SRI LANKA DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT (SDGAP)
QUARTERLY REPORT JULY 31, 2017 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2017
CONTRACT: AID-OAA-I-12-00003
ORDER: AID-383-TO-16-00002
OCTOBER 31, 2017
This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by DAI.
Sri Lanka Democratic Governance and Accountability Project (SDGAP)
QUARTERLY REPORT JULY 31, 2017 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2017
Program Title: Sri Lanka Democratic Governance and Accountability Project Sponsoring USAID Office: USAID/Sri Lanka & Maldives Contract Number: AID-OAA-I-12-00003 Contractor: DAI Date of Publication: October 31, 2017 Authors: DAI Staff
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROGRAM OVERVIEW ...... 1
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS ...... 1 PROGRESS IN ACHIEVING CONTRACT DELIVERABLES ...... 3 SUMMARY OF PROGRESS ...... 4
TASK 1 – STRENGTHENING PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEMS ...... 4 TASK 2 – IMPROVING STRATEGIC PLANNING AND COMMUNICATIONS, POLICY REFORM AND PLANNING PROCESSES ...... 7
TASK 3 – INCREASING POLITICAL PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN AND UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS IN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE ...... 11
CHALLENGES AND REMEDIAL ACTIONS ...... 14 PLANS FOR QUARTER 1, Year 2 ...... 19
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES ...... 19 TASK 1 – STRENGTHENING PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEMS ...... 19 TASK 2 – IMPROVING STRATEGIC PLANNING AND COMMUNICATIONS, POLICY REFORM AND IMPLEMENTATION ...... 20
TASK 3 – INCREASING POLITICAL PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN AND UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS DEMOCRATIC FOVERNANCE ...... 20 ANNEX 1 – RESULTS SUMMARY ...... 22
ANNEX 2 – PROJECT ORGANIZATIONAL CHART ...... 27
ANNEX 3 – SUCCESS STORIES ...... 28
ACRONYMS
CDF Constituency Development Fund CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women CIABOC Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption COPF Committee on Public Finance GOPAC Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption ILC International Labor Conference IPU Inter Parliamentary Union IRBMS Integrated Results Based Management Systems MPCLG Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government MEP Monitoring and Evaluation Plan MMDA Muslim Marriages and Divorces Act MNPEA Ministry of National Planning and Economic Affairs MOPA Ministry of Public Administration and Management MPRMM Ministry of Parliamentary Reform and Mass Media MSDW Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife NBD National Budget Department NMO New Member Orientation NPC National Police Commission OGP Open Government Partnership PAFFREL People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections PBO Parliamentary Budget Office PSC Public Service Commission RTI Right to Information SDG Sustainable Development Goals SDGAP Strengthening Democratic Governance and Accountability Project SLIDA Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administrators SLILG Sri Lanka Institute of Local Governance SO Standing Orders SOC Sectoral Oversight Committee SOCWG Sectoral Oversight Committee on Women and Gender TAMIS Technical and Administrative Management Information System TBD To Be Determined TI Transparency International WFD Westminster Foundation for Democracy
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The USAID-funded Strengthening Democratic Governance and Accountability Project (SDGAP) is a three- year, $13.7 Million project that goes from October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2019. SDGAP seeks to support the Government of Sri Lanka in its efforts to increase transparency and accountability, and improve effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of public services; support the government to strengthen its ability to communicate with the public and incorporate public participation in policymaking; offer support for high priority institutional strengthening and reform initiatives under the direction of the Government of Sri Lanka; and improve participation and decision making in political processes by women and underrepresented groups.
The Project Outcome is: More Effective and Accountable Governance supported by three project objectives; strengthened public accountability systems; improved strategic planning and communication, policy reform and implementation processes; and, increased political participation of women and underrepresented groups in democratic governance. These objectives have been converted in to three overlapping project tasks to strengthen public accountability systems; improve planning and communications, policy reform and planning processes; and increase political participation of women and underrepresented groups in democratic governance.
The three tasks are now being implemented in collaboration with a number of project partners including the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Oversight Committees, Members of Parliament, Women’s Caucus, Ministry of Sustainable Development, Ministry of Parliamentary Reform and Mass Media, Ministry of Public Administration and Management, Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Ministry of Women and Children, Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Independent Commissions and Agencies. The implementation of the grants component with Civil Society Organizations (CSO) is pending approval of the Annual Program Statement and Grants Manual by USAID.
SDGAP completed the final quarter of its first year of operations. During the months of July to September, the political environment in which SDGAP implemented its activities was stable yet dynamic, as an active opposition exercised its democratic rights for demonstration and for strong debates in parliament.
The government steadfastly continued its agenda for peace and development by continuing the drafting process of the new constitution. The Steering Committee held meetings to draft a policy paper for release in October. Local and provincial level discussions were a subject of debate in the Parliament and throughout the country. The Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government announced that the elections will be held early next year. Sri Lanka also continued to be a focus of attention for having fallen short of implementation of the UN Human Rights Council recommendations.
There was a further change in the cabinet during September when the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honorable Ravi Karunanayake, resigned from his post amidst allegations of corruption. This will affect SDGAP’s work with the OGP as the newly appointed Minister had begun to take charge of the OGP and chaired the quarterly NGO partner meeting with enthusiasm. Honorable Tilak Marapane a legal luminary and former Attorney-General of Sri Lanka, was appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS During the quarter, SDGAP made progress in all life of project anticipated results areas including Sustainable Development Goals; Open Government Partnership; Right to Information; Independent Commissions; Parliamentary Reform; and Public Administration and Management. However, due to
1 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT changes in the institution beyond the control of SDGAP, and fluctuation in the level of interest placed on a development agenda by institutions due to competing priorities, the progress was sometimes uneven. The following is a summary of our progress in each of the key areas this quarter: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). During the quarter, SDGAP continued discussions with the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife (MSDW) to finalize the strategic plan developed by the ministry. As a follow on to the workshop held with ministry officials to discuss the plan, SDGAP supported a similar meeting to present the plan to senior level stakeholders in the government and international donor agencies. SDGAP and MSDW also created capacity development programs to train national, provincial and district level planners for integration of SDGs into their development plans which will be carried out in the next quarter. Capacity building curricula for National planners and project managers included a module of planning, implementing monitoring and reporting against SDGs. Due to a delay in the award of civil society grants, support to SDGs from the demand side was postponed to the next quarter. SDGAP also coordinated closely with UNDP, which is supporting the parliamentary selection committee on SDGs. SDGAP also conducted training on SDGs for public officials, including the 2017 intake of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, and National Police Commission. More programs will be conducted in Year 2. • Open Government Partnership (OGP). SDGAP liaised closely with the OGP secretariat to appoint a junior consultant, purchase small IT equipment and arrange a study tour to Georgia. After the training on OGP commitments for public officials, SDGAP developed plans for training other stakeholders. However due to the departure of the OGP Director from his position, and government plans to move the Secretariat to another ministry, these activities were put on hold to be followed up during the next quarter. • Right to Information (RTI). SDGAP supported the RTI Commission through placement of consultants, support to website, development of commissioner capacity including a study tour to South Africa. All commissioners, the newly appointed Director General, and the legal research consultant participated in the study tour tailor made for the Commission by the South African Right to Information Commission. SDGAP supported the implementation of the RTI Act through training information officers and other government officials including Officers of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service and the Land Commission where many requests for information are routinely received. • Independent Commissions. SDGAP supported the launch of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC’s) first ever corruption prevention strategy, and an SDGAP consultant developed the reporting skills of CIABOC and provided training to the investigation and legal officers including overseas training at the Malaysian Academy for Anti- Corruption. SDGAP and NPC also discussed rolling out NPC’s strategic plan during the next quarters. • Parliamentary Reform. During the quarter, SDGAP met with the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) to discuss the establishment of a PBO and helped the COPF hold a one day workshop for stakeholders to discuss the PBO bill. Stakeholders suggested amendments that will be incorporated to the bill by COPF. SDGAP will continue these discussions during Year 2 as the establishment of a Parliamentary Budget Office is a primary focus of SDGAP. After the Secretary General completed a successful and beneficial study tour to Tulane University, SDGAP arranged a training on legislative drafting for the bills office. The work with the committee staff, the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Women and Gender (SOCWG), and the women’s caucus of parliament continued. SDGAP also organized a study tour to the US Congress for a multi-party delegation led by the Honorable Speaker. • Participation of women and under-represented groups. In partnership with the Women’s Caucus of Parliament and the SOCWG, SDGAP held many capacity development programs for
2 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT local women on political participation and leadership and gender budgeting. SDGAP also had several workshops on engendering the budget for officials of the Ministry of Finance and developed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for gender that were included in the 2018 budget proposal. SDGAP led discussions to support the 25% quota for women at the local elections. • Public Administration and Management. SDGAP strengthened relationships with the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), the Sri Lanka Institute of Local Government (SLILG) and Miloda, the three GSL institutions tasked with capacity development of government officials at the national and local levels. The Project developed activity plans with each of the organizations and conducted training programs for civil servants in partnership with SLIDA. SDGAP will finalize approvals to commence training programs with Miloda.
