MALI SUB-NATIONAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT Year 4 FY2019 Q2 Quarterly Report January 2019–March 2019
APRIL 2019
This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by Tetra Tech.
Report approved by the COR Moussa Bambara May 10, 2019
This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development by Tetra Tech, through USAID Contract Number AID-688-C-16-00003, Mali Sub-National Governance Program.
This report was prepared by:
Tetra Tech 159 Bank Street, Suite 300 Burlington, Vermont 05401 USA Telephone: (802) 495-0282 Fax: (802) 658-4247 Email: [email protected]
Tetra Tech Contacts: Kadidia Dienta, Chief of Party ([email protected]) Nigel Thomson, Project Manager ([email protected])
Cover Photo: Training workshop of Collectivités Territoriales in Mopti, Mali. Photo credit: Mali SNGP, 2019. TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... I ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ...... II PROJECT OVERVIEW ...... 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 2 1.0 QUARTER 2 ACTIVITIES, RESULTS AND IMPACT...... 4 1.1 NATIONAL-LEVEL EVENTS & CONTEXT ...... 4 1.2 REGIONAL TECHNICAL SUPPORT ...... 6 Support to the holding of ADR’s Board of Directors ...... 6 Technical Assistance to Territorial Collectivities ...... 6 Support to Local Collectivities’ resource mobilization ...... 7 Develop assistance plan to ADRs, Territorial Collectivities, and Deconcentrated ...... 7 Technical Services ...... 7 Contributions to regional public consultations ...... 8 1.3 Y4 WORK PLAN ACTIVITIES & RESULTS ...... 9 Component One ...... 9 Component Two ...... 15 Component Three: ...... 18 Gender Related Activities:...... 21 2.0 COORDINATION ACTIVITIES ...... 23 3.0 SUCCESS STORIES ...... 26 4.0 MONITORING AND EVALUATION ...... 27
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 i ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
ACCM Association des Conseils de Cercles du Mali ADAR Direct Support Funds for the Improvement of School Performance ADR Agence de Développement Régional AE Education Academy AME Association of Students’ Mothers AMM Association des Municipalités du Mali ANICT Agence Nationale d’Investissement des Collectivités Territoriales AICE2 Integrated State Accounting Application ARCADE Association de Recherche, Communication, Animation pour un Développement lié à l’Environnement ARM Association des Régions du Mali ASACO Community Health Association CADD Cellule d’Appui à la Décentralisation et à la Déconcentration CAISFF Support Unit for the Computerization of Tax and Financial Services CAP Pedagogical Animation Center CARFIP Cellule d’Appui à la Réforme des Finances Publiques CCDSES Community Centers for Social Development and Solidarity Economy CEC Community Engagement Committees CEP Civic Engagement Project CERFIP Cercle d’Etudes et de Recherches en Finances Publiques CETI Cross-Border Economic Corridor CFCT Centre de Formation des Collectivités Territoriales CGS School Management Committees CGSP Contrôle Général des Services Publics CLOCSAD Regional Consultation Board on Development Actions CONFED Cellule d’Apppui à l’Ordonnateur National du Fonds Européen de Développement COP Chief of Party COR Contracting Officer’s Representative CREDD Economic Recovery and Sustainable Development CROCEP Regional Orientation, Coordination, and Evaluation Committees CROCSAD Regional Consultation Board on Development Actions CSCCA Cours Supérieure des Comptes et des Contentieux Administratif CSCOM Centre de Sante Communautaire CSO Civil Society Organizations CT Collectivités Territoriales CUT Single Treasury Account DCOP Deputy Chief of Party DGCT Direction Générale des Collectivités Territoriales DGI Direction Générale des Impôts DNTCP National Directorate of Treasury and Public Accountancy DRG Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 ii EC Education Commissions EMEP Equipes Mixtes pour un Environment Paisible EPN National Public Institutions FELSACOM Fédération Local d’Associations de Santé Communautaire FERASCOM Fédération Régional d’Associations de Santé Communautaire FOIA Freedom of Information Act FTIF Fiscal Transparency Initiative Fund GM2i Integrated Communal Management Interface GOM Government of Mali GSB Groupe de Suivi Budgétaire HRH Human Resources for Health IKMS Institutional Knowledge Management Specialist IMF International Monetary Fund JCI Jeune Chambre Internationale JICA Japanese International Cooperation Agency M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MEF Ministère de l’Economie et des Finances MDRE Ministère de la Décentralisation et de la Réforme de l’Etat MOE Ministry of Education MOH Ministry of Health MOU Memorandum of Understanding MSHP Ministère de la Santé et de l’Hygiène Publique NGO Non Governmental Organizaiton OCLEI Central Office for Repression of Illicit Enrichment PADRE/GIZ Programme d’Appui à la Décentralisation et à la Réforme de l’Etat PDECOM Educational Development and Action Plans for the Commune PEA Political Economy Analysis PCP Peace Consolidation Project PFM Public Financial Management PMI-DEL Canadian Municipality Partnership for Local Economic Development PMP Performance Monitoring Plan Pre-CROCEP Regional Steering, Coordination and Evaluation Committee of the Health Development Plan PREM Public Finance Management in Mali PRODESS Health Sector Development Program PSDR Regional Development Strategic Plan PSR Think Peace and Creative RAMED Regime d’assistance medicale or Medical Assistance Plan RDCB Regional Development Consultative board SCCS Accounts Section of the Supreme Court SNGP Sub National Governance Program SOW Statement of Work SSGI High Impact Health Service TOR Terms of Reference
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 iii TOT Training of Trainers UEMOA Union Economique et Monétaire Ouest Africaine UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund USAID United States Agency for International Development WILDAF Women in Law and Development in Africa
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 iv PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Mali Sub-National Governance Project (SNGP) is the fourth generation of a decentralization and local governance support project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Mali. SNGP follows the shared governance project called Programme de Gouvernance Partagée (PGP) and PGP2 (2003–2012), implemented by Management Systems International (MSI) and the Women in Local Governance Project that is implemented by a consortium of Development and Training Services (DTS) and Winrock International (2003–2005). Mali SNGP is a five-year, 22-million US dollar program (based on an execution of a two-year option period following the third year of successful implementation of activities achieving project objectives). The overall goal of the Mali SNGP is “to advance Mali’s decentralization process by creating and institutionalizing effective financial and asset management procedures, containing corruption, and improving overall operational efficiency in the management of Mali’s financial resources between Bamako and the regions, thus ensuring that public funds intended for decentralized services are delivered effectively and transparently.” To this end, the program focuses on Public Financial Management (PFM) as a catalyzing theme, and consists of three major interrelated components with cross-cutting encouragement and implementation of gender integration throughout all three components: (1) strengthen national and regional PFM systems; (2) improve coordination and communication between national and sub- national governments and civil society; and (3) improve the capacity of the Contrôle Général des Services Publics (CGSP) to conduct performance audits that meet international standards, and to monitor public spending and service delivery at national and sub-national levels. Since February 9, 2016, when USAID/Mali awarded Tetra Tech the five-year contract, Mali SNGP has been engaged in laying a strong foundation of collaboration with the then-Ministry of Decentralization and State Reform1 through its Direction Générale des Collectivités Territoriales (DGCT) and senior staff within sectoral ministries such as the Ministries of Health, Education, Family, Children and Women’s Promotion, and Economy and Finance; Cellule d’Appui à la Réforme des Finances Publiques (CARFIP); the CGSP; Agences de Développement Régional (ADRs); and Conseils Régionaux in Bamako, Sikasso, Kayes, Kidal, Mopti, Koulikoro, Gao, Tombouctou, and Segou. The approach to program implementation is based on the Theory of Change that identifies key barriers to decentralization. Mali’s political environment is characterized by lack of capacity and accountability, poor intergovernmental coordination, weak communications between national and sub-national governments and civil society, and equity deficits. To overcome these shortcomings, Mali SNGP supports USAID’s new Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) Strategy to “support the establishment and consolidation of inclusive and accountable democracies to advance freedom, dignity, and development.”
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ACTIVITY OVERVIEW Some activities during this reporting period slowed at the request of USAID as Mali SNGP worked with USAID to refine a proposal for Option Period activities. A short, interim Base Period extension (with a (reduced) Interim Work Plan) was granted for this purpose. The Project’s Option Period extension was awarded on 31 March, the last day of the reporting period.
Under Component I, Mali SNGP organized the training of Collectivités Territoriales (CTs) in Mopti in program-based budgeting and result-based management to improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the management of public funds. In Sikasso, the program provided support to the establishment of the integrated municipal management tool by training 10 pilot communities in the use of the tool.
