mid 2009 the system still had shortcomings.  The GOM did not have a clear understanding of key sections of the Country Action Plan (CAP) for reforming corporate financial reporting that the World Bank had helped create.  </p> <p>To learn how to advance the capacity of key ministries, officials, staff, and accounting professionals to drive reforms in corporate financial reporting and auditing, the Moldovan government sought the World Bank’s help in organizing a knowledge exchange. In response, the Bank’s South-South Facility funded an exchange with Estonia, Croatia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia---countries that had all undergone similar financial reporting reforms. </p> <p>“Our experts shared Croatia’s experiences with adopting the EU’s <em>acquis communautair</em><em>e</em><sup>1</sup>  into our national legal framework and offered advice on how to implement the reforms that Moldova needs to make to achieve the same,” said Iva Dodig, Liaison Officer in the Financial Reporting Unit of Croatia’s Ministry of Finance.</p> <p>The exchange enhanced the capacity of officials, civil servants, regulators, and key representatives from relevant professional organizations to reform key aspects of Moldova’s corporate financial reporting systems and institutions. The Moldovan participants increased their knowledge of EU requirements and the main challenges to meeting these requirements. Moldova began making plans to review the laws governing corporate financial reporting, and to prepare a gap analysis as the first step in further aligning the Moldovan legislation with the EU <em>acquis communautaire</em>. The government also planned to create a Financial Reporting Standards Board to develop and interpret Moldovan accounting standards in accordance with the principles of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and EU requirements.</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>To a certain extent, the peer-to-peer learning approach helped the Moldovan civil servants, regulators, and the representatives of the accountancy profession to increase their understanding of the EU <em>acquis communautaire</em> and the main challenges of applying it in corporate financial reporting.</p> <p>This exchange also enhanced the capacity of the civil servants, regulators, and representatives to implement reforms and helped foster a vision for reforming corporate financial reporting in line with good international practices and EU requirements.</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>Moldova started reforming its corporate financial reporting systems in 1996-97 to align them with the EU reporting requirements. As part of its Country National Development Strategy, between 2008 and 2011 the government of Moldova (GOM) implemented a Country Action Plan (CAP) to reform the institutional framework for financial reporting and to improve Moldova’s business and investment environment. </p> <p>Although corporate auditing and reporting managers acquired new skills during implementation of the CAP, Moldova’s institutional reporting framework still required adjustments. Moldova needed to upgrade processes for setting accounting standards; reporting content for small and medium enterprises (SMEs); overseeing public auditing; enforcing reporting; and improving the operation of the public registry of financial statements.</p> <p>The Moldovan government sought the World Bank’s help in organizing a knowledge exchange with relevant countries. Since the request aligned with its Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for Moldova, the Bank drew on its South-South Facility to fund a knowledge exchange with Estonia, Croatia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia---countries that had all undergone similar financial reporting reforms.  Moldova’s Deputy Minister of Finance, other Ministry of Finance (MOF) staff involved in public auditing, and related agencies and professional organizations visited their peers in the knowledge-providing countries to learn how to further advance reforms in corporate financial reporting and auditing.</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=307">Financial Sector</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/browse-topics-results?field_res_topics_target_id=294">Private Sector Development</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/203" hreflang="en">Slovenia</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/58" hreflang="en">Croatia</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/71" hreflang="en">Estonia</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/61" hreflang="en">Czech Republic</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/202" hreflang="en">Slovak Republic</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/149" hreflang="en">Moldova</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">Andrei Busuioc</div> </div> Tue, 27 Nov 2018 08:48:31 +0000 ssf_admin 445 at https://www.southsouthfacility.org Expanding Internet access in the Kyrgyz Republic