Europe - non EU member states

Eastern Ukraine State Building and Accountability

admin — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:30:30 +0000

Eastern Ukraine State Building and Accountability admin Tue, 02/12/2019 - 14:30

The Ukrainian state and society have been greatly destabilised over the past 1.5 years, putting the human security of Ukrainian citizens at risk. Decentralization has the potential to become a valuable instrument out of the current crisis in Ukraine. As a response, a project has been designed to foster stability in Eastern Ukraine from the bottom up through legitimate and responsive governance and inclusive political and public participation processes at the local level. 
 
The project interventions aim at providing a participatory, locally driven response to the reform efforts, focussing on the Eastern regions of Donetsk, Kharkov and Dnepropetrovsk. The proposed interventions in these areas are linked to the high influx of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) who need basic services such as education, health care, housing, jobs. Subsequently, municipal structures in these regions face challenges in providing these services to IDPs, while at the same time, these groups of citizens are especially vulnerable and traumatised, the trust in the government is weak, and resources and services are scarce and poorly administered 
 
The project aims to support the development of transparent, accountable and responsive local government and inclusive local political processes in eastern Ukraine. More specifically, it aims to: 
Support local authorities in shaping accurate, accountable responses to demands brought forward by (civil) society in six municipalities in up to 5 provinces in Eastern Ukraine. 
Strengthen citizens participation practices in local policy by engaging civil society and facilitate inclusive processes providing tools for constructive collaboration among the population, civil society and authorities in the targeted municipalities. 
Transfer lessons learnt and best practices from the project to other local governments in Ukraine and present these to the central government. 
 
The expected results are: 
Capacity of local government officials is strengthened to implement transparent and accountable local democratic processes. 
Strengthened transparent and accountable local democratic processes. 
Capacity of local government officials and civil society is strengthened to engage citizens of different (conflicting) groups into constructive discussion on needs-based issues. 
Capacity of civil society to monitor the actions of their local authorities, and to mobilise when these run counter to lawful and inclusive practice has strengthened. 
Civil society and citizens are able to formulate realistic demands reflecting the interests of different groups to their local authorities, and interact with them in a constructive way to generate results of common interest. 
Improved cooperation mechanisms between local authorities and civil society to designed and implement initiatives with involvement of civil society. 
Project results and experiences disseminated to other local authorities in targeted provinces.

Start date

Fri, 01/01/2016 - 12:00

End date

Sun, 12/31/2017 - 12:00

Policy field(s)

Public policy and planning
Communication
Post-conflict reconstruction
Civil society

Partners

PAX for Peace

Funding

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Netherlands

Regions

Europe - non EU member states

Country

Ukraine

Project id

7764687

Project code

11349

Contact

Malinda Twaalfhoven

Project AOE

Involving Citizens in Decision Making

Georgia, Participatory local budgeting in the city of Rustavi

admin — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:30:30 +0000

Georgia, Participatory local budgeting in the city of Rustavi admin Tue, 02/12/2019 - 14:30

The aim of the project is to support the leadership of the municipality of Rustavi city, the third biggest city of Georgia, with creating a system of participative budgeting, hereby promoting greater accountability and citizens' participation in local decision-making. Participative local budgeting is introduced to create a more transparent allocation of funds. This is becoming increasingly relevant with the developing economy and quickly growing population in Rustavi. A first important step is the establishment of proper tools for communication with and information to citizens, which will foster their inclusion in the decision making on spending priorities, and the monitoring of the implementation thereof . This was already endeavoured by the municipality of Rustavi with the establishment of citizens' services centres. These centres are one-stop-shops in which citizens can have contact with the front office, which subsequently channel information to the back office. In order to let this run smoothly, the municipality of Rustavi has invested much in these centres to utilise them as a proper tool for participative budgeting. The new strategy for participative budgeting aims at strengthening the citizens centres and their municipal staff as a better tool to collect feedback on local issues, and introduce the citizens to participative budgeting. 
 