Mali SNGP provided technical assistance to the Malian government through the Cellule d’Appui à la Décentralisation et à la Déconcentration (CADD) for the revision of Decree 02/314 setting out the details of responsibilities transferred by the central State to local and regional health authorities in the communes and circles and launched the study on the availability of potential resources in the health and education sectors. In collaboration with CADD Education, Mali SNGP supported the evaluation of the resources transferred to CTs for the routine maintenance of school buildings in Sikasso.
Under Component 2, Mali SNGP organized a resource mobilization advocacy workshop in Sikasso and developed a draft resource mobilization guide. In addition, the embedded TAs actively participated in the Regional Orientation, Coordination, and Evaluation Committees (CROCEP) of PRODESS (Health Sector Development Program) to promote the recommendations of audit missions conducted in the health sector and attended Regional Consultation Boards on development actions (CROCSAD, CLOCSAD). The TAs provided additional support by initiating the analysis of the effects of previous trainings on gender responsive budgeting and women's leadership and worked to collaborate with other USAID projects and civil society organizations to pool resources and experiences in achieving objectives.
Under Component 3, Mali SNGP organized a training of trainers (TOT) on compliance and performance audits, supported field audit missions, organized the meeting of the Coordination Board of audit institutions, and carried out a public hearing on the added value of performance and compliance audits in good governance.
Regarding Gender activities, Mali SNGP began analyzing the effects of trainings previously carried out on gender-sensitive budgeting and women's leadership to gather lessons learned. A summary of the key activities and results over the reporting period are as follows.
Conducted a training workshop on Program-Based budgeting in Mopti-Sévaré for SNGs and CSOs with a total of 121 participants (including 15 women). The training provided an opportunity for participant to share knowledge and experiences concerning the development of CT’s budgets and the participatory budgeting process. Conducted a TOT training for 10 territorial collectivities in the region of Sikasso on the communal management software tool GM2i - Interface Intégrée de Gestion Communale- integrated communal management tool). A total of 62 participants including 7 women were trained. Supported a Coordination Board (comprising CGSP-BVG-SCCS) public hearing on the value of audits. The hearing provided an opportunity for the Coordination Board institutions to outline
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 2 their roles as well as the challenges related to auditing, good governance, transparency, and accountability. Conducted a gender leadership training in Bamako targeting women leaders of NGOs and representatives of State technical services, young communal councilors and members of local government offices. A total of 48 people including 29 women participated to the training. Participants acquired new skills in public-speaking, communication strategies, and networking. Facilitated the ADR-Bamako to organize a workshop to launch the Consulting Board on the transfer of resources to CTs in the health and education sectors in the District of Bamako. Conducted a workshop with the ADR-Koulikoro and ADR-Bamako to develop Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Plans. The seven participants (including one woman) developed a logical framework, a multi-year performance framework, a database, and data collection tools for both ADRs. The development of M&E plans will help the ADRs to improve performance by setting targets and monitoring their efforts at achieving results. Conducted a two-week training of trainers on performance audit for CGSP controllers and inspectors from ministerial inspections and the Section des Comptes of the Supreme Court. A total of 17 participants including 5 women attended. Conducted a training session for the ADR-Koulikoro on database creation and website management. The training gathered 4 participants including 1 woman and resulted in the launch of the ADR-Koulikoro website www.adrkoulikoro.org. The website will help the ADR- Koulikoro communicate better to citizens and other stakeholders on its role, mission, responsibilities, achievements, and related reporting. Supported CGSP controllers and Inspectors from target Ministries to conduct a number of field government performance audit missions covering: the Social Safety Net Program (Jigi Sémé Yiri); Poverty Alleviation (commune 3 of Bamako and in Bouadjié (cercle of Baraoueli); Free C- section (three ASACOs and the Community Health Center of Bamako Commune V) in Diankinèbougou, Koulouba Point G and in Fana); and Girls’ Schooling (3 communes of Bamako, and Ségou). Facilitated a series of regional consultations among the ADR’s consulting boards, CLOCSAD and CROCEP in Sikasso, Koulikoro, Ségou, and the District of Bamako. About 100 people attended each of the regional Consulting Board meetings aimed at discussing the planning and implementation of development projects and building synergies among actors. Provided Technical Assistance to the CADD staff within the Ministry of education (MOE), Ministère de l’Economie et des Finances (MEF), Ministry of Health (MOH), and ADRs to improve their budgeting processes, sectoral activity planning, implementing, and monitoring. This summary is expanded in the narrative below.
During this quarter, SNGP also shared information on the project’s new implementation approach. From March 4 to 8, 2019, Mali SNGP met with different partners including ADRs and elected leaders to inform them about Mali SNGP’s new orientation as recommended by the project’s mid-term evaluation; notably, a focus on activities at the community-level including cercles and communes.
CHALLENGES/CONSTRAINTS As Mali SNGP was operating on an interim workplan while awaiting the award of the Option Years, activity implementation, as noted above, was slowed. The reorientation of Mali SNGP’s implementation strategy following the recommendations of the Mid-term Evaluation resulted in dropping some activities from the draft Year 4 Work Plan. In addition, the persistent insecurity in the northern and central part of the country adversely affected activity implementation. Furthermore, the leadership crisis within ADR Mopti continued to constrain the effective conduct of activities in the Mopti region. In terms of future project activities, the resignation of the Malian Government (18 April, 2019) and the appointment of a new government shortly thereafter has uncertain implications for Mali SNGP into the new Quarter at the time of writing.
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 3 1.0 QUARTER 2 ACTIVITIES, RESULTS AND IMPACT
1.1 NATIONAL-LEVEL EVENTS & CONTEXT Mali SNGP continues to closely monitor the effective application of GOM’s policies and initiatives related to advancing decentralization and improving the management practices of local collectivities. During this quarter a series of national level seminars and/or conferences covering various topics were organized by the GOM in collaboration with development partners to evaluate the effectiveness of public policies. The following gives a summary of key contextual issues and national events relating to SNGP activities over the last quarter. The Malian Government adopted a decree setting out the procedures for the transfer of the central State’s deconcentrated services to local and regional authorities. The draft decree applied under Law n° 2017-052 of 02 October 2017 provides local and regional authorities with the deconcentrated services necessary for their operation. Its adoption on March 27, 2019, could contribute to the improvement of the transfer rate of financial resources from the central State to the Territorial Collectivities in accordance with the previsions of the 2015 Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali that resulted from the Algiers Peace Process. Mali SNGP will hold an Annual Project Review with stakeholders in May 2019. During that gathering of Stakeholders, the Project will take the opportunity to discuss the implications of the Decree for the Regions and ways to facilitate the improved transfer of financial resources.
During this reporting period, the Malian government also relaunched an effort to revise the 1992 Constitution. The aim was to implement certain commitments from the peace agreement signed in 2015 between the government, the pro-Bamako armed groups, and the former Tuareg-dominated rebels in the north of the country. The amendment would have created a Court of Auditors and a new parliament body (a Senate) to ensure the representation of local authorities and the inclusion of decentralization in the Constitution. This revision effort failed for the second time following a previous attempt that was abandoned in August 2017. Therefore, although this type of constitutional review is one of the key recommendations of the Peace and National Reconciliation Agreement, opposition parties and many Malians believe that the country’s fragile security and political context does not allow for such a reform at this time.
National Seminar on Treasury Management and Single Treasury Account (CUT) (March 12-14, 2019): In their efforts to improve transparency, accountability and performance, the GOM has initiated major reforms resulting in the implementation of an Integrated State Accounting Application (AICE2) and the operationalization of the Single Treasury Account (CUT). CUT is a tool designed to modernize and improve public finance management by improving transparency and accountability.
In March, a national seminar was organized by the Ministry of Economy and Finance in partnership with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the financial support of the Government of Japan. Participants included experts from the technical services of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, representatives of National Public Institutions (EPN), the Association of Banking Professionals and Financial Institutions, and development partners. The seminar discussed the implementation of the Single Treasury Account (CUT) and the roll-out of the 2nd generation of the Integrated State Accounting Application (AICE2).