During the quarter, SDGAP completed a gender and under-represented groups survey conducted through the Social Scientists Association (SSA) with support from Charney Research. The PEA and the gender survey report will be presented and discussed with an approved audience in the next quarter.
In response to the Annual Program Statement invitation for concept notes, SDGAP received 15 concept notes that were reviewed by an evaluation committee chaired by the Chief of Party and including the Deputy Chief of Party, Policy Reform Expert, and the Gender Expert of the project with the grants team as the Secretariat. SDGAP submitted six proposals for USAID clearance, which is now pending.
PROGRESS IN ACHIEVING CONTRACT DELIVERABLES The table below describes the Project Deliverables, due dates and dates of SDGAP submission to USAID: Deliverable Due Date Date of Submission Quarterly Progress and Financial 30 days after the end of each 1/30/2017 Report quarter 4/30/2017 7/30/2017 10/310/2017 Weekly Updates Every Monday 12:00 PM Submitted Weekly Annual Work Plan Within 30 days of award 11/4/17 Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Within 30 days of award 11/4/16 Plan Branding and Marking Plan Within 30 days of award 10/28/16 Communications Plan Within 30 days of award 10/28/16 Success Stories 30 days after the end of each Draft submitted with quarter this report
3 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT SUMMARY OF PROGRESS
TASK 1 – STRENGTHENING PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEMS SDGAP worked closely with the Parliament, RTI Commission, CIABOC, and NPC to strengthen public accountability systems in Sri Lanka. The cross-cutting theme of gender was strongly represented in activities falling under Task 1 and the implementation of the road map on the quota for women took priority under Task 3 due to an attempt and discourse on setting back the quota with legislative amendments. During the quarter, however, SDGAP engaged with the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government (MPCLG), the Women’s Caucus and the members of the SOCWG to retain the quota system. Result 1.1: Functional mechanisms for ensuring government transparency, accountability and access to public information strengthened Activity 1.1.1. Increasing Transparency of budget process
SDGAP trained 70 officers drawn from the Department of National Budget, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs (MOWCA); 14 line Ministries; the Department. of Project Monitoring and Department of National Planning to develop gendered Key Performance Indicators to ensure engendering of the National Budget under the 2017/18 budget cycle. The initiative resulted in the Department of National Budget initiating the adoption for the first time in Sri Lanka of a new Policy on gender responsive budgeting for the budget call.
In July, SDGAP provided training to Sectoral Oversight Committee Staff in preparation for their support to the Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs) in the future on subjects including an introduction to the National Budget Cycle and Process and Gender Responsive Budgeting.
SDGAP also supported the Public Finance Committee in its efforts to finalize a Bill to establish a Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) and supported a stakeholder workshop to discuss the bill. This is continuing work for the next quarter.
Activity 1.1.2. Enhancing Scrutiny of Government Performance
Following up on the activities conducted in quarter 3, SDGAP continued discussions with SLIDA on how SDGAP can help with capacity development of civil servants through SLIDA. SDGAP procured books and periodicals and will soon address a request by SLIDA to procure software for its automated systems.
Parallel to SLIDA at the national level, Sri Lanka Institute of Local Governance (SLILG) is the mandated organization to conduct capacity building and support services for government officers at the provincial and local levels. During the quarter, SLILG leadership participated in all capacity development programs throughout the country on the 25% quota system for women and partnered with SDGAP on a mapping of development partners involved in training on the same subject. The findings, presented at a workshop jointly organized by SLILG and SDGAP in the previous quarter, led to several discussions held with SLILG and other agencies involved in similar programs on implementation in a more coordinated and complementary manner, more fully reported under Task 3.
With the change in the Minister and the Secretary in the Ministry of Media, SDGAP reestablished its contacts and built relationships with the Ministry, now called the Ministry of Finance and Media. SDGAP developed capacity development plans for the information officers in partnership with the Ministry that can be rolled out in the next quarter.
4 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT
Activity 1.1.3. Supporting Transparency / Accountability Legislation
Pursuant to the Secretary General’s participation in a two-week legislative strengthening program at Tulane University’s Public Law Center in New Orleans, USA from June 5 to June 16, 2017, SDGAP supported a two-day in-house training on fostering transparency and accountability in legislation for the staff of the Bills Office of parliament. All staff attended the training and follow up programs will be organized if required.
Activity 1.1.4. Assisting the operations of Select Commissions
Right to Information Commission
SDGAP followed up on the report from the RTI consultant, submitted during the previous quarter, and liaised with the Commission to implement the consultant’s recommendations particularly aimed at ensuring the independence of and capacity of the Commission to start-up operations. One of the main recommendations of the consultant was to appoint a full-time Director General. This was implemented and paid for by the Government. To manage the Commission’s commitment to produce all materials in the three local languages, SDGAP provided translators with a sound legal and rights based knowledge to support the commission in maximizing the disclosure of public information in all local languages through its website. SDGAP facilitated a study tour for the Commissioners, Director General and Legal Consultant to South Africa to learn from the South African Information Commission.
National Police Commission (NPC)
During the quarter, SDGAP had several discussions with the NPC and identified a plan of action that will be carried out during the next quarter including capacity development on how to deal with the public, handle complaints, and strengthening its regional offices and staff.
Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC)
SDGAP worked with CIABOC to identify needs of the commission with the aim of upgrading the institution. During the quarter, the two main highlights were the study tour to Malaysia and the launch of the corruption prevention strategy. SDGAP facilitated a study tour training program in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy, participants included 15 legal/investigation officers funded by the project and addition 30 participants funded by CIABOC. The personnel were trained in modern investigation techniques in a practical environment. In addition, SDGAP supported CIABOC to develop and present its plans for a first ever prevention strategy to a group of senior stakeholders from the government and civil society organizations. SDGAP also developed plans on how to support the prevention strategy in the coming period.
Result 1.2: Greater parliamentary oversight of government actions and performance, including the budget Activity 1.2.1. Reviewing and Disseminating Best Practices in Parliamentary Oversight
SDGAP has developed a concept note and TOR for a consultant for this activity that was approved by the Secretariat. A consultant will be selected and the activity implemented in the next quarter.
Activity 1.2.2. Oversight Planning and Implementation by Sectoral Oversight Committees
5 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT SDGAP conducted a training program for staff of sectoral oversight committees in July based on the results of the previous quarter’s Training Needs Assessment that included work on planning skills for the SOCWG. The training included a component on Budget Cycle and Gender Responsive Budgeting, reporting on CEDAW, and gender concepts that support the engendering of Bills and Bills analysis.
SDGAP supported SOCWG meetings convened in August and provided inputs on priorities of the CEDAW Committee Report highlighted for Sri Lanka related to personal law reforms. The National Planning Department participated in the process supported by SDGAP to engender the national budget call for 2018 and has included engendered KPIs to guide the line ministries on how to best mainstream gender into planning and monitoring of the budget as well.
SDGAP enlisted the support of DAI home office for archiving activity procurement, which is rather complex. The RFP is currently being prepared.
SDGAP coordinated activities to strengthen capacities of the staff of the Parliament secretariat to better support committee structures and completed a training program for the Bills Office on July 21-22 as reported above, and a peer to peer mentoring program for all staff of the secretariat on July 24th.
Result 1.3: Increased awareness of citizen rights including human rights, right to information and how to enforce those rights Activity 1.3.1. Parliament’s Effective Interaction with Civil Society
SDGAP arranged a SOCWG meeting in August this quarter, where presentations by CSOs and academia were made to the committee on substantive topics such as communication skills, women’s rights, political participation, CEDAW reporting, prioritizing CEDAW actions and legislation (proposed amendments to Amendment 1 to the Local Government Act mandating a 25% quota for women at the next local elections).
This activity is also discussed under activity 2.2.2.
Activity 1.3.2. Opening Parliament to the Public
The TOR for the consultant to review best practices of Parliamentary public engagement with recommendations for Sri Lanka was amended and finalized and will be implemented in the next quarter.
The art competition for school children to popularize concepts of Parliamentary democracy as mentioned in the AWP through the civil society grants program was postponed to the next quarter.
Activity 1.3.3. Supporting the RTI Commission, Public Service Commission, National Police Commission and CIABOC in Engaging Civil Society and Media
SDGAP has reported its work with the Commission under activity 1.1.4. Engaging civil society and media will be carried out when the APS is rolled out.