To ensure the progress of these plans, the civil servants will be educated with adequate skills and knowledge. The municipality will be supported to facilitate the participative budget. This will be done through capacity building of local administrative staff and the development of institutional mechanisms. The project has three strategic objectives: 
Increasing the capacity of municipal administrative structures. 
Promoting dialogue between local CSOs, public groups and municipal government on city's budget planning and execution. 
Creation of institutionalized mechanisms for participatory budgeting in the city.

Start date

Fri, 03/11/2016 - 12:00

End date

Sat, 03/10/2018 - 12:00

Policy field(s)

Community development

Partners

MEPCO

Funding

Delegation of the European Union to Georgia

Regions

Europe - non EU member states

Country

Georgia

Peoples

Hilde Pijnenburg

Project id

7781701

Project code

11355

Contact

Hilde Pijnenburg

Project AOE

Involving Citizens in Decision Making

Georgia, Promoting Migration Management in Georgia through Research-Based Advocacy, Awareness, Networking and Use of Technologies

admin — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:30:29 +0000

Georgia, Promoting Migration Management in Georgia through Research-Based Advocacy, Awareness, Networking and Use of Technologies admin Tue, 02/12/2019 - 14:30

General objective: 
Enhance capacities of Georgian civil society organisations, particularly via networking, and contribute to the capacities of the other state led process in the migration field in line with the relevant EU-Georgia Agreements, in particular the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan. 
 
Specific Objectives: 
1. promote rights of migrants, protect migrants against exploitation and exclusion, support the fight against trafficking; 
2. foster the links between migration and development; 
3. promote durable livelihood solutions for returned and potential migrants; 
4. increase capacity of migration management-related Georgian NGOs to participate and constructively contribute in livelihood/migration-related human rights centred policy creation and implementation; 
5. support fighting irregular immigration and support in readmission.

Start date

Mon, 08/01/2016 - 12:00

End date

Tue, 08/01/2017 - 12:00

Policy field(s)

Community development

Partners

Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA)
Georgian Municipalities and NGO's involved in migration

Funding

Delegation of the European Union to Georgia

Regions

Europe - non EU member states

Country

Georgia

Project id

7835924

Project code

11360

Contact

Floortje Linnekamp

Project AOE

Dealing with Conflict, Fragility and Migration

Albania, Capacity Building for the Ministry of European Integration and line ministries for the preparation of the negotiation process and legal approximation

admin — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:30:29 +0000

Albania, Capacity Building for the Ministry of European Integration and line ministries for the preparation of the negotiation process and legal approximation admin Tue, 02/12/2019 - 14:30

The wider objective of the project is to achieve progress in the EU Integration process of the Albanian government based on a long term strategy before accession. 
 
The specific objectives of the project are: 
1. Support to the implementation of the obligations deriving from the SAA; 
2. Support to the harmonisation, implementation and enforcement of the EU acquis in the Albanian legislation; 
3. Strengthen the capacity building of the responsible civil servants to enhance their role in the EU legal harmonisation, screening and accession negotiation processes; and 
4. Support to the implementation of the Albanian government's EU Communication Strategy. 
 
The expected results of the project are: 
1. Support to the implementation of the obligations deriving from the SAA: 
Annual National Plan for EU Integration (NPEI) developed and implemented; 
A coherent Public Administration Reform Plan aiming at strengthening the capacities of civil servants put in force; 
EU integration process capacities of the Inter-Institutional Working Groups strengthened; 
ICT systems to support the process of implementing SAA obligations updated and developed; and 
ICT system for supporting the accession process (negotiation procedures) established. 
2. Support to the harmonisation, implementation and enforcement of the EU acquis in the Albanian legislation: 
MEI capacities on EU acquis approximation, implementation and enforcement enhanced; 
Civil servants' EU legal approximation capacities, English reporting and NPEI drafting capacities reinforced; 
ICT System on legal harmonization (including tables of concordance) developed; 
Civil servants' capacities strengthened through EU acquis general training modules, and workshops; and 
General capacity building activities on the use of gap analysis and action plans for the EU acquis chapters organised and delivered. 
3. Strengthen the capacity building of the responsible civil servants to enhance their role in the EU legal harmonisation, screening and accession negotiation processes: 
Training Needs Assessments (TNA) modules conducted by ASPA with the support of SMEI III upgraded to determine the target groups and the training interventions needed; 
Training Strategy to meet the needs of the Albanian public servants to assume responsibility for negotiating the EU accession and approximation, implementation and enforcement of the EU acquis drafted; 
In-house training capacities through organization of Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes in order to increase the number and quality of domestic trainers within the ASPA system enhanced; 
Civil servants' capacities to open the screening and accession negotiations processes enhanced; 
Current coordination structure for the European integration process and evaluated and options and recommendation on how to improve it and adjust it to the future challenges proposed; and 
Sustainable structures on the basis of the capacity development plan and respective recommendations established. 
4. Support to the implementation of the Albanian government's EU Communication Strategy: 
EU Communication Strategy of the Government of Albania implemented with particular attention to civil society.