The Minister of Economy and Finance, Dr. Boubou Cissé (in white tunic) presiding the opening ceremony of the NationalMALI Seminar SNGP on QUARTERLY Treasury Management REPORT: and Single JANUARY –MARCH 2019 4 Treasury Account. Photo Mali SNGP/Dramane DARAVE Multiple attempts to establish integrated information systems that would enable budgetary and accounting management at the CT level have failed according to the MEF and so SNGP took the chance at the seminar to introduce the assistance the project is currently providing to selected CTs in the Sikasso region in setting up an account tracking management tool called Integrated Communal Management Interface (GM2i) and training technical staff of 10 selected pilot CTs in the use of the tool. Participants expressed their interest in the new tool and the project extended an invitation to experts from the National Directorate of Treasury and Public Accountancy (DNTCP), the Support Unit for Public Finance Reforms (CARFIP), and the Support Unit for the Computerization of Tax and Financial Services (CAISFF). They were all represented at the TOT on GM2i organized by Mali SNGP in Sikasso. The World Bank has reiterated to the GOM its willingness to support the establishment of an integrated information system for the administrative, budgetary, accounting, and fiscal management of territorial collectivities of Mali. Mali SNGP will explore potential coordination opportunities with the World Bank.
Meeting of the Technical Committee for the Reform Plan of Public Finance Management in Mali (PREM): As part of its technical assistance mission to CADD-MEF, Mali SNGP’s embedded TA participated in the meeting on March 21st, 2019 of the Technical Committee for the Reform Plan of Public Finance Management in Mali (PREM). The purpose of this meeting was to review and validate the annual evaluation report of the implementation of the PREM.
PREM technical committee reported the transfer of 326.2 billion CFA francs in 2018 to CTs compared to 261.8 billion CFA francs in 2017, corresponding to an increase of 64.4 billion CFA francs. This result is below the 30% target of transfer rate yet shows an increase with the transfer rate at 19.77% in 2019 against 18.3% of budgetary revenues (tax and non-tax revenues) in 2018. This small increase in transfers to CTs continues a number of years of small increases. As noted in an earlier Report, at this rate of change, it will still be many years before the 30% goal is met. Therefore, without a significant change, CTs will need to continue to look for own source funding for the foreseeable future. Mali SNGP’s Option Period Work Plan has already accounted for this with its planned user-fee pilots and other studies during Year 4.
National consultation workshop on the Strategic Framework for Economic Recovery and Sustainable Development (CREDD 2019-2023): From March 11-13 2019, Mali SNGP TA/CADD-MEF attended the national consultation workshop on the document related to the Strategic Framework for Economic Recovery and Sustainable Development. The objective of this consultation workshop was to examine the document related to the Strategic Framework for Economic Recovery and Sustainable Development (CREDD 2019-2023) by checking its overall coherence with the objectives of sectoral policies. The TA worked to ensure that the decentralization policy was better integrated in the 2019-2023 CREDD document. CREDD is a general reference document for all of Mali’s development partners to ensure that their supports/technical assistance are in line with the GOM policies.
Conference on the 2020 State Budgetary Process: On February 25, 2019 the project was invited to participate in the launching of the State budgetary process for 2020. Chaired by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the conference provided the opportunity for State Financial Services and programs/projects supporting public finances management to discuss the implementation of the program-based budgeting approach adopted by GOM for the 2018 fiscal year.
Key themes from the conference included: The continuing need to strengthen the participation of local and regional authorities in the budgetary process of the State through existing consultative boards including CROCSAD, CLOCSAD, CCOSAD. Where necessary, these institutions may need to be reconstituted. The poor quality of budget documents prepared, for example, by the National Assembly for the 2018 and 2019 financial years. [To improve this situation, as planned in the Option Period Work
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 5 Plan, Mali SNGP in collaboration with the General Directorate of Budget (DGB), will provide assistance to the relevant structures in the preparation of the various documents] The importance of performance audits to evaluate institutional performance against public policies [note that Mali SNGP plans to support this through Activities 23, 25 and 26.]
1.2 REGIONAL TECHNICAL SUPPORT During this reporting period at the regional level, Mali SNGP provided essential assistance to ADRs that included aiding the ADRs in their support to the Territorial Collectivities (CTs) in the planning and implementation of their local development programs. A series of capacity building sessions were organized and successfully conducted for local collectivities to support their resource mobilization efforts. In addition, TAs provided support to the ADRs in holding their 4th Board of Directors meetings and helped to organize regional public consultations among actors to discuss challenges to the effective implementation of development initiatives. Embedded TAs were also instrumental in coordinating the visit of delegations composed of USAID Mali technical staff and senior advisors from USAID Washington in the regions of Ségou and Sikasso. Mali SNGP TAs embedded within the Cellule d’Appui à la Décentralisation et à la Déconcentration (CADD) of the project’s three target Ministries: Ministry of Economy and Finances, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, provided technical assistance in a variety of technical areas including:
Assistance to CADD Education for the development of data collection/analysis tools on the resources transferred from the State to the CTs; Technical and financial assistance to CADD Health for the meeting of the thematic group on decentralization and deconcentration; Technical assistance to CADD-MEF for the improvement of the predictability of budgetary resources of CTs. Project technical staff held many consultative meetings with key project stakeholders at both the national and regional levels and with local implementation partners to share and discuss the new orientation and implementation approach of Mali SNGP to get their perspectives on the sustainability of SNGP’s interventions. Many activities noted below were undertaken in coordination with other partners to develop programmatic synergy. The following technical assistance was provided by Mali SNGP embedded TAs in the regions.
SUPPORT TO THE HOLDING OF ADR’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS From January to March 2019, the ADRs of Bamako, Koulikoro, Sikasso, Ségou, Mopti and Kidal held the 4th meeting of their Board of Directors In each of these regions, the project’s embedded TAs participated in the production and finalization of strategic documents, including the 2018 Annual Report, the Action Plan, and the 2019 Budget.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO TERRITORIAL COLLECTIVITIES ADRs were created to provide local collectivities with the technical assistance (training, technical advice, development of tools) to ensure effective management of their local development projects to further boost development. During this reporting period, the project through embedded TAs provided technical assistance to CTs in the following regions. In Sikasso, the embedded TA provided assistance to the development of the 2019 Action Plan of the Canadian Municipality Partnership for Local Economic Development (PMI-DEL). This program covers 8 municipalities in Sikasso forming the Inclusive Cross-Border Economic Corridor (CETI).
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 6 In support to CTs, the embedded TA held a working session with the Miankala-Kalo inter- communality comprising 36 communes and 1 cercle. This assistance was helped members identify their communes’ priority activities in developing their association’s action plan in line with the strategic plan of ADR Sikasso. As a result, the Miankala-Kalo inter-communality requested assistance from the Sikasso ADR to hold public hearings at the level of CTs and provide support on managing their local weekly markets to increase their local resource mobilization capacity. In Gao, as part of Mali SNGP’s assistance to ADR Gao, the embedded TA provided support to a partnership’s development mission from February 27-March 11, 2019 in Bamako led by the Director General of ADR Gao. The delegation included representatives of the Interim Authority of the Bourem Cercle and the Transitional College of the new cercle of Almoustarat. This partnership’s development mission is to strengthen the Gao ADR in its role as a technical support mechanism for CTs in general and particularly for Gao’s new colleges and transitional authorities and cercles. Both embedded TAs to the ADR of Kidal and Gao took part in a technical support mission to the Ansongo and Almoustrat Cercles for the administration of the Community Self-assessment Tool.1 The purpose of this mission was to present this tool to all development actors in both cercles through an initial orientation workshop. The next step will be to administer the tool to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the collectivities concerned.
SUPPORT TO LOCAL COLLECTIVITIES’ RESOURCE MOBILIZATION The project completed a study on the potential of resources at the regional level and the findings revealed that after more than two-decades of decentralization local collectivities do not yet have full financial autonomy. Mobilizing domestic resources remains a primary concern for local collectivities in addressing the various development challenges they are facing. Most CTs lack the capacity to mobilize internal resources and continue to depend on state transferred resources that remain insufficient to help them provide the basic social services to their communities. The project continues to provide assistance to CTs to improve their resource mobilization capacities.
In Koulikoro, Mali SNGP from March 6-8, 2019, the TA provided technical assistance to the ADR Koulikoro to support the commune of Sagabala on the management of their weekly marlets =in the villages of Sagabala and Doubabougou; and in assessing the existence of potential sites for the creation of additional weekly fairs in Kola (another village in the commune). One potential source for CTs to mobilize resources is to levy user-fees for stall-holders at weekly markets. Vendors attending these markets, particularly women, pay fees that are collected by the CTs on a regular basis.
In Sikasso, the TA worked with the ADR to assist the rural communes of Kaboila and Finkolo to assess the average income of taxpayers and guide them on how to better manage their commercial equipment and increase their tax collection capacities.