6 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT TASK 2 – IMPROVING STRATEGIC PLANNING AND COMMUNICATIONS, POLICY REFORM AND PLANNING PROCESSES Result 2.1: Procedures for planning, policy development, and law-making established, including civic participation Activity 2.1.1. Development of Whole of Government Planning Frameworks
To improve the overall national framework for planning and project management from local and provincial levels up, under the guidance of the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs, SDGAP concluded the consultations with key state agencies mandated for project planning, management, and evaluation. The consultations focused on the need to modernize the usual practices and processes in project planning and the need to broaden the curriculum to integrate global and SDGAP mandates of Open Government Partnership, Sustainable Development, Inclusive and Participatory Development and Right to Information.
Additionally, the logistical arrangement and procedures to ensure sustained participation were finalized and the process of consultation, curriculum planning, influence and negotiation was successful in ensuring that the certificate course initially supported and funded by SDGAP was upgraded to a diploma awarding program which would be recognized by the state.
SDGAP is now finalizing the requirements to launch the capacity building program and plans to launch training during the next quarter.
The need for a policy on evaluation was discussed and acknowledged at various forums, by the policy- makers, planners, development partners as well as professional organizations in the field of evaluation of Sri Lanka, with the sharp increase in investments on large scale development projects and programs in the past few decades. Even though evaluation is an integral aspect for completeness of the project cycle management, its practice and utilization is not proportionate to the number and magnitude of new development initiatives. Therefore, many issues persisted at the delivery of results though project and programs, with considerable social, economic and environmental cost. In this context, formulation of a National Evaluation Policy was strongly justified along with the formulation of a strategic plan to implement the policy.
In 2016, the Department of Project Management and Monitoring (DPMM) initiated the process of drafting of the National Evaluation Policy (NEP) under the guidance of the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs and; in collaboration with the Global Parliamentarians Forum on Evaluation. A series of preliminary stakeholder consultations were carried out since early 2016 to obtain views of stakeholders such as Members of Parliament, officials of line ministries, donor community and civil society organizations, etc. for the 1st draft of the NEP. In the meantime, approval of the Parliament was granted to formulate a National Policy on Evaluation. The final draft of NEP has been submitted to the Honorable Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs through Secretary, Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs, for approval.
Concurrently, strategies and guidelines for implementation of the NEP needed to be drafted, since the policy and strategies need to be submitted together for the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers. Against this backdrop, and in keeping with our workplan, SDGAP helped the DPMM conduct a workshop to develop the strategies and plan of actions for implementation of the National Evaluation Policy which is awaiting tabling in parliament. The workshop was held for 75 participants from every district of the country on 28 and 29 July 2017 focusing on 5 thematic areas as follows:
Creating an enabling Environment for Evaluation
7 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT Quality Assurance of Evaluation Utilization of evaluation in the planning process Ensuring sustainability in evaluation Ensuring Transparency and Accountability
SDGAP will follow up with support to DPMM to publicize the final draft of NEP following translation to local languages to obtain views of the public as a measure to ensure transparency and accountability of government projects.
More work was done in preparation of developing regional capacity to mainstream SDGs in to sub national development plans. This will be reported in Activity 2.1.2
Activity 2.1.2. Incorporating Sustainable Development Goals into National and Sub-National Planning Processes
Sri Lanka has ratified the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) along with 169 Targets that have been designed to transform the today’s development process to a sustainable development process. Various initiatives have already been taken by the government of Sri Lanka in this regard including actions at the highest level.
At the operational level, many ministries, departments, Provincial Councils and other statutory agencies are tasked to carryout various activities. Nevertheless, the strategizing and operationalization process of SDGs has become complex mainly because each Goal and Target generate a plethora of activities where different agencies shall take the lead and collaborate with many other agencies. However, there is every possibility that activities relating to SDGs could be mainstreamed to the work programs of relevant organizations. The Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife (MoSDW), as the facilitating body of SDG implementation, was keen to ensure that the new architecture of transformation planning and integrated implementation is embedded in the principles of democratic and decentralized governance.
In keeping with this activity SDGAP supported the MoSDW to conceptualize and plan for a series of 4 workshop on “Incorporating Sustainable Development Goals into National and Sub-National Planning Processes” targeted at district and provincial planners from 18 out of 25 districts in the country not covered by UNDP. These will be rolled out from Q1 of the 2nd year.
Activity 2.1.3: Establishing a Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO)
As briefly discussed under support to the Public Finance Committee, Sri Lanka’s Parliament is keen to set up a Parliamentary Budget Office for the first time since the country’s independence to:
provide independent, objective and non-partisan budgetary advice and analysis on the state of the nation’s finances and trends in the national economy provide independent support on budgetary matters to parliamentarians throughout the year undertake budget related research and analysis upon the request of the CoPF and provide critical accounting and auditing expertise improve the budget process.
Legislation to set up an Independent Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) was presented in Parliament with the aim of instituting a mechanism capable of providing credible, independent information, especially in finance and budgetary matters. The establishment of the budget office in parliament was mooted by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe and is being carried forward by the Parliamentary Committee on Public and Finance (CoPF) chaired by Hon M. A Sumanthiran, a member of Parliament representing the Tamil National
8 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT Alliance. CoPF is tasked with exercising the oversight function on government expenses and has emphasized the need for a Public Budget Office (PBO) to support this. The CoPF recognized the importance of extending oversight to future government expenditure, a function that is currently neglected. It is in this spirit the CoPF wishes to increase the scope of the PBO from conducting “post-mortem” review to include review of budget estimates and provide independent analyses on fiscal matters of national importance.
To this end there was a need to review the draft bill and consulting stakeholders to establish the PBO swiftly. SDGAP supported the CoPF with this key stakeholder consultation on the 29th of July in Colombo. All key stakeholders were present at the event including the Speaker, Chief of the Staff and Deputy Secretary General, Assistant Secretary General (Legislative Services), Director (Legislative Services) of Parliament, Chair and Committee Members of CoPF, Auditor General’s Department, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of National Planning and Economic Affairs, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Panel of Experts who supported the CoPF in reviewing the 2017 budget, Department. of National Budget and its Directorate (Fiscal Policy and Public Finance, Trade, Investment Policy), USAID, Verité Research and SDGAP. The consultation covered reviewing of draft bill; preparing draft road map to establish and strengthen the parliamentary budget office; and, building consensus on “independent” nature of the budget office and define ways of working.
At the end of the successful key stakeholder consultation SDGAP identified the following next steps to extend support toward establishing the PBO:
Refine PBO draft bill ensuring the legislation is well crafted and the administration of the PBO fell under the CoPF Develop plan expanding the scope of bill to account for additional experts to be a part of the PBO (i.e., increasing the capacity through recruiting public finance, economic, accounting and research experts) also factoring in adequate administrative and operational support with a view to ensure independence of the PBO and Budget Officer. Review of draft PBO bill by the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Draft and Implementation of a Strategic Plan to operationalize the Act Obtain of cross-party Parliamentary buy-in, as well as active public engagement into overall strategy
There was some concern that establishing the PBO by November 2017, in time for budget discussions, would compromise the bill and the development of detailed and strategic plans. SDGAP will extend a consultancy to support the CoPF in fulfilling its responsibilities to present within 6 weeks of the tabling of the National Budget Estimates, a Report on the estimates including whether the money is well laid out within the limits of Government policy; and within 04 days after the presentation of the Budget and the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill, a Report on the fiscal, financial and economic assumptions used as bases in arriving at total estimated expenditures and receipts.
Result 2.2: Key parliamentary reform-minded committees will exercise leadership and oversight in enacting policies and reforms
Activity 2.2.1. Support Effective and Participatory Legislative Processes
During the quarter, SDGAP initiated a consultancy aimed at developing a training manual on participatory legislative practices to develop the capacity of key parliamentary committees to exercise leadership and oversight in enacting policies. Mr. Laksiri Mendis was been identified and contractual negotiations have delayed the startup of the consultancy which will commence in early October.
9 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT The scope of the consultancy would include conducting an analysis of legislative drafting practices in Sri Lanka, the process of drafting a bill and passing it to law and the actors involved in the process. This analysis will provide the backdrop to the production of a manual of participatory legislative drafting practices, and a plan to train parliamentary committee members and Secretariat staff on incorporating these practices into their own work plans. These training manuals and materials will be made available at the sub-national level as well.
Activity 2.2.2. Assisting Selected Sector Policy Dialogues between Sectoral Committees and Civil Society
Through the APS process SDGAP invited civil society actors to partner with the project in conducting policy dialogue around a policy question. The concept is that key experts analyze relevant documents and present evidence and debate on policy that is particularly important to achieving a national goal. SDGAP is particularly interested in encouraging policy dialogue on key result areas including Open Governance, Sustainable Development, Anti-Corruption, Transparency and Accountability and Right to Information between representatives of the Government of Sri Lanka, Members of Parliament, local government and local authorities, and civil society.
