ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
United Nations Development Programme Moldova “Improving the quality of Moldovan democracy through parliamentary and electoral support”
Reporting Period January - December 2014 Donor Government of Sweden Government of Norway Government of the Netherlands Government of the Republic of Moldova Country Republic of Moldova Project Title “Improving the quality of Moldovan democracy through parliamentary and electoral support” Project ID 00058053 Outputs 00071949 Parliament Component 00083338; 00091532 Electoral Component Implementing Partner(s) Parliament and Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Moldova Project Start Date July, 2012 Project End Date July, 2016 2014 Annual Work Plan Budget 2,149,164 USD
Total resources required 6.299.426,200 USD UNDP Contact Person Narine Sahakyan Resident Representative a.i. UNDP Moldova E-mail: [email protected]
Table of Content
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 3 II. BACKGROUND ...... 4 III. PROGRESS REVIEW ...... 5 IV. PROJECT RISKS AND ISSUES ...... 25 V. CONCLUSIONS AND WAY FORWARD ...... 33 VI. FINANCIAL STATUS* ...... 35 ANNEX 1: RESULTS AND RESOURCES FRAMEWORK ...... 36 ANNEX 2. LIST OF SERVICES, PRODUCTS AND WORKS ...... 45
I. Executive summary In November 2014 the Republic of Moldova held ordinary Parliamentary elections. Elections provided important benchmark to analyse Programme’s progress towards its targets and expected results since its inception. Significant progress has been achieved in all target areas as defined in the Programme Document’s four key deliverables. Gender and human rights issues have received significant attention both in the work of electoral administration and in the Parliament. Adoption and implementation of gender action plan at the CEC and high level political discussion on Temporary Special Measures (TSM) is evidence of this progress. At the same time gender and human rights have not been fully integrated in the formal political process. TSM still needs to be adopted and work on gender equality and human rights mainstreaming undertaken in both electoral administration and the Parliament remains to be formalised and become a genuine part of the organisational culture. Capacities of the Parliament to deliver on its legislative, oversight and representative functions have increased. Training of parliamentary staff on regulatory impact assessment, legislative techniques and EU legislation approximation contributed to a more effective enforcement of legislation. The Parliament is more and more using the oversight tools to assess the progress of the reforms implemented by Government in different areas (i.e. financial, social protection, human rights, security and defence and education). Parliament’s representative function was successfully strengthened by opening four regional offices around the country, publishing of internal and external news bulletins and regular filed visits of standing committees. As result, the level of confidence of public in the Parliament increased to 24% (comparing to 14% registered in 2013). Since last elections the CEC has become a more strategically oriented and modern institution. These were first elections organised after adoption of CEC Strategic Plan for 2012-2015, with a new CEC structure in place and with every staff member having a detailed job description and a development plan. Electoral administration on all levels has received significant training. International election observation missions assessed electoral administration as professional and specifically noted strengthened capacities enhanced through extensive training. Moldovan CEC has also become one of few election management bodies in Europe certified according to ISO management standards. Nevertheless, risks posed by staff turnover as well as by vague legislative framework have had its impact on the CEC performance, which has been noted also by international observers. In relation to modernisation of electoral process through roll out of new technologies and improved voter registration process, these were the first elections during which the State Register of Voters was introduced using automatized data import from the State Register of Population. This has allowed for significant step in the positive direction in relation to quality of voter register. However, this progress was overshadowed by stoppage of hardware on Election Day for a period of three hours which disabled access to electronic voter registers. In relation to the quality of data of voters’ lists and voter registration process itself, the new technological developments have also revealed new challenges: quality of the source data, especially data on voters’ addresses, requires improvement on sustainable basis. Also regulatory framework for new technological realities needs further elaboration.
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II. Background The reporting period generally can be characterized by preparation for elections, by significant attention to and progress on EU Association issues and by discussion on gender and Temporary Special Measures. At the beginning of the reporting period it was not yet clear when the next Parliament elections will take place – according to the Law, they could have been scheduled during November 2014 – February 2015. The official decision to schedule the elections for November 30, 2014 was announced on 28 May, 2014. Nevertheless, already in the second quarter of 2014, MPs and political parties started unofficial campaign with regularly visits to regions, meeting with citizens and frequent appearance in media. Early preparations to parliamentary elections had affected the path of the project implementation, since the partners (Parliament) requested to postpone some of the activities to 2015 in order to achieve stronger sustainability and an increased ownership with the new Parliament. Following the elections, five political parties passed the threshold and were elected to the Parliament: Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) – 25 mandates; Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova (LDPM) – 23 mandates; Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM) – 21 mandates; Democratic Party of Moldova (DPM) – 19 mandates; and Liberal Party (LP) – 13 mandates. As regarding the country’s EU agenda, the first part of the year was marked with the unexpectedly fast progress. After the initialling of the Association Agreement with the European Union in November 2013 during Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, the Association Agreement (AA) and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) were signed by both parties on 27 June 2014. An important landmark in relations with the EU was signing of the visa liberalization on 28 April 2014. From this day, Moldovan citizens with biometric passports were able to travel visa free to the European countries in the Schengen zone, following the European Parliament vote on February 27. The political environment related to the project activities during the reporting period, especially in the 3rd quarter of 2014, was characterised by an increased attention to the issues of gender equality and introduction of Temporary Special Measures. The issue of TSM received a lot of attention partly due to enhanced advocacy of the United Nations through the Democracy Programme and the Women in Politics Programme, international development partners and civil society organisations. Two draft Quota laws have been debated in the Parliament standing committees and included in the Parliament’s agenda. The two draft laws on Quota have been approved in the first reading with the decision that the responsible Committee shall collate them into one draft Law. However, this did not take place, and the draft had not been debated in the second reading. There was a discussion also on the adoption of political party finance legislation. Political party finance legislation drafts had been submitted to the Parliament in March 2013, but had not been included into the Parliament’s agenda since then. In relation to the Programme administration, during the reporting period the resources provided by the Government of Denmark to the Parliament Component had been fully absorbed, while UNDP managed to mobilise additional resources for the Programme that allowed enlarging the scope of its Parliament and Electoral Components. 4
The Programme underwent mid-term evaluation that confirmed the Programme’s approach in bringing together the parliament and elections work under one umbrella. It also led to proposals on further activities of the Programme and streamlining of programme structure.
III. Progress Review Deliverable 1. Improved quality of Moldova’s formal political processes by mainstreaming gender and human rights in parliamentary development and electoral assistance
In 2014 the Programme continued to work with the CEC to improve Moldova’s democratic processes by mainstream gender and human rights standards in electoral realm. After adoption of Gender Action plan in December 2013, CEC has revised most of internal procedures from a gender perspective within the first part of 2014. In this context, the CEC prepared the “Instruction on ensuring gender equality in the work of CEC”, which established practical mechanisms for mainstreaming gender in CEC decision making processes. The CEC communication strategy has been also revised to include gender equality perspective. The Programme worked extensively with CEC and the Centre for Continuous Electoral Training (CCET) to continue raising awareness of gender equality considerations at all levels of electoral administrators, including district and precinct electoral bureaus. The Programme also worked hand in hand with the UN Women and Women in Politics Programme (WiP) on gender equality issues and to prepare for the collection of sex-disaggregated data on elections.
As a result, during the preparation and conduct of 2014 Parliamentary elections, the gender equality issue received much higher prominence in CEC’s work and it lead to a number of concrete results in ensuring more equal representation of men and women in electoral processes. For example, during the elaboration of voter education materials CEC ensured a balanced gender representation in print publications as well as in electronic (TV, radio) materials. All public awareness materials ahead of the 2014 Parliamentary elections featured equal representation of men and women1,2,3. Furthermore, the CEC prepared regulatory framework enabling collection and analysis of sex-disaggregated data. This data is available not only on electoral administrators, observers, candidates, but also in relation to voters, on the voter list and voter turnout. Introduction of the electronic State Register of Voters and its use on the Election Day allowed for the first time to gather information on the number of women and men voting at elections: out of 2,800,827 voters on voter lists 53% were women and 47% men, while out of 1,649,402 persons who voted 53,4 % where women and 46,5% men. To highlight the results of the Programme’s work: the sex-disaggregated data have for the first time been reflected in the official report of the CEC on the elections results.
1 http://cec.md/index.php?pag=news&id=1045&rid=11837&l=ro 2 http://cec.md/index.php?pag=news&id=1045&rid=12127&l=ro 3 http://cec.md/index.php?pag=news&id=1045&rid=12234&l=ro 5
The work of the CEC on gender equality also received attention on the global scale. In December 2014 the United Nations Development Programme finalized “A Guide for Electoral Management Bodies on Promoting Gender Equality and Women’s Participation”. The work of CEC Moldova on promoting gender equality is prominently featured in the publication. This is a recognition that Moldova’s work on gender equality and elections is recognized from a global perspective.
As a result of the Programme’s activities aiming at mainstreaming human rights considerations in electoral processes, the CEC made a particular effort to plan and implement activities supporting voters with special needs during the 2014 elections. CEC elaborated and adopted, through its Decision 2019 of 24 November 2014, the Instruction on testing the voting procedure using the “sleeve envelope” for the visually impaired voters. The “sleeve envelope” is a perforated sheet made of thin plastic, specially designed to insert the ballot. It allows identifying and voting for a preferred candidate by counting the openings in the sleeve and marking the ballot on the specially designated space. It was developed by the CEC in partnership with the association “Motivatie”. The procedure was used in 57 polling stations in Moldova with a higher amount of voters with visual impediments, as recommended by the association, in Moldova, as well as in one polling station abroad in Romania. This initiative enabled additional number of voters to cast their vote independently. Moreover, CEC printed and distributed through local NGOs (members of the Moldovan Society of the visually impaired) 50 copies of the "Voter’ Guide" in braille language. The CEC also organized one informational workshop aiming at inclusion in the electoral processes of persons with hearing disabilities and accredited as national elections observers 31 persons with disabilities.
The CEC also conducted analysis of all polling stations in regards to their accessibility for persons with physical disabilities. Currently the CEC has detailed information on accessibility parameters for all locations where polling stations are usually established. This data enables CEC to better plan future actions on modifying polling stations for better wheelchair access. Besides the analysis, the CEC called on the Government to equip all polling stations, especially those located in public buildings such as schools or culture houses, with permanent ramps for wheelchair access. The Prime Minister of Moldova, in turn, requested all local government to make effort to ensure establishment of such ramps. Even though not all polling stations were equipped with facilities for wheelchair access, the fact that the issue received attention on the Government level is a step in the right direction. The CEC was successful in mobilization of funds from other international partners (UK Embassy) that enabled a number of local governments to equip 20 polling stations with ramps. The ramps will further serve for better social inclusion of people in wheelchairs, since the polling stations are usually located in schools, kindergartens, Cultural Centres or mayors’ offices. The CEC building itself has also been equipped with facilities for wheelchair access to the ground floor.
In an effort to further facilitate independent voting of wheelchair bound persons the Programme, with funding from the Governments of Norway and Moldova, helped to equip Moldovan polling stations with special voting screens which enabled a secret and accessible voting for persons with physical disabilities. Each of 2023 polling stations was equipped with such screens. This effort further enhanced the ability of voters to vote independently regardless of their physical abilities.
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CCET is also advocating for gender equality and is proactively engaged in promoting greater women’s participation in electoral activities. With programme’s support CCET conducted review of its training programmes through gender perspective and as a result included gender aspects in entire training curricula. In total 13 learning modules were changed from a gender neutral into a gender mainstreamed modules.
Whilst there are concrete results improving the institutional capacity of CEC and local electoral officials on gender equality and human rights standards a number of issues remain to be addressed. Even though the CEC itself generally has mainstreamed gender in their work, gender equality is not fully mainstreamed in the formal political process. This is evident by a relatively low number of women candidates and elected women MPs in the Parliament. Out of all 1,942 candidates registered for the parliamentary elections of 30 November 2014, 30.5% were women, 69.5% were men. In 2014 Parliamentary elections 21 women (21.%) were elected to the Parliament. Electoral administration has a better gender balance, while approximately one third of District Election Councils chairpersons were women. In figures, out of 17,710 members of electoral bureaus at all levels, 13,316 (75 %) were women and only 4,394 (25%) were men. Out of the 315 members of the District electoral councils 143 (45%) were women.
On human rights issues, there is need for further work on equipping more – eventually all – polling stations with the access ramps for wheelchair-bound voters. The establishment of ramps in public buildings where elections are organized will help not only electoral participation, but will enhance overall participation of persons with special needs in political, educational, social and cultural life. There are certain groups of Moldovan citizens, such as persons with mental disabilities, who do not have the right to vote based on a final court decision. In this regard, assessment, discussion and possible amendments to the Electoral Code enabling all citizens of the Republic of Moldova, regardless of their mental capacities, to participate in the political processes should be undertaken. The issue of personal data protection in relation to the use of electronic voter register needs to be also fully clarified and safeguarded in line with European Court of Human Rights practices and Moldova’s international obligations.