DEVELOP ASSISTANCE PLAN TO ADRS, TERRITORIAL COLLECTIVITIES, AND DECONCENTRATED TECHNICAL SERVICES
In Koulikoro, the TA explored assistance opportunities with the Regional Directorate of Health with the aim to determine how Mali SNGP can provide technical assistance to support community- based health organizations (ASACOs, FELASCOM, and FERASCOM). According to the Regional Director of Health, effective decentralization in the health sector and social development are seriously impeded by governance issues at the community level.. Going forward, with the redeployment of SNGP’s Kidal TA in Diolo (one of the new regions that was formerly a Cercle in Koulikoro Region) SNGP will provide direct assistance to ASACO and its federation members to
1 This is a GOM Tool that allows SNG institutions to self-assess the effectiveness of their application of de- centralization laws and regulations in planning, implementing and monitoring their development programs.
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 7 help them understand and improve their roles and responsibilities in respect of increasing communities’ access to health services.
The embedded TA also met with the Regional Director for Social Development to identify the needs for strengthening and improving health management systems in Koulikoro. The Regional Director of Social Development mentioned that structures such as ASACOs, Joint Health Management Committees (Comités paritaires), FELASCOM, and Community Health Management Boards have a hard time understanding their roles and responsibilities and understanding the management of local health systems. He discussed the need for follow-up and supervision in the assessment of the achievements and performance of ASACOs following previous capacity building sessions and recommended holding regular CROCSADs to provide a forum where innovative ideas can be discussed for the improvement of the management of health systems in Mali.
In Sikasso, the embedded TA provided technical assistance to the Miankala-Kalo inter-communal action planning exercise. The purpose of this assistance was to identify the priority activities of the Communes’ action plan in line with the strategic plan of ADR Sikasso. Decentralization law encourages inter-communal action planning to initiate, plan, and implement development programs of common interest for different communes. Among their priority activities, participants to the Miankala-Kalo Inter-communal meeting decided to sign an assistance agreement with ADR-Sikasso in two areas namely: 1) holding of public hearings at the level of CTs; 2) the management of local weekly markets to increase their domestic resources. Going forward, SNGP, through embedded TA and Field Agents, will provide similar assistance to the Miankala-Kalo communes, other inter- communal groups and CTs.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO REGIONAL PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS In Koulikoro, at the invitation of the President of the Regional Council of Koulikoro, the embedded TA contributed to the debates of the Regional Forum on Constitutional Reform on March 5, 2019. This meeting aimed to collect local citizens’ perspectives in prelude to the preparation of the national forum on constitutional reform. During this event, participants discussed several topics including strengthening the balance between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, the prerogatives of the President of the Republic, and strengthening decentralization.2
In Ségou, SNGP supported a meeting of the Regional Orientation, Coordination and Evaluation Committee of the Health Sector Development Program3 (CROCEP) which took place from 28 February to 1 March. The meetings gathered 130 participants (including 18 women) among whom were the heads of the Planning and Statistics Units for Health, Social Development and Advancement of Women; the representative of PRODESS partners; administrative and political authorities; heads of regional and sub-regional technical services; representatives of the civil society; projects and programs operating in the health and social development sectors.
The 2019 edition of the CROCEP recommended – among other things- the training of stakeholders in program-based budgeting. Considering this to be a potential assistance possibility for Mali-SNGP in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene and the Directorate General of Budget, the SNGP’s embedded TA shared with the participants the training activities conducted by Mali- SNGP on public finances management. Going forward, with SNGP’s Health Study (planned to be completed around July 2019), it is anticipated that more targeted Health Sector support will be planned and implemented.
2 The main purpose of these events is for the GOM to determine if people at the regional level will buy-in to the idea of revising the constitution. As a general outcome of these meetings, however, it is evident that people were not very supportive of the Constitutional change at this time. 3 The CROCEP is the supreme coordinating and planning body for health and social development activities at the regional level.
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 8 In response to instructions from the Ministry in charge of Territorial Collectivities requesting ADRs to present their budgets in compliance with program-based budgeting practices, the TA provided technical support to the ADR Ségou to start addressing this. From March 12-15, SNGP provided support on the development of ADR Ségou’s Annual Performance Plan (PAP 2019) which was completed and submitted to the Ministry in charge of CTs.
From 4-5 March in Tombouctou, Mali SNGP’s embedded TA participated in the meeting of the Regional Committee of Orientation, Coordination and evaluation of PRODESS (CROCEP) under the chairmanship of the governor of the Region. Communications and discussions focused on low mobilization of local financial resources, access to quality health care, difficulties in the medical evacuation and referral system due to hijacks of ambulances, low resource mobilization by CTs, the causes of the instability of socio-sanitary staff, the average costs of medical prescriptions issued by the Hospital compared to the Regional-level health center (CSRéf), the need to create CCDSES (Community Centers for Social Development and Solidarity Economy) in the communes, and the weak mobilization of resources for the solidarity fund, and the role of CTs in the operationalization of the RAMED (Regime d’Assistance Medicale or Medical Assistance Plan). The nature of SNGP’s future support is a work-in-progress. Results will be covered in future reports.
1.3 Y4 WORK PLAN ACTIVITIES & RESULTS
COMPONENT ONE During the reporting period, Mali SNGP provided training to local actors, both governmental and non-governmental in Public Financial Management (PFM). Since the adoption of the results-based budgeting—Budget Programmes— by the GOM, Mali SNGP, has contributed to help local collectivities understand and implement their annual budgets based on Union Economique et Monétaire Ouest Africaine (UEMOA) directives. The project provided training of trainers in communal management and supported local initiatives in developing communal management tools.4 The new tools will help communal officers to better manage their communes and increase transparency and participation of citizens in communal affairs, therefore building trust between them and their constituencies. It is important to note that with the current planning system at the level of the central State, ADRs fall within the scope of Prog 2. 064 (Regional and Local Development and Assistance to Territorial Collectivities) with two objectives: strengthen the capacity of CTs in implementing regional and local development; improve resource mobilization for regional and local development. The above-mentioned instructions from the supervising ministry (Ministry in charge of CTs) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance at the attention of ADRs show the willingness of GOM to effectively apply the program-based budgeting based on the UEMUO standard and ensure CTs’ performance monitoring. The following progress was made toward achieving implementation of year 4 work plan activities:
Activity 4: Study on Availability of Resources in Education and Health
The implementation of this activity is in progress. Mali SNGP completed the recruitment of two national consultants, a specialist in Health and a specialist in Education and an international consultant, to conduct the study on available resources in Health and Education. An RFA relating the international consultant will be submitted to USAID in April 2019 with initial data collection anticipated to start in May.
4 These are the financial data collection and analysis tools developed by SNGP and part of recent PFM training conducted by SNGP’s PFM consultants.
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 9 Participants discussing the methodological note of the Health and Education Resource In collaboration with both the ministry of Education and Health and Public Hygiene, the project organized and held the scoping meeting on January 16, 2019. The participants to the meeting included representatives of the USAID Governance, Health, and Education Offices; the Directorate General of Territorial Communities (DGCT); the Support Units for Decentralization and Deconcentration (CADD) of the Ministries of Economy and Finance, Health and Public Hygiene, and Education; the General Directorate of the Budget; the National Directorate of Treasury and Public Accounting; the National Agency for Investment of Territorial Collectivities (ANICT); and the technical staff of Mali SNGP. The purpose of the meeting was to share with the technical committee the methodological notes developed by the two national consultants and take recommendations to ensure that all stakeholders’ concerns and expectations are covered by the study.
The goal of the study is to map and analyze fund flows and funds intended for the development of the two sectors (Education and Health). The study will orient Mali SNGP in identifying and/or initiating approaches to support local collectivities’ resource mobilization capacities in these sectors. A brief note was developed by SNGP Consultants to serve as a tool to acknowledge the existence of financial resources and describe the methods of mobilization for each type of resource and the actors involved. Comments on the terms of reference will be incorporated by Mali SNGP before sharing them with all participants. The consultants will revise the methodological notes by integrating all the information related to the sampling method and size.
Activity 5: Technical Assistance to the Staff of CADD within the MOE, MOH MEF and ADRs to improve their budgeting processes.
Assistance provided to the target institutions are not only limited to budgeting processes but also include resource management, sectoral activity planning, implementing, and monitoring. Regarding support to the ADRs, technical assistance under this activity is described in section 1.2 above on regional technical support. Mali SNGP direct assistance to CADDs for Education and Health, respectively, are set out below.
CADD EDUCATION Provided technical assistance for the holding of a consultative board for Nonsombougou Pedagogical Animation Center (CAP): During this quarter, the TA supported the staff of the CADD Education to organize the consultative board of the Nonsombougou Pedagogical Animation Center (CAP) in coordination with Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The objective of this consultative board was to improve the decentralized management of schools by making the School Management Committees (CGS) functional. Under the leadership of CADD Education, the consultation board brought together more than 60 participants who discussed the educational strengths and weaknesses of Nonsombougou Pedagogical Animation Center (CAP) and proposed possible solutions to improve the learning of children.