In this regard, during the quarter, SDGAP received 15 applications for potential funding of which 9 met the selection criteria. In the year under review SDGAP have submitted 6 applications for USAID approval. Particular mention should be made of the proposal submitted by PAFFREL whose proposed objectives clearly aligns to the ambit of activity 2.2.2. PAFFREL aims to establish strong sub national partnerships for constructive engagement in addressing socio – political, economic and development issues of the district by linking civil society, state structures and district level political leadership. Young people are factored as key to its success and young leaders from the regions will be capacitated to become catalysts in improving governance through PAFRREL’s work to engage them more fully in these district socio - economic development dialogue making people, organizations and political leadership work together upholding the values of inclusive democratic governance.
Additionally, the Transparency International, Sri Lanka (TISL) proposal submission is in response to our call for selected sector policy dialogue. TISL focus will be on OGP as the first civil society organization to advocate for Sri Lanka’s membership to the OGP and the sole CSO representative from Sri Lanka at the Annual OGP Summit. TISL served as the OGP CSO coordinator during the creation and passing of the first OGP National Action Plan (NAP) in October 2016 and was reconfirmed as the OGP CSO coordinator by the OGP CSO Steering Committee in February of 2017. Through potential funding they receive TISL will enhance civic participation and civic education on key policy reforms, as it will support CSO initiatives: ‘that will build and strengthen connection between citizen groups and government by connecting these groups through continued and sustainable initiatives for collaboration.’
Additionally, in close partnership with NDI, SDGAP initiated discussions in Q4 to work with a consultant on developing an assessment of the context, and developing guidelines to support the Open Parliament Initiative with the aim of engaging citizens in legislative affairs. This will be further followed up in quarter 1 of year 2.
Activity 2.2.3. Strengthening Committee Planning Processes
This activity will be synchronized with Activity 2.2.1. following the development of the training manual on participatory legislative practices to develop the capacity of key parliamentary committees to exercise leadership and oversight in enacting policies.
10 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT Result 2.3: Enhanced GSL strategic communication, institutionalized public engagement and public outreach
Activity 2.3.1 Increasing Media’s Role in Accountability Systems
Building on the experience of SLPP, SDGAP has been in close contact with the Secretariat of the Parliament and has planned various activities. The Honorable Speaker and the Secretariat have continuously requested training for lobby correspondents on the functioning of the Parliament, especially in view of the recent amendments to the rules of procedure and committee system, and to sensitize lobby correspondents to the continuous opening of Parliament to the public, civil society and media and in this regard using the new facilities and environment with responsibility and professionalism.
SDGAP successfully conducted one workshop on July 14 and 15 with the aim of increasing technical knowledge of lobby correspondents on Parliamentary systems, as well as logistical support and services available to them with a view to increasing capacity of journalists for accurate and professional reporting of Parliamentary proceedings, and building a relationship of trust and confidence between journalists and the Parliament secretariat.
The workshop also provided an opportunity for SDGAP to identify some of the needs of lobby correspondents in discharging their duties in a more timely and effective manner. This provided the backdrop to develop a plan to ensure a more dynamic presence of the Fourth Estate within the institutional framework of the legislature which is a pre-requisite for an Open government in theory and in practice.
Presently the parliament is defining the scope, technical requirement and the logistics of meeting the need of a media center in parliament. SDGAP will work the Secretariat in parliament to finalize the plan in Q4.
Activity 2.3.2 Effective Communication Platforms
This activity postponed pending the grants program to CSOs that will commence in the next quarter.
Additionally, the assessment that is been carried out through a consultancy on the Integrated Results Based Management Systems will not only assess gaps in the IRBMS but will also provide overall recommendations for an improved and effective IRBMs and strategic communication process that will strengthen interaction among stakeholders, track information flows, and facilitate dialogue. SDGAP looks forward to carrying forward these recommendations in Year 2.
TASK 3 – INCREASING POLITICAL PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN AND UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS IN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE
SDGAP activities for this quarter focused on upstream work to influence the quota policy. During the quarter of reporting SDGAP conducted two training programs that launched the gender mainstreaming program under the aegis of the Ministry of WCA which will continue into the next quarter as well. Planning Officers and Gender Focal Points from all line ministries and development officers from the field were targeted during these workshops to ensure that mainstreaming takes place at all levels as well as laterally within the administrative structures. Result 3.1: Women and underrepresented groups increase their level of effective engagement in parliamentary proceedings Activity 3.1.1. Development of Women’s Caucus
11 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT There were two main activities to support dialogues at the regional level on such issues as the proposed quota for women in the upcoming local elections; and to support to implementation of the annual plan of the Caucus.
As part of its workplan, the Caucus requested that SDGAP undertake a regional workshop, bringing in resource persons primarily from South Asia and Southeast Asian countries. As a start to implementing this request, and for purposes of better coordination, this activity was undertaken as a joint Development Partner effort that includes the participation of UNDP, UNWOMEN, and the Westminster Foundation with USAID/SDGAP. The regional workshop was conducted on 25th and 26th of July. The joint team has enlisted the support of four Parliamentarians from the UK, and one from Pakistan, the latter being totally funded by SDGAP. The Pakistani representative is a member of the Women’s Caucus in Pakistan and has vast experience as a member of that Caucus. The Event in Parliament was attended by 60 MPs from Sri Lanka to discuss the pros and cons, based on inter-country experience of implementing a quota system to increase women’s political participation. This has the support of a group of male parliamentarian such as Honorable Sumanthiran from the TNA, Honorable Tharaka Balasooriya from the Joint Opposition, Honorable Ajit Perera from the UNP, Honorable Harshana Rajakaruna from the UNP, and Honorable Dr. Sudharshini Fernandopulle of the UPFA who is the Vice Chair of the Caucus in Sri Lanka. The second in the series within the workshop program was an exclusive meeting of the Caucus with the visiting MPs to discuss how to better influence parliament on the quota system which was under a challenge during that month. The third interactive dialogue was held with the visiting MPs and civil society including community leaders from political parties in the field.
Amongst the other activities of the Caucus that SDGAP has supported in the reporting quarter finalization of the material and discussions with resource persons to develop a four-day training program for Caucus staff members. The program was designed to cover topics such as gender concepts, engendering of research, review of Bills through a gender lens, the National Budget Cycle, an introduction to gender responsive budgeting, reporting on CEDAW, gender and media and engendering of reporting, writing and presentation skills. Each session (four in all) was covered by two eminent resource persons from amongst government, NGOs and academia. The program was held over two weekends spanning 4 day within this reporting quarter.
On the request of the Caucus supported by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Women and Gender, SDGAP developed a training plan that was endorsed on the 5th of April for joint training program. The communication skills training program was developed and finalized during this quarter and a tool was completed for translation of case studies (based on gender and non-discrimination themes). The training program focused on ‘communication skills’ with mainstreams gender as a theme and drawing groups work and exercises from gender to ensure that this program, as a first in a series for capacity building of the SOCWG and others, and integrated gender as a cross cutting issue for training of other SOCs as well.
On the initiative of the Vice Chair of the Caucus, SDGAP planned a Training of Trainers program for selected CBOs from amongst 3,500 in the field. During the quarter, SDGAP supported the editing of a training tool to ensure uniformity and consistency of messaging. Two focus group discussions (FGDs) were held in the beginning of this quarter to cull ideas, needs, and gaps in knowledge that should be taken into consideration for development of the training tool. The activity is closely linked to the interventions under Activity 3.1.2 on supporting community outreach.
SDGAP, in partnership with the Caucus and the Sri Lanka Institute of Local Government, finalized arrangements for a well targeted study tour program with the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) in Kerala, India over a five-day period. The purpose of the study tour is to apprise and expose Sri Lanka Parliamentarians and selected politicians working at the subnational level to address the issue of women’s political participation through a quota system. 23 participants were identified for participation in the program
12 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT that will be a combination of both classroom and field experience, interspersed with group discussions and in-Department interviews of key partners and individuals who were responsible for successful implementation of a quota system in the State of Kerala, India. However, due to the unexpected announcement of the LG Elections being held in Dec, nominations to be closed in early October, the MPs were not able to secure release from party leaders to attend the program in KILA and hence through consensus, it has been postponed to Feb or April, dependent on the finalized date for the LG Elections (which keep changing).
Activity 3.1.2. Support to Sectoral Committee on Women and Child Affairs
SDGAP completed a participatory needs assessment during the quarter and it is being used as a guide to plan training for the Caucus and SOC. The capacity building will focus on Committee Planning processes, media skills, research techniques, and similar skills development. Given that the Caucus staff and SOC staff form a mixed group of 20 persons they decided to combine the trainings as the needs and requirements were similar. Both staff’s levels of education are also similar and they both sit for a common examination to enter the Parliamentary service. Each of the 16 SOCs have the jurisdiction and related functions to examine Bills, Resolutions, Treaties, reports, and other matters relating to subjects within their jurisdiction. Therefore, the SOCWG need to be empowered and strengthened to review and operate within their mandate through a gender lens as well. Considering that the tasks are framed as women’s rights and nondiscrimination, it was felt that the first series of workshops are supported through a strategy of mainstreaming gender into the other subjects to be addressed under the program.