Start date

Mon, 02/06/2017 - 12:00

End date

Tue, 02/05/2019 - 12:00

Policy field(s)

European integration
European integration

Partners

Euroconsultants SA
PLANET S.A.
EPLO, NovusPM

Funding

Central Finance & Contracting Unit (CFCU) Albania

Regions

Europe - non EU member states

Country

Albania

Peoples

Hilde Pijnenburg

Project id

7962920

Project code

11367

Contact

Hilde Pijnenburg

Project AOE

Involving Citizens in Decision Making

Kosovo, Support to Civil Registration and Document Security

admin — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:30:29 +0000

Kosovo, Support to Civil Registration and Document Security admin Tue, 02/12/2019 - 14:30

The wider objective of the project is to support the Civil Registration Agency (CRA) and Municipal Civil Status Offices (MCSO) in improving the standards of civil status registration system and document security in accordance with EU standards and best practices. More specificaly, the goal of the project is to provide support to the Civil Registration Agency and Municipal Civil Status Offices to improve the civil status registration system through optimisation of the processes and the agency structure. 
 
There are four specific objectives: 
1. CRA Organisation - to improve CRA's structure to ensure capacities and management of processes to maintain sustainability of the processes of 1) civil registration; 2) ID management; 3) vehicle registration. 
2. ICT - to provide required support and expertise to manage and maintain all the IT systems in a coherent way to ensure that all systems are maintained in a coherent way by a single department within the CRA. The assessment of required IT changes will be done within the timeframe that will allow possible procurement and implementation of the changes during the lifetime of this twinning project. 
3. Legal framework - to assure that civil registration data is used by all Kosovo administration according to the principle register once, multiple use of information. 
4. Process management - to improve registration and other processes. 
 
The expected results of the project are: 
Result 1: Revision of CRA structure prepared. Indicators: 
1) Draft proposal of revision of MIA regulation 36/2013 prepared; 
2) Strategic framework prepared; 
3) Performance measurement framework prepared; 
4) Risk register management framework prepared; 
5) Change Management framework prepared; 
6) Job descriptions for CTA staff prepared /revised in line with the structure of CRA. 
 
Result 2.1: Optimization of CRA IT systems (management structure, maintenance and monitoring) completed. Indicators: 
1) Assessment of required changes /improvements/additions to IT system completed also related to the Change Management framework (see CRA Organization); 
2) Proposal for changes to IT systems prepared. 
 
Result 2.2: Implementation of new E-services for civil status services prepared. Indicators: 
1) Needs assessment of required for new e-services completed; 
2) Number of new E-services implemented. 
 
Result 2.3: Interoperability of CRA IT system for data exchange with Kosovo Cadastral Agency Law Enforcement Agencies and other institutions assured (i.e. Kosovo Agency of Statistics). Indicators: 
1) Assessment of required level of interoperability for secured data exchange completed; 
2) Support to data exchange mechanisms installation provided. 
 