Provided technical assistance to CADD Education for a study on transferred resources for routine maintenance of school buildings in Sikasso: On 4 February, the TA provided technical support to the CADD Education for the assessment of the effective use of transferred resources for routine maintenance of school buildings. The TA played a key role in this study, starting from the design of the terms of reference (ToRs) to the sharing of the findings during a workshop organized by the CADD and in coordination with UNICEF.
The workshop recorded the participation of more than 150 representatives from the Technical Services of the Ministry of Education (National Directorate of Basic Education, National Center of School Canteens, Planning and Statistics Unit), the General Directorate of Territorial Collectivities (DGCT), the Training Center of Territorial Collectivities (CFCT), the representative associations of the Territorial Collectivities (AMM, ACCM and ACRM), the Mayors and Education Officers of 15 collectivities, the Decentralized School Administration (Academies, Pedagogical Animation Centers), and Technical and Financial Partners (CONFED, SNGP, Solidarité Plurielle, and UNICEF).
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 10
Key recommendations from the workshop included developing a maintenance guide for school buildings, identifying the needs for repairs and maintenance through Action Plans and School Projects, and improving communication and information flow among actors (School Management Committees, Territorial Collectivities, Pedagogical Animation Centers, Education Academies, CADD Education). Periodic monitoring missions were also recommended along with advocacy to increase the amounts allocated to the maintenance of school buildings (by the State and donors).
The TA will continue to work closely with the CADD staff to provide technical assistance to develop a user-friendly school buildings maintenance guide. As planned, the project will also support periodic field visits to monitor the effectiveness of the transfer process and transparent use of the funds.
Provided technical assistance for the training of stakeholders on PMAQ (Minimum Package Focused on Quality): PMAQ is a new mathematics teaching methodology. The embedded TA co-facilitated a two-day preparatory workshop in coordination with JICA. The objective of this preparatory workshop was to contribute to the improvement of children’s learning of mathematics through community participation. The workshop brought together educational specialists from CADD Education, the Pedagogy Animation Center (CAP) of Nonsombougou, and two JICA staff based in Dakar, Senegal.
The preparatory workshop was followed by a TOT aimed at strengthening the capacities of School Management Committees (CGS) in planning.; reviewing the operating procedures of CGS; and Train education actors on the implementation of PMAQ activities. Participants also shared their experiences of teaching/learning of mathematics in Mali. Mali SNGP expects that this type of capacity building targeting education advisors will trigger communities’ engagement in monitoring children’s learning in mathematics, demonstrating a local and integrated approach to improving mathematics through community participation.
Developed an assistance plan with ADR Koulikoro in supporting the CTs of Koulikoro in the education sector: The embedded TAs in CADD Education and ADR Koulikoro had a working session to explore opportunities to provide educational support to target the following actors: Deconcentrated educational stakeholders and institutions at the regional level; namely, Education Academy (AE); Pedagogic Animation Center (CAP); Coordinating Director; School Management; Teachers' Union; and Decentralized educational stakeholders at the regional level: Territorial Collectivities (CTs); Education Commissions (EC); School Management Committees (CGS); Association of Students’ Mothers (AME).
Mali SNGP aims to contribute to improve access and quality of education in the region of Koulikoro by providing training to CTs/Education Commissions on various topics including responsibilities transferred to CTs and good practices in Education Management, multi-stakeholder management and roles of each actor in a decentralized mode, social mobilization strategies, financial resource mobilization strategies, planning and development of PDECOM (Educational Development and action Plans for the Commune ), and accountability.
Provided assistance to CADD Education for the development of data collection/analysis tools on the resources transferred from the State to the CTs: As part of the preparation of the follow-up mission of the resources transferred from the State to the Territorial Collectivities (related to the Direct Support Funds for the Improvement of School Performance (ADARS) and the Supply of School Canteens), the SNGP TA was tasked by the CADD Education to develop tools for data collection and analysis, similar to the tools he developed as part of UNICEF's mission on transferred resources for the routine maintenance of school buildings. This will be further discussed in the context of the Activity 4 Assessment anticipated for May/June 2019.
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 11 Supported CADD Education in facilitating a TOT for education advisors on the Minimum Package Focused on Quality in other Cercles of the region of Koulikoro: The TA for CADD Education and TA for ADR Koulikoro joined forces with the ADR Koulikoro to provide technical assistance to the Education Commissions of Koulikoro’s CTs. This assistance trained members of the Education Committees of the Regional, Cercle, and Communal Councils in creating Educational Development Programs (EDP) in accordance with the guide that was revised in Kangaba to facilitate the implementation and monitoring of their educational activities.
The training focused on discovering the complementarity of roles in the EDP development process; understanding the constituent elements and the stages of elaboration of an EDP; mastering the development of the EDP ensuring full coherence between objectives, strategic planning, and annual budget; mastering the relationship between policy objectives and core resources in the development of an EDP; prioritizing needs according to their degree of priority and alignment with resource prospects; and defining a performance measurement strategy to track progress.
CADD HEALTH
Provided technical and financial assistance to CADD Health for the meeting of the thematic group on decentralization and deconcentration: On February 20, 2019 the CADD Health organized a meeting of the decentralization and deconcentration thematic group of the PRODESS (Health Sector Development Program)’s steering committee under the chairmanship of the Head of CADD Health. The meeting was organized with the technical and financial support of Mali SNGP with an objective to share the 2018 Activity Report of CADD Health and the 2019 Operational Plan and discuss the provisional report of the study on the allocation criteria of the resources transferred to CTs in the health sector.
Review of decree 02-314 of 04/06/2007: Mali SNGP is working closely with the CADD Health to provide technical and financial assistance for the review of decree 02-314 of 04/06/2007. This Decree sets out the details of the responsibilities transferred from the State to CTs in the health sector at the commune and cercle levels. The revision of this decree will allow the regional level to be identified in setting out the details of responsibilities transferred. The revised Decree will be accompanied by an implementing decree and a financial evaluation.
Activity 6: Technical Assistance to the MEF, MOE, MOH to Identify and evaluate the Effectiveness of Human and Financial Transfer to the Regional Level
Provided technical assistance to CADD-MEF for the improvement of the predictability of budgetary resources of CTs: SNGP’s embedded TA participated in the meeting of the Thematic Committee on “Governance and Financial Deconcentration/Decentralization.” During this meeting, the participants informed the Minister of the difficulties of financial deconcentration and decentralization, including late notification of availability resources by deconcentrated financial services, the absence of the budget office at the local level, direct management of funds by CTs and/or the withholding of information by the CTs to the detriment of the Management Committees of basic social services (CGS and Community Health Association (ASACO)), and the weak capacity of community management organizations (CGS and ASACO) in justifying the funds made available with accounting documents.
These difficulties undermine GOM's effort in achieving social development indicators for Mali in general, and for CTs in particular. In order to provide solutions to the above-mentioned concerns, the thematic group on “Governance and Financial Deconcentration/Decentralization” made the following recommendations: compulsory signing of assistance agreements between CTs and the heads of Management
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 12 Committees (ASACO, CGS); training of health actors on their roles and responsibilities within the context of the implementation of assistance agreements; holding prefects5 accountable to ensure compliance with the agreements signed between CTs and the chairmen of Management Committees (ASACO, CGS) by integrating that requirement into their annual control missions of CTs.
The implementation of these recommendations will require the adoption of an Inter-ministerial Order or Instruction under the signature of the Ministers in charge of Economy and Finance, Education, Health, and Decentralization. The Prefects will also need to be provided with the means to follow up on these assistance agreements signed between CTs and Management Committees (ASACO, CGS).
In 2017, Mali SNGP assisted in the development of a practical Guide for developing the budgets of CTs. Its aim was to more clearly define the roles and responsibilities of actors and to establish a Coordination Board between the relevant Ministries for a more timely transmission of information to the CTs on the conditional and unconditional financial allocations. The production of this Guide has proved invaluable in SNGP’s support to this Activity.
Activity 7: Train Key Regional Actors in Results-Based Budget Planning/Implementation
Mali SNGP organized a training workshop on Program-Based budgeting in Mopti- Sévaré: In response to a need expressed by the ADR Mopti, Mali SNGP organized a workshop in public financial management from February 19-21, 2019 in Mopti-Sévaré. The workshop focused on Program-Based Budgeting, the financial procedures of Territorial Collectivities, and the new missions of the Financial Controller’s Office of CTs.