Activity 3.1.3. Supporting an Increased Voice for Underrepresented Groups in Parliament and Local Government
The support to small grants for the development of advocacy plans and programs aimed at Parliament, its committees, and relevant Ministries is pending the award of grants under the APS have been finalized and await USAID approval. Applicants who can support the work with underrepresented groups have been prioritized.
Activity 3.1.4. Review of Selected Legislation / Gender Sensitive Legislative Analysis
SDGAP finalized the TORs during this reporting period and the consultant has undertaken research on good practices and lessons learned from other countries, particularly on legislation that is gender responsive and in relation to the quota system to present to Parliament. The consultant commenced work in early September and during this quarter submitted her inception report and commenced the desk review. Some of the research undertaken through the desk review served well to inform the Caucus and the SOC on how best to respond to the country specific observations of the CEDAW committee. The SOCWG met on three occasions during this reporting period and on one of these occasions informally. During that meeting information sharing on some of the desk review findings was presented by the 3 members including one from the PCs by SDGAP. The objective of the informal meeting was to help the active members in the Caucus and Chair of the SOC, to develop a strategy to inform and positively influence the MPCLG re the ongoing discourse on clawing back of the quota for women.
Result 3.2: Increased participation of women and underrepresented groups and gender equality across GSL institutions Activity 3.2.1. Support to the Implementation of Electoral Quota
13 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT To Support implementation of Amendment No. 1 to the Local Government Act, SDGAP completed the mapping exercise of partners and agencies including further comments from the stakeholders who contributed to the same. These stakeholders have been formed into a coordination group by USAID and have met regularly to discuss joint and coordinated work to implement a road map working on the 25% electoral quota system during the reporting quarter. It is expected to launch this Mapping through the launch of a website in mid-November this year.
Discussions were also held with the Ministry’s Legal Officer and the Honorable Minister to advocate maintenance of the quota system that had been challenged recently. This culminated in a retention of the quota but in a more simplified formula through an Amendment to the LG Act that was passed on 25th August.
SDGAP jointly organized with UNDP, UNWOMEN, and the Westminster Foundation a workshop for Parliamentarians, Civil Society, the Caucus, and SOCWG to clarify issues, promote, lobby, and cull good practices for the implementation of the quota system at local government level. The workshop series was held on 25th and 26th July.
Activity 3.2.2. Survey of Women and Underrepresented groups in Public Service
The survey was completed by the Social Scientists Association with technical support and oversight of subcontractor Charney Research. The presentation to stakeholders is planned for the next quarter after review by SDGAP and USAID.
Activity 3.2.3. Establishment of Gender Advocacy Office in Civil Service
Regarding the activity to commission a review of existing workplace guidelines within the GSL, with a focus on GSL anti-harassment policies and laws, the gender survey will be capturing these aspects before more focused work is undertaken under this activity. Specific questions have been factored into the questionnaire of the Social Survey to capture responses that will inform this process and verify the finding of the SSA.
Support to the implementation of revised guidelines and enforcement systems introducing innovations (in the Sri Lankan context) will be conducted after the conclusion of the gender survey and will likely influence future work with the MOWCA.
Activity 3.2.4 Establishment of a Gender Advocacy Office in the Civil Service
This activity did not receive clearance at time of reporting from the MOPA as expected. Given that the MOWCA has requested assistance in this regard, SDGAP will build on the gender mainstreaming work being done during the reporting quarter to work with MOWCA to complete this work as well.
The activity to link the office with the newly formed Committee on Women and Gender, and the Women’s Caucus of Parliament will take place only because of the establishment of the Gender Advocacy Office.
CHALLENGES AND REMEDIAL ACTIONS
Parliament’s competing priorities – presentation of Inland Revenue Bill took precedence over discussion on new Quota System which however was passed but needed the attention of the Caucus and SOCWG membership to operationalize on the field. Strategic planning meeting planned for 7th Sept and held
14 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT nonetheless did not receive a quorum to make any decision to move further. This is a common challenge that is often faced by SDGAP when working with parliamentarians who schedules are more fluid that solid. SDGAP thus spends considerable ‘down time’ adjusting program schedules to ensure cost-effective management of inputs to strengthen and partner parliamentary stakeholders.
Campaigning could take precedents over preplanned events convened by SDGAP e.g. KILA program planned in Sept for expediting in October was postponed at the eleventh hour due to declaration made calling for nominations for the LG Elections now proposed by Jan 2018.
Policy changes – threat of policy change on the quota system had the SDGAP planned activities suspended until a final policy decision was articulated in black letter law on 25th August 2017 – SDGAP suffered anxious moments and more on this count.
Political challenges – the nature of the project itself poses a primary challenge that comes with working with various political parties divided by ideological differences. This approach brings with it value addition of the project. Yet, SDGAP recognizes that critical to interventions with a coalition government that entertains a ‘joint opposition’ of many parties as well, is a diplomatic challenge that is part of the framework the project works in. Thus, striking a balance and arriving at consensus from policy issues such as the delimitation Bill and redefining of electoral boundaries and quota system discourse, to suitability of dates for programmatic interventions including dates for training, need to be respected, and has taken up a lot of energy and time of the project and its staff during the reporting quarter.
Movement in the executive and administrative structures
The rearrangement of duties and assignments within government agencies, mostly recently in this quarter, the completion of the contract of the Chair of the OGP Secretariat with no replacement, has lent itself to frustration of some of the plans expected to be expedited in the reporting quarter. Also, changes in the portfolios of the Ministries have been fraught with similar challenges that have impacted on uncertainty for SDGAP. This has resulted in a claw back of planned work on many occasion of which one is the postponement of the study tour to Georgia to review good practices and lessons learned on implementing OGP.
External Challenges - Competing interests of women MPs who need to survive amidst a majority of male politicians and contenders for political power. This is compounded by a meagre string of male champions for women in politics and SDGAP needs to focus more on homing in the young MPs to help future women leaders and provide peer support.
Uncertainty of dates for local government elections compounded by the uncertainty in the Election Law for local government have kept programs planned in a state of flux at times. E.g. further training on the Jan 2016 Amendment was placed on the back burner after July, given the new Bill that was being mooted and discussed on changing the formulae of the quota introduced was ongoing in the months of July/August – finally signed off by the Honorable Speaker on 25th August 2017.
15 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT
MONITORING, EVALUATION AND LEARNING PLAN Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan
SDGAP’s approach to M&E is grounded in USAID’s principles of collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA). During the quarter, SDGAP used the MELP indicator data collection process, the PEA and gender and under-represented groups survey findings and recommendations, and regular formal and informal discussions with GSL partners, USAID and other donors as a means to assess whether SDGAP’s theory of change is accurately reflected in our activity design, implementation and outcomes.
SDGAP assessed MEL data quality through formal quarterly indicator progress update meetings, informal discussions with SDGAP technical team members, data sources such as training sign-in sheets, event reports and photos, direct monitoring visits to the events and follow up contacts with select participants. SDGAP’s Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist trained other SDGAP staff members on data collection processes to ensure quality training event data. SDGAP identified weaknesses in the structure of the sign in sheet and made changes to the format, taking into account cultural realities. Columns were added to capture needed information including information identifying organization, gender and age bracket (to capture youth participation). As part of SDGAP’s monitoring and evaluation strategy, SDGAP conducted pre and post event evaluations at SDGAP workshops. SDGAP used evaluation findings to assess the effectiveness of the events and addressed participants’ feedback on the content of the workshop.
During the last quarter, USAID conducted a Data Quality Assessment (DQA) for two of SDGAP’s standard indicators: DR 2.1.1 “Number of Executive oversight actions taken by the legislature receiving USG assistance”, and; GNDR 8 “Number of persons trained with USG assistance to advance outcomes consistent with gender equality or female empowerment through their roles in public or private sector institutions or organizations.” While preparing for the DQA SDGAP realized there were some missing information on sign in sheets, namely information about who the participant represented was absent. Subsequently, SDGAP contacted such individuals to confirm their affiliation with an organization and SDGAP conducted further training for SDGAP representatives at the sign-in tables to ensure that sign-in is completed properly.
By the close of the fourth quarter, 40% (8 out of 20) indicators met or exceeded the targets. Challenges meeting targets are based on several factors. The issuance of grants will not begin in earnest until the first Quarter of Year 2 meaning CSO-focused indicators could not be met. Baseline/perception data is not available yet because without an approved AMELP SDGAP did not yet conduct its perception/baseline survey (USAID approved AMELP prior to the close of the quarter). In addition, indicators did not full capture the actual results and traction gained by SDGAP. Accordingly, in Year 2 Quarter 1, SDGAP, will revise the AMELP including a revision of the Results Framework and indicators to better mirror the planned Year 2 activities and expected results. Refer to Annex 1 for Results Summary SDGAP Performance Monitoring Indicators. Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) Political Economy Analysis
During the reporting period, SDGAP contractor, Verite Research, presented the findings and recommendations from their applied PEA, titled, “Right to Information and the Open Government Partnership: A Political Economy Analysis” at a USAID/SDGAP one day retreat to plan the focus of the
16 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT Year 2 Work plan. Both their finding and recommendations greatly informed the design of the Year 2 work plan. This helped USAID and SDGAP to make evidence-based decisions as the team made difficult choices to narrow down the number of core governmental partners SDGAP with which SDGAP has built a strong relationship and traction. In addition, participants at the retreat found the oral presentation to be a dynamic approach and lends itself to a more useful PEA process.