Result 3.1: Harmonization of Kosovo legislation to reduce the number of certificates in use and use of certificates as ID document. Indicators: 
1) Assessment of required changes /improvements/additions to legislation prepared; 
2) Inter-ministerial working group set up; 
3) Proposal of changes in the legislation prepared; 
4) Support to the implementation of the changes to legislation system provided. 
 
Result 3.2: Proposal for change of legislation, regulations and procedures to create voter lists from the Civil Status Registration System prepared. Indicators: 
1) Assessment of required changes /improvements/additions to legislation prepared; 
2) Inter-ministerial working group set up; 
3) Proposal of changes in the legislation prepared; 
 
Result 3.3: Proposal for change of legislation, regulations and procedures to provide e-services to citizens prepared. Indicators: 
1) Assessment of required changes /improvements/additions to legislation prepared. 
 
Result 4.1: Structure for maintenance of MCSO security in terms of planning for budgeting, equipment proposed. Indicators: 
1) Assessment of the security situation at all MCSOs and satellite offices (SOs) completed; 
2) Security standards at MCSOs and Satellite Offices (SOs) developed; 
3) Maintenance structure for ensuring continuous security at MCSOs and SOs prepared; 
 
Result 4.2: Structured and permanent cycle of training and certification of MCSO staff in place. Indicators: 
1) Assessment of the required structure, training modules and required annual training cycle prepared; 
2) Decisions on training structures and curricula prepared; 
3) Training plan developed. 
 
Result 4.3: Process for birth registration (specifically RAE), death registration and electronic certificate for vehicle registration improved. Indicators: 
1) Assessment of registration problems and required changes /improvements/additions to legislation/procedures and registration systems prepared; 
2) Working group including UNHCR, UNICEF and UNFPA, RAE representatives (only related to birth/death registration) set up; 
 
Result 4.4: Support to e-archive services (e-archive vehicle registration and old ID's) provided. Indicators: 
1) Assessment of required changes /improvements/additions to legislation/procedures prepared; 
2) Implementation plan prepared (activities, timeline and cost indication).

Start date

Fri, 09/01/2017 - 12:00

End date

Tue, 03/31/2020 - 12:00

Policy field(s)

Civil Registry
Civil Registry
European integration
Institutional development

Partners

State Enterprise Centre of Registers (SECR)

Funding

European Union Office in Kosovo

Regions

Europe - non EU member states

Country

Kosovo

Peoples

Hilde Pijnenburg

Project id

7920822

Project code

11368

Contact

Hilde Pijnenburg

Project AOE

Involving Citizens in Decision Making

Albania, Effective and Responsive Safety and Security Policies at Local Level

admin — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:30:28 +0000

Albania, Effective and Responsive Safety and Security Policies at Local Level admin Tue, 02/12/2019 - 14:30

The main objective of the project is to improve the effectiveness and responsiveness of local public safety and security policies in Albania by supporting local security actors to involve citizens in the development and implementation of such policies. Effectiveness and responsiveness of government institutions are crucial for maintaining the rule of law and practicing principles of good governance. That said, effectiveness relates to strengthening the relationships and cooperation between the safety and security actors and their capacities, which is necessary to implement the current reforms in the field of decentralisation and safety and security at the local level. Responsiveness relates to strengthening the relationship and cooperation between these actors and the citizens in order to make local safety and security policies more responsive to citizen's demands. 
 
The specific objective is to increase capacity at community, municipal and central government level to effectively develop and implement effective and responsive public safety and security policies. 
 
Contributing to these objectives would further Albania's implementation of the EU Acquis Chapters 23 and 24 on fundamental rights, justice, freedom and security. 
 
The project also contributes to the spinoff objectives of improving Dutch-Albanian bilateral relations, more visibility of the contribution of the Netherlands to Albania's EU accession process, and influence on larger projects funded by donors such as the EC and USAID. Spinoff effects will not be part of the monitoring and evaluation of this project, as they are difficult to measure. An attempt to do so would take resources for monitoring and evaluation out of proportion to the rest of this project of modest size. 
 
