Regional Reports - the European External Action Service

Establish inclusive development partner's forums (government-private-CSOs, and/or
government-private sector and Government-CSOs, as appropriate) for planning,
integration of efforts, consultation on developments objectives; and for joint review of
performances.
Page 66, strengthening partnerships for effective implementation of
the BSGR 5-year Development Plan
In addition to the above, the plan has also activity lines that are aimed at enhanced and
institutionalizing dialogue on policy and development aspects (refer insert below). Perhaps,
encouraged by the provisions in the five-year plan, a joint proposal for establishing Government-
NSA Food Security Policy Dialogue Forum has been submitted to the officials (by TGPDA and
OXFAM/GB) and an agreement has been reached to launch it. The region has some unique
development challenges and potentials to unleash. Hence, the positive starts have to be sustained
and enhanced.
• Support establishment of new CSOs and strengthen capacities of the existing ones so as
to ensure active participation of the population and civil society in good governance and
programme implementation
• Organize forums that enable/facilitate continuous consultations between the regional
government, the population and civil society
Focal activities in Good Governance and Capacity Building, BSGR 5-
Yr Development Plan
Engagement in Political Dialogue
Much can not be said about political dialogue as indicators are scanty. For improvements in this
are the capacity gap on both sides has to be addressed. Some segments of NSA get invitations to
Regional and Woreda Council meetings. For example, AAE Regional Branch Office indicated
that they usually get these invitations, and do send staff members. In relation to this, the survey
has detected three interrelated problems. In the first place, most of the NSA appeared to have
limited or even low level of understanding on the relevance of the avenue of participation.
Hence, the common practice is to delegate and send some unprepared or even junior staff for
such occasions. Secondly, it looks that some of the participating NSA are not aware of the rules
and corresponding powers they have as participants in the meetings. For example, the Secretary
of the BSG Hagere Sibket expressed that ".. We are there only to observe. It would have been
better if we have the chance to comment or express our views". Other NSA are aware of the
rules that they are only not allowed to vote. Thirdly, even where there is appreciation and better
understanding of the opportunity provided, the NSA participation is not supported by advance
discussions and joint formulation of the idea, issue or position to air or express in the Council
meetings. Because of this, so far no one from the NSA has managed to promote an issue through
the Council meeting avenues.
Internal Organisation and Resources
Financial Resources
� International NGOs - implementing agreement bound multi-year programmes; with secured
funding,
� Regional Development Associations - collecting subscriptions from members - but not
adequate enough to undertake/implement activities in the core mandate area
133