Women and Under-Represented Groups Survey
During reporting period, Social Scientists Association (SSA) completed fieldwork, analysis and developed and submitted its report “Participation and Empowerment of Women and Under-Represented Groups in Sri Lanka”. SDGAP also submitted the report to USAID for comment. During the process, DAI subcontractor, Charney Research, advised SSA on methodology, questionnaire development, data analysis and drafting of the report. The study examines barriers to women and under-represented groups from participating as candidates, awareness of the 25% quota (very low), obstacles to women’s recruitment to the police and civil service, and sexual harassment in the civil service. SDGAP has used the findings and recommendations during the design of Year 2 activities. In the first quarter of Year 2, SDGAP will host a roundtable discussion of the survey’s findings and recommendations with USAID. In addition, SDGAP will facilitate additional roundtable discussions with key institutional partners and CSO grantees.
Baseline/Perception Survey
During the fourth quarter, SDGAP worked with its contractor KANTAR TNS (KTNS), to develop a timetable and draft questionnaire for the Baseline Assessment/Perception survey to better understand the political, institutional and socio-economic environment in which SDGAP is working. The survey is designed to not only provide baseline data for two perception indicators (these indicators may be removed from the AMELP during the upcoming revision but retained as context indicators) but also map and analyze the conditions, challenges and opportunities faced by specific constituencies including government institutions, civil society organizations, the private sector and citizens – women and youth. The draft questionnaire is currently under review by USAID. SDGAP may consider some revisions to the questionnaire because of any changes to the AMELP in Year 2 Quarter 1.
Weekly Report
SDGAP submitted a detailed report to USAID on a weekly basis providing a summary of activities and progress by task as well as planned activities for the next week. In addition, the weekly reports also include meeting notes on all the meetings held during the week. This provides USAID with an opportunity to regularly review progress and follow up with SDGAP on questions or course corrections as needed.
FINANCE AND OPERATIONS Staff Recruitment and Training
During the quarter, SDGAP recruited six staff members: Senior Finance Officer, Shanker Yogaratnarajah, Grants and Subcontract Officer, Saliya Navaratne, SDGAP Procurement Specialist, Indika Perera, IT Officer Prasanna Aragoda, Executive Officer, Pamodi Edirisinghe, and Administrative Officer Kishanthani Pradeepan joined the team.
Unfortunately, SDGAP also lost two staff members. In September 2017, SDGAP Legal/Regulatory Reform Expert Anusha Munasinghe resigned, accepting a position with another USAID project. SDGAP conducted a competitive recruitment and at the time of submission of this report has selected a candidate. Senior 17 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT Finance Officer Shanker Yogaratnarajah, resigned effective September 30 because he had been on a proposal bid for another USAID project when he accepted the position with SDGAP in July. SDGAP conducted a competitive recruitment and at the time of submission of this report SDGAP has identified a replacement.
At the time of submission of this report, SDGAP also concluded a competitive recruitment process for a Communications Specialist and a second M & E Specialist, selecting strong candidates for both positions. SDGAP anticipates both will join the team by the end of November.
A final grouping of trainings on DAI systems occurred during this quarter. DAI Home Office IT Specialist, Slobodan Zivcovic, returned to Colombo to train recently recruited SDGAP IT Specialist on DAI systems. Tanja Lumba spent two weeks customizing DAI’s management application, TAMIS, to the needs of the SDGAP project and provided training for all staff. DAI Financial Accounting Specialist, Habib Ziar, spent two weeks in country to set up SDGAP’s accounting system and to provide training for key staff.
Procurement
In the absence of a duty waiver from the Sri Lankan government to procure vehicles, the project will continue to lease vehicles until this issue is resolved. SDGAP has obtained a waiver request for long-term vehicle rentals this quarter. GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT During the reporting period SDGAP processed the first round of concept notes submitted under the Annual Program Statement (APS),
‘Strengthening partnerships for democratic governance through regional and national grants to civil society organizations’. A two-step process was introduced to select eligible applications to implement activities proposed that will improve civil society and government engagement on key government policy and reform plans that will result in strengthened democratic governance and accountability in Sri Lanka.
SDGAP’s Application Review Committee found that five concept notes met APS requirements and the committee approved the applicants to submit a full application and detailed budget. SDGAP requested these applicants to submit full applications and detailed budgets. SDGAP also cleared four additional concept notes but first required further clarifications prior to moving forward to the application phase. Overall, six concepts did not meet the APS evaluation criteria pertaining to how the work will help accomplish SDGAP goals to strengthen and promote democratic governance and accountability in Sri Lanka and did not fit in under any of the three SDGAP tasks on legal/regulatory reform, planning and policy support, and Women’s political participation and leadership. The committee unanimously agreed to reject these and encouraged the applicants to resubmit a refined concept during the next round. As applicants submitted their full applications, the Application Review committee on a rolling basis reviewed the technical budget provisions and conducted budget negotiations. By the end of the reporting period, SDGAP had submitted all six grants under APS round one to USAID for concurrence. The six applications are the Association of War Affected Women (AWAW); Internews Network; Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum (MWRAF): Peoples’ Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL); Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL); and, Jaffna Social Action Center (JSAC).
18 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT PLANS FOR QUARTER 1, Year 2
As per the newly developed Annual Work Plan for year 2, SDGAP will pursue the following activities during the quarter Oct 1 – Dec 31, 2017.
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
TASK 1 – STRENGTHENING PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEMS
SDGAP will focus on further strengthening the RTI commission through Support to implementation of RTI Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) and capacity development of the commissioners. SDGAP will also support the implementation of the act through finalizing a consolidated training module and supporting training programs through SLIDA and SLILG.
SDGAP will also support participatory budgetary processes through greater support to scrutiny of the current budget cycle by government departments to ensure participation and inclusivity. This will include strengthening capacities of the National Budget Department and developing relationships between the National Budget Department and other entities. During the quarter SDGAP will also strengthen capacity of Public Finance Committee1 to interact with government departments and civil society. SDGAP will also support mechanisms for civil society participation in budget preparation, monitoring and evaluation through selection of CSOs whose programs seek to engage with the COPF on budget preparations and monitoring. During the next quarter, SDGAP will also support the passing of a bill to establish a PBO, and its operationalization.
During the next quarter SDGAP will continue its support to strengthening of the CIABOC through strengthening its law review program, capacity development of lawyers, investigators and other staff of the commission, and rolling out of the corruption prevention strategy. SDGAP will also support the NPC for capacity building of its staff in budgeting, financial management, coordination with field offices, and subjects such as Right to Information. SDGAP will also focus on strengthening of the public complaints division of the NPC.
SDGAP will strengthen Sectoral Oversight Committees to conduct oversight through organizing focus group discussions and seminars on specific areas of interest, and introducing mechanisms for tracking government responses through mechanisms for executive compliance. Efficient and Effective Parliament Secretariat will continue to be a focus and SDGAP will conduct capacity building in general and specific areas.
SDGAP will also support opening parliament to CSO engagement and participation through sensitizing selected committee leadership to respond to CSO and citizen requests.
1 Committee on Public Finance was established by Resolution passed in the House on 19 December 2015.
19 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT
TASK 2 – IMPROVING STRATEGIC PLANNING AND COMMUNICATIONS, POLICY REFORM AND IMPLEMENTATION
Building capacity of state agencies mandated for planning and project management will continue to be a priority during the next quarter. SDGAP plans to enter into a contract with Miloda, finalize curriculum; Pilot test the curriculum and revise as required and Roll out of training to 40 planners and project managers selected from NPD, DPMM, ERD and MoNPEA, with evaluation.
SDGAP will also support modernization of the GSL’s existing planning systems through a review of capacity building plan against IRBMS gap analysis and identifying areas of support from recommendations in IRBMS gap analysis to modernize existing planning systems. SDGAP will also support the implementation of the strategic plan on the national evaluation policy.
Support to SDGs and the MSDW will continue and SDGAP will support the strengthening of the coordination mechanism. SDGAP will support the ministry’s SIP rollout though training of district and provincial level planners on incorporating SDGs into their planning. SDGAP will also advocate for the SDG Act in cooperation with UNDP. Another key activity on SDG support in the next quarter will be support the implementation and roll-out of Goal 5 and 16 through a stakeholder analysis to understand the implementation landscape for their implementation.