 
Outcome 1 Local safety and security actors practice principles of good governance, integrating citizens' public safety and security needs and priorities in the development and implementation of municipal policies and regulations. 
Outcome 2 Local communities in the municipalities effectively advocate for municipal safety and security policies and regulations that include their needs and priorities. 
Outcome 3 Central and local governments work together in making the decentralised public safety and security policies operational. 
 
Outputs component 1 
Target group Safety and security actors from 5 pilot municipalities, such as civil servants working in relevant fields (Department for Public Services, Department for Social Services) and representatives of the municipal police and fire brigade. 
Output 1.1 Awareness of local safety and security actors in relation to citizen participation processes and citizens' needs and priorities in the field of public safety and security is increased. 
Output 1.2 Capacities of local safety and security actors to act upon citizens' needs and priorities in the field of public safety and security and involve citizens in municipal policy- and decision-making processes in this field are increased. 
 
Outputs component 2 
Target group Community Councils and Community Liaisons (or if these have not yet been erected, less formalised local groups who are representative), taking in mind gender, age and minority representation. 
Output 2.1 Awareness of rights and responsibilities in relation to citizen participation processes is increased among local communities in 5 Albanian municipalities. 
Output 2.2 Citizens' needs and priorities are increasingly known and articulated by Community Councils and Community Liaisons (CLs). 
Output 2.3 Citizens are increasingly participating in municipal policy- and decision-making processes. 
 
Outputs component 3 
Target group High-level representatives from national and local level, representatives from local government associations, representatives from Albanian municipalities 
Output 3.1 Albanian national institutions know how to create an enabling environment for municipalities to develop and implement effective and responsive local public safety and security policies. 
Output 3.2 Albanian officials at central government level know how to effectively relate to local safety and security actors. 
 
Other implementing partners of the project are The Hague Academy for Local Governance (sub-contracted for part of the trainings) and the Albanian Foundation for Local Governance and Autonomy (FLAG), the local implementing partner.

Start date

Sun, 10/01/2017 - 12:00

End date

Tue, 03/31/2020 - 12:00

Policy field(s)

Public policy and planning
Civil society
Community development
European integration
Public policy and planning

Funding

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Netherlands

Regions

Europe - non EU member states

Country

Albania

Peoples

Hilde Pijnenburg

Project id

7934742

Project code

11374

Contact

Hilde Pijnenburg

Project AOE

Involving Citizens in Decision Making

Turkey, Serbia and Albania, Leadership Programme for Security and Rule of Law CoPROL

admin — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:30:28 +0000

Turkey, Serbia and Albania, Leadership Programme for Security and Rule of Law CoPROL admin Tue, 02/12/2019 - 14:30

Without a credible, functioning legal order and responsible, accountable and democratic institutions, countries cannot participate fully in a European Union based on mutual trust and shared interests and values. The project supported government reforms in Albania, Serbia and Turkey in the field of local public security and further integration of reform processes to align with European standards, thereby tackling political and administrative patterns of behaviour to provide EU integration frameworks for policy development. 
 
The project increased the capacity of national and local government institutions responsible for security in view of horizontal, operational and institutional or policy challenges of EU accession. Through capacity building activities, values as efficiency, transparency, accountability, integrity, participation and cooperation in the field of local public security were addressed. The programme set European standards of performance and provided EU integration frameworks for policy development. The project was designed to promote the interaction between different stakeholders to ensure institutions perform better in implementing and enforcing the law and in involving civil society. 
 
The objective of the project was to support government reforms in Albania, Serbia and Turkey by strengthening the democratic leadership skills of government institutions in the field of public security and further integration of reform processes to align with European standards. 
 