https://www.southsouthfacility.org/results/expanding-internet-access-kyrgyz-republic <span>Expanding Internet access in the Kyrgyz Republic</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="2014-07-23T12:00:00Z">July 23, 2014</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="2014-07-23T12:00:00Z">July 23, 2014</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">29405.06</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/tf017896-article.jpg" width="380" height="251" 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"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"> <p>A fundamental prerequisite for successfully growing an economy today is affordable, efficient, and widespread access to Internet services. But many countries are still in the process of creating the necessary foundations for transitioning to an information society. One of  them is the Kyrgyz Republic that, nevertheless, aims for offering full-scale access to the Internet in all populated parts of the country by 2017.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong><a id="challenge" name="challenge">A committed government</a></strong></span></p> <p>The Kyrgyz Government is well aware of the importance of a vibrant telecommunications market and has actively promoted the spread of broadband. To help the Government reach its goal of providing full-scale Internet access by 2017, the World Bank has been assisting in preparing a draft strategy for developing broadband access. To further understand the technical and institutional requirements for developing the broadband Internet market, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Transportation and Communications had expressed interest in exchanging experiences with countries in Eastern Europe. Many of these countries had successfully developed and implemented broadband strategies that created conditions for efficient compe­tition, quality improvement, and a multitude of service offerings. With financial support from the South-South Experience Facility, a knowledge exchange between the Kyrgyz Republic and Croatia was organized in 2015.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong><a id="solution" name="solution">Knowledge exchange objective</a></strong></span></p> <p>Having access to best-practice approaches was critical for the Kyrgyz Ministry of Transportation and Communications to be able to implement the National Broadband Strategy, which has a focus on competitive market development, international connectivity, and cross-sector infrastructure sharing. The knowledge exchange therefore needed to focus on measures critical for developing policies and regulations in four key areas relevant to market development: (a) improving international and domestic Internet-backbone connectivity; (b) developing appropriate, competition-promoting regulations; (c) improving management of radio spectrum; and (d) defining the role of the public sector in a competitive market. The knowledge exchange was designed to provide the Ministry of Transport and Communications with a roadmap to create an enabling environment (e.g., legal and regulatory framework, competition promotion) that fosters private and competitive development of the sector (e.g., licensing, spectrum management) and positions the country to have better global connectivity.</p> <p><strong><a id="solution" name="solution">Knowledge exchange format</a></strong></p> <p>The exchange was planned with a mix of activities, including a study tour, videoconferences, and a twinning arrangement. Prior to the study tour, videoconferences were held to help identify and frame the relevant issues, highlight priorities for knowledge providers to focus on, and introduce the participants from both sides and familiarize them with the topics to be covered. The study tour had originally been scheduled for September 2014, but took place in March 2015. The Kyrgyzstan delegation had 8 members representing the Kyrgyz Parlia­ment, Ministry of Transport and Communications, State Communication Agency, Kyrgyz Telecom, and Association of Communication Operators. In Croatia, meetings and field visits were organized with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure, Croatian Post and Electronic Communication Agency, Ministry of Public Administration, and private sector representatives. The twinning arrangement component of the exchange could not be accomplished, however, due to political volatility in the Kyrgyz Republic.</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 16px;"><a id="lessons" name="lessons">Lessons learned</a></span></strong></p> <p>The completed parts of the knowledge exchange were a success. The delegation was exposed to the successful ongoing information and technology projects in Croatia, which provided useful insights and hands-on knowledge of policy development, regulatory design, and implementation methods. But as mentioned, the delay of the study tour and failure of twinning arrangements to materialize raised some important lessons to bear in mind for the future.  </p> <p>Organizing the study tour took extra time due to delays in securing the formal agreement of the hosting agency in spite of earlier informal agreements that had been reached. In the future, therefore, it would be useful to secure such formal approvals in parallel with the application process, for instance, by using a "pending funding" contingent approach.</p> <p>The impact of the exchange would most likely have been much deeper had the political uncertainties in the Kyrgyz Republic not prevented the Kyrgyz counterparts from hosting the twinning component. As such, unforeseen situations do occur, making it advisable in the planning phase of an exchange to consider alternative arrangements for delivering the twinning component by, for instance, videoconferencing. Overall, the use of videoconferencing should be under­scored having been extremely useful in this exchange. The videoconferences enabled both sides to learn more about how to frame their questions and presentations. They helped both sides better understand the country contexts, allowing information to be presented in an effective and proper way and resulting in an effective learning process.</p> <p>The knowledge exchange confirmed that a program of this kind is well suited for replication for two reasons. First, there is an obvious need for knowledge exchange on issues related to strategies for broadband Internet market development. Second, rather than just looking at experiences of high-income countries, which are usually held up as models, there is a clear need for providing practical and relevant examples to developing countries from other emerging economies. So for a similar activity, it might be useful to consider tapping the possibly overlooked resources of other knowledge-providing countries such as Thailand, Turkey, and Sri Lanka.</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 16px;"><a id="lessons" name="lessons">Leverage technology in knowledge exchange</a></span></strong></p> <p>Knowledge exchange is a power­ful instrument. It allows officials in resource-constrained countries, such as the Kyrgyz Re­public, to gain knowledge and in­sights from experts in other count­ries. However, for future exchanges, it would be useful to consider an accelerated model that could leverage technology to a greater extent, while working around some of the political realities in the client country as opposed to high-impact, but also more formal methods such as a twin­ning program.</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 16px;"><a id="lessons" name="lessons">Results</a></span></strong></p> <p>The main outcome of the exchange was a better understanding overall among the partici­pants of the requirements for successful reforms and the possibilities for developing the infor­mation and technology sector in the Kyrgyz Republic. Even though obstacles remain, the partici­pants were convinced that the exchange played an important role in creating a stronger sense of direction and collaboration among the participants and their respective agencies, which is needed for a successful planning and implementation process going forward.</p> <p>As an output from this visit, the Kyrgyzstan delegation began to develop an action plan based on the lessons learned and experience received from Croatia. The exchange also helped to further the poli­cy dialogue on the telecommunications sector reform agenda, which is one of the key issues being addressed in the World Bank's development policy operation for the Kyrgyz Republic. Through an in-depth policy dialogue, the World Bank is following up with the sector's regulatory agency to sustain the gains achieved in capacity building through the knowledge exchange.</p> <p>On the whole, the exchange resulted in a positive outlook, which will be helpful in the policy dia­logue for creating the right conditions for affordable, efficient, and widespread access to Internet services in the Kyrgyz Republic.</p> <p> </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=291">ICT</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/58" hreflang="en">Croatia</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/123" hreflang="en">Kyrgyz Republic</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">Siddhartha Raja</div> </div> Tue, 27 Nov 2018 08:48:31 +0000 ssf_admin 408 at https://www.southsouthfacility.org Accelerating Economic Development through Improved Land Administration in Nicaragua https://www.southsouthfacility.org/results/accelerating-economic-development-through-improved-land-administration-nicaragua <span>Accelerating Economic Development through Improved Land Administration in Nicaragua </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="2014-06-08T12:00:00Z">June 08, 2014</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="2015-07-31T12:00:00Z">July 31, 2015</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">48767.09</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/tf017513-article.jpg" width="380" height="251" 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"><div class="field-item