© 2008 theIDLgroup

Developing Capacities for Accountability and

Voice

Sofia, Bulgaria

1-2 October 2008

Day One Agenda9:00-9:30 Welcome and Introductions

9:30-10:40 Accountability & Voice concepts

10:40-11:00 Coffee break

11:00-12:30 Accountability & Voice mechanisms in the context of public participation and Service Delivery

12:30-14:00 Lunch break

14:00-15:45 Capacity Development responses in the context of A&V mechanisms and Case Study analysis

15:45-16:00 Coffee break

16:00-16.30 Reporting back from case study analysis and end of day summary

A&V Word AssociationAt your tables, appoint a facilitator and rapporteur

Without looking at the background paper, write down and discuss the words you associate with A&V. Write down words you associate with

accountability on the yellow paper, and words you associate with voice on the blue paper

Write one word per piece of paper

Think about: What is accountability? What is voice? How do they relate to one another?

You have 10 mins for this exercise

Your experiences with A&V At your tables, choose a facilitator and rapporteur

Discuss the following questions: What A&V mechanisms have you worked with in your

country context? Which have been the most successful and why? What challenges have you faced in implementing A&V

mechanisms? What challenges would you have implementing some of the

models/ mechanisms discussed in the presentation?

Identify and write down 1) key success factors identified & 2) key challenges faced in implementing mechanisms discussed in the presentation.

Be prepared to present your findings in plenary (5 mins)

You have 45 mins

How can you apply what you have learned so far?

In pairs, briefly discuss the following question:

“How can you apply what you have learned about the Capacity Development framework to Accountability and Voice mechanisms?”

You have 5 mins

Case Study AnalysisSelect a facilitator and rapporteur

Re-read your assigned case study (10 mins)

Address the following questions, recording your answers on the flip chart:

Did the initiative contribute to enhanced performance of the service provider and improved quality of public services? If yes, what worked well? If not, why not?

Was the initiative owned and led by the relevant stakeholders? What contributed to the sense of ownership? How did they ‘build ownership’?

What were the capacity development responses and how were they defined/selected?

What would you have done differently? How sustainable are the mechanisms in your opinion?

You have 60 mins

Case Study Analysis

Rapporteurs and groups present findings to another group.

Both groups explore the general themes and trends illustrated by the cases, pointing out differences and similarities, entry points, challenges and how they dealt with challenges.

Other groups challenge them and ask questions.

You will have 20 mins to report back and discuss

Day Two Agenda9:00-9:15 Review of previous day and outline of day two

9:15-10:30 Practical application: Designing an Accountability & Voice mechanism for local service delivery

10:30-10:50 Coffee break [pay bills]

10:50-12:15 Practical application: Designing an Accountability & Voice mechanism for local service delivery (cont.)

-including ask the experts clinic

12:15-13:30 Lunch break

13:30-14:30 Key issues discussions

14:30-15:45 Written assessment

15.45-16.20 Summing up, evaluations & next steps

Designing an A&V mechanism Select a rapporteur.

Select one country on which to focus.

In your groups begin by briefly analysing the A&V challenges in the selected country.

Brainstorm for ideas for potential A&V mechanisms/approaches that might address some of these challenges and gaps?

Select one of these potential mechanisms/approaches to work on as a group.

Create a brief outline of a proposed project

Prepare a brief summary of the rationale and details of your proposal to present.

You have 75 minutes

Ask the ‘experts’

Key issues 1. What can we do when political will is

lacking?

2. How to improve institutionalisation of A&V mechanisms?

3. How do we identify entry points for voice?

4. What are UNDP’s comparative advantages in working on A&V in the region?