Results: 
1. Increased capacities of national and local government to act, commit and deliver on public security and protecting human rights by taking responsibilities for one's role and applying principles of good governance and rule of law: 
- A total of 58 high-level managers at (national and local) institutions in public security sector of Albania, Serbia and Turkey were equipped in developing a vision, strategy and policy and applying modern ideas of leadership during intensive training courses; 
- Ministries of Interior, Ministries of Justice, national police, training institutes and 18 local governments got acquainted with Netherlands good practices and lessons learned during study visits and established relationships with Netherlands counterpart institutions in public security sector. 
- 12 back home actions plans were implemented by Albanian, Serbian and Turkish participants. 
2. Increased capacities of national and local government to achieve coherence and to adapt frameworks for policy development by setting quality performance standards on public security in line with European standards; 
- Citizens' perception survey on local safety and security conducted among more than 3900 citizens in 18 pilot local governments of Albania, Serbia and Turkey; 
- Citizens' surveys and official data survey discussed and confirmed with national and local government decision-makers in security policy in the 3 countries; 
- 18 local government action plans developed (one per pilot) for future improvements in the field of complaints procedures; willingness to report crimes and visibility for taking safety measures; 
- Generic benchmarking reports on security developed and disseminated at national (final) conferences in the 3 countries. 
- The Local Safety and Security Monitor (based on the Dutch Safety Monitor) was implemented and standardised in Serbian policy, by Dutch experts who coached Serbian 10 experts working at (the 
Police Directorate of) the Ministry of Interior. At the same time a handbook on the Serbian Local Safety and Security Monitor was developed and disseminated at central and local levels of government; 
- The functionality and institutional capacity of Local Security Councils (LSCs) in Serbia was strengthened via an exchange workshop that involved 4 municipalities who do not yet have LSCs and 3 pilot municipalities of the programme who do have functional and relatively successful LSCs; 
- In Albania 2 policy documents on the new complaints procedures were developed and adopted by the municipal councils of Berat and Fier. 
3. Increased capacities of national and local government to relate to external stakeholders, demonstrated by participation of civil society, in particular minority and disadvantaged groups, in decision-making process, protection of minority rights and promotion of a culture of tolerance and anti-discrimination: 
- A total of 85 (round 1) and 88 (round 2) Albanian, Serbian and Turkish representatives of municipalities and NGOs engaged in 2 interactive workshops of 3 days per country, on the use of different methods and techniques of participatory governance; 
- Recommendations reports delivered on participatory governance for Albania, Serbia and Turkey and disseminated at central and local levels; 
- Capacities of 48 participants from Albania, Serbia, Turkey strengthened on integrity, human and minority rights and awareness raising in a combined exchange activity of 2 days. 
4. Increased capacities of training institutes to achieve coherence by providing training in the field of good governance, rule of law, public security and human rights: 
- 4 Turkish trainers of the Union of Municipalities of Turkey; National Police; and Police Academy, 4 Serbian trainers of the Centre for Basic Police Training; and Judicial Academy, 4 Albanian trainers from the Albanian School for Public Administration; the School for Magistrates; and the Police Training Centre trained in applying modern training methods, individual training skills and leadership capabilities. 
- Training capacity of the above mentioned Albanian, Serbian and Turkish training institutes further enhanced to train target group institutions in the public security sector at central and local level. 
- The following training guidelines were developed for and by the Training of Trainers (ToT) participants, enabling them to implement concrete training programmes based on the content and training methodologies observed through the ToT and Leadership programmes: 
'Leadership within Local Administrations'- developed for the Union of Municipalities of Turkey; 
'Integrity and Whistleblower Protection' developed for the Serbian Judicial Academy 
'Integrity in the Police Force' developed for the Serbian Basic Police; 
'Training for Members of Municipal Emergency Situation Headquarters' developed for the Serbian Standing Conference of Towns & Municipalities; 
'Leadership in the Public Administration' developed for the Albanian School of Public Administration by ToT participants; 
'Leadership in the State Police' developed for the Albanian Security Academy. 
 