The political environment during the reporting period was characterized by an increased attention to the issues of gender equality and introduction of temporary special measures (TSM), aimed at promotion of women’s rights in political processes. The issue of temporary special measures received a lot of attention, partly due to pre- electoral period and advocacy done by a number of international actors, civil society organizations and the Programme. The Parliament discussed two legal initiatives aimed at introducing of a system of gender quota.
Although the Programme was not formally involved in this process, the team had pro-actively engaged in the advocacy work, communicating with MPs and the Parliament leadership and the Chairpersons of relevant Committees. The Programme team dedicated its efforts to make the responsible committees more open to the public, facilitating public consultations on the gender-related legal initiatives. The Programme team also acted as a liaison between Parliament and other stakeholders (i.e. CSOs and UN Women) to establish a platform for the policy dialogue, and ensured the participation of civil society’s representatives at the meeting of the 7
Parliament’s Legal and Human Rights Committees to discuss the draft legislation. Thus, the civil society was encouraged to express its opinions and influence the positive decision by the Committees. The exchange of opinions between the individual MPs and CSO’s representatives also contributed to the transparency in the decision- making process. Both initiatives had been recommended for the inclusion into the agenda of the plenary session for further debate. However, the Law on Temporary Special Measures which includes a provision on gender quota in political parties’ electoral lists was not enforced in legislation, as it has been approved only in the first reading. The enhanced advocacy on TSM, as well as the work on gender mainstreaming in the Parliament, increased political parties’ awareness of gender equality and contributed to an increase of women candidates (+1,5%), their placement on the party lists (+ 3% in top-20) and the share of women elected to the Parliament (21%, or +2,2%) compared to 2010. The new Parliament, elected on 30 November 2014, will have to review the TSM initiative during its term.
Given the importance of parliamentary oversight on human rights, the Programme has strengthened its support to the relevant Committee, and as a result, the Parliament has made significant initial steps in increasing its oversight functions in human rights area. The Committee on Human Rights was supported in the organization of a fact-finding visit to the penitentiary nr. 13 in Chisinau4. During the visit the Committee gathered information regarding the status of human rights in the penitentiary and identified the difficulties faced by the prison administration in its efforts to comply with the minimum international standards in the detention conditions in the context of the recommendations of international organizations, judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and complaints received by the parliamentary committee from detainees. The visit allowed MPs to identify the gaps in legislation which creates impediments to respecting the rights of detainees. The collected information further contributed to the exchange of views among the members of the committee on the necessary amendments to be made in a number of laws and regulations: the Law on Procedure of Execution, the Law on the Execution of Sentences, the Law on the Prison System, etc. As the major achievement, the visit entailed the decision of the Parliament to allocate financial resources for the construction of a new penitentiary that would correspond to the international standards of the human rights of detainees.
The Programme supported the Committee on Human Rights in the organization of public hearings on the implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan 2011-20145. The Parliament scrutinized the report submitted by Government on the progress achieved in the implementation of this key document aiming at improving the respect, fulfilment and promotion of human rights in the country. All the relevant NGOs had been invited to provide their feedback. The recommendations adopted at this hearing will be taken into consideration for the consolidation of the current legislation. On 18 June, 2014 the Committee on Human Rights independently, without Programme’s support, organized another public hearing for selection of candidates for the position of Ombudsman and Ombudsman for Children’s Rights6 thus strengthening the sustainability of the Programme’s investment.
4 http://www.parlament.md/Actualitate/Comunicatedepresa/tabid/90/ContentId/1600/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx 5 http://www.parlament.md/Actualitate/Noutati/tabid/89/NewsId/1136/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx 6 http://www.parlament.md/Actualitate/Noutati/tabid/89/NewsId/1133/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx 8
UNICEF, as co-implementer of the Programme, in cooperation with other partners - the think-tank Expert Group and the Alliance of NGOs in Social Protection of Children and Family (APSF) had established trustworthy relations, collaboration and discussion platforms with several parliamentary committees.: on Social Protection, Health and Family; on Culture, Education, Research, Youth, Sport and Mass-Media; on Human Rights and Interethnic Relations; and on Economy, Budget and Finance.
Three main areas in the cooperation platform between Parliament and UNICEF were capacity building, advocacy and partnerships. A team of experts provided policy analysis on issues related to child protection. Monthly meetings with the representatives of Parliamentary Commissions were organized to discuss topics related to protection of children’s rights. Drafts of four in-depth analyses of policy/legal documents and legislative initiatives of the respective Parliamentary Commission were presented for review and discussions:
• Revision and comments to the draft of the Code of Education; • Challenges of Fiscal Decentralization for Social Services Financing; • Policy Options and Challenges for Supporting Families with many Children, • Development Opportunities of Pre-School Education.
Experts provided concrete policy recommendations to the Commissions, underlying social impact and best interest of children, as well as the fiscal impact to policy implementation. Activities were performed in collaboration with the staff of the Parliament including advisers and experts from each relevant commission. Continuous advocacy was provided in three key areas: Social Protection, Education, Health and Justice for Children. UNICEF and its partners have successfully advocated for maintaining an independent position of Ombudsman for Children’s Rights and kept monitoring the selection process. The partnership between the Parliament, Office of Ombudsperson for Children and representatives of civil society (APSCF and Expert Group) is a solid base for mainstreaming children’s rights issues in policy and legal initiatives.
External Communication capacity of the Office of the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament was strengthened by a communication expert that provided support in developing press releases and public statements and in dissemination of information through traditional and web-based media to ensure greater awareness of the general public and decision makers on child rights. The Programme is continuing to support the Office of the Deputy Speaker and Parliamentary Commissions in promotion and advocacy for child rights, particularly in the areas of justice, social inclusion and social protection. Support to the Ombudsman institution will continue upon selection of the Ombudsperson for Children.
While the annual targets under the Deliverable 1 had been generally achieved, some of the activities that could have strengthened the results and ensure their steady sustainability had not been implemented. Among those shall be mentioned slowed down progress in strengthening Parliament capacities in mainstreaming gender and 9 human rights considerations across its area of responsibility: gender analysis of the draft laws and budgets had not been institutionalized, the Gender Audit of Parliament had not been carried out. Also, the implementation of the Anti-Corruption Self-Assessment Tool for MPs was postponed for 2015, as well as the Development of a Code of Conduct for MPs. The Parliament expressed the opinion that it is more effective to organize the mentioned activities next year, as the current legislature is at the end of its tenure and a stronger ownership of the new Parliament over this work would ensure better sustainability, also taking into consideration that the new Parliament might have different needs. Implementation of the CEC Gender Mainstreaming Action Plan had not been assessed. Although the used for the first time e-voter lists produced the gender-disaggregated data on elections, the analysis of these data on both the voters and the elections management had not been finalized.
Parliamentary oversight function In order to strengthen the oversight role of the Parliament, the Programme from 2012 has started to support the parliamentary committees in organizing public hearings and field visits, also outside Chisinau. The Parliament is more and more using these tools to assess the progress of the reforms implemented by Government in different areas. The overall support provided by Programme consists in developing impartial research notes on the current situation within different state institutions. These notes helped MPs in formulating a clearer opinion on visited institutions and on relevant legal acts which are being discussed by Parliament. Therefore, the discussions within the public hearings and filed visits are always very vivid and focused on practical issues and solutions.
The Programme provided support to the Committee on Social Protection in organization of public hearings on the pension system reform. The hearings were fully organized by the staff of the committee. Moreover, there are other eloquent examples, demonstrating that Parliament is increasingly using the oversight tools independently, without the Programme’s support, to monitor the execution of the legislation by the Government. This suggests that the project investments, tools and mechanisms offered to the partners become sustainable. The Committee on Culture, Education, Research, Youth, Sport and Mass-media organized three public hearings (one on the new Code of Education and two public hearings on situation of sport in the country, following the exodus of sportsmen abroad), and four field visits (MPs visited Nisporeni and Orhei to discuss the optimization/closing of schools; visited Center for Youth Artico, Academy of Sciences and Academy of Economic Studies to collect evidence on the functioning of the education system and on needs for improvement). The Committee on Economy, Budget and Finance organized public hearings on the situation in the banking sector, especially focusing on the situation of Banca de Economii. This demonstrates that the project managed to develop needed capacities for the organization of the public hearings and a full ownership over the process by some of standing committees.
In accordance with Annual Work Plan 2014, the Programme developed a plan of activities in close cooperation with the Committee on National Security on strengthening the oversight function. Its implementation ensured a steady progress in strengthening the Committee’s execution of the oversight function. By providing baseline information, data and facts, the Programme supported the Committee in reviewing the ongoing reforms in the Security Sector (police, army, state security and anti- corruption). In order to increase synergy with other interventions and to introduce a closer interaction of the Parliament with the Executive, the Programme contributed
10 to the report on the reforms within the Ministry of Interior. The findings and recommendations of the analysis were combined with the findings of another report, produced with the support of the EU. The aggregated report had been brought to the attention of the Committee, while its findings and recommendations were used in the framework of a larger sector review. The overview of the achievements and results of the reforms enabled the Committee to continue with the legal work aimed at strengthening the security sector, which has even more importance in the current regional context. It is expected that the new parliamentary Committee on National Security will follow up on the report’s findings and recommendations.
The Committee on the National Security also continued with fact-finding field visits and received the Programme support in organizing on-site visit to the Department of the Carabineer Troops in Chisinau7. This was the first ever on-site visit of MPs at Carabineer Troops Headquarters. The visit provided valuable information on the situation in the troops that will be used for further legislative work. Two more fact finding field visits took place (to Military units8 and to Police), attesting the fact that the Committee sees the added value of this type of visits, which contribute to a better implementation of the legislative and oversight functions. The Committee’s capacity in the area was strengthened by learning from the best practices of the Norwegian Parliament during a study visit on parliamentary oversight over security sector. The study visit also contributed to establishing closer contacts between the two Committees, as the Norwegian peer committee paid a return visit to Chisinau to further discuss possible areas of cooperation.
As Georgia has proved to be successful in reforming its security sector in line with the international standards and has made substantial progress in the area of security oversight, its experience was considered as relevant for the Moldovan Parliament. In this context, the Programme has organized a one-week internship for two committee advisers at the Georgian Parliament. The committee staff got familiar with the Georgian practices, legal framework and policies related to security sector reform, the fight against corruption, money laundering and the role of Georgian Parliament in overseeing the defence and security sector.
The parliamentary oversight over national budget was addressed by improving staffers’ knowledge in budgetary techniques and the international best practices. The Programme organized a workshop for all committee staff on how to increase the effectiveness of the parliamentary oversight function over state budget and on how to make the Government more accountable when implementing national programs. Two committee senior advisers and one former MP from Baltic States Parliaments – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - made presentations, sharing their experience and best practices. In the result, 23 staffers learned about different models of parliamentary control over Government’s spending. Further capacity development in this area was also achieved through the participation of three advisers from the Committee on Economy, Finance and Budget in an intensive training course in UK on Scrutiny of public accounts by Parliament and relations between Parliament and National Audit
7 http://www.parlament.md/Actualitate/Comunicatedepresa/tabid/90/ContentId/1728/Page/0/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx 8 http://www.army.md/?lng=2&action=show&cat=122&obj=2751 11
Institution. All three advisors received certificates of successful completion of the training. However, further follow up in 2015 for strengthening the capacities of both MPs and staff in this area is needed.
In general, strengthening the parliamentary oversight function represents a long term effort and the Parliament still requires substantive support in this area.
An important step forward in modernizing the Parliament is the implementation of the Financial Management and Control (MFC) legislation and of the best international standards and practices. The Programme supported the Parliament Secretariat in reviewing of existing internal rules and procedures used for financial management and control. A draft report containing a gap analysis of the financial management system was developed. The report provides recommendations on strengthening the financial management framework within the Parliament. As this is a rather new issue for Parliament, the process requires more time and will be further supported in 2015. The parliamentary staff will be trained on financial management and internal control. A Catalogue of Risks will be developed and the internal parliamentary business processes on MFC mapped. This will enable parliamentary staff to conduct internal quality audits.