Chaired by the representative of the Governor of Mopti region in the presence of the Mayor of the urban commune of Mopti, Participants discussing in a working group during the training on Public Finance Management in Mopti. Photo Mali SNGP/Dramane the COP of Mali SNGP, and the Deputy DARAVE Director of the ADR of Mopti, the training brought together a total of 121 participants among them 15 women. Representatives attended from Decentralized Financial Services of the State, the Regional Council, the Cercles Councils, the Communes of Mopti (two Communes per Cercle), and Civil Society organizations (including FERASCOM, CGS, The Governor representative in his GSB, WILDAF, Women and Youth Associations). opening speech stated that “this training is The training was delivered by two public finance welcome in the region as following the last management consultants from the Training Center of communal elections about 75% of the Territorial Collectivities - Centre de Formation des communal leaders are newly elected - their Collectivités Territoriales - (CFCT), and provided an first mandate - therefore needed training in opportunity for senior officers from the National Budget many areas including program-based Office, Financial Control Office, Public Treasury Office, budgeting to understand their communal and the Association of Municipalities of Mali to share management roles and responsibilities.” their knowledge and experience in public finance management particularly in the development process of
5 “Prefets” are state representatives who are involved in approving CTs’ documents.
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 13
the CTs’ budget and participatory budgeting. The Governor’s representative invited participants to seize this training as an opportunity to identify and discuss the difficulties encountered by local authorities in the implementation of decentralization, including issues and challenges related to the recovery of tax revenues and resource mobilization.
Participants reported that this training session improved their knowledge and understanding of concepts related to program-based budgeting, participatory budgeting, the financial procedures of CTs, and the new missions of the Office of Financial Control– bureau du contrôle financier. Mali SNGP expects that the training will result in participants gaining new skills and refresh their knowledge on budgeting. The training will also help to ensure that their annual budgets are not rejected by their “Tutelles” supervisory institutions, as is the case for many CTs in the region.
Activity 10: Test and support the establishment of an accounts tracking system for regional councils
Organized an information sharing workshop for local authorities on the use of a new communal management software GM2i in Sikasso: On March 6, 2019, in support to ADR Sikasso, Mali SNGP organized an information sharing workshop to present to local authorities of the region a communal management software called GM2i - Interface Intégrée de Gestion Communale.
The workshop aimed to explain to representatives of elected officials from Sikasso the importance of the GM2i software tool in monitoring the administrative and financial management of CTs, the civil register, the taxation roles, and the management of health, education, and village water systems. The use of this tool will allow local authorities to carry out the implementation of transferred responsibilities in the context of good governance while respecting the criteria of transparency and accountability.
This workshop brought together representatives of 50 CTs from the region including 47 municipalities of the cercle of Sikasso, the urban communes and cercle councils of Bougouni and Koutiala, and the decentralized technical services of the Ministries of Economy and Finance, Hydraulics, Water and Forestry, Health, Education, Social Development, Energy, and Water.
A total of 65 participants responded to the invitation including 4 women and 61 men. A USAID mission composed of representatives from the Accelerated Economic and the Food for Peace Teams and USAID Washington attended the presentation. Overall, elected officials expressed their interest in adopting the tool to improve the daily management of their local collectivities. Except for a few CTs most of communal leaders confirmed that they have computers available and are ready to use GM2i as part of a pilot project.
Trained 10 territorial collectivities of the region of Sikasso on the communal management tool GM2i: On March 20, 2019, Mali SNPG launched the training workshop (TOT) on the use of GM2i, an integrated communal management tool for pilot purposes.
Ten (10) territorial collectivities were selected following an evaluation process based on criteria such as the number of villages in the CT, the availability of a computer and power supply, tax revenues collection, and the existence of internal governance mechanism (board meetings, public hearings, etc.). Among these 10 CTs, 62 participants including 7 women participated in the workshop launched under the chairmanship of the Governor of the region of Sikasso in the presence of Mali SNGP COP, the Vice President of the Regional Participants at the GM2i TOT to capture, analyze and print accounting and financial statements. Photo Mali Council of Sikasso, the Deputy Mayor of the urban SNGP/Dramane Darave
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 14 commune of Sikasso, and the Director General of ADR Sikasso.
Based on a practical and participatory approach led by international consultant, Bernard Seigle- Ferrand, this training provided the opportunity to secretaries general and payment administrators of CTs to learn how to use the communal management tool GM2i and acquire skills relating to accounting data entry procedures, data computation, data analysis, and the generation of reliable and transparent financial statements. In partnership with ADR Sikasso, Mali SNGP will support follow-up missions to ensure an efficient and effective use of the tool in the 10 pilot communes.
Mali SNGP’s embedded TAs have been equipped to provide technical assistance to other CTs in their respective regions on the use of GM2i tool.
GM2i, designed by the NGO Association de Recherche, Communication, Animation pour un Développement lié à l’Environnement (ARCADE), offers automatic features for the management of birth registration and analysis of accounting and financial data (budget, revenues, expenditures) for territorial collectivities. The tool is user-friendly and easily accessible as it has been developed in response to the needs of CTs with a commonly used spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel). It does have some limitations relating to the volume of data to be processed (number of villages is limited to 20, the number of families is limited to 200) and software system requirements (the tool works only on Windows 2007 and Microsoft Office 2007). As such, SNGP is working to extend the features of GM2i tool in order to make it more robust, flexible, and scalable. The use of this tool will ultimately result in a strengthened culture of accountability in public financial management.
COMPONENT TWO During this reporting period under component two, Mali SNGP assisted the ADRs in efforts to increase citizens’ access to information and supported the development of their Monitoring and Evaluation plans and the creation of websites. To promote communication among regional actors, project embedded TAs participated in the holding of CROCSAD and CROCEP meetings in some regions and made presentations on specific development themes as requested by the ADR and/or regional council. Advocacy campaigns were also organized and launched on issues related to the CT’s resource mobilization abilities, the impacts on regional development, and related abilities of elected officials to provide basic social services. Details on progress made are set out below. Activity 17: Regional Planning for Sustainable Website Development and Management
Facilitated the development of Monitoring and Evaluation Plans for the ADRs of Koulikoro and Bamako: In Fana on January 22-24, 2019, Mali SNGP organized a capacity building workshop on developing a Monitoring and Evaluation plan targeting the ADRs of Koulikoro and Bamako. Facilitated by Mali SNGP’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and Institutional Knowledge Management Specialist (IKMS), the workshop aimed at providing technical assistance to both ADRs in developing their Monitoring and Evaluation plans.
In 2018, Mali SNGP supported the ADRs of Ségou, Gao and Kayes in developing their Monitoring and Evaluation plans. However, these first M&E plans were based on the first draft of the DGCT’s Technical Note evaluating the performance of ADRs. In November 2018, another version of the Technical Note was produced and highlighted the performance indicators of the ADRs. This second note was used to develop the M&E plans for the ADRs of Koulikoro and Bamako. Seven (7) participants including 1 woman attended the workshop where they developed a logical framework, a multi-year performance framework, a database, and data collection tools for both ADRs. The development of M&E plans will help the ADRs to improve performance by setting targets and monitoring their efforts at achieving results,
Provided IT training session to ADR Koulikoro: From January 29 to February 1, 2019, Mali SNGP held a training workshop aimed at building the capacity of the staff of ADR Koulikoro on
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 15 database creation and website management. This training gathered 4 participants including 1 woman. During the training, the website for the ADR Koulikoro was launched (www.adrkoulikoro.org). The participants were trained on how to create and manage a database using Microsoft Access for Information and Knowledge Management purposes. They learned how to upload text, images, and video content to the website. The website will help the ADR Koulikoro communicate better with citizens and other stakeholders on its role, mission, responsibilities, achievements, and related reporting.
Activity 20: Support to CROCSADs, CROCEPS and Regional Development Consultative board (RDCB)
Provided technical assistance the ADR Bamako to organize a workshop on the transfer of resources to territorial collectivities in the education and health sectors: On February 12-13, 2019 Mali SNGP’s embedded TAs at the ADR Bamako and CADD Education co-facilitated a workshop to launch the consultative board on the transfer of resources to CTs in the health and education sectors in the District of Bamako. The TAs actively contributed to the consultative board through discussions and helped to answer questions raised by participants.
The workshop provided an opportunity to inform the consultative board on the health and education themes and analyze the transfer of resources, achievements, practical difficulties, and prospects in the health and education sectors.