To build research, analysis, planning, budgeting and communication capacities of selected committees, during the next quarter SDGAP will build consensus among Chairs of Committees and membership on training needs, develop training plan with the Committee Office of Parliament and source key resource persons to engage with the Committee members. To support effective and participatory legislative processes supported, SDGAP will conclude the consultancy on analysis of legislative drafting practices in Sri Lanka, the process of drafting a bill and passing it to law, and the actors involved in the process.
SDGAP will further work with parliament of Sri Lanka to facilitate selected sector policy dialogues, support parliament to open committee processes to the public, develop guidelines on public engagement of committees (COPE, COPA, COPF, SOCWG and Sectoral Oversight Committee on Legal Affairs (anti- corruption) and Media), Identify and solicit needs of lobby correspondents, conduct feasibility on needs assessment with Parliamentary Secretariat and increased access to parliament information through archiving of parliamentary documents.
TASK 3 – INCREASING POLITICAL PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN AND UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE
For task 3, SDGAP will support Women and Underrepresented Groups to Increase Their Level of Engagement in Parliamentary Proceedings. SDGAP will continue its support to update of Caucus Action Plan; and, create a strategy for advocacy campaigns through providing support to increase the Caucus and SOCWG outreach in the field, jointly. SDGAP will also enhance Policy dialogue around key issues through several activities including support the Caucus/ SOCWG to identify key policy issues for dialogue; identify and convene meetings informally for pre-parliament discussions on key areas relating to women’s rights and political participation of underrepresented groups, with selected male champions to include their voice to support women in Parliament; and support the Caucus/ SOCWG to better engage in parliamentary debate on diverse topics among others.
20 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT SDGAP will also support SOCWG to influence all parliamentary proceedings through training the Caucus and SOCGW (but not exclude other SOCs and their staff) on engendering parliamentary proceedings and discourse. SDGAP will also work with the Women Parliamentarians Caucus and the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Women and Gender to promote nomination of women to various election committees as well as on the nomination list.
SDGAP will build capacity of the Caucus and SOC’s links to subnational level institutions enhanced (through Grants program) through linking the CSOs/NGOs awardees of the first round of the APS to the national level Caucus and SOCWG. SDGAP will also support and strengthen the Caucus and SOCs to network with underrepresented groups at national level and in the field and facilitate increased dialogue between parliament and CSO’s on issues of underrepresented groups.
To increased participation of women and underrepresented groups, and gender equality across GSL institutions, SDGAP will ensure that SDG 5 is mainstreamed with all government partners. The Gender Advocacy Office that could not be set up in MOPA will be now set up in MOWCA. During the quarter, SDGAP will also follow up on developing a Draft a code of conduct to prevent and address sexual harassment and support the implementation of the Gender Mainstreaming Strategy of MOWCA.
SDGAP will also strengthen the Capacity of the Caucus and SOC’s to create links with subnational level institutions enhanced (through Grants program). Increased dialogue between parliament and CSO’s on issues of underrepresented groups will also be supported during the quarter. SDGAP will also continue its work with the SOCWG to open SOC sessions to members of civil society.
21 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT ANNEX 1 – RESULTS SUMMARY
SDGAP PERFORMANCE MONITORING INDICATORS, YEAR 1 QUARTER 4, SEPTRMBER 2017
ID Performance Monitoring Indicators Type Unit Disagg. B- Y1 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Annual Notes LINE Result 1.1. Functional Mechanisms for Ensuring Government Transparency, Accountability and Access to Public Information Strengthened Cumulative Planned Actual Targets Actual 111 Number of laws and/or regulations related Output Law/ TBD 0 3 0 0 0 3 3 Support to Public Finance Committee of the to open and accountable governance drafted Regu Country in accordance with international best latio Parliament of Sri Lanka to draft a Bill to establish practices n Province Parliamentary Budget Office. District (Custom) Source Order on inclusion of KPIs based on SDGs and Location Municipality Order on Gender Responsive Budgeting into 2018 Budget Call issued by National Budget Department of Ministry of Finance. SDGAP contributed through technical assistance to this process.
112 Number of laws and/or regulations related to Output Law/Re TBD 0 3 0 0 0 1 1 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTIONS open and accountable governance considered gulation Country by Parliament (AMENDMENT) ACT, No. 16 OF 2017 Location Province (Custom) District Municipality 113 Number of USG-supported events designed Output Event TBD 0 4 0 1 1 2 4 Based on the Strategic Plan, SDGAP supported to to help the Right to Information Commission Locatio Country develop work plan. implement the Strategic Plan n Province SDGAP supported RTI Commission Website (Custom) launch. District Seminar on RTI for Land Reform Commission of Sri Municipality Lanka Study tour to South Africa for RTI Commission and staff . Result 1.2. Greater Parliamentary Oversight of Government Actions and Performance, Including the Budget 121 Number of best practices in parliamentary Output Event TBD 0 4 0 0 0 2 2 Initiatives on improving Bills Process and oversight strengthened Province 22 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT District (Custom) Committee Engendering Oversight action Municipality Location 122 Number of executive oversight actions taken Outcome Action TBD 0 8 0 0 0 4 4 Initiatives on establishing Parliamentary Budget by legislature receiving USG assistance Locatio Country Office. (Standard Foreign Assistance Indicator) n Province 25% quota has got more actions, Strengthening the caucus and SOC to talk about the 25% quota. District Civil Societies were put in forth to question the in Municipality 25% quota forums Opening the committee hearings to public. Media is attending committee hearing
MOV: https://www.parliament.lk/business-of- parliament/hansards & http://www.manthri.lk/ will be followed up in next quarter as well to capture the results Result 1.3. Increased citizen engagement and public participation in government oversite
131 Number of events organized in coordination Output Event TBD 0 10 0 1 1 0 2 Support PAFRELL for M12M Campaign on clean with civil society Organiz Country politics (Custom) ation Province Discussion Forum on Corruption Prevention Strategy of CIABOC Locatio District n Under SDGAP Grants Program, 6 CSOs were Municipality selected in first round and submitted the proposal. Approval process is in progress.
132 Number of persons participating in USG- Output Person Sex 0 500 0 0 188 314 502 Training for SLIDA new intake on SDG, OGP & supported training activities Institution Ethnicity Gender sensitive Public Officers (Custom) Location Age Training for National Police Commission on Effectively Responding to Public Complaints Government Seminar on RTI for Land Reform Commission of Sri Non- Lanka government
Province
District
Municipality
133 Citizens with increased awareness of and Output Person Sex TBD 10% N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A knowledge about how to advocate for their Location Ethnicity SDGAP subcontracted a local firm to conduct the rights Age Baseline Survey. Survey will be conducted in next (Custom) quarter reflecting revised MEL plan for year 2. Province
District
Municipality
23 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT Result 2.1. Procedures for planning, policy development and lawmaking are established, including civic participation
211 Number of mechanisms adopted to improve Outcome Mechanism TBD 0 6 0 0 2 2 4 Training for SLIDA new intake 2017 on SDG, OGP planning processes Location Country & Gender sensitive Public Officers, (Custom) Province Gap analysis of the Government’s Integrated Result- Based Management System (IRBMS) and the District strategic communication processes related to Municipality government-wide planning approaches. Seminar on RTI for Land Reform Commission of Sri Lanka Workshop for drafting of Strategies and Action Plan of the proposed National Evaluation Policy/DPMM
212 Number of strategic plans developed by Output Plan TBD 0 6 0 0 0 1 1 SDGAP supported development a draft strategic government ministries and commissions Instituti Country plan for the National Evaluation Policy of receiving USG support Department of Project Management and Monitoring on Province (Custom) (DPMM) Location District
Municipality
Result 2.2. Key Parliamentary Committees Exercise Leadership and Oversight in Enacting Policies and Reforms
221 Number of public forums in which national Output Event TBD 0 4 1 4 3 3 11 SDGAP supports M12M Campaign for clean politics legislators and members of the public Locatio Country Seminars to sensitize local women leaders on the interact as a result of USG assistance n Province women quota system (Custom - Archived Standard) District Discussion Forums on Operationalizing the 25% quota for women in Local Government Municipality
222 Number of hearings by committees to Outcome Locatio Country 0 8 0 0 1 0 1 SOCWG meeting in May attended by DG of SLILG receive testimony from a Minister or ministry n Province to explain the process and work he does on women officials or other public officials political participation District (Custom) Municipality Result 2.3. Enhanced GSL strategic communication, institutionalized public engagement and public outreach
231 Number of training days provided to Output Person Sex 0 75 0 0 68 71 139 Training to lobby correspondents covering journalists with USG assistance, measured by Instituti Ethnicity Parliament. person-day training on Age http://www.parliament.lk/en/news- (Standard Foreign Assistance Indicator) en/view/1366?category=6, Locatio Government n http://www.parliament.lk/en/news- Non- en/view/1373?category=6 government
Country
Province
24 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT District Municipality
232 Number of outreach mechanisms Output Mechan TBD 0 6 N/A N/A 1 2 3 Trainings (2) to lobby correspondents covering strengthened with USG support ism Country Parliament. (Custom) Locatio Province Initiatives on establishing functional Media Centre in n Parliament is in progress District
Municipality
233 Increased public access to information on key Outcome Person Sex 0 10% N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A SDGAP subcontracted a local firm to conduct the government institutions Location Ethnicity Baseline Survey. Survey will be conducted in next quarter reflecting revised MEL plan for year 2. (Custom) Age