even"> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong><a id="summary" name="summary">Strong property rights crucial</a></strong></span> Uncertainty over land tenure can have several negative conse­quences. It hampers potential investments and land market transactions; generates conflict; and disproportionately affects poor rural farmers, indigenous communities, and especially poor women. Recognizing the importance of land tenure issues in development while also building a thriving economy, Nicaragua has made strengthening property rights for all citizens an important deve­lopment goal. Over past years, the country has undertaken several important legal and institu­tional reforms that have strengthened key land agencies' capacity and decentralized their services.  But, although progress has been made, Nicaragua still faces challenges in its land tenure objectives. For instance, one-third of rural parcels are held without a clear title, and it still takes 9 procedures and 58 days to register a property.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong><a id="challenge" name="challenge">Build on progress made</a></strong></span></p> <p>Nicaragua is committed to continuing the modernization efforts and building upon the progress made so far. A long-term reform program to further improve land administration services and strengthen tenure security, particularly for the poor, is being implemented. The pro­gram recognizes land tenure security as a strategy for economic development. By improving productivity through expanded access to credit and facilitating land regularization ser­vices at the local level, it can contribute to growth and prosperity. However, many of the agencies and institu­tions implementing the Nicaraguan reforms require further capacity development. To strengthen implementa­tion and accelerate the country's land administration reforms, Nicaragua had expressed interest in learning about global experiences in improving land governance. In the context of an on­going World Bank-financed land administration project, a grant from the South-South Experience Facility made it possible to organize a knowledge exchange between Nicaragua and Croatia and Mace­donia. Both countries had relevant experience in tackling challenges similar to those Nicaragua was facing.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong><a id="solution" name="solution">Knowledge exchange objective</a></strong></span></p> <p>To help Nicaragua more successfully implement reforms in land administration, the exchange was designed to provide participants with useful insights and con­crete lessons related to institutional strengthening of land administration and property rights, ways of improving service delivery to clients, and new models for upgrading the current Integrated Cadastre-Registry Information System to a sustainable technological platform that is closer to global standards.</p> <p><strong><a name="solution" id="solution">Structure of the knowledge exchange</a></strong></p> <p>The exchange had a sequenced approach and consisted of three components. A <em>preparatory workshop,</em> held in Nicaragua with all its relevant agencies, focused on refining the purpose and activities of the exchange and familiarizing participants with the land ad­ministration and policy course of the two knowledge-providing countries. In addition, a special in-depth session was held between the participants from the knowledge-recipient and the knowledge-providing countries. The main component of the knowledge exchange was a <em>study tour</em> to Croatia and Macedonia.</p> <p>The participants in the knowledge exchange included both managerial and technical staff from the key land agencies. Representatives from Nicaragua's Attorney General's Office included the Attorney General himself. The Nicaraguan Institute for Terri­torial Studies was represented by technical staff who manage the National Cadastre, design cadastral policies, and accord procedures toward the integration of cadastral and registry information. The Property Intendancy was represented by technical staff who coordi­nate the design and execution of national policies related to state land, the agrarian reform, and the regularization of land.  The Property Registry Direc­torate under the Supreme Court was represented by mana­gerial and technical staff who coordinate, manage, and oversee the functioning of the National Registry System and Integrated Cadastre-Registry Infor­mation System.</p> <p>The Nicaraguan participants learned from and shared experiences with their coun­terparts through semi-structured activities, action-learning workshops, and field visits to urban and rural areas in order to contextualize the new ideas and concepts being demonstrated in an applied manner. The third post-tour component was a <em>regional dissemination and action planning workshop</em> in Nicaragua to generate practical discussion with the added participation of regional implementing partners and land administration experts.