United Nations Development ProgrammeOslo Governance Centre

The “Missing Governance Links”

Draft framework to integrate governance into MDG-based planning

By Marie Laberge

United Nations Development ProgrammeOslo Governance Centre

Why this framework?How does it work?

Is it useful?

OutlineOutline

United Nations Development ProgrammeOslo Governance Centre

Why this framework?Why this framework?

Minimal integration of governance in MDG-based planning – Why?Shortcomings in the process:

Stand-alone working group on governance: mainstreaming?

Shortcomings in the MDG methodology:Missing costs

Distorted costs

United Nations Development ProgrammeOslo Governance Centre

The chains of assumptions in the MDG policy design

How does it work?How does it work?

Inputs

MDG needs assessment tool

Outputs

MDG targets

& indicators

Sustainable, pro-poor outcomes

Voice & accountability channels in place?

Democratic deficit

Capacity deficit

1. Missing governance

links

2. Empowerment check

United Nations Development ProgrammeOslo Governance Centre

Ex.1: High maternal mortality Ex.1: High maternal mortality raterate

Capacity deficit Democratic deficit

To deliver services effectively (Competency of civil service)

Long reimbursement delay (after giving birth) for transportation costs to nearest healthcare facility (therefore women unable to take advantage of this provision)?

Affordability Provision to exempt poorest mothers from paying for life-saving medicine / treatment (e.g. transportation costs reimbursement to give birth at nearest healthcare facility)

Empowerment check: Poor mothers’ awareness of their entitlement?

+ transparency

United Nations Development ProgrammeOslo Governance Centre

Example 2: Gender inequalityExample 2: Gender inequality

Capacity deficit Democratic deficit

Effective service delivery (Competency of civil service)

Gender sensitive training for local authorities?

Represen-tation

(Affirmative action policies)

Formal requirement for a gender focal point in each ministry represented at local level? Local council has women’s caucus?

Empowerment check: Women’s ability to speak in public & to affect decisions?

+ Participation

Empowerment check: Effective treatment of complaints related to gender discrimination?

+ Accountability

United Nations Development ProgrammeOslo Governance Centre

Ex.2: Inequality in natural Ex.2: Inequality in natural resource ownershipresource ownership

Capacity deficit Democratic deficit

To facilitate participatory planning (Promotion of civic engagement)

How many CBOs/NGOs with interest in natural resource management have received technical / financial support from local gov?

Transparency

(Freedom of information legislation)

Access to info on natural resource ownership in the district (% land ownership, logging concessions controlled by richer households)?

Empowerment check: Accessibility of this info by the poor, in a user-friendly format (e.g. resource map)?

+ Adapted

Empowerment check: CBOs/NGOs participate in decision-making / monitoring / audits?

+ Participation+ Representation