The European Commission delegation in Guyana is working on an Action Plan to implement the Backbone Strategy on technical cooperation reform in a rather original way, using an external consultant to develop a more comprehensive document. Read more to see how they fared.
After the rush to complete the External Assistance Management Report (EAMR) Annex of last January, the Guyana delegation decided to launch a study in February to develop a more comprehensive document. The study was carried out in two weeks by a consultant recruited through the Framework Contract.
What did the study look into?
Presentations: the Backbone Strategy was presented to main stakeholders in Guyana, including NAO, line Ministries and development partners. A one day session in Suriname was also held to present the Backbone Strategy (Guyana is responsible for Suriname).
Stakeholder Discussions: In separate meetings with ministries, some capacity development issues were debated, raising points to consider for programme design and implementation. Participants also looked at current EC support in the sectors. Meetings were organised with the Ministry of Finance; Public Works and Communication; Health; Central Housing and Planning, Housing and Water and Education and Agriculture.
Donor Mapping: Following a meeting with all donors in the country, a table summarising who does what in which sector was produced.
Main Findings: Some interesting conclusions came out of the study on the Partner Government's view of how Technical Cooperation could be improved. Conclusions included: the need for longer training periods, less short-term missions for studies that have already been carried out previously, different perceptions of Partner Government and donors on donor coordination and migration of skilled workforce, among others.
Action Plan: Amongst the actions proposed by the study, we highlight the proposals to create a centralised platform for information exchange and to establish a training unit and programme across sectors.
More detailed information is available in the attached draft Action Plan.
Points for consideration....
Is it useful to have an external consultant helping in the process of developing a comprehensive Action Plan?
Is the perception that donors fund too many short-term missions for studies (rather than long-term trainings for civil servants) shared elsewhere?
Contact in the Delegation: Christopher INGELBRECHT
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