In the reporting period the Programme continued to provide support for sustainable institutional capacity development activities for the Parliament. As a result of these activities, a substantial progress has been achieved in strengthening the implementation of the legislative function of parliament. The Programme supported the Parliament in developing a Methodology for preparing legal opinions on a draft legislation, which will serve as a basis for improving the efficiency of the legislative process. Up to now, in many cases the opinions submitted by standing committees have formal nature. As consequence, the initiated amendments are not based on an in-depth analysis and on their accordance to Constitution and other legislative acts.
Guided by the Programme’s advice, the Parliament has engaged in applying of uniformed rules on the preparation and delivery of legal opinions and bills. The methodology will serve as a toolkit for standing committees and the legal department and will offer practical guidance for MPs and parliamentary staffers to make the scrutiny of bills more efficient, thorough and based on analysis and evidence. It is now in its final stage of development and will be presented to the Permanent Bureau for approval.
Deliverable 2: Fostered quality of the representative role of the Parliament and strengthening the capacities of the Parliament to deliver on its functions Based on a feasibility study, which was conducted in 2013 by a UNDP expert, the Parliament took the decision to establish 4 Constituency Offices in Edineţ, Orhei, Leova and Comrat (Autonomous region of Gagauzia). The main goal of the offices is to improve the connection and the interaction between MPs and citizens. To further strengthen MPs’ and Parliament’s presence throughout the country, a detailed road map on the Constituency offices was developed and approved by the Permanent Bureau. 12
In order to facilitate the process of bringing Members of Parliament closer to their constituents, the Programme assisted the Parliament with the identification of the appropriate office space engaging in advocacy with the local authorities. The premises for three constituency offices had been allocated by authorities within the local councils free of charge.
The Programme also covered the renovation costs of the offices and provided ICT equipment. In order to ensure the sustainability of the investment, the staff remuneration and utilities costs are covered by Parliament. The Parliament’s Secretariat has appointed a Coordinator on the Constituency Offices with the primary responsibility for the further implementation of the road map and for the efficient implementation of the Constituency offices’ functions. On 8 May the first Constituency Office in Comrat was officially opened by the Speaker of Parliament, in the presence of the Speaker of the Parliament of Turkey, the Speaker of the People’s Assembly of the Autonomous Region of Gagauzia, the Ambassador of Sweden in Moldova and the UN Resident Coordinator in Moldova9. In September, another 3 Constituency Offices were official opened in Edineţ, Orhei and Leova10, 11, 12.
In order to identify an appropriate model of the Constituency Offices a delegation of 4 MPs and 2 staffers (including the office coordinator) paid a working visit to the Parliament of Poland. Poland has a well-established system of Constituency Offices, serving as one of the examples for Moldova. As follow-up of the visit to Poland, an induction training for the staff of the Offices was organized by Parliament and Programme. An expert from Sejm shared Polish experience on constituency relations and provided practical examples on how to strengthen the dialogue between MPs and constituents13. The Programme has also initiated the elaboration of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Parliamentary Constituency and Information Offices in Moldova, based on the experience of other national European parliaments. A set of clear and comprehensive rules for the PCIO staff will be developed in 2015 on interaction with visitors, working with mass media, use of social media, communication with local authorities as well as dealing with the Parliament and MPs.
External Outreach With Programme support the Parliament significantly strengthened its capacities to communicate with the external stakeholders and became more accountable to the civil society, mass-media and the general public. TUNDP managed to mobilise additional resources from the Government of the Netherlands to support the development of the Parliament’s Media Centre. The funds (40.000 USD) were used by Programme for the endowment of the Parliament’s Media Centre with the modern audio-visual
9 http://www.parlament.md/Actualitate/Comunicatedepresa/tabid/90/ContentId/1633/Page/32/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx 10 http://parlament.md/…/18…/Page/0/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx 11 http://www.parlament.md/…/Page/0/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx 12 http://parlament.md/…/18…/Page/0/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx 13 http://www.parlament.md/Actualitate/Comunicatedepresa/tabid/90/ContentId/1907/Page/0/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx 13 equipment - video cameras, PC workstations, professional desktops, server for streaming and licenses (software applications for video and audio processing). The supply of technical equipment for the Media Centre of the Parliament is a long-term investment that would contribute to a better working environment for the journalists and would provide them with the modern working tools. As result, conveying the information on the Parliament’s activities has improved.
After the renovation of the plenary session hall the Parliament with the Programme’s support organized the first Open Doors Days for the citizens in February and in August. More than 4000 people visited the Parliament and almost 3000 people, i.e. students from schools and universities, participated in guided tours14,15. They had also a possibility to speak to the leadership of the Parliament and MPs addressing various issues and getting more first-hand information about the Parliament’s work. Both events received considerable media coverage in both printed and electronic mass media. By opening the Parliament for the citizens, the institution increased its visibility and the transparency of its work.
With the Programme’s assistance, Parliament continued its international cooperation, focusing on the ways of communication with public on legislative work. As the Latvian Parliament Visitors’ and Information Centre (VIC) was one of the models used at drafting of the concept of Moldova’s VIC, three staff from Public Relations Unit and Information Department visited Riga and had one-week internship in the Latvian Centre. Besides the internship, the staff had meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Parliament Office to Latvia, NGOs etc. Given the importance of ICT for parliamentary outreach function, a study visit to the Dutch Parliament was organized. The Parliament’s delegation, led by the Secretary General, met with the leadership of the Dutch Upper and Lower Houses, ICT department, heads of communication units and other experts who shared their experience. The information on both visits can be found on the Latvian and the Dutch Parliament websites16,17,18.
In parallel, the Programme is continuing its efforts to strengthen Parliament’s communication capacities. Staff skills in developing and maintaining strategic relations and partnerships with the media, public stakeholders, government bodies, CSOs were improved. A total of 13 training sessions were provided to 50 parliamentary staffers by an international consultant, who also assisted the Speaker’s Office in communication issues. The staff obtained a better insight in new social media as major communications outreach channels.
14 http://parlament.md/Actualitate/Noutati/tabid/89/NewsId/1040/Page/0/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx 15 http://www.parlament.md/Actualitate/Noutati/tabid/89/NewsId/1177/Page/0/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx 16 http://www.saeima.lv/lv/aktualitates/saeimas-zinas/22862-saeima-stazejas-moldovas-parlamenta-darbinieki 17 http://euparl.net/9353000/1/j9vvhskmycle0vf/vjovl8u0qwzj?v=1&ctx=vgaxlcr1jzkn&s0e=vhdubxdwqrzw&start_tab0=10 18 https://www.eerstekamer.nl/nieuws/20141114/ambtelijke_delegatie_uit_moldavie 14
The Parliament had also received support in drafting the Parliament’s Communication and Outreach Strategy aiming at updating the Secretariat’s preceding 2011-2014 Communication Strategy. The previous Strategy needed to be brought up to date in line with the changing priorities and due to the new outreach opportunities (e.g., parliamentary Open Doors Days). The revised strategy embedded more emphasis on social media and use of Constituency Offices and the Information Centre to inform and engage the public.
The Parliament of Moldova continued with the edition of the internal newsletter. The monthly newsletter is distributed to all Members and staffers of the Parliament. It informs about the implementation of new rules and regulations, legal initiatives, trainings attended by staff, interviews with people working for Parliament, etc. It further enhanced the internal communication in the Parliament.
The first external newsletter of the Parliament "Parliament INFO" was released with Programme support. After a break of eight years, Parliament resumed publishing of its own magazine19. The publication reflects the major topics addressed by Parliament during the year 2014, presents opinions of parliamentary factions and of MPs on the debated subjects, legislative news and a retrospective of the work of parliamentarians. The main target groups of the newsletter are the central and local public authorities, civil society organizations, representatives of international organizations and diplomatic corps accredited in Moldova, international forums and also the Parliaments in countries with which the Moldovan Parliament has established closer relations. The newsletter was published in Romanian, Russian and English and will appear twice a year at the end of each regular parliamentary session. The first issue of the magazine is entitled "European Integration - national priority" and can be found and downloaded from the website of the Parliament20. As part of efforts to promote more efficient internal/external communication, 48 parliamentary staff have improved skills for using e-mail, by receiving Microsoft Outlook training.
All the above mentioned efforts strengthened Parliament’s representative and outreach functions. As the evidence one of the most important indicators - the level of public confidence in Parliament - increased to 24% comparing to 14% registered in 2013 (Public Opinion Barometer, IPP, April and November, 201421,22).
Parliamentary Human Resources The Republic of Moldova ratified the Association Agreement (AA) with European Union on 2 July 2014, aimed at deepening political and economic relations between Moldova and the EU. This event is marking a new phase in the country’s strategic development, including the need for creating efficient legislation adoption mechanism,
19 http://parlament.md/Actualitate/Comunicatedepresa/tabid/90/ContentId/1981/Page/0/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx 20 http://www.parlament.md/Home/BuletinParlamentINFO/tabid/217/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx 21 http://www.ipp.md/public/files/Barometru/Rezumat_de_presa_BOP_04_2014_2-rg.pdf 22 http://www.ipp.md/public/files/Barometru/Rezumat_de_presa_BOP_11_2014_final.pdf 15 where increased cooperation between Parliament and Government will play a crucial role. In light of the AA, the number of legal initiatives sent to the new Parliament will substantially increase. This will require specific skills from parliamentary staff dealing with EU legal approximation.
To address this issue, the Programme organized a workshop on the topic “Legislative techniques and European Approximation”, with particular focus on Association Agreement and DCFTA. Three experts from the Parliament of Romania shared their experience related to the approximation process and lessons learned. A representative from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova provided the latest updates regarding the legislative Programme related to the Approximation Process. As a follow up, a group of lawyers from the Moldovan Parliament paid a return visit to the Romanian Parliament, discussing further practical aspects related to legal approximation, drafting techniques, division of competences etc. In order to further improve the knowledge of parliamentary staff on RIA, the Programme continued capacity development activities on the issue providing a Training Program for parliamentary staff on ex-post impact assessment of legislation.
As 2014 was the last year for implementing the Parliamentary Secretariat's Strategic Development Plan (SDP) 2012-2014, a thorough assessment of achieved results and progress made in institutional development was undertaken. To further build the sustainability of capacities in strategic planning the Programme organized two trainings on strategic planning techniques and tools for parliamentary staff. The results and lessons learned were used in the process of the elaboration of the new draft SDP for 2015-2018. The first draft has been finalized.
The development of the Parliament’s information management system required a special attention. In 2012 the Parliament’s Secretariat was restructured (activity supported by UNDP Programme in 2010). More staff was allocated for parliamentary research, legal approximation, human resources management and ICT management. The ICT staff requires specific technical skills as the ICT area is constantly developing and the requests from general public to have access to the information is growing. In this context, the Programme organized Standard Microsoft trainings for all 6 ICT staff of the Parliament. The training strengthened their skills in the relevant institutional needs assessment and in execution of specific job responsibilities. All trainees successfully completed the training courses and received certificates of completion. The training increased the ICT capacities in the Parliament and staff has acquired better skills to provide professional support for further implementation of the Information Management Strategy.
A new information management system for petitions (E-petition) was developed with Programme support and currently is used by Parliament. All the petitions addressed to Parliament from 2011 to 2014 were digitalized. This allows the Parliament to better track the incoming petitions avoiding errors and to provide answers to different categories of citizens in due time. Moreover, the new information system provides the Parliament with the following benefits: Quickly generate and report statistical data on petitions addressed to Parliament; Keep petitions in digital format, offering a faster analysis and identification of petitions; Clearly define responsibilities for employees in the system; 16
Use of electronic signature for decisions which apply within the system; Introduce advanced deadline notification mechanism; Speed-up the workflow of documents achieving higher cost-effectiveness.
The programme further contributed to strengthening the anti-corruption systems and behaviours in the parliament. Understanding of parliamentary staff of fundamentals of ethics and ethical decision-making was improved through a training for parliamentary staff on professional ethics. The training was over-solicited, as 95 staffers had registered to participate at the training.
By year 2015 the Secretariat of Parliament will be implementing a new Strategic Plan for 2015-2018. Senior managers have a leading and motivating role in this process. At this stage, strengthening their ability to engage and inspire other staffers is crucial for achieving the expected results. 21 senior and middle managers have improved management skills through the training provided by the Programme.
Other capacity building activities
Parliamentarians regularly are invited to speak in front of audience, to participate at different conferences and to contribute at roundtables and workshops. Such participation requires specific presentation skills and obtaining of techniques to speak more effectively in front of the public. Therefore, further strengthening of the communication and presentation skills and capacities of MPs is one of key goals of the Moldovan Parliament. In order to strengthen these capacities, MPs from all factions received a training on presentation and advocacy skills.