</p> <p><strong><a name="summary" id="summary">Lessons learned</a></strong></p> <p>Generally, several lessons, as described in Box 1, emerged that could be considered for exchanges on land administration or on any topic. The knowledge received from this exchange allowed the Nicaraguan participants to raise their awareness about other models and methods for improving land administra­tion services and increase implementation know-how. By including both policy-makers and high-level technical staff, the exchange not only built technical capacity but helped policy-makers understand the full potential of such reforms and, at the same time, ensure an en­during impact on the Nicaraguan institu­tions in­volved.</p> <div> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Box 1. Useful Lessons for South-South Knowledge Exchange on Land Administration</strong></p> <p><strong>Find a good fit</strong>. Bringing together countries with enough commonalities between them can help to make it a more useful learning experience. Similarities in terms of institu­tional structure, size, processes, and ob­jectives should be taken into account.</p> <p><strong>Engage the World Bank's global network of land spe­cialists</strong>. Its land team is known for being an active commu­nity of practice with strong connections across the World Bank. Utilizing the knowledge and connec­tions of this net­work can help to ensure that both sides of the exchange are well covered.</p> <p><strong>Leverage resources to extend the learning</strong>. Planning, im­plementing, and providing follow-up support to a South-South knowledge exchange requires a conside­rable invest­ment of time, and human and financial re­sources.</p> <p> </p> </div> <p><strong><a name="summary" id="summary">Results</a></strong></p> <p>The experience, knowledge, and insights that Croatia and Macedonia shared in all the areas that were covered during the exchange were relevant to Nicaragua's reform agenda and highly valued by the participants. During<br /> the exchange, Nicaragua took away new understanding on key issues related to its own land administration modernization process, including (a) modes for the automation of land ad­ministration systems; (b) development of information technology systems that inte­grate registry and cadastral information, (c) establishment of simplified client-o­riented procedures for land administration services; (d) institutional development in a dual agency, as well as in a single agency context; and (e) different ways and methods for achieving improved land administration service delivery.</p> <div> <p><em>We hope to establish a formal cooperation and capacity-building program with the Macedo­nian authorities, where Nicaraguan experts will be trained in some of the key land administra­tion innovations in Macedonia.</em><br /><em> <strong>- Nicaraguan Attorney General</strong></em><br /><em>Seeing first-hand how Macedonia's ambitious IT system was organized and structured to make the technology more productive made quite an impression on our group. We came out excited about what we had learned, and plan to implement many of the good practices. </em><br /><strong><em>- Nicaraguan IT Specialist</em></strong></p> </div> <p>To consolidate the experience, the participants pre­pared a detailed report following the knowledge exchange. The report was used during the action-planning phase and in the dissemination workshop. Following this stage, the key land policy-players who participated in the knowledge exchange developed an Action Plan that includes various activities for institutional strengthening and has significantly informed the direction of Nicaragua's land policy.</p> <p>The grant from the South-South Experience Facility also had a catalytic effect. Recognizing the im­portance of knowledge exchange, the Nicaraguan Government supplemented the grant funds with additional financial support for the regional workshop, which made it possible to include regional land administration officials at the workshop. This resulted in enhanced dissemination of the knowledge and experience that participants had gained during the study tour and created an oppor­tunity for broader knowledge-sharing activities among the network of Latin American land institu­tions and experts. The exchange also resulted in Macedonia confirming its interest in continuing to act as a knowledge-providing country for land administration modernization in Latin American countries.</p> <p>*1.Croatia, like Nicaragua, has a dual land agency model: cadastre managed by the State Geodetic Administra­tion, and the land registry within the municipal courts managed by the Land Registration Management. Macedonia has a single agency model.