Regional Seminar - Decentralisation & Local Governance in Anglophone and Lusophone Africa

Monday 11^th November

PART 1:  SETTING THE SCENE

Review of the decentralisation dynamics in the region and the evolving international development cooperation framework 

9.30 – 10.00

Session 1.1.   Introduction

Welcome by Erik Habers (Head of cooperation, EU Delegation to Kenya)

Roundtable of the participants

Presentation of the seminar objectives and methodology by Jorge Rodriguez (B2)

Presentation of the “rules of the game” for ensuring an effective dialogue and exchange by the team of facilitators (ECDPM)

10.00 – 11.00

Session 1.2.   Looking back: What has been the impact of the various decentralisation processes in the region?

Presentation on the overall track record of the decentralisation and local governance reform processes across the region, by P. Smoke (25 minutes) followed by Q&A

Buzz groups to discuss main conclusions

11.00 – 11.20

Coffee break

11.20 – 13.00

Session 1.3.   Looking forward: the continuing relevance of the decentralisation and local governance agenda for addressing the main development challenges of the region and of the EU Agenda for Change

First GRAND PANEL with three leading African experts from different backgrounds:

George Matovu, MDP (Municipal Development Programme), Zimbabwe

James Murombedzi, Coordinator of the Responsive Forest Governance Initiative, Zimbabwe

Dr. Neo Simutanyi, Executive Director Centre for Policy Dialogue, Zambia

Followed by discussion and Q&A

13.00 – 14.00

Lunch break

14.00 – 15.45

Session 1.4.   EU response strategies in support of decentralisation and local governance: past and future?

Short overview presentation on overall EU approaches to decentralisation and local governance in Anglophone and Lusophone Africa, amongst others based on the surveys from EUDs  (by ECDPM, 10 minutes)

Interactive Panel with three EUDs (Ghana, Ethiopia, Uganda) from structured around two main questions:

1)    Past EU response strategies and lessons of experience gained

2)    Emerging strategic thinking on future response strategies

15.45 – 16.00

Coffee break

16.00 – 17.30

Session 1.5.   The evolving international/European development context with regard to decentralisation and local governance

Presentation on current thinking and changes with regard to decentralisation and local governance at headquarters level (by Jorge Rodriguez, B2, 30 minutes), including a focus on:

1)    New international commitments with regard to local authorities

2)    The key findings from the Thematic evaluation of EC support to decentralisation

3)    The EC Communication on Local Authorities

4)    Key challenges for EUDs in Africa with regard to the decentralisation and local governance agenda

Buzz groups and restitution on key implications of this new agenda and initial identification of new windows of opportunities

Tuesday 12^th of November

PART 2

The political economy of decentralisation and local governance

9.00 – 9.15

Key notes of Day 1 (ECDPM)

9.15 – 10.45

Session 2.1.   The political economy of decentralisation processes

Short presentation on the concept of political economy (by ECDPM, 15 minutes)

Presentation on the political economy of decentralisation processes in Africa:  salient features, drivers of change, factors of resistance and implication for future reform strategies (by Dr. Neo Simutanyi, Public Policy Expert and Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue, Zambia)

Buzz groups to reflect on the presentations

Plenary debate 

10.45 – 11.00

Coffee break

11.00 – 13.00

Session 2.2.   Applying a political economy approach to decentralisation and local governance

Interactive panel with 3 EUDs to review experiences with managing the political dimensions of decentralisation and local governance [this session is based on the assumption that EUDs may not have carried out a formal political economy analysis in this area, but have hands-on experience in dealing with the “politics” of decentralisation processes]

EUDs involved in the panel:  Burkina Faso, Kenya, Zimbabwe 

13.00 – 14.00

Lunch break

14.00 – 15.30

Session 2.3.   Empowering local authorities: the need for both local autonomy and accountability

Presentation on the critical importance of both local autonomy and accountability for the empowerment and effective functioning of local governments

By Paul Smoke, 30 minutes

Buzz groups to reflect on presentation

Plenary debate

15.30 – 15.45

Coffee break

15.45 – 17.15

Session 2.4.   Good practices and innovations in terms of enhancing the local autonomy of municipalities and related accountability systems in the region: What has worked and why?

Different actors and experts presenting “success stories” in terms of strengthening the levels of autonomy enjoyed by municipalities through top-down or bottom-up approaches as well as effective capacity development programmes.

 Plenary debate involving:

-       Patrick Mutabwire, Acting Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government, Uganda

-       Theogene Karake, CEO of the Rwandan Association of Local Governments (RALGA)

-       Silas Olang, Revenue Watch

-       Lucy Slack, CLGF (Commonwealth Local Government Forum)

Wednesday 13^th of November

PART 3

Windows of opportunities to better integrate the local dimension of development and use decentralisation as an instrument for better development and governance outcomes

PART 4

    Strategic use of aid modalities in support of decentralisation

9.00 – 9.15

Key notes of Day 2 (ECDPM)

9.15 – 10.45

Session 3.1.  How to improve the effectiveness of EU-supported sector programmes by making stronger linkages with local and decentralisation dynamics?

Challenges as regards the integration of the local level into sector programmes (by J. Rodriguez   20 minutes)

Buzz groups

Plenary debate

10.45 – 11.00

Coffee break

11.00 – 13.00

 Session 3.2.   How to promote inclusive growth at local level?

Introducing the debate and identifying new windows of opportunities for inclusive local growth (ECDPM, 10 minutes)

Concrete EUD programmes focusing on local economic development (2 short presentations of maximum 5 slides)

The case of PADIC in Burkina Faso:  Supporting decentralisation and local development, followed by Q&A

The experience of the EUD in South Africa with supporting local economic development, followed by Q&A

Plenary debate

13.00 – 14.00

Lunch break

14.00 – 15.30

 Session 3.3.   How to improve local governance through citizen action?

Overview of progresses achieved, lessons learnt and innovative practices in terms of improving local governance, with a focus on the role of citizens (ECDPM, 10 minutes)

Interactive panel with 3 EUDs (Angola, India, Tanzania) and Silas Olang (Revenue Watch)

15.30 – 15.45

Coffee break

15.45 – 17.00

START OF PART 4

Session 4.1.    Choosing suitable aid modalities in support of local development and decentralisation:  time to revalue “smart projects”

Presentation of the DEVCO Guidance on the use of project approaches in support of local development and decentralisation (by ECDPM), 25 minutes

 Buzz groups

Plenary debate

Thursday 13^th of June:

PART 4

Strategic use of aid modalities in support of local development and decentralisation (continuation)

PART 5

What next for EU engagement in decentralisation and local governance?

9.00 – 11.00

Session 4.2. Innovative funding modalities to LAs. What can we do?

Framing the debate:  EC guidance on fiscal decentralization (by Jorge Rodriguez, 20 min)

Plenary debate

The experience of UNCDF, Presentation by David Jackson (30 min)

Plenary debate

11.00 – 11.15

Coffee break

11.15 – 12.30

 Session 5.1.   What next for EU support to decentralisation and local governance in the region?

Overall conclusions of the seminar and validation

Prioritisation of next steps

Closure of the seminar

12.30 – 14.00

Lunch break

14.00 – 16.30

WORKING SESSION FOR EU DELEGATIONS ONLY

Dedicated to discuss implications of future support strategies decentralisation and local governance