English language skills are essential for MPs and staff to engage in the European legislation approximation process. Therefore, the interest to attend these classes is very high. Thirty MPs have participated in individual English language classes. For twenty staffers the Programme organized English language classes in groups. Three staffers of the Speakers Office participated in German language classes. The participants of the courses attest that they are now better able to communicate with peers from other countries during the events abroad and official visits, and also to acquire relevant information in English and German.
A great challenge for the Programme during its implementation (also reported previously) was the participation of the opposition into the Programme activities with the aim to achieve a constructive involvement of the opposition in the work of Parliament. In order to overcome this challenge, the Programme, in cooperation with the European Parliament, organized a working visit for a delegation consisting of 7 MPs from the opposition faction to the European Parliament in Brussels. During the visit the delegation became acquainted with the work of the European Parliament with a particular focus on the methods of work of coalitions and parliamentary groups. Special attention was paid to the rights of individual MPs, the cooperation with civil society and the rights of mass media in the European Parliament. 17
Mid-term Review of Democracy Programme As the implementation of the Programme came to a midpoint in 2014, the evaluation of its processes and outcomes has been completed by team of consultants. The evaluation team assessed the processes and achievements made during the first two years of Programme implementation with a focus on achievements and constraints of the Programme targets for indicators and outputs as contained in the Programme document. The final Mid-term review report was presented on 17 October, during the ad-hoc meeting of the Project Board. As a follow up to the report a management Response to the recommendations had been developed representing a clear plan for their implementation.
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Deliverable 3: An improved institutional environment for electoral management bodies that can deliver inclusive and modern electoral processes
The Programme supported CEC members and staff over past years through a number of important capacity building activities, support through trainings, exchanges of experience with EMBs from other countries and support with strategic planning. The ultimate test, however, was the organization and assessment of 2014 Parliamentary elections. The performance of the CEC and electoral administration in general was assessed positively. The OSCE /ODIHR in this regard noted that “the administration of the elections benefited from comprehensive training programs, the introduction of uniform election materials and the increased use of technologies in election management” which led to the fact that “the CEC generally enjoyed confidence of most electoral contestants and stakeholders. […] The CEC was overall efficient in its preparations […] and generally met the legal deadlines”23.
During the preparations for 2014 Parliamentary Elections the CEC demonstrated its institutional strength in engaging very intensively with relevant stakeholders in relation to election preparation. The CEC developed strong professional coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MFAEI) and Government’s Bureau for Relations with Diaspora (BRD) in regards to voters abroad and organization of voting abroad. The 2014 Parliamentary Elections were the first elections during which the automatized exchange of information took place between the State Enterprise “Registru” (SE Registru) and the CEC. A formal long term agreement between these two institutions was signed allowing for data exchange and verification though “importer” tool of the SAISE.
From the institutional perspective the CEC has become a stronger and more strategically oriented institution to deliver inclusive and modern electoral process. This is evident from its strategic plan, institutional development plan, individual development plans, job descriptions, ISO certification, exchange of data between institutions and use of modern electronic tools to prepare elections. At the same time the electoral process itself was criticized on the issues outside the responsibility of the CEC, including removal of political contestants, political party finance rules and media ownership. The issue of technical reliability of the electronic verification of data on the SRV on the Election Day is an important lesson learned for the CEC which needs to be analysed and improved ahead of the next elections.
Overall in 2014 the Programme delivered management training to CEC senior management, and continued with English language trainings for CEC members and staff of the CEC apparatus until June 2014. Increasing number of CEC members and staff are able to benefit from materials and trainings available in English only, given their enhanced English language capacities. CEC members and staff had enhanced their communication skills and are now able to closer interact with their international partners.
In 2014 the Programme provided substantial support in communications area to both CEC and CCET. Both institutions received support in developing their capacities to communicate with the general public using social media channels. Now both institutions have individual public relations strategies and online communication strategies for Facebook, new online branding materials and communications staff trained in social media area. As a result, appreciation of CEC Facebook page by external visitors
23 http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/moldova/128476?download=true 19 over the last two months reached over 2000 likes (from 502 initial), whilst CCET Facebook page was “liked” by 500 persons (in comparison with initial 54). The institutions are committed to continue increasing their visibility, citizens are following these pages and the trend is very optimistic.
The CEC of the Republic of Moldova is increasingly visible in international stage of election management bodies. In 2013 the CEC of Moldova was elected on the management board of the Association of European Election Officials (ACCEEO) and in September 2014 Moldova was elected as the President of the Association for 2015.
The Programme supported the CEC in organizing 2 (two) BRIDGE (Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections) workshops “External Voting” to staff of the CEC and the MFAEI. They were trained by “in-house” BRIDGE-accredited trainers of the CEC and staff of the CCET who successfully completed the Training of Trainers (TtF) in November 2013. These trainings achieved two distinct results: first, the staff of CEC and CCET was given opportunity to apply their newly acquired training skills through delivery of an internationally recognized training Programme, thus gathering experience and strengthening of capacities in delivering similar trainings in the future; second MFAEI staff working in Moldovan embassies and consulates abroad was trained on concrete procedures and regulations for administering the upcoming Parliamentary elections outside the territory of Moldova thus enhancing the overall credibility of Moldovan electoral processes.
During electoral period the Programme assisted CEC with design and implementation of an effective out of country voting (OCV) electoral information and communication campaign, through development of video and audio spots, posters, flyers with the list of polling stations abroad and their addresses, and brochures24. All products targeting Moldovan voters living abroad were oriented towards informing them on the voting procedure and the importance of their preliminary registration on www.alegator.md for participation in elections. As a result of OCV campaign the number of the voters outside Moldova increased from 64,199 voters in 2010 to 73,311 voters in 2014 (an increase of 11%).
The Programme assisted the CEC with organization of a CEC strategic planning event in 2014. The event brought together at one table CEC senior management and staff to review lessons learned from the implementation of the current CEC strategic plan for 2012-2015, discuss achievements and bottlenecks, review the priorities for the remaining period until the end of 2014 and discuss preparations for elections. As a result, the CEC continued its path towards institutional planning for medium term future.
The Programme provided support to the CCET through development of a web based learning platform constituted of 13 e-learning training modules (http://e- learning.cicde.md/). The platform, through which more than 20,000 potential electoral officials could be trained on various electoral topics, was developed to be used for distance learning for preparations for all types of elections. The platform also contains 13 (thirteen) summative interactive videos, developed for each module as a comprehensive conclusion of all information gained during the course.
24 http://cec.md/files/files/ghidulalegatoruluistrainatate_1451345.pdf 20
The Programme has also supported the CCET with the development of professional electoral training videos, 6 (six) in total, that were used for training electoral administrators on district and precinct level. The following training videos have been developed: “Introduction in electoral administration”, “Electoral documentation”, “Voters lists”, “Preparations for the Election Day”, “Counting and transmission of the voting results” and the ”State Register of Voters”. The videos were developed in Romanian language with Russian language subtitles and with sign language interpretation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6hm3_iodD8). Both products contributed to the certification of electoral administrators by the CCET and improved quality of election administration. The Programme provided support to the CCET towards enhancing its capacities and professionalism of the electoral administrators on district and local levels. The CCET organized a Training of Trainers (ToT) in election field in order to deliver further trainings in district and local levels. As part of the ToT the CCET invited and trained 53 persons, out of which 45 were accredited as trainers and 35 of them have been hired to carry out pre-electoral trainings). The selected trainers delivered three types of trainings: first, Training on updating and verifying the State Register of Voters (SRV Training); second, Training on State Automated Information System “Elections” (SAISE Training); and, third, Training on Electoral Procedures for Precinct Electoral Bureau staff (PEB Training). The SRV Training has been delivered in 30 sessions over a period of 10 days, during which 869 persons have been trained. The sex-disaggregated data on trainees show that 86 % of participants were women. The SAISE Training was delivered by the 35 trainers who facilitated 200 trainings during 9 days. The trainings where attended by 3624 trainees out of which 65% were women. The PEB training was delivered over a 10 day period during which 234 training sessions were organized and 7110 trainees (17% men and 83% women) trained. It should be noted that only 52 % of invited PEB members attended these training sessions. In March 2014, the Electoral Code was amended removing the provision that all electoral administrators on either District or Precinct Bureau level should be trained and accredited.
As a result of the support to CCET the CCET was able to perform better administration of logistics for trainings. The support enabled creation of a pool of highly qualified and professional trainers in all relevant fields and it strengthened CCET capacity in developing in coordination electoral trainings. As a result of the Programme’s support the electoral administration in Moldova increased its capacities and became a more professional electoral administration.
The Programme provided support to the CEC documents analysis unit in order to enhance their research and development capacities. As an example of their increased capacities, the research and policy unit in collaboration with CEC Legal Department and Elections Management division has prepared overview of voting equipment in the region and developed specifications for ballot boxes and voting booths for future elections in Moldova. In line with strategic plan of the CEC, the Programme assisted the CEC with preparation of CEC Communication Strategy and with development and implementation of public opinion survey, including in-depth interviews, focus groups and representative survey on attitudes and trust towards the CEC. Results of this public opinion survey were used to develop specific communication messages for specific target groups in line with the CEC Communication strategy, to tackle issues which can further enhance understanding of electoral process and trust in the CEC in administering elections. As a result, CEC was able to apply its communication strategy and capacities to react on important aspects in the pre-electoral and electoral period. For example, with introduction of the State Register of Voters deliver elections in line with citizen’s expectations and highest international standards.
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The Programme provided support to the CEC in the coordination of international donor support and international assistance. The Programme helped to organize a number of elections coordination meetings which allowed CEC to brief international community on preparations for elections and coordinate potential further assistance. As a result of this activity the CEC was able to advocate, plan and coordinate support without potential overlaps, as well as managed to mobilize additional resources for the needed expansion of the Programme and other activities.
In 2014 the Programme supported CEC with procurement of unified electoral equipment: 6,940 Standalone corrugated plastic voting booths; 2,313 Desktop corrugated plastic voting screens; 8,653 Ballot boxes (80L); 1,503 Ballot boxes (45L); 120,000 Plastic seals; 2,300 Mobile ballot boxes and 4,600 Plastic seals for mobile ballot boxes. This intervention of the Programme enhanced the integrity of electoral process by removing possible questions in regards to electoral equipment and secrecy of voting process, which had been the case in the past elections. The use of unified and modern electoral equipment also created sense of progressive development among large part of electoral officials and populations.
Deliverable 4: Improved public registration process for Moldovans and supporting the modernization of Moldovan electoral processes
Programme’s investment has been further translated in the development of the modern elections systems in Moldova. The voters’ lists for the 2014 Parliamentary elections were generated from the State Register of Voters (SRV) and using automated data import from SE Registru. For the first time voters’ lists were based on the data from the official population register and included all eligible citizens of the Republic of Moldova. Previously mayors from about 900 (nine hundred) communities were responsible for voters’ lists, which were created from different data sources. 2014 elections were also the first time when voters’ lists had a unique identifier, a Personal ID number (IDNP), for each voter. This brought an immediate benefit of eliminating multiple records and ability to verify the source of data. As a result of this intervention, the quality and accuracy of voters’ lists during the 2014 Parliamentary elections significantly improved and they were not contested by political stakeholders. This is in stark contrast to electoral events in the past where voters’ lists were one of the most contentious issues. Independent international observers noted introduction of SRV as “an important step forward for the administration of elections”. Furthermore, the process is increasingly automated thus minimizing the influence of potentially interested actors on the quality of voters’ lists. It also allows everyone – citizens and political contestants alike – to trace changes in the individual voters’ lists records. 25
The Programme provided extensive support to CEC in preparation for the development, testing and rollout of the Importer and SRV modules of the SAISE. Specifically, the Programme worked closely with the CEC IT Department providing advice on interoperability with existing CEC and other national systems, preparing and coordinating detailed technical specifications, enhancing data exchange coordination between CEC and with the S.E. “Registru” and creating of a sustainable mechanism for data import from the State Register of Population (SRP) held by S.E. “Registru” to the CEC SRV. The Programme contributed to the establishment of a constructive inter-
25 http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/moldova/128476?download=true 22 institutional and technical constructive dialogue between the two institutions. Modernization of the voters’ registration process should, however, continue to further enhance data quality, especially in regards to address data required for accurate assignment of the citizens to the correct polling stations, as well as in regards to other data from other state registers.
The Programme also provided assistance on further expansion of functions of the SAISE. Among these, for the first time, was the verification of voter data on the voter lists through electronic means (“checking the name and polling station”). The IT software of the SRV and SAISE also provided for the possibility of recording issuance of ballot paper on Elections Day, however, due to breakdown of the hardware for four hours (between 09.00 and 13.00) on the Elections Day the statistics on voter turnout on the Elections Day were transmitted through different means. The functioning of the system was re-established in the afternoon of the Elections Day which allowed for electronic transmission of preliminary results, overall statistics on participation in elections on the Elections Day and aggregation and presentation of preliminary results. As a result of the work on data import from SE Registru, development of the SRV and expansion of SAISE functionalities, and entire voter registration process as such was considerably improved and the voters’ lists did not become an issue in these elections.
