MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON LEADERSHIP CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT FOR DECENTRALIZED GOVERNANCE AND

POVERTY REDUCTIONYaoundé 28-30 May 2008

THE IMPACT OF DECENTRALIZED COOPERATION THE IMPACT OF DECENTRALIZED COOPERATION ON THE PROCESS OF DECENTRALIZATION: THE ON THE PROCESS OF DECENTRALIZATION: THE

AFRICAN PERSPECTIVEAFRICAN PERSPECTIVE

George MatovuGeorge MatovuMunicipal Development Partnership for Eastern Municipal Development Partnership for Eastern

and Southern Africa (MDPand Southern Africa (MDP--ESA)ESA)

YaoundeYaounde 28 May 200828 May 2008

Aim of the Research

• To assess the impact of the Euro-African decentralized cooperation activities on the process of decentralization in African countries.

Aim of Euro-Africa Partnership for Decentralised Cooperation

• To encourage promote and sustain debate of strategies and models of DC

• To support and sustain the decentralisation process in Africa as a means for achieving peace and development through the strengthening of good governance, democracy, and the rule of law

• To create a strategic partnership and reinforce the existing relationship among European and African local actors

General Focus of the Study

• Examined general question concerning decentralised cooperation activities between Africa and Europe

• Examined question concerning decentralised activities focused on decentralised governance between Africa and Europe

Methodology

• Desk research - published books, workshop reports, articles in newsletters and journals.

• Internet search• Interviews

Constraints

• Scarcity of literature• Language barriers• Limited research of DC

Structure

• Chapter I: Evolution of decentralized Cooperation by George Matovu

• Chapter II: Evolution of the current legal framework for enhancing EU-African decentralized cooperation by Andrea de Guttry

• Chapters III and IV: Case–studies and lessons learnt on Euro-African decentralized cooperation projects by George Matovu and Luisa Nardi, respectively

• Chapter V: Conclusions recommendations by Luisa Nardi

Definitions of DC

• DC is a notion, which is still a little vague. … if we attempt to define it more precisely, we would be taking a risk: either it would be defined in such general terms that it becomes a maze of contradictions, or it would be defined in such a restrictive manner that everyone would be completely lost." Jangu Le Carpentier, President Delegate of United Towns Organisations (UTO)

Definition continued

• UNDP (2001) “a long-term partnership between communities in different cities or towns and as a mechanism for establishing a novel “partnership” modality, which focuses on direct relationships between regional territories, as opposed tothe model that promotes bilateral cooperation at the national level”

• UCLG (2006) “a solid partnership between foreign local communities” [aimed at] “encouraging mutual prosperity and consolidate local development and governance”.

• The UN-HABITAT “a process whereby cities and other institutions work together on defining their problems and devising appropriate solutions on the basis of shared experience among peer groups

For this Report

• Decentralized Cooperation defined as any project, initiative, or partnership for development cooperation among at least one European and one African sub-national authority.

Different names of DC

• twinning, • city-to-city cooperation, • city link, and • jumelage.

Evolution and Context of DC

• After World War II, DC (twinning) was initiated as a means toward building bridges of understanding and confidence between peoples of nations which had been at war.

• It aimed at bringing about social and cultural exchanges between civic officials, schools and community groups.

• In Africa, links were initially developed between newly independent states and their former colonial masters as a strategy to build ties based on trust and mutual respect. Schools and local authorities mainly dominated it.

Dominant Actors

• City Halls characterized by high-level visits led by mayors and supplemented by cultural exchanges

• In the 1980s, community development took a centre stage with a focus on meeting basic needs, capacity building, awareness-raising and development.

• In the 1990s, strengthening governance governance, local democratic institutions and encouraging wider community participation in every aspect of city life emerged on the DC agenda

• Currently, there is emphasis on involving the civil society and civil society organisations in in DC

The Cotonou Agreement

• Recognizes both local government and non-state actors as fully fledged actors and partners in international cooperation and development processes.

• Focuses on challenges posed by poverty, dynamics of decentralization, urbanization, democratization, and the emergence of more enlightened, better organized and aggressive pressure groups

• Instrumented by Country Strategy Papers (CSPs)

Value addition of DC

• Calls for ‘better’ development, which focuses on needs and priorities expressed by the population

• Establishes a clear framework for engagement in civil society and civil society organisation in international development and cooperation

• Consolidates cultural, technical and economic partnerships between local communities as a tool to promote human development and peace.

• Provides opportunity for conflict resolution and peace building.

• Brings about sustainable cooperation at local levels, with the Northern partners contributing their own experience of how they dealt with a specific issue and transferring their knowledge and resources directly to the community/local entity concerned.

Principles of Decentralized Cooperation

• Active involvement of all the various groups of stakeholders

• Seeking consultation and complementarities between stakeholders

• Decentralising management• Introducing a process approach• Giving priority to capacity building and

institutional development

Motivators for Promoting DC

In Africa:• Challenges of ESAP• Failures in central government systems to

deliver and general misuse of aid resources• Recreation of local government as engines of

development• In Europe• A sense of frustration caused by continuing

poverty

Decrease on Overseas Development Assistance

Kampala City Council, Uganda and Kirklees Metropolitan Council, United Kingdom

Testimony from the Town Clerk• “The politicians have come to see things differently. I

remember on one of the tours that we sent the Council Speaker. When he came back he allowed the procedure of allowing the public to air their grievances on the floor of the Council Chamber to take place. At first some of us thought that was going too far, but it has become part of our standing orders and procedures. People come to do this. They send in their complaint and air it in the Council Chamber. It is open to the press who then scream big headlines. The impact of that process is that the public has come to view the Council as their Council, not something distant and closed.”

Nakuru Municipal Council, Kenya and Leuven City Council, Belgium

School-to-School Communication Link• The communication link between primary schools was

highly appreciated by all parties involved. Moi Primary School equipped a separate class room where pupils came together twice a week to execute tasks in the framework of the communication link, environmental awareness or information about HIV/AIDS. BondeniPrimary School paid great attention to environmental education and small actions for ‘greening’ the school grounds. In Leuven, teachers appreciated the pedagogical skills they gained. As one official said, if the actual city link was stopped, the schools would try to find another similar opportunity for exchange.

Selected Lessons

• A mutually rewarding partnership should be based upon equity and mutual input.

• Openness is needed in preparing agreements. • CBOs should be given prominence in

agreements • Structure agreements around one or two

important actions that directly benefit the community.

• There should be an evaluation of the cooperation between the principals

• Local authorities need to ensure that there is a procedure in place to demonstrate that careful consideration has been given to every financial transaction.