Province District Municipality Result 3.1. Women and Underrepresented Groups Increase their Level of Engagement in Parliamentary Proceedings 311 Number of parliamentary events in which Output Person Sex 0 4 1 3 3 3 10 Seminars to sensitize local women leaders on the women and under-represented groups Instituti Ethnicity women quota system actively participate on Age Discussion Forums on Operationalizing the 25% (Custom) quota for women in Local Government Locatio n http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/comparative- experiences-operationalizing-the-25-quota-for- women-in-local-government/ http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Vetoing-women- prejudic-in-politics-133781.html http://dailynews.lk/2017/08/02/local/123871/%E2%8 0%98women-have-fight-their-way-achieve-their- rights%E2%80%99
312 Number of laws and/or regulations influenced Output Law/reg TBD 0 3 1 0 0 1 2 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTIONS by women and/or underrepresented groups ulation Sex (AMENDMENT) ACT, No. 16 OF 2017 (Custom) Person Ethnicity LG Jan 2016 Act No 1 Amendment Location Age Country Province District Municipality
Result 3.2. Increased participation of women and underrepresented groups, and gender equality across GSL institutions
321 Number of persons trained to advance Output Person Sex outcomes consistent with gender equality or Instituti Ethnicity 0 2000 352 725 1021 293 2391 Seminars on women empowerment / quota for female empowerment through their roles in on women for potential local women leaders, public or private sector institutions with USG Age Workshop to parliament on Operationalizing the assistance Locatio Government 25% quota for women n 25 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT (Standard Foreign Assistance Indicator) Non- Gender Responsive Budgeting workshops for NBD government Officials, line ministries Gender Mainstreaming workshops for parliament, Country line ministries Province District During DQA numbers were assessed for quality and the issues identified in the sign in sheets were Municipality verified with SDGAP Tech team, follow up tele calls to event participants and from the reports and photos of the event. 322 Number of activities supported with USG Output Locatio Country 0 4 1 3 3 3 10 Seminars to sensitize local women leaders on the assistance that are designed to retain women n Province women quota system or recruit women into positions within the District Discussion Forums on Operationalizing the 25% national or local government quota for women in Local Government Municipality (Custom - Archived Standard) Sex 323 Citizen perception of the participation of Outcome Person Ethnicity TBD 10% N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A SDGAP subcontracted a local firm to conduct the women and underrepresented groups in Location Age Baseline Survey. Survey will be conducted in next democratic governance Province quarter reflecting revised MEL plan for year 2. District (Custom) Municipality
26 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT ANNEX 2 – PROJECT ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
27 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT
ANNEX 3 – SUCCESS STORIES
37 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT
DESIGNING A CORRUPTION PREVENTION STRATEGY USAID Sri Lanka signed and ratified the United Nations Convention on STRENGTHENING Anticorruption (UNCAC) in March 2004 and, following ratification, it DEMOCR ATIC become an integral part of Sri Lanka’s domestic law. The ratification of GOVERNANCE AND UNCAC was evidence of the commitment of the Sri Lankan ACCOUNTABILITY Government commitment to eradicate corruption. Since then, however, PROJECT (SDGAP) IN it has become apparent that the measures introduced were not SRI LANKA adequate to prevent corruption.
The new trend in the fight against corruption is to not only focus on
efficiency but also on the transparency and accountability of the public
sector. The lack of transparency is intensified by such principles as official secrecy and when this is invoked, citizens often fight a losing battle. Even the conditions for accessing information often exert a very regulative influence. Therefore, addressing corruption requires a systematic approach at all levels of government and will necessarily include a large range of measures and number of actors. Taking this situation into consideration, SDGAP supported the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) to convene a discussion forum to develop a corruption prevention strategy. With the technical support of SDGAP, CIABOC secured the attendance of 125 officials representing state, private sector, and civil society for the discussion forum. In Sri Lanka, corruption has become a part of the everyday political-administrative system. This has prompted CIABOC to put a greater emphasis on controlling corruption and this forum and strategy is the first step in that direction.
The commitment of this diverse set of stakeholders for preventing rather than reacting to corruption is very significant. The participants
stated that the prevention of corruption is about promoting integrity
and ethics, good governance, justice and rule of law through
This report is made possible by the transparency and accountability. In addition, preventing corruption by
generous support of the American creating responsive and accountable processes, either political or
Pe ople through the United States Agency nonpolitical, contributes to the creation of a more effective and efficient for International Development (USAID). society which upholds democratic governance. The contents of this report are the sole responsibility of DAI and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or
the United States Government. 38 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT
PARLIAMENT DELEGATION VISITS U.S. CONGRESS
Sri Lanka is in the midst of reinventing itself as a credible democracy. The USAID elections in 2015 brought in, for the first time, a coalition government STRENGTHENING consisting of the two main political parties of the country as well as a DEMOCRATIC vibrant opposition that includes three main parties. Through the 19th amendment to the constitution, the legislature has gained more power to GOVERNANCE AND exercise oversight over the executive. Although the situation has improved, ACCOUNTABILITY the political parties often disagree. Yet, this is a time when Sri Lanka needs PROJECT (SDGAP) IN consensus between all decision makers to implement reforms and reconcile SRI LANKA issues resulting from the 30-year war that has now ended. In order to support the Parliament in its ambitious agenda of reconciliation, drafting a new constitution, supporting the implementation of transparency and accountability laws such as the Right to Information Law, USAID designed a study tour to the Washington, D.C. for a multi-party delegation from the Parliament of Sri Lanka. The purpose was to enable the Sri Lankan delegation to observe and share experience with U.S. counterparts and through the multi-party nature of the delegation develop more cordial relationships between key Parliamentarians.
The delegation included 7 members of Parliament representing five political parties, led by the Honorable Speaker, Mr. Karu Jayasuriya. Three The delegation met with Mr. Paul members of the delegation belonged to the United National Party (UNP); Ryan, 54th Speaker of the United and one member from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) which is also a States House of Representatives. member party of the ruling coalition. There was one each from three opposition parties; the Peoples Liberation Party (JVP), the Tamil National Alliance; and the Joint Opposition Party, led by the former President of Sri Lanka.
The visit provided a forum for the Sri Lankan delegation to discuss issues on which there is a vast disagreement in the country such as the Hambantota port in a neutral environment and with the independent insights of veteran US politicians. In that regard, this was a best practice in bringing conflicting political party members together to learn from a neutral partner who is more developed.
This report is made possible by the generous The group met with several members of Congress and had discussions on support of the American People through the issues of common interest such as democracy, regional issues such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this growing importance of China in Sri Lanka, the willingness of the U.S. report are the sole responsibility of DAI and do Government to support the growth of democracy and free trade in Sri not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or Lanka, human rights and reconciliation, maritime interests, and peace and the United States Government. security in the region. The discussions were vibrant as the Sri Lankan delegation had members from parties with varying viewpoints on the issues.
PARLIAMENT DELEGATION VISITS U.S. CONGRESS
The highlight of the study tour was a meeting with Mr. Paul Ryan, 54th and current Speaker of the United Statas House of Representatives. The delegation also met with Representative Peter Roskam, the Chair of the House Democracy Partnership of which Sri Lanka is one the newest members, enabling the two countries to further strengthen their relationship as two democratic countries. The visiting delegation also had an opportunity to visit US institutions such as the congressional budget office which enabled them to learn on how to establish similar institutions in Sri Lanka. The delegation included seven On the U.S. side, the Members of Congress who met the delegation were members of parliament impressed that five different political parties could come together over representing 5 political parties, led common interests in democracy. They were particularly interested to note by the Honorable Speaker, Karu that a member of the Marxist Party, and a member of the Tamil National Jayasuriya Alliance who incidentally is the Member of Parliament for Jaffna, the center of the ethnic war, could come together in a single delegation to further
stabilize Sri Lanka as a democracy in the Asian Region.
Key results from the study tour were: the strengthening of relationships between political adversaries from different political parties in a neutral environment creating mutual trust for discussions on critical issues after returning to Sri Lanka; strengthening of the close bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and the United States; the Sri Lankan delegation gaining knowledge and experience on committee system, role of the legislative and executive in the USA, house rules and procedures; and operations of specialized offices like the Congressional Budget Office and National Archives with a view to replicating these in Sri Lanka with USAID support.
The delegation had several meetings with the US leadership, including an interesting discussion with Congressman Brad Sherman, a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1997, representing California’s 30th congressional district.