To facilitate the implementation and testing of SRV systems, during October-November 2014, the Programme supported the CEC with establishment of a common call centre facility to serve lower level electoral administrators of Moldova through provision of informational support services (through both inbound and outbound calls) during the implementation of the SRV. The call centre had also responded to queries related to elections processes, procedures. During call centre’s operation period in total more than 26000 calls from polling stations staff and operators were handled, including 14386 calls on the Elections Day.
During the last two years the Programme contributed to strengthening of the capacities of the CEC IT department through ongoing training and mentoring. As result of the Programme intervention CEC IT staff managed to further improve the three applications developed in 2013. Thus, the application “Rotatia” allows for generating not 2 (two) but 6 (six) types of reports, the application “Electoral Lists” now generates not 2 (two) but 3 (three) types of reports and the application “Ballot paper” is generating ballot papers not only in Romanian but also in Russian languages. This is a considerable progress in CEC IT staff capacity development. Moreover, following the training on advanced PHP programming area, the department staff developed independently 3 IT applications - an internal document management tool, a web- application called “Anticamera” and a web-application “Biblioteca” (library) on-line. As a result of the strengthened in-house IT development capacities the work of CEC Analysis and Documentation Unit (ADU) has been improved as use of this application allows for the easier store, management, and track of CEC electronic documents and scanned images of paper-based information. It also facilitated electronic communication and sharing of information among CEC staff contributing to CEC overall efficiency.
CEC IT department benefited also from continuous technical and capacity building support of a long term national IT consultant. IT department was assisted with modernization of the CEC IT infrastructure and enhancement of the CEC web application “Registration of the voters abroad”. The Programme supported implementation of on-line streaming solution of CEC sessions. The Programme supported the CEC in preparing for modernization of its official website. The new website, available in 3
23 languages, allows for publishing more information about the CEC work and streamlines procedures for its internal management and update. Enhanced CEC website was developed using the Content Management System approach whereby non IT staff responsible for the website content is able to update and edit information without the involvement of specialized IT staff and software. This approach allows IT staff to concentrate on assigned IT development issues, while communications department is able to update content of the website directly on their own. The enhanced website also allow for better management of information in English language.
The CEC benefited from continued support for certification according to ISO standards. The CEC underwent internal audit procedures in order to meet ISO requirements. As a result of the Programme support CEC has developed significantly improved internal management and data security procedures. The CEC was certified by the independent international ISO certification body RINA-SIMTEX on 31 July 2014 and received ISO 9001 certificate on quality management and ISO 27001 on data security.
In September 2014 the Democracy Programme elections component was expanded to include activities to develop address system strategy and address register, which will further contribute to enhanced quality of voter lists. The Programme started to work with the Agency for Land Relations and Cadastre (ALRC) and the State Enterprise “Cadastru” to develop address system strategy. The Programme also started coordination with other international assistance projects working with Agency and the state enterprise, most notable assistance provided by the Norwegian Mapping Agency (Kartverket) and EU funded Twinning Project for the ALRC implemented by Swedesurvey and State Geodetic Administration of the Republic of Croatia. During the reporting period the Programme together with Kartverket organized initial seminar on address system best practices and benefits, organized a study visit to the Head Office of Geodesy and Cartography of the Republic of Poland and has engaged a consultant to assist with preparation of an address system strategy.
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IV. Project Risks and Issues
# Objective Description of Category Likelihood (1- Countermeasures / Management Owner Author Date Status /Output risk (External/ Unlikley, 2-Possible; response identified Internal) 3-Likely; 4-Almost Certain)/Impact (1-Minor; 2- Moderate; 3-Major; 4-Severe) 1. Entire Unwillingness to External L: 2 The project will engage in open discussion UNDP, UNDP March 2012 Programme partners have fully engaged in project pursue agreed project with project partners on bilateral basis National implementation of agreed activities. activities by project I: 2 and in Programme Board. Options for Partners, partners. continued activities will be presented to Board Board for approval.
2. Entire Unplanned electoral External L:2. Early elections may divert attention from Project UNDP June 2014 Risk did not materialise in 2014. Possibility project events (extraordinary implementation of strategic development Executive of early Parliamentary elections remains elections) I: 2: goals of Parliament, CEC and CCET. This for 2015 and 2016. may cause delays in project implementation. Reprioritisation of activities by key partners such as Parliament, CEC and CCET will be introduced.
The Programme Board will be informed about changing circumstances. Board will be presented with options for continued activities for approval.
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# Objective Description of Category Likelihood (1- Countermeasures / Management Owner Author Date Status /Output risk (External/ Unlikley, 2-Possible; response identified Internal) 3-Likely; 4-Almost Certain)/Impact (1-Minor; 2- Moderate; 3-Major; 4-Severe) 3. Entire Lack of absorption External L: 2 Project will prioritise activities in UNDP, UNDP October 2014 Due to planned Parliament’s relocation to project capacity consultation with project partners. Project National renovated premises, risk of lean capacity is I: 2 will also discuss with the Board on Partners, likely. For CEC it remains an issue, postponement of selected activities. Board especially during pre-election and post- Board will be presented with options for election periods. continued activities for approval.
4. Entire High staff turnover External L: 2 Encourage staff to stay by advocating UNDP, June 2012 Following parliamentary elections, high project national partners to providing interesting National staff turnover remains a risk for both I: 2 and well managed work environment with Partners, Parliament and CEC. Three senior long term individual development plans, Board department heads at the CEC changed in encourage government to budget for 2014 which somewhat affected retention of core staff, ensure more than organisation of elections. A solution for one person knows each task and permanent head of CEC Apparatus and IT functional area, create good archive. division needs to be identified as soon as possible.
5. Deliverable Gender and HR in External L: Low/reduced Have ongoing discussions with Project UNDP, March 2012 Parliament has postponed the adoption of 1 Parliament and CEC – impact of management of the involved institutions Executive UNICEF draft Law on Gender quota and Gender low availability of staff trainings and and approve flexible plans for Audit. CEC: There has been full and MPs for trainings limited possibility trainings/visits and other learning events. engagement from CEC and availability of and other learning to mainstream Use of ICT for learning staff to engage on Gender and HR issues events the concepts
I: 3
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# Objective Description of Category Likelihood (1- Countermeasures / Management Owner Author Date Status /Output risk (External/ Unlikley, 2-Possible; response identified Internal) 3-Likely; 4-Almost Certain)/Impact (1-Minor; 2- Moderate; 3-Major; 4-Severe) 6. Entire Low willingness to External L: 3 The project will advocate constantly and UNDP, UNDP October 2014 Parliament and CEC has been fully open to Project pursue strategic raise awareness of stakeholders about the National pursue strategic reforms. Development of reform by the project I: 3 benefits of institutional reforms and Partners, Parliament’s SDP 2015-2018 is in progress. partners. capacity developments. Project Board CEC SRV ahead of scheduled time is management and board will engage in evidence of this endeavour. policy dialogue with selected partners.
7. Entire Political instability External L: 2 During the electoral campaign the Program UNDP June 2014 Risk has not materialised, even though project after elections of 30 Programme focused its activities on me there is no coalition formed seven weeks November 2014. I: 2 strengthening the capacities of the after elections. Parliament Secretariat. This focus will be continued if the political situation will be instable after the elections. The project will advocate constantly and raise awareness of the leadership about the benefits of reform. The Project will work on areas that would be implemented regardless of any political changes.
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# Objective Description of Category Likelihood (1- Countermeasures / Management Owner Author Date Status /Output risk (External/ Unlikley, 2-Possible; response identified Internal) 3-Likely; 4-Almost Certain)/Impact (1-Minor; 2- Moderate; 3-Major; 4-Severe) 8. Deliverable Constituency Offices External L: 2 The project will assist the Parliament in UNDP, UNDP September, COs are fully staffed. The Programme has 2 and 3 will not be properly developing a clear SoP on the functioning National 2014 hired a team of international and local staffed by the I: 2 of the Constituency Offices and specific Partners consultants, who have prepared an Parliament, or will be job descriptions for the staff. inception report on the Standard only used for political Operational Procedures (SOP), clearly campaigning defining the procedures, scope of work etc. The ToRs envisage also CO staff training and a Handbook for MPs on constituency relations.
9. Deliverable Implementation of External L: 2 Proposed actions: the Programme will National UNDP June 2014 Software and equipment were delivered 3 State Register of raise the issue with the Steering Partners, on time. By laws and instructions were Voters (SRV). I: 3 Committee and if required will convene UNDP adopted very late in the process (which ad-hoc SC meetings to tackle this issue was specifically remarked negatively by Equipment and OSCE/ODIHR). The work on by-laws for software for SRV is local elections must start as soon as still in the process of possible. procurement and development, respectively. There is need to adopt required by-laws and CEC instructions to ensure detailed implementation.
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# Objective Description of Category Likelihood (1- Countermeasures / Management Owner Author Date Status /Output risk (External/ Unlikley, 2-Possible; response identified Internal) 3-Likely; 4-Almost Certain)/Impact (1-Minor; 2- Moderate; 3-Major; 4-Severe) 10. Entire Limited interest in External L: 2; Project will engage in policy dialogue with UNDP, UNDP October 2014 CEC Component: so far the risk has not Project cooperation and selected project partners and will present National materialised. There is full willingness to exchange of I: 3 overview of benefits of exchange of data Partners, cooperate and exchange information information on data for different partners. Board will be Board among institutions. interoperability presented with options for continued activities for approval.
11. Elections Elections component Internal Based on the request of the Chairman of UNDP June 2014 Revised project proposal for Elections Component extension funding the Central Electoral Commission to Component drafted and Programme ends in June 2014 continue with support to the CEC extended until December 2016. throughout 2014, UNDP has prepared and submitted a request to the donors for the no-cost extension of the component until 31 December 2014. At the same time UNDP is working with the CEC to identify needs for further areas of support after 2014 and prepare a revised project document for additional activities within Electoral component until July 2016.
12. Entire Delays in Internal L: 2 Revision of required procurements with a Project UNDP October 2014 In few cases the risk has partly Project procurement view to develop and complete successful executive materialised with limited interest in procedures due to I: 2 procurement actions submitting bids by private companies. The lack of qualified or Programme takes pro-active approach to affordable offers identify potential companies and invite them to participate in tenders.
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# Objective Description of Category Likelihood (1- Countermeasures / Management Owner Author Date Status /Output risk (External/ Unlikley, 2-Possible; response identified Internal) 3-Likely; 4-Almost Certain)/Impact (1-Minor; 2- Moderate; 3-Major; 4-Severe) 13. Entire Risk of inadequate Internal L: 1 UNDP holds adequate management and Project UNDP October 2014 The Mid-term review report identified the project internal control: organizational capacity to effectively and executive need to change project organizational Management I: 2 efficiently achieve the set targets and structure. A programme manager position organizational objectives. is introduced. The roles and capacity responsibilities of programme staff will be revised.
14. Entire Risk of inadequate Internal L: 1 The project includes financing of Project Project UNDP October 2014 The Mid-term review report for the period project internal control: Manager and costs for monitoring, quality executive 2012-2014 was developed. The Monitoring and I: 2 assurance and reporting for the UNDP CO programme will follow up with Reporting on results staff with the responsibility for monitoring recommendations. and reporting of results
15. Entire Risk of inadequate Internal L: 1 UNDP has adequate local and corporate Project UNDP October 2014 The Mid-term review report for the period project internal control: audit auditing and financial control capacities. executive 2012-2014 was developed. The processes and I: 2 2012 internal (corporate) audit showed programme will follow up with financial control “internal controls, governance and risk recommendations. management processes are adequately established and functioning well”
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# Objective Description of Category Likelihood (1- Countermeasures / Management Owner Author Date Status /Output risk (External/ Unlikley, 2-Possible; response identified Internal) 3-Likely; 4-Almost Certain)/Impact (1-Minor; 2- Moderate; 3-Major; 4-Severe) 16. Entire Risk of inadequate Internal L: 1 UNDP has international standards capacity Project UNDP October 2014 N/A project internal control: and skills, well established business executive Procurement I: 2 processes for procurements. Procurement will be done by UN rules or national
procurement in a transparent manner. In all procurement the Parliament and CEC staff will be involved by in making decision UN experts view will prevail.