</p> <div> <div> </div> </div> </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=291">ICT</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/browse-topics-results?field_res_topics_target_id=295">Public Administration</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/browse-topics-results?field_res_topics_target_id=298">Rule of Law</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/58" hreflang="en">Croatia</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/taxonomy/term/134" hreflang="en">Macedonia, former Yugoslav Republic of</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/164" hreflang="en">Nicaragua</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">Enrique Pantoja</div> </div> Tue, 27 Nov 2018 08:48:31 +0000 ssf_admin 401 at https://www.southsouthfacility.org Enhancing the quality of Uzbekistan’s exports https://www.southsouthfacility.org/results/enhancing-quality-uzbekistans-exports <span>Enhancing the quality of Uzbekistan’s exports</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="2011-06-24T12:00:00Z">June 24, 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="2012-09-15T12:00:00Z">September 15, 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">19840</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/article_11.jpg" width="380" height="251" 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>To ensure its exports are competitive on international markets, the Government of Uzbekistan sought to upgrade its national quality infrastructure (NQI), supporting standardization, accreditation, certification, and metrology (measurement). Through an exchange with Croatia, Uzbekistani officials increased their awareness of policy options and clarified next steps for modernizing the country’s NQI in line with EU and international requirements.</p> <p><a href="#top">Top</a></p> <p><a id="challenge" name="challenge"></a></p> <h2><a name="challenge" id="challenge">Challenge</a></h2> <p>To promote sustainable economic growth, the Government of Uzbekistan (GoU) wanted to diversify its exports to include higher-value technological and finished goods. To ensure Uzbekistan’s exports would be competitive on global markets, the GoU sought to upgrade its National Quality Infrastructure (NQI), which included institutions and systems for standardization, accreditation, certification, and measurement (metrology) of goods and services.</p> <p>Among other challenges, the GoU sought to address deficiencies in the country’s legal framework for NQI and support reform of <em>UZstandart</em> – the national agency responsible for NQI – to ensure it conformed to international practices and was eligible to join international quality networks. Uzbekistani officials also wanted to harmonize NQI practices, such as product testing and measurement procedures, with international and European Union (EU) agencies’ standards.</p> <p><a href="#top">Top</a></p> <p><a id="solution" name="solution"></a></p> <h2><a name="solution" id="solution">Solution</a></h2> <p>By 2010, the GoU had begun efforts to upgrade NQI through new regulations and Bank-supported technical assistance (TA). Uzbekistani officials wanted to learn about other countries’ legal, institutional, and procedural reforms that might assist their efforts. Consultations initially led to a request for a study tour to Turkey. However, Uzbekistani and Bank officials changed course and organized a visit to Croatia, which had taken steps to align its NQI to EU requirements, and had transitioned from a similar top-down centralized system (former Yugoslavia) to one conducive for a market-oriented economy.</p> <p>The visit to Croatia took place in April 2012 and involved six officials from the Uzbekistani government and <em>UzStandart</em>. The aim was to increase delegates’ awareness of policy options and programs for NQI and identify next steps. The visit involved two stages:</p> <ul><li><strong>Learning Visit to Croatia: </strong>From April 1-6, 2012, the delegates traveled to Zagreb for meetings and workshops with NQI agencies and to visit organizations active in the quality assurance process – from product production to commercialization. Delegates visited an organic farming facility, a laboratory that specialized in testing food products, a metrology institute, and the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, where they learned about ways to brand and export products.</li> <li><strong>Dissemination Workshop:</strong> In June 2012, the GoU organized a workshop to discuss NQI topics with local experts. The delegates and Uzbekistani officials participated, sharing lessons and recommendations from the exchange.</li> </ul><p><a href="#top">Top</a></p> <p><a id="results" name="results"></a></p> <h2><a name="results" id="results">Results</a></h2> <p>The exchange increased Uzbekistani officials’ capacity to implement NQI reforms, with the aim of promoting export growth. It helped:</p> <ul><li><strong>Increase participants’ knowledge and skills in designing and applying NQI policies and programs, including at different stages of the quality assurance chain. </strong>Testifying to this gain, delegates in a post-exchange evaluation gave high marks to the visit for improving their knowledge, and they suggested lessons that were useful to their work.