Further beneficiaries of the project were the Local Government Associations of Serbia (Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities), Turkey (Union of Turkish Municipalities) and the Foundation of Local Governance and Autonomy (Albania) 
 
Involved Dutch public institutions: 
Municipality of Diemen knowledge exchange with mayor and civil servants working in the field of public safety during study visit in the Netherlands and safety benchmark expertise provided during workshops in Albania and Turkey; 
Municipality of Amsterdam knowledge exchange with Neighbourhood Practice Team and Amsterdam Bureau for Research & Statistic during study visits in the Netherlands and benchmark workshop in Albania; 
Municipality of Rotterdam Safety experts provided expertise and on-the-job coaching for the Turkish and Serbian Safety and Security Monitor; 
Municipality of Zeist complaints procedure expert provided expertise and on-the-job trainings in the Albanian municipalities Fier and Berat; 
The Hague Municipality The Hague Police Statistics Department provided expertise and on-the-job coaching for the Serbian Safety and Security Monitor; 
Netherlands Ministries: Foreign Affairs; Security and Justice; Interior and Kingdom Relations -

Start date

Sun, 09/01/2013 - 12:00

End date

Thu, 06/30/2016 - 12:00

Policy field(s)

European integration
Acquis communautaire
Civil society

Partners

PBLQ HEC/ ROI
The Hague Academy for local governance (THALG)
CILC, Center for International Legal Cooperation

Funding

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Netherlands

Regions

Europe - non EU member states

Country

Turkey

Peoples

Hilde Pijnenburg

Project id

7519029

Project code

11306

Contact

Hilde Pijnenburg

Project AOE

Involving Citizens in Decision Making

Turkey, Technical Assistance for Strengthening of Local Investment Planning Capacity with the Participation of Local Actors

admin — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:30:27 +0000

Turkey, Technical Assistance for Strengthening of Local Investment Planning Capacity with the Participation of Local Actors admin Tue, 02/12/2019 - 14:30

Context: This project was designed against the backdrop of the modernisation of public administration that is key for effective implementation of policies, plans and programmes designed to promote growth and to foster economic and social development, which in turn contributes to the reduction of income disparities among and within regions. 
 
The project introduced a new way of action in addressing the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning and programming of public investments (both physical infrastructure investment and human capital such as innovation, research and development) at the local level. 
 
The overall objective was to establish a well-functioning and effective civil service and to proceed with modernisation of public administration in order to assure the effectiveness and efficiency of the planning and programming of public investments at local level. The purpose of this project was to improve the capacity of the local public administration for local investment planning and sound coordination among stakeholders, by means of: 
1. Improving the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Interior by coordinating local actors and local investment planning adequately; 
2. Ensuring the active participation of local actors in the process of investment planning with clear roles and responsibilities; 
3. Developing a participatory model in the process of planning and investment decision-making; 
4. Building the structures and testing the functioning of them to ensure the participation of local actors in Trabzon, Erzurum and Mardin provinces throughout investment planning; 
5. Proposing a new local planning/investment model. 
 
A new local investment planning model was developed as a result of multi-dimensional capacity development activities conducted during implementation of the project. The new model is centred on carrying out the investment project development stage at the local level trough participatory decision-making processes based on required technical analyses. The model was successfully tested in the pilot provinces of the project, i.e. Erzurum, Mardin and Trabzon. 
 
The project assisted local and regional authorities in the design and implementation of investment planning, including local economic development planning and policy and assisted in preparing urban infrastructural planning to boost the economy. Target groups and final beneficiaries were (deputy) Governors, (deputy) Mayors, directors of Provincial Directorate of Planning and Coordination (PDPC), provincial planning experts, technical staff of local governments, provincial representatives (managers and technical staff) of the institutions carrying out investments in the province, development agencies, universities, professional chambers and associations, and civil society organisations. 
 
Examples of public investment project proposals prepared and submitted: 
Establishing an institutional structure for the improvement, control and standardisation of honey production quality across Erzurum (Erzurum province) 
Promotion and follow up of silage material and forage with energy (sunflower, barley, soy bean) (Erzurum province) 
Establishment of specialist Organized Industrial Zones (Mardin province) 
Establishment of full capacity tourism information offices in districts of Mardin 
Procurement of a modern research vessel (Trabzon province) 
Research project for the New Trabzon Airport 
Rehabilitation of the existing Trabzon Marina

Start date

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 12:00

End date

Thu, 11/03/2016 - 12:00

Policy field(s)