17. Entire Risk of corruption Internal L: 1 UNDP has international standards rules UNDP, UNDP October 2014 N/A project and procedures to ensure maximum National I: 4 impartiality, transparency and Partners, accountability, as well as report on and Board curb any form possible corruption
18. Parliament The Programme is Internal L: 2 UNDP in partnership with the parliament UNDP, UNDP October 2014 Needs assessment will start in March 2015 Component unable to address will undertake a needs assessment in early Project emerging after the I: 2 2015 to inform about the actual needs executive signature iof the and to reallocate/mobilise resources on AA/DCFTA the basis of a new RRF to be developed, as institutional needs per the Mid-term Review recommendation
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# Objective Description of Category Likelihood (1- Countermeasures / Management Owner Author Date Status /Output risk (External/ Unlikley, 2-Possible; response identified Internal) 3-Likely; 4-Almost Certain)/Impact (1-Minor; 2- Moderate; 3-Major; 4-Severe) 19. Entire Risk of inadequate Internal L: 2 UNDP will employ a National Project UNDP October 2014 Both Parliament and CEC showed full project ownership and failure and Implementation Mechanism for the executive cooperation and ownership of the to sustain results depends on I: 2 project, whereby National Counterparts Programme results and continued joint political are in charge for the project planning, effort to further embed and mainstream external management and control. Deputy Speaker results in CEC’s work. factors and Secretary General of Parliament and CEC Chairman are co-chairing the project board and all national partners will be
invited to join the project board to ensure that intervention assistance is assimilated and integrated into existing organizational and functional structures of the Parliament and CEC and other stakeholders.
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V. Conclusions and Way Forward The year 2015 will be characterised by the initial work of a new Parliament, which will require significant attention of the Programme. More than 40% of MPs are first- time elected and need induction and continuous training on the legislative techniques, internal rules and procedures, gender and constituency relations, considering the best examples of other national European Parliaments. The Programme will focus more on strengthening the capacity and role of Committee on Human Rights, in cooperation with UNICEF and UN Women. Significant efforts will be dedicated to ensure that gender equality and human rights issues are highlighted in the work of Parliament’s Standing Committees. As implementation of Association Agreement between RM and EU has started, additional assistance will be provided to the Parliament’s Legal Department and the Committee on Legislation, strengthening the ability to cope with increasing amount of draft laws. By supporting the organization of on-site visits, public hearings and collaboration with civic society, the work with all standing committees will be in the programme’s spotlight to diversify their activities. Opinion polls attest that society is concerned by the problem of wide-spread corruption26, ranking it among top three problems in the country. The Programme will explore the possibility of establishing closer relations between Global Organisation of Parliamentarians against Corruption (GOPAC) and the Parliament of Moldova to increase awareness among MPs on the international benchmarks and examples of good governance. As local elections will be held in the middle of the year, it will provide another opportunity to assess progress made in the institutional strengthening of the CEC, capacity building of electoral administrators on central, territorial and local levels and modernisation of electoral processes. Work on gender and human rights will be mainstreamed in all activities of the Programme. Further institutionalisation of gender and human rights issues in formal political process remains an issue to be addressed jointly with other UN Programmes and other development partners. The Programme will enhance its work on institutional strengthening and capacity building of electoral administrators by continuing support not only to the CEC, but also CCET, from which will help improve capacities of local level electoral administrators as well as electoral authorities of ATU Gagauzia. The Programme will be ready to provide capacity building activities to the CEC on political party finance issues, should the Parliament adopt in the final reading the new set of legislation on political party financing. The Programme will concentrate on strategic framework to enable implementation of electoral process based on official data using modern technological developments. This means that Programme will work with institutions responsible for official data provided for elections, including personal data from the State Register of Population and address data. The Programme will also be ready to provide assistance with inclusive and transparent electoral reform process. The Programme will support CEC and other institutions to reassess SAISE concept and will provide technical support to further develop necessary and still-relevant modules including the State Register of Voters. The Programme will also assist other institutions to provide data for the SRV, including development of address register and other key registers. In an effort to further enhance participation in electoral events the Programme will support voter information and public awareness ahead of governor elections in ATU Gagauzia and local elections.
26 http://eastbook.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2014-July-25-Public-Opinion-Survey-Residents-of-Moldova-June-7-27-2014.pdf 33
After the mid-term review the Programme also embarks on a process of alignment of its project document and management structure. The Programme also start working on new objectives to be agreed after the 2014 Parliamentary elections. The Programme will be further streamlined to deliver results along its core objectives.
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VI. Financial Status*
United Nations Development Programme Interim Donor Report (IPSAS)
Country - Moldova, Republic of Period - Jan-Dec 2014 Output - 00058053 Donor - ALL Projects - ALL
Collected Approved budget Opnening Cash Expenses + full Available Contribution Commitments Receivable current year Balance asset cost Resources Revenue (2)+(3)-(4)-(5)= (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) 00071949 Parliament 892.835 422.849 804.105 889.031 0 337.923 0 00083338; 00091532 Elections 1.256.329 416.185 2.317.943 1.219.174 0 1.514.954 0
2.149.164 839.034 3.122.048 2.108.205 0 1.852.877 0
*) The accurate final amount will be available after closure of UNDP Financial Year 2014 (March 2015)
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Annex 1: Results and Resources Framework
Output: Improved quality of Moldovan democracy through parliamentary and electoral support
Indicators:
1. Degree of improvement in performing Parliament’s legislative and oversight functions 2. Extent to which gender and human rights dimensions are taken up in formal political processes 3. Degree of fulfilment of the representation function by the Parliament 4. Assessment of supported elements of the electoral system and processes by international and domestic electoral observers and other external reviewers OUTPUT TARGETS FOR 2012- COMPONENTS INDICATIVE ACTIVITY RESULTS CURRENT STATUS (AS OF END 2014) 2015 Deliverable 1: 1. Improved quality of Moldova’s formal - CEC gender analysis tool 1.1. Improved gender awareness in the Central There is progress in mainstreaming gender and human rights political processes by mainstreaming agreed to by September 2013 Electoral Commission and other electoral bodies due to ongoing high-level discussion about Temporary Special gender and human rights in parliamentary - All new CEC policies and - BRIDGE gender and elections workshop for Measures on gender equality and adoption and planning of development and electoral assistance processes developed after Moldova; gender audit and action plan at the CEC and the Parliament January 2014 overtly consider - support to a CEC gender audit and the respectively. Baseline: human rights issues development of a gender mainstreaming policy; CEC does not have a gender policy and - supporting the development of institutional 1) Gender action plan adopted and institutionalised at the CEC. does not consider the gender element of - There is progress towards a training Programmes on gender and electoral Sex-disaggregated data available on candidates, electoral electoral policy and planning, but has national follow-up mechanism administration. administrators, electoral trainers, and voters. committed to improvement in strategic on the implementation of plan. human rights related decisions 1.2. An inclusive women caucus in the Parliament: 3a) As a result of project activities CEC fully aware of data Parliament of Moldova does not play (including ECHR) - Support to the establishment of the caucus protection policy requirements and are in the process of significant role in dealing with human - Human rights committee - knowledge sharing activities involving women registering as personal data controller and processor with the rights and gender; absence of a conducts 1st hearing with the MPs from abroad National Centre for Personal Data Protection. CEC personal parliamentary women caucus in CSO. - creation of networks between the women caucus data protection policies being developed by CEC Legal Moldova. - Human rights committee holds members and local politicians and decision Department with the Programme support. There is little or no consideration of consultations with the makers; human rights and gender issues in Parliamentary Advocates - Training on communications for members of the 4) Human Rights Committee has organized two public hearings electoral management. women caucus; –a) on the implementation of the National Human Rights
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There is little consideration of human - The Parliament’s Human Rights - Trainings on gendered budgeting for the women Action Plan rights issues in electoral policy and Committee is monitoring the caucus and for the Committee on Budget and b) on selection of candidates for position of Ombudsman and planning such as data protection aspects implementation of the Finance (MPs and staff) and for other Ombudsman for Children’s Rights of voter registration. National Human Rights Action Parliamentary staffers; Parliament human resource policies Plan 2011-2014 - Support the development of a web site for 4) Human Rights Committee of the Parliament has conducted a need improvement. EU Twinning project gender-sensitive legislation and governance in fact finding field visit to a prison. has made an assessment and - The Parliament, in particular Moldova under the umbrella of the Women’s implementation of recommendations is the Committees on Human Caucus 6) The Parliament has revised its human resource policy and due. Rights and on Legal Issues, has regulations. New job descriptions developed and performance sufficient capacities to 1.3. Human rights considered in the development measurement tools applied Indicators: scrutinize the proposals and of registration and voting processes 1) Availability of a CEC gender policy and monitor the progress of the - support an increased focus on human rights 7) The Secretariat started with the preparations for a new gender disaggregated data in electoral Justice Sector Reform issues through the development of an internal Strategic Development Plan 2015-2018. The Secretariat has work policy and research capacity in the CEC initiated the implementation of Financial Management and 2) Active women’s caucus exists, or - The parliamentary oversight, in - support CEC engagement in the Parliament's role Control (MFC) legislation and best international standards and increase in activity of caucus that supports particular by the Committee on of monitoring human rights obligations practices. legislation for advancement of women. Budget, Economy and Finance, - support the CEC to develop an internal follow up 3) Number of legislative bills passed with on budget implementation is process in regard to international observation 8) For parliamentary elections organized on 30 November, CEC gender analysis increased. strengthened missions conclusions addressed the needs of special groups of voters, including 3.a)CEC data protection policy in place voters with physical disabilities and vision-impaired voters. 4) Level of compliance with international - New HR policy in place 1.4. A shared approach to human rights human rights instruments of policy and mainstreaming by the Parliament 9) The Parliament is increasingly using the oversight tools (i.e. law-making actions - Permanent body established - build specific human rights knowledge among public hearings, field visits) to assess the progress of the 5) Availability and implementation of rules which oversees updating and MPs and Parliamentary staff; reforms implemented by Government in different areas. and procedures for cooperation between improving of internal - extend support for increasing collaboration the Parliamentary Advocates and the management systems, between the Parliament and the Central Electoral Parliament processes and staff skills. Commission on human rights issues; 6) Availability of a revised/adjusted human - raising awareness of MPs and the committees on resource policy in the Parliament, its - Functioning integrated human rights issues, including on child rights to regulations on the civil servants activity, job information system in the oversee policy implementation and create demand descriptions, performance measurement parliament building for evidence-based policy monitoring and tools etc. evaluation , with focus on equity and impact on 7) Availability of a system to monitor and - Parliamentary assistance the most vulnerable categories of population evaluate implementation of PSDP evaluated and 8) Level of consideration of such human recommendations fed back 1.5. High quality cooperation between the 37 rights issues as language, national minority into policy making Parliamentary Advocates and the Parliament and disabled access to electoral processes; - workshops on European practices regarding the 9) Availability of monitoring/evaluation Parliament’s work with human rights institutions; reports submitted by state institutions to - Support for developing rules of procedure for Parliamentarian committees to ensure establishing structural cooperation, between the oversight of impact of policies on the most Parliamentary Advocates and the Parliament; vulnerable population - Provide technical assistance and support to the 10) Gender analysis carried out on budget ombudsman for child rights in organizing regular and Public Review of Expenditures process. meetings, sessions with MPs from relevant commissions to raise their awareness on child rights issues - Study visits of the Committee on Human Rights and the Committee on National Security to Romania and Sweden
1.6. Strengthened Parliamentary oversight on human rights, in particular regarding the implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan 2011-2014 - support the organization of public hearings and other consultative activities by the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and National Minorities regarding the implementation of the of Human Rights commitments
1.7 Strengthened Parliamentary Oversight on the progress and implementation of the Justice Sector Reform - workshops and seminars for MPs and staff on European practices and standards in the justice sector - support for organizing public hearings with civil society - study visits to Croatia, Lithuania and Bulgaria
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1.8 Strengthened Parliamentary Oversight on budget implementation - workshops and seminars for MPs and staff on budget techniques - workshops and seminars for MPs and staff on impact assessment - study visits to Sweden and Poland