The discussions highlighted the enormous In his speech, the Director of ADR Bamako difficulties the communes of Bamako, in stated that “today, community-level entities are contrast to the regions of the interior, well involved in the provision of basic social experience in the collaboration between services to the populations. It is clear that these actors involved in the decentralized community-level entities need support to improve management of education, notably School Management Committees, the School their performance. Hence the holding of this Administration etc. consultative board.”
Under the chairmanship of the representative of the governor of the Bamako District, the workshop brought together the Regional Health Directorate, Education Academies of the District of Bamako, CADD Education, ADR Bamako, representatives of the communes of Bamako, Civil Society Organizations, and the heads of Health and Education Departments of the Bamako District. About a total of 60 participants including 10 women were in attendance.
The Governor's representative welcomed the establishment of the consultative board, stating that “it will allow all stakeholders to sit around a table to discuss difficulties and achievements in the transfer of responsibilities”. He added that “the consultative board between actors to discuss issues related to responsibilities transferred to territorial collectivities will help to improve the performance indicators of health and education in the district of Bamako.”. He invited the participants “to hold The representative of the Governor of Bamako District (in frank and sincere discussions, which will undoubtedly the middle) chairing the launching the consultative board workshop on education and health in the Bamako District. lead to the improvement of the transfer of resources Photo Mali SNGP/Mamadou Somboro in the health and education sectors”.
Participated in the Regional Consulting Meeting between the RC of Sikasso and development Partners: From February 20-22, 2019, the city of Sikasso hosted its 4th Regional
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 16 Consulting meeting inviting development partners, representatives from deconcentrated technical services, the Cercle Councils, and programs working in the region. The goal was to promote dialogue on effecti ve management of regional economic development challenges (DER). Mali SNGP was officially invited by the president of the Regional Council of Sikasso to present the program objectives and related activities that contribute to the overall development of the region of Sikasso. Recommendations from the meeting include involving CTs in the design and implementation of projects/programs; creating synergy between the programs involved in the same geographical areas and on the same themes; planning activities to address food security to reduce the malnutrition rate in the region, affirm Mali SNGP’s regional development approach and new vision. Sikasso is a newly identified Mali SNGP demonstration region for SNGP activities and there is potential to partner with UNICEF particularly in the health sector. Child malnutrition is a major concern in the region and Mali SNGP can advocate for actions to be taken to address this issue in the development of the PDSEC.
Participated in the CROCEP 2019 of Ségou: The CROCEP is the supreme coordinating and planning body for health and social development activities at the regional level. The meeting was held in Segou from February 28 to-March 1, 2019 at the Governor’s office. The meeting included the Regional Committee for Orientation, Coordination and Evaluation (CROCEP) of the Health and Social Development Program (PRODESS) and was chaired by the Chief of Staff of the Governor of Ségou. It included 130 participants (including 18 women) from the Planning and Statistics Units for Health, Social Development and Advancement of Women; the PRODESS partners; administrative and political authorities; heads of regional and sub- regional technical services; representatives of the civil society; and projects and programs operating in the health and social development sectors and several guests. Launching of Ségou CROPCEP February 29-March 1, 2019. Photo Mali SNGP/Mariam Traoré The resources for the implementation for activities related to health, social development, and the advancement of women, are below: 8.202 billion CFA distributed at a rate of 5.525 billion CFA for the health sector, 631.348 million CFA for social development, 127.810 million CFA for the advancement of women, and 1.917 billion CFA for Nianankoro Fomba hospital. These resources come primarily from the State, CTs, communities, tax recoveries, and funding from partners. The chief of staff of the governor of Ségou addressed the challenges in the quality of care in health facilities, the mobilization of financial resources, the low rate of membership in the mutual health insurance, the low rate of RAMED (Regime d’assistance medicale or Medical Assistance Plan), and the low functionality of the solidarity funds in the context of medical evacuation/referral system related to the low financial contribution by CTs. He congratulated and encouraged the health and social development teams for the achieved results despite the many challenges. At the end of the meeting, participants noted that the region of Segou has realistic operational plans that focus on the real concerns of the population. The 2019 edition of the CROCEP recommended the training of stakeholders in program-based budgeting. This is an area of potential assistance for Mali SNGP in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene and the Directorate General of Budget. Participated in the CROCEP of Koulikoro: The 2019 edition of the CROCEP (Regional Orientation, Coordination and Evaluation Committee of the Health Sector Development
160 participantsMALI SNGP including QUARTERLY 40 women attended REPORT: the 2019 JANUARY edition –MARCH 2019 17 of CROCEP, the regional orientation, coordination and evaluation committee for the health sector development program. Photo Mali SNGP/Diory Diarra Program) was held in Koulikoro from February 28–March 1. The embedded TA participated in the event to identify the needs of actors in the heath sector in terms of assistance and to share and promote the implementation of the recommendations of Mali SNGP-supported field audits in the health sector. The event gathered 160 participants including 40 women.
Supported the CLOCSAD of the cercle of Koulikoro: In the context of designing the Regional Development Strategic Plan (PSDR) of the Koulikoro region, CLOCSAD of the cercle of Koulikoro meeting was held on 5 February 2019 to provide for more inclusive participation and take into account the new concerns and priorities of the collectivities in the Strategic Plan. The activity was organized and facilitated by SNGP’s TA. It brought together about 50 participants, including five women.
Activity 22: Advocacy to Increase Citizens’ Understanding of Themes Related to PFM, Gender Responsive Budgeting and Leadership, Resource Mobilization, and Audits
Organized an advocacy workshop on resource mobilization in Sikasso: From March 5-7, an advocacy workshop was held regarding the data collection, analysis, and methods of public awareness-raising, conducted by the Regional Advocacy Committee centering around the resource transfers from the State to the CTs (Region, Cercles and Communes) in the Health, Education and Water sectors in the 2016-2017 and 2018 fiscal years. Gathering CTs and deconcentrated technical services (Regional Budget, Tax, Treasury, Financial Control, Health, Education Offices, FELASCOM, School Management Committees), this workshop aimed to develop a rationale for resource mobilization. This workshop was attended by 32 participants including 3 women.
As we know, Sikasso, like many other regions in Mali, is experiencing enormous difficulties in mobilizing domestic resources, particularly the TDRL - Taxes de Development Local et Régional - and the property tax. This situation was confirmed again during the workshop on resource mobilization by the financial services of the Sikasso region. Thus, the representative of the tax services (Direction Régionale des Impots) pointed out that some owners of rented houses refuse to declare their properties. They pass tenants off as homeowners, which is a ruse to avoid paying taxes. The Tax Office representative recommends: the establishment of a modern and digitalized framework for tax collection; a reform of the TDRL by allowing it to be a Residence Tax per household; creation of a tax census service at the level of each commune; establishment of local tax services at each regional level; taxing bare lands.
COMPONENT THREE: Activity 23: Training in Performance and Compliance Audits
Organized a training on performance audits: On January 15, 2019 in Bamako, Mali SNGP launched the 2-week TOT in performance audits organized for the controllers and inspectors of CGSP, the ministerial inspections, and the Section des Comptes of the Supreme Court. The opening ceremony was chaired by Mali SNGP’s COP and the Coordinator of CGSP in the presence of USAID representatives.
The training gathered 17 participants including 5 women with the intention to equip the controllers and inspectors with the methodology, tools, and techniques required to conduct performance audit missions in accordance with INTOSAI international standards. The trainees will Participants at TOT on performance audit. January 2019. provide the government with the institutional capacity to Photo Mali SNGP/Dramane DARAVE ensure continued trainings in performance audit within
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 18 the country’s public audit institutions with the objective to improve the public finance management practices by technical services of the State and local authorities. The training was provided by two international performance audit specialists in with the assistance of the Technical Director of Mali SNGP Component 3.
Held a public hearing on the added value of audit in good governance: On March 28, 2019, Mali SNGP and the Coordination Board (CGSP-BVG-SCCS) held a public hearing on the added value of the audit process in good governance. This event gathered participants from Civil Society Organizations, the media, members of the Coordination Board (CGSP-BVG-SCCS), the Central Office for Repression of Illicit Enrichment (OCLEI), Mali SNGP staff, USAID, and the Malian Chapter of Transparency International. Facilitators from OCLEI and the Coordination Board discussed with participants the missions of their Participants at the Public Hearing on added value of Audit and Good Governance. From the far-left Ms. Hannah Akinbiyi (US Embassy institutions and challenges related to Economic Officer) and third in Row Mr. Craig Pearman (FTIF). auditing, governance, transparency, and Photo: Mali SNGP/Dramane DARAVE accountability in Mali. Also, in attendance were Mr. Craig Pearman, representative of the Washington-based Fiscal Transparency Initiative Fund (FTIF) and Mrs. Hannah Akinbiyi, the Economic Officer of the State Department (US Embassy Mali).