Public investment
European integration
Institutional development
Local economic development

Partners

WYG International UK
WYG Turkey
GDSI Limited
ERVET

Funding

European Commission (EuropeAid)

Regions

Europe - non EU member states

Country

Turkey

Project id

7591492

Project code

11331

Contact

Malinda Twaalfhoven

Project AOE

Involving Citizens in Decision Making

Albania, Countering Discrimination and Protecting LGBT Rights

admin — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:30:26 +0000

Albania, Countering Discrimination and Protecting LGBT Rights admin Tue, 02/12/2019 - 14:30

The wider objective of the project is : To enhance the effectiveness of national and local authorities in countering discrimination and protecting LGBTI rights in Albania. 
 
The specific objectives: 
Improving reporting, registration, investigation and prosecution of incidents of discrimination and hate crime at national and local level 
Improving cooperation between institutions and civil society organisations involved in reporting and handling incidents of discrimination and hate crime at national and local level 
Establishing or improving local public policies for the protection of LGBTI persons against discrimination and hate crime 
Improving cooperation between national and local public authorities and local LGBTI communities or organisations 
Exchanging experiences gained in the course of the project between stakeholders and with other countries and stakeholders in the region 
 
The expected results of the project are: 
1. Improved reporting, investigation, registration and prosecution (or other types of follow-up) of incidents of hate crime and discrimination in Albania, in particular at local level 
2. Improved cooperation between the police and other stakeholders involved in fighting LGBTI discrimination, at central and decentralized level

Start date

Sun, 10/01/2017 - 12:00

End date

Thu, 12/31/2020 - 12:00

Policy field(s)

Civil society

Partners

NHC, Nederlands Helsinki Committee
COC Nederland

Funding

Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken

Regions

Europe - non EU member states

Country

Albania

Peoples

Hilde Pijnenburg

Project id

8039948

Project code

11390

Contact

Hilde Pijnenburg

Project AOE

Developing Sustainable and Resilient Cities and Communities

Serbia, Support to Public Administration Reform Visibility and Communication under the Public Administration Reform Sector Reform Contract

admin — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:30:25 +0000

Serbia, Support to Public Administration Reform Visibility and Communication under the Public Administration Reform Sector Reform Contract admin Tue, 02/12/2019 - 14:30

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the Public Administration Reform (PAR) of the Government of Serbia, through strengthening national capacities to communicate the need for and the benefits of public administration reform. 
The purpose of this project is to support the Government of Serbia in pursuing visibility and communication actions related to the overall Public Administration Reform (PAR) and Public Financial Management (PFM) reform agendas in general, and the Sector Reform Contract intervention in particular, through three interlinked components: 
1. Awareness and visibility of the PAR and PFM process; 
2. Awareness of the EU support to the PAR process and benefits for the citizens which the Public Administration Reform brings within the EU integration process; 
3. Communications capacities of the Ministry for Public Administration and Local Self-Government, Ministry of Finance and public administration bodies. 
 
The results expected to be accomplished at the end of the project activities are: 
Result 1 linked to the Component 1: 
Comprehensive PAR communication and awareness raising framework operational through implementation of the Government's PAR communication strategy. 
Result 2 linked to the Component 2: 
Comprehensive public awareness raising campaign on benefits of the EU support to the PAR delivered. 
Result 3 linked to the Component 3: 
The Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self Government, Ministry of Finance and the relevant public bodies equipped with communication skills and modern communication techniques for communicating the PAR policy objectives and achievements to the public.

Start date

Wed, 08/01/2018 - 12:00

End date

Sun, 01/31/2021 - 12:00

Policy field(s)

Communication
Public policy and planning
Acquis communautaire
European integration
Communication

Partners

Ecorys Nederland B.V.
Municipality of Naledi

Funding

Delegation of the European Commission to Serbia

Regions

Europe - non EU member states

Country

Serbia

Peoples

Hilde Pijnenburg

Project id

8075117

Project code

11393

Contact

Hilde Pijnenburg

Project AOE

Involving Citizens in Decision Making