</li> <li><strong>Enhance awareness of areas for reform and widen the scope for additional learning. </strong>Dilshod Rasulov, the Head of Uzbekistan’s Chamber of Commerce, noted that “the export promotion activities . . . in Croatia are very good, and we can implement some activities in Uzbekistan.” Tashtemir Abdullaev, the Chief Metrologist of <em>UZstandart</em>, suggested that “the EU experience of Croatia in metrology, certification, and technical regulation are very good, and these are . . . areas of . . . further collaboration with the World Bank.”</li> <li><strong>Uzbekistani officials determine next steps in modernizing NQI. </strong>The workshop helped officials clarify a roadmap for NQI and reach agreement on next steps, such as changing legislation for restructuring NQI, establishing an independent accreditation organization, joining international NQI networks, and developing a longer-term national strategy.</li> </ul><p><a href="#top">Top</a></p> <p><a id="lessons" name="lessons"></a></p> <h2><a name="lessons" id="lessons">Lessons Learned</a></h2> <ul><li>It is important to choose knowledge-providing countries that have pursued similar goals in the face of similar challenges (in this case, both countries sought to align NQI to EU requirements).</li> <li>Staff from World Bank Headquarters and Country Offices can play strong roles in helping to organize and facilitate knowledge exchanges.</li> <li>Before a study tour, it is helpful for Bank or other technical specialists to review countries’ presentations and learning materials to ensure the transfer of appropriate know-how.</li> </ul><p><a href="#top">Top</a></p> <p><a id="world" name="world"></a></p> <h2><a name="world" id="world">World Bank Group Contribution</a></h2> <p>World Bank staff helped to broker connections for this exchange, leveraging their contacts and project experience. Staff in Country Offices provided valuable support in executing logistical tasks from the exchange. The South-South Facility funded the exchange, with a Bank Budget allocation helping to finance the workshop.</p> <p><a href="#top">Top</a></p> <p><a id="partners" name="partners"></a></p> <h2><a name="partners" id="partners">Partners</a></h2> <p>The following Croatian officials shared their know-how during this exchange:</p> <ul><li>Mr. Miran `kerl, Head of Department, Ministry of Economy</li> <li>Ms. Grozdana Vuðan, Legal Advisor, Ministry of Economy</li> <li>Mr. Tomislav Petroviæ, Head of Department, Ministry of Agriculture</li> <li>Ms. Maja Drãiæ, Croatian Agricultural Agency</li> <li>Ms. Biserka Bajzek Brezak, Director, Croatian Accreditation Agency</li> <li>Mr. Darko Bosnjak, Croatian Accreditation Agency</li> <li>Mr. Sasa Grgantov, Independent Accreditation Agent</li> <li>Mr. Davor Zvizdic, Director, Croatian Metrology Institute; and Head, National Calibration Laboratory</li> <li>Mr. Ranko Tadiæ, Eko Producer</li> <li>Mr. Hrvoje Sandukcic</li> </ul><p>Officials from the German Metrology Institute, a key partner of both Croatia and Uzbekistan, also provided support for this exchange.</p> <p><a href="#top">Top</a></p> <p><a id="moving" name="moving"></a></p> <h2><a name="moving" id="moving">Moving Forward</a></h2> <p>This exchange and the workshop were part of a broader program of Bank assistance to help Uzbekistan to improve its NQI framework, which included a report assessing the status of NQI and outlining recommendations for reform. NQI reform in Uzbekistan has been a political issue, and so required raising awareness of key government stakeholders. Taken together, the study tour and workshop helped raise the profile of NQI reform and increase the stakeholders’ capacity to advocate internally for reforms to bring Uzbekistan’s NQI in compliance with international requirements.</p> <p><a href="#top">Top</a></p> <p><a id="beneficiaries" name="beneficiaries"></a></p> <h2><a name="beneficiaries" id="beneficiaries">Beneficiaries/Participants</a></h2> <p>The Uzbekistani delegates who participated in the visit to Croatia included the following:</p> <ul><li>Tashtemir Abdullaev, Chief Metrologist, Uzstandart</li> <li>Khakim Kasimov, Head of the Department, Uzstandart</li> <li>Jasur Shukurov, Director of Kashkadarya Regional Branch, Uzstandart</li> <li>Nuritdin Abdurahimov, Head of the Department, Ministry of Economy</li> <li>Narghiza Zufarova, Head of Department, Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade</li> <li>Dilshod Rasulov, Head of Department, Chamber of Commerce and Industry</li> </ul><p><a href="#top">Top</a></p> </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=292">Jobs</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/browse-topics-results?field_res_topics_target_id=295">Public Administration</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="https://www.southsouthfacility.org/browse-topics-results?field_res_topics_target_id=302">Trade</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/58" hreflang="en">Croatia</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/238" hreflang="en">Uzbekistan</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">Emanuel Salinas Munoz</div> </div> Tue, 27 Nov 2018 08:48:31 +0000 ssf_admin 293 at https://www.southsouthfacility.org