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 19 Activity 24: Assistance to the Coordination Board (BVG, CGSP, and SCCS)
Hosted the fourth quarterly meeting of the Coordination Board of audit institutions (CGSP-BVG-SCCS): On March 13, 2019, Mali SNGP hosted the fourth quarterly meeting of the Coordination Board gathering the Office of the Auditor General (BVG), the General Control of Public Services (CGSP) and the Accounts Section of the Supreme Court (SCCS).
This meeting aimed to share information related to the field audit missions conducted following the TOT in performance audit and to discuss the planning of the public hearing on audits scheduled for March 28, 2019.
During the meeting, the Component III Team Leader shared with participants the highlights of the performance audit field missions that were conducted from February 11, 2019 to March 11, 2019 on the following themes: 1. Schooling of girls in 5 communes of Ségou and Bamako 2. Caesarean section in 10 first-level health centers (Centre de Sante Communautaire (CSCOM) of Fana, Djankinébougou, Participants attending the 4th Coordination and Koulouba Point G Board of Audit Institutions. Photo Mali 3. Social safety nets for poverty alleviation: Jigiseme Jiri in SNGP/Mahamadou L. Bagayoko Baroueli and commune 3 of Bamako
The Accounts Section of the Supreme Court (SCCS) seeks the support of Mali SNGP in training their personnel on the: 1. Implementation Procedures of the Chamber for Financial and Budgetary Discipline. This request is motivated by the non-functionality of the Chamber for Financial and Budgetary Discipline whose role is to judge management errors of authorizing officers. 2. Evaluation of annual performance reports using program-based budgeting approach. This request is justified by the fact that SCCS needs to evaluate the annual reports of public institutions using program-based budgeting approach.
Before closing the meeting, members of the Coordination Board recommended the organization of an information day on management misconduct, establishment of rotating meetings to ensure sustainability of the Coordination Board after the closure of Mali SNGP, and distribution of the chronogram of audit missions to be conducted by audit institutions.
Activity 25: Communication about Audit/Audit Findings
Mali SNGP supports CGSP in developing a tracking system for audit recommendations: To follow up on audit recommendations and ensure greater transparency, Mali SNGP has started discussions with CGSP for the development of a tracking system for audit recommendations. These discussions aimed to pave the way for establishing a suitable database to monitor all audit recommendations and their implementation status.
Following the visit of Tim Shifflettt (IT specialist from MSI) in January 2019, recommendations for CGSP’s network needs were illustrated including, the number of offices that need Local Area Network (LAN) access, the number of ports to be replaced, and the approximate length of cabling needed. CGSP requested a proforma invoice for its connection to the intranet of AGETIC to host its database for the tracking of audit recommendations. However, from the focal point at the CGSP, the proforma invoice from AGETIC is requesting an amount of 100,000,000 CFA for the connection.
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 20 This amount was determined to be too high for CGSP. They have not yet identified a new provider. Mali SNGP will continue to monitor the progress made on CGSP’s internal network.
Activity 26: Pilot Audit Missions to Implement Lessons Learned
Supported Field audit missions: From 11 February to 11 March 2019, CGSP and the ministerial inspections, with the support of Mali SNGP conducted field audit missions covering the following topics:
- Performance Audit of the Social Safety Net Program Jigi Sémé Yiri / Poverty Alleviation in commune 3 of Bamako and in Bouadjié (cercle of Baraoueli) - Performance audit on free C- section (three ASACOs and the Community Health Center of Commune V) in Diankinèbougou, Koulouba Point G and in Fana - Performance audit on girls’ schooling in 3 communes of Bamako and Segou.
Component 3’s Team Lead was in the field from February 21 to 26, 2019 to oversee the mission teams. These field missions follow the performance audit and compliance trainings held earlier in the project by Mali SNGP.
On March 28, 2019, Mali SNGP and the audit team presented the findings and the recommendations of the audit missions to CGSP to Greg Pearman from the US State Department Fiscal Transparency Fund. After each individual presentation, Mr. Pearman asked for clarifications and provided positive feedback about how CGSP is performing its performance audit missions.
GENDER RELATED ACTIVITIES:
Activity 27: The Integration of Lessons Learned from the WILDAF Gender Responsive Budgeting Training Sessions
From March 25-29, 2019, Mali SNGP in partnership with WILDAF, organized a capacity-building workshop targeting WILDAF focal points on the administration of data collection tools aimed at assessing the level of understanding and application of concepts related to gender-responsive budgeting and women’s leadership following previous trainings in 8 regions on the mentioned topics.
A total of 15 participants (including one man) from Koulikoro, Kayes, Sikasso, Ségou, Mopti and Bamako District attended the workshop, where they took part in a refresher course on key concepts related to gender-responsive budgeting and women’s leadership. The objective of the workshop was to build their capacity to administer the aforementioned data collection tools. At the same time, the workshop was an opportunity for participants to share their understanding and experience on gender-responsive budgeting and women’s leadership in their respective organizations. Participants reported on weaknesses of the WILDAF Focal persons attending the capacity-building previous trainings and provided workshop on the Integration of Lessons Learned from the recommendations for the improvement of Gender-Responsive Budgeting Training Sessions. Photo Mali future trainings. SNGP
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 21 Participants expressed their satisfaction with this capacity-building session which they said equipped them to better management of the data collection tools for the follow-up of gender-responsive and women leadership trainings in the field.
Activity 28: Provide Capacity-Building of Newly Elected (Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities) on Administration and Financial Systems of Collectivities. During this quarter, Mali SNGP organized training activities (see Component One and Gender) on technical themes such as public financial management, the use of the GM2i communal management tool, and women’s leadership respectively in Mopti, Sikasso, and Bamako. These trainings strengthened the capacity of fifty elected women and the personnel of Territorial Collectivities to better fulfill their roles and responsibilities in the administration and financial management of collectivities as well as in the conduct of local development actions.
Activity 29. Year 4 Gender Analysis The Banyan Global Senior Gender Associate drafted and shared the scope of work for the Year 4 gender analysis. This activity will be conducted by an international consultant in coordination with the gender technical team (Mali SNGP and WILDAF) based in the field. The process of recruitment has started before the activity is realized by June-August 2019.
Activity 30: Women’s Leadership Training The participation of women in general elections and their access to elective mandates are among the many challenges in the Malian democracy. Despite their numerical majority, they are not well represented in decision-making bodies. In Bamako from January 23-25, 2019, Mali SNGP, in partnership with WILDAF-Mali, conducted a capacity-building workshop for women and young, newly-elected women on leadership and associated concepts. This workshop aimed to improve the performance of local development actors in the exercise of participatory and inclusive governance. The targets of this training were women and young communal councilors and members of local government offices. Women leaders of NGOs and representatives of State technical services also attended this training with the aim to share their experiences as leaders and serve as resource persons. 48 participants, including 29 women attended this training.
Activity 31: Capacity Building of Selected School Management Committee, Education Commissions and Association of Students’ Mothers on their roles and responsibilities Mali SNGP teamed with EDC/SIRA to train Education Commissions on the Decentralized Management of schools. During this quarter, Mali SNGP has discussed with EDC/SIRA the funding arrangement and coordination of the training of education commissions and the Association of Students’ Mothers on their roles and responsibilities in the decentralized management of schools.
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 22 2.0 COORDINATION ACTIVITIES
As part of Mali SNGP strategies to maximize successful implementation of activities under the Option Period theMali SNGP Chief of Party travelled to Sikasso region to meet with local partners. On March 6, 2019 the COP had a meeting with the team of the Sikasso branch of the Jeune Chambre Internationale (JCI). The JCI is a robust youth-led international association with national and regional branches in Mali. The purpose of the meeting was to share with the JCI Mali SGNP’s approach and to explore partnership opportunities as well as involve JCI in Mali SNGP advocacy activities.
In Ségou, Mali SNGP worked with USAID-funded Peace Consolidation Project (PCP) and ADR Ségou to identify opportunities focusing on the following areas of collaboration: Development of PDSEC with special attention to conflict prevention; Establishment of Resource Centers in collectivities; Mapping of Youth organizations and capacity-building plans; and CTs’ leadership in conflict prevention-management.
Additionally, in view of strengthening collaboration with peace and justice stakeholders in Ségou, Mali SNGP participated in the “Café de la Justice” in Segou, an activity aimed at strengthening peacebuilding and countering violent extremism systems in Mali.
In Mopti, Mali SNGP has initiated synergy activities with USAID-