1.9 Strengthened Parliamentary Human Resources management - Experts will be recruited to support the Parliament in developing the necessary documentation as per the recommendations of the EU Twinning project on the new framework regulations for human resource management. - Technical advice for developing a system of expertise provision to MPs - Parliamentary Development evaluation Deliverable 2: Fostered quality of the - Three regional parliamentary 2.1. Regional Parliamentary Offices established The confidence of public in Parliament increased to 24% representative role of the Parliament and offices established - design and management of Regional comparing to 14% registered in 2013 (Public Opinion strengthening the capacities of the - Assessments developed Parliamentary Offices system; Barometer, IPP, April and November, 2014). Parliament to deliver on its functions - Consensual guidelines - development of guidelines regarding the proper Four regional parliamentary offices established and opened regarding the proper use of use of Regional Parliamentary Offices facilities (Comrat, Leova, Orhei and Edinet) Baseline: regional parliamentary offices - procurement of initial office space and There are weak systems and processes facilities designed and adopted equipment; and 1) 12) Continued interest of parliamentary committees to for legislative research and outreach. - training for regional office staff; organize public hearings and fact finding field visits (Human The secretariat’s legal, research and - A training for deputies and - strengthening of political parties/Parliamentary Rights, National Security, Social Protection, Economy and committee management as well as the district staff on constituency groups visibility in the regions Finance, Education) MPs legislative analytical skills require relations run for all involved - organizing decentralized public hearings improvement units and persons - organising regional meetings and consultation of 1) Parliament’s transparency increased through open days for Very poor relations and communication - Parliamentary outreach plan MPs, Ombudsman for Child Rights with vulnerable visitors and installation of new software for petition between constituents and within the parliamentary children and CSOs on child-related priority issues management parliamentarians regional offices adopted and Oversight function not executed, not supported 2.2 Strengthened legislative function 4) A Methodology for drafting opinions on legislative proposals clear the role of legislature in providing - Strengthened MPs constituents Selected committees receive support from prepared 39
independent oversight of executive interactions international / national consultants to work with branch - Strengthened political its staff and MPs. 4) Staff capacities on communications increased parties/parliamentary groups Drafting of an in-depth report highlighting lessons Indicators: visibility in districts learned and best practices to be transmitted to the 4) 13) parliamentary staff have increased capacities to perform 1) level of participation of citizens in the - Public information made other committees. ex-post impact assessment of legislation democratic life and more active outreach available to citizen through - Seminars focusing on legislation amendment and of MPs outside the capital education and participation drafting process in following the entire committee 5) All committee advisors and consultants from Legal 2) Number of legislators that have - Decentralized public hearings procedure in order to foster the MPs and staff Department were trained on legislative techniques and EU functioning legislative presence outside the and committee meetings in capacities. approximation capital place regularly - Short-term fellowships for limited number of 3) Number of town/village meetings of - Improved legal drafting skills of committee or legal staff members. At their return, 8) The capacities of Media Centre strengthened legislator and constituents 50 % of professional legislative workshops for the committee involved will be 4) Availability of systems and processes for staff organized in order to transmit their new skills. 10) In 2014 (electoral year) the Parliament addressed 58 oral legislative research and outreach - Improved efficiency and and written questions and interpellations (information, dissemination and effectiveness of legislative 2.3 Strengthened oversight mechanisms responsiveness to citizen constituents) committees. -Selected committees will be assisted to analyze, 11) The Committee on Economy, Budget and Finance organised 5) Percentage of legislators/staff trained on - Increase in number of introduce and implement oversight mechanisms. public hearings on the situation in the banking sector, law-making techniques, procedures and legislative items passed that -Plenary hearing will be further encouraged and especially focusing on the situation of Banca de Economii. processes in compliance with the were proposed by minority their organization assists international standards (opposition) parties. -Seminars focusing on oversight capacities in 13) The first external newsletter of Parliament "Parliament 6) Number of legislative amendments - Developed MPs and following the committee procedure in order to INFO" was released compliant with EU and international committees’ oversight foster the MPs and staff capacities. standards passed within selected capacities of the Moldovan -Short-term fellowship at the European Parliament 13) The Parliament of Moldova continues with the edition of committees Parliament or Belgian Parliament for limited number of the internal newsletter. The monthly newsletter is distributed 7) Number of legislative items passed that - Improved capacity of Budget committee or legal staff members. At their return, to all Members and staffers of the Parliament. were changed by amendments introduced Committee to allocate workshops for the committee involved will be by minority (opposition) parties. resources to priority needs organized in order to transmit their new skills. 8) Use of media by legislators to convey identified by legislature positions and views - Legislature oversees national 2.4 Improved mechanisms for external outreach 9) Quantity of committees based oversight budget utilization and ensures -Design, publish and translate a parliamentary debates and reports - within the selected that it is used for designated periodical/newsletter to be distributed inside and areas purposes outside parliament 10) Quantity of oral and written questions - Greater equity in balance of - Subscribe the centre (Information and Analytical and interpellations - within the selected power between legislative and Sector/Library) to social/economic/political/EU committees executive branches with legislation databases and provide training on its 40
11) Budget Committee conducts hearings legislature demonstrating self- usage, procurement of specialized literature) with executive branch to monitor and independence - Organization of field visits whereby the determine if priority allocations achieved - Strengthened capacity of Parliament meets with regional/local authorities; planned budgetary objectives legislature to effectively - Organization of the Week of the Assembly; 12) Degree of institutionalization of public perform its oversight functions - Organisation of committee-based site visits and hearings - Accountability mechanisms public hearings in districts on in progress draft 13) Systems and processes for legislative ensure transparency and legislation; research and outreach (information, legislative oversight - Identification and exposure to training programs dissemination and responsiveness to - Strengthened legislative for Mass-Media and Public Relations staff on citizen constituents) are put in place outreach, information strategic communications in a Parliamentary dissemination and context; responsiveness to citizen - Training of MPs in media relations; constituents - Dedicated information day and trainings to - Strengthened Systems and strengthen NGOs and the medias' understanding Processes for External of parliament’s role; Outreach - Media centre equipment - Parliamentary forums for - Support to NGOs involved in the electoral system public comment on Bills, reform process expanded library resources - Production of a high quality paper on the linkage - Survey on perception of public between electoral system reform and the on parliament transparency representational functions of the Parliament conducted - Seminar focusing on the linkages between - Expanded public knowledge electoral system and the representational role of about legislative processes and the Parliament actions. - Media, CSOs and citizens have open access to legislative records and proceedings Deliverable 3: - institutional development plan 3.1. An improved institutional environment at the As a result of Programme’s activities CEC institutional An improved institutional environment for adopted Central Electoral Commission environment and capacities improved through trainings, electoral management bodies that can - Discussion on future relations - organization of workshops to conduct capacity expertise and strategic advice. Each department and staff has deliver inclusive and modern electoral between the CEC and the assessment and inform organizational structure personal development plans. CEC also is in the process of processes Parliament. - Consultancy to work through design and strategic planning for 2015-2018. Trainings of CEC staff - Launch of government voter implementation phases of the CEC strategy and performed in line with Training Needs Assessment and the Baseline: registration task force implementation plan Institutional Development Plan developed with Programme 41
CEC relationships with Parliament, GoM - Launch of OCV task force - Human resource mentoring of CEC staff support. and other public bodies not - human resources management - delivery of BRIDGE workshops and other training institutionalised. CEC relies on pressure plan implemented identified in TNA 1a) CEC underwent evaluation of implementation of CEC of electoral events to reach cooperation - 100% of staff having Personal - support for regional cooperation and sharing of strategic and institutional development plan by independent agreements with Parliament, GoM and Development Plans experience evaluator from the Coalition of Free and Fair Elections. other public bodies. - Annual development - Structured learning Programme for catalyst group According to evaluation approximately 70 % of activities New CEC strategic plan finalised in 2011 assessment cycle begun of CEC leaders planned within 10 strategic objectives of the Strategic Plan sets out institutional improvement goals. - Multi-year development plan - support task forces through advocacy and 2012-2015 have been implemented. CEC staffing complement is insufficient for CEC staff forms part of CTC logistical support and under capacitated for CEC mission work plan - support CTC to develop electoral module for 1b) A total of 35 CEC staff member out of currently employed and goals. CEC staff development is ad - Formal agreement with MFAEI MFAEI consular training program 36 staff (or 97%) now has personal development plan. hoc and personalised. Demonstrated on consular and OCV services need for functional and corporate skills - Formal agreement with 3.2. Improved implementation of CEC projects and 2) Research and policy unit at the CEC established and improvement. Registru on data sharing and initiatives through development of a research and Programme in process of providing assistance. As an example CEC has limited data analysis, research database cooperation policy capacity within the CEC of their increased capacities, the research and policy unit in and policy development capacity. - support development of research capacity to the collaboration with CEC Legal Department and Elections Policies and processes are developed in CEC (supplementing if required Management division has prepared overview of voting an ad hoc manner. equipment in the region and developed specifications for 3.3 evaluation of international electoral assistance ballot boxes and voting booths for future elections in Moldova. Indicators: to the CEC Further support through midterm support in implementation 1.a) level of implementation of the CEC of individual development plans of the Analysis and strategic and institutional development Documentation Unit staff and delivery of customized capacity plans building methodological support is planned. 1.b) % of staff having Personal Development Plans 3) Independent evaluation of the CEC Strategic Plan is 1.c) Institutionalised relationships with available. http://alegeliber.md/?p=1875 Parliament, key GoM ministries and public bodies 2) Research and Policy capacity established and operational; (Number of researches performed) 3) Evaluation Report available
Deliverable 4: Improved public registration - Development and 4.1. Improved registration of Moldovans at home The voters’ lists for the 2014 Parliamentary elections were 42 process for Moldovans and supporting the Implementation of CEC and abroad generated from the State Register of Voters (SRV) and using modernisation of Moldovan electoral roadmap for voter registration - support the design of the VR roadmap automated data import from State Enterprise “Registru”. For processes - Policy blueprint for new-style - using the registration of persons task force the first time voters’ lists were based on the data from the voter registration described in component 3.1, work towards official population register and included all eligible citizens of Baseline: - Development of internal agreement on where responsibility should lie the Republic of Moldova. Previously mayors from about nine Voter registration is key vulnerability in processes and implementation regarding voter registration hundred localities were responsible for voters’ lists, which the electoral process. Internal and plan - develop advocacy campaign around concept of were created from different data sources. 2014 elections was external assessments signal a need for a - Development of CEC roadmap voter registration responsibilities also the first time when voters’ lists had a unique identifier, a systemic overhaul of voter registration. for the use of e-enabled voter national ID number, for each voter. This brought an immediate Voter registration is key feature of registration and voting services - support and facilitate the inter-institutional work benefit of eliminating multiple records and ability to verify the strategic plan. - Implementation plan for on VR with data, analysis, advice source of data. As a result of this intervention, the quality and CEC are bound by Law 101 in regard to deployment of e-enabled voter - expansion of the existing IT system for voter accuracy of voters’ lists during the 2014 Parliamentary future deployment of technology in registration registration Elections significantly improved and they were not contested elections. CEC increasingly uses - Refreshed Law 101 with clearer - support planning for the rollout of the electronic by political stakeholders. This is in stark contrast to electoral technology for ‘back office’ tasks. CEC aims and timeframe voter register events in the past where voters’ lists were one of the most has no roadmap for use of voter-facing - Initiate the new registration - support legislative development and contentious issues. Independent international observers noted technology in elections. cycle implementation as required introduction of SRV as “an important step forward for the - Monitor the impact of the new administration of elections”. Indicators: registration model on 4.2. Responsive voting services 1) percentage of voters on supplementary participation - support the CEC to design a roadmap for e- 1.) Number of persons on supplementary list in 2014 lists - Launch of e-enabled voter enabled voting services; Parliamentary Elections was 155.443 or 5,6% percent of total 1.a) number of erroneous entries on registration - assistance for implementation planning through amount of persons on the voters’ lists. register (now approx 12%) - Implementation plan for legislative change, IT design and advocacy for the 1.b) More accurate turnout rates for deployment of e-enabled CEC’s newly delineated vision 1.a.) The data cannot be compared with previous electoral electoral events voting services for Moldovans - Support CEC to secure resources for rollout of e- events since the methodology of establishment of voter lists 2) Electronic voters’ register used at all abroad enabled voting services for Moldovans abroad changed (previously lists were established by LPA’s whereas for elections after 2015 - CEC roadmap for voter-facing 2014 elections they were created from State Register of technology by end 2013 Population)
1.b) Full and accurate turnout data, including sex- disaggregated data, is available.
2) State Register of Voters (or Electronic Voters List) used for 2014 Parliamentary Elections. Deliverable 5: Support provided for an Targets to be determined if and - Assistance to the constitutional Constitutional Review process did not start. 43 inclusive process for constitutional reform when activity would be commenced committee/commission or other political actors to Baseline: find solutions to concrete challenges as they arise. Lacunae, ambiguities and inconsistencies - Provision of comparative legal analysis on in the current Constitution constitutional designs, and options Provision of advice on the requirements of Indicator: international human rights treaties and their 1) The degree of satisfaction of the public respective treaty bodies, and other international with the constitutional review process obligations of the state 1.a) Rate of turnout in the event of the - Assistance to the establishment and change of constitution via referendum implementation of a public information and civic education campaign via, namely the regional parliamentary offices creation of ‘constitutional corners’ with key publications and folders. - Assistance to the establishment of an outreach unit, linked to the constitution-revision body and within the parliament, with a mandate to inform the public on the constitutional process and develop modalities for systematic analysis, processing and publicizing of public submissions, and organizing local debates on constitutional issues.
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Annex 2. List of Services, Products and Works No. Type of Purpose No. of Men Women Consultancy contractors
DP/Parliamentary component
Advisory work 1 International To provide assistance to the Moldovan Parliament, in particular the Speaker of Parliament and 1 1 0 Consultant his office, in shaping and developing dynamic communications, raising parliament’s public profile and establishing a systematic and continuous process of interaction with different stakeholders 2 National To provide technical assistance, expertise, guidance and day-to-day transfer of knowledge to 1 1 0 Consultant the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy and European Integration (CFPEI) members and staff, in order to strengthen their capacities and enhance the awareness on the EU integration process 3 National To support the Project management team in conducting a complete procurement case aiming 1 1 0 Consultant at hiring a national company/companies which will provide reparation works of the Parliamentary Constituency Offices in Edinet, Orhei and Leova. Including additional spaces in Leova. 4 National To assist the Parliament of Moldova in the development and implementation of a new website 1 1 0 Consultant of the Parliament 5 International To undertake the mid-term review of the parliamentary and electoral assistance provided 1 1 0 Consultant through 2012-2014 in Moldova. The overall purpose of the evaluation is to assess the processes and achievements made during the first two years of implementing the Programme with a focus on achievements and constraints of the Programme targets for indicators and outputs as contained in the programme document.
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6 International To provide strategic advice to the Parliament, in particular to the Secretariat of Parliament, in 1 1 0 Consultant the elaboration of its Strategic Development Plan for 2015-2018, considering the country’s European integration agenda. 7 Technical support Translation, designing and editing services 3 3 0 on consultancy basis 8 National The implementation of Financial Management and Control legislation and best practices in the n/a Company Parliament of Moldova
TOTAL 9 9 0
Products/ Research papers 1 National To review the progress made by Government to reform the security sector and define areas 2 1 1 Consultants where parliament’s interference is needed. To provide support to the Committee on National Security, Defence and Public Order in organizing fact finding field visits and public hearings on security issues, inclusive outside Chisinau 2 National To develop a Methodology for developing opinions on draft legislation which would include a 1 1 0 Consultant set of concise and practical instructions that describe the logical sequence of steps to be taken in the process of scrutiny of bills
3 International To develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Parliamentary Constituency and 1 1 0 Consultant Information Offices (PCIOs) in Moldova, a Code of conduct for PCIOs staff and a Handbook for MPs on Constituency Relations and Representation based on the experience of other national European parliaments. Transfer of knowledge and sharing experience about constituency relations in other countries. Meet, coach and provide trainings to the staff from constituency 4 National offices on constituency relations and SOP’s implementation. 1 1 0 Consultant
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5 National To develop an updated version of the Handbook for newly elected Members of Parliament 1 1 0 Consultant (MPs). To develop a Training Curriculum with specific training subjects for newly elected MPs.
6 International To develop the Petition Information Management System of the Parliament of the Republic of n/a Company Moldova (E-Petition)
TOTAL 6 5 1
Learning services 1 National To provide training, professional advice and coaching on ex-post impact assessment of 1 1 0 Consultant legislation to the staff from the Legal Department and from standing committees of the Parliament of Moldova 2 Two National To design and deliver a two-day training program on management skills addressed to senior 2 1 1 Consultants managers of the Moldovan Parliament Secretariat
3 National To design, organize and deliver a training programme on professional ethics for the Parliament n/a Company of Moldova Secretariat staff 4 International To design and delivery of a training programme on Advocacy and Presentation Skills for the n/a Company Members of Moldovan Parliament 5 International To provide Standard Microsoft Training courses for IT staffers from the Parliament of Moldova n/a Company Secretariat. To provide Standard Microsoft Outlook Training course to the parliamentary staff.
TOTAL 3 2 1 Trainings Total Men Women number of trainees 1 Training on Ex-post impact assessment of public policies 43 11 32 2 Training on management skills addressed to senior managers of the Moldovan Parliament Secretariat 40 10 30 3 Training on professional ethics for the Parliament of Moldova Secretariat staff 75 13 62 47
4 Training on Advocacy & Presentation Skills for MPs 16 14 2 5 Standard Microsoft Training courses for IT staffers from the Parliament of Moldova Secretariat 3 3 0 6 Training course on MS Outlook (4 groups/14 persons each group) for staffers from Parliament of Moldova 53 7 46 Secretariat 7 Inception training for staff of the newly established Parliamentary Constituency and Information Offices 31 11 20 8 2 hours Trainings on Communications issues for parliamentary staffers (definitions, public presentations, reporting, 75 18 57 writing speeches, social media, internal communication etc.)
Workshops, Roundtables 1 Workshop on Parliamentary oversight over budget in Baltic States 25 9 16 2 Workshop on Legal Approximation, including Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement 39 13 26 3 Roundtable on the development of the Strategic Development Plan 2015-2018 21 7 14 Public Hearings, Expert briefings, Brown bag lunches 1 Public hearings regarding the Human Rights National Action Plan 2011-2014 30 n/a n/a Fact finding field visits 1 Fact finding field visit to the Penitentiary No. 13 Chisinau by the Human Rights Committee 6 1 5 2 Fact finding field visit to the Carabineer Troops Department by the National Security, Defence and Public Order Committee 12 12 0 3 Fact finding field visit to the Ministry of Defence by the National Security, Defence and Public Order Committee 13 12 1
TOTAL 482 141 311
No. Destination Purpose No. Man Women participants Inward visits 1 Visit of Mr. Piotr Adam MALISZEWSKI, Participation and sharing best practices during an induction training for the staff working 1 1 0 staffer from Polish Parliament, to within the recently established Parliamentary Constituency Offices in Moldova Moldova
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2 Visit of Ms. Mihaela CIOCHINĂ, Ms. Conducting and sharing best practices in a training on Deep and Comprehensive Free 3 1 2 Camelia-Rodica TOMESCU and Mr. Trade Agreement. The training was addressed to the Law Department of the Moldovan Cezar Dan CHIOIBASU, staffer from Parliament Secretariat. Romanian Senate, to Moldova 3 Visit of Mr. Olev AARMA, staffer from Conducting and sharing best practices the seminar “Parliamentary oversight over budget 2 1 1 Estonian Parliament, and Ms. Lina issues” addressed to the Moldovan parliamentary staffers, including Committees’ MILONAITE, staffer from Lithuanian secretariats. Parliament, to Moldova Outward visits 1 Brussels, Belgium Study visit of a delegation from the opposition (Party of Communists of Moldova) to 9 7 2 learn from the experience of the European Parliament
2 Vilnius, Lithuania Study visit of a delegation-members of the Committee on Social Protection, Health and 5 3 2 Family to learn from the experience and best practices of Lithuania on the issues related to the Pension System Reform 3 Oslo, Norway Study visit of a delegation-members of the Committee on National Security, Defence and 6 6 0 Public Order to learn from the experience and best practices of Norway dealing with security issues 4 Skopje, Macedonia Participation of the head of Unit from Legal Department of Parliament Secretariat, at 1 0 1 ECPRD Seminar on “Structures and Procedures with regard to the Code of Conduct for MPs and with regard to the Integrity of Parliamentary Staff” 5 London, UK Participation of one adviser of the Committee on Economy, Budget and Finances, at 1 1 0 ECPRD Seminar on “Growing income inequality and democratic stability” 6 Warsaw, Poland Study visit of a delegation from the Parliamentary Fractions and Secretariat to learn from 7 5 2 the experience of the Polish Parliament into respect of establishing the territorial constituency offices 7 Budapest, Hungary Study visit of a delegation-members of the Committee on Human Rights and Interethnic 5 0 5 Relations to learn from the experience and best practices of Hungary dealing with human right issues 8 London, UK Participation of 3 Advisers from the Committee on Economy, Budget in the “Professional 3 3 0 Certificate in the Work of Public Accounts Committees”
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9 Bucharest, Romania Study visit and change of best practices in the area of legal approximation of the staffers 6 1 5 from the Legal Department of the Moldovan Parliament Secretariat to the Senate of Romania
10 The Hague, Netherlands Study visit of a delegation from the Secretariat of Moldova Parliament in respect of 7 3 4 change of best practices in the area of developing the Parliament Media Centre 11 Tbilisi, Georgia One week Internship programme in the Defence and Security Committee of the Georgian 2 2 0 Parliament attended by two advisers from the Committee on National Security, Deference and Public Order of the Moldovan Parliament (Mr. Fondos and Mr. Lungu) 12 Brussels, Belgium 2 journalists - Mrs. Ludmila Barba, correspondent, and Mr. Deonis Butuc, cameraman, 2 1 1 from Moldova-1 National Television delegated to cover the ratification of the Moldova- EU Association Agreement on 13 November 2014 directly from European Parliament in Brussels 13 Riga, Latvia One week Internship programme in the Latvian Parliament attended by 3 parliamentary 4 2 2 staffers. A peer-to-peer visit to learn from the experience of Latvian Parliament in respect of activities related to the Visitor’s and Information Centre.
TOTAL 64 37 27
No. Type of Consultancy Purpose Total Nr. Man Women
DP/Elections component
Advisory work 1 International Consultant To assist the ALRC and SE “Cadastru” to prepare a strategy for address system 1 0 1 implementation and establishment of the official address register for the Republic of Moldova. 2 National Consultant To provide support in organization of visibility events during the electoral period and 1 0 1 provide assistance with drafting of high quality press and media releases and other 50
media products. 3 National Consultant To provide support in evaluation of bids for development of an e-learning platform in 1 1 0 electoral area for the CCET. 4 National Consultant To provide advice and support to the CEC in strengthening its IT capacities, development 1 1 0 of further SAISE functionalities with particular attention to modules on data import and State Register of Voters and implementation of the Voter Registration Roadmap developed with Programme support. 5 National Consultant To provide IT support for CEC and the Programme throughout the process of 1 1 0 development of the two key SAISE modules (SRV and Importer) and during electoral processes. 6 National Consultant To provide legal support in revision and update of the Moldovan Electoral code. 1 1 0 7 National Consultant To provide CEC IT department with support in implementation of a variety of tasks 1 1 0 related to preparation of CEC IT systems for the electoral events. 8 National Consultant To provide “Expertise in data production area for sex disaggregated electoral data 1 0 1 9 National Consultant To assist the CEC Analysis and Documentation Division with the design and 1 0 1 implementing of an appropriate mechanism for data processing and analysis 10 International Consultant To perform the editing of English version of the Moldovan Electoral Code 1 1 0 11 International Consultant To deliver one day training on human rights to the Parliament and CEC of the Republic of 1 1 0 Moldova 12 National Consultant 1 0 1 To enhance capacity of the CCET to mainstream gender in its training programs
13 National Consultant To perform the services of design and layout of informative materials for both 1 1 0 components (Parliamentary and Electoral) of the Democracy Programme 14 National Consultants To Develop and carry out of a Training of Trainers course aimed at increasing training 4 1 3 capacity of the Centre for Continuous Electoral Training. Trainings/events 1 Event CEC Retreat 2014 – Strategic, planning and evaluation 40 19 21 2 Event Electoral Debate Club on "Gender Equality in Electoral Process" 34 10 24 3 Training Human rights training: “Marginalized Voters and Groups with Special Needs” 10 6 4 4 Training BRIDGE External Voting 37 20 17 5 Workshop Address system workshop with P. Larsen – Exchange of expertise with the address 14 8 6
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system from Norway Outward visits 1 Tirana, Albania Study Visit "Albania’s experience in preparing and distributing voters lists: 9 5 4 procedures and data protection considerations" 2 Ljubljana, Slovenia Study visit "Slovenia’s experience in creating, updating and maintaining voter register 4 2 2 from the population register" 3 Tbilisi, Georgia Study visit to familiarize with Georgia's experience in setting up and delivering last 9 5 4 minute training for replacement election administrators and support provided by Centre for Continuous Training during the Election day to electoral authorities. 4 Riga, Latvia Election Observation Mission of EU Parliamentary Elections in Latvia on 24 May 2014 4 2 2 5 Amman, Jordan EC-UNDP Thematic Workshop on Reinforcing credibility and acceptance of electoral 1 1 0 processes: The role of electoral stakeholders and electoral administrations Total for Elections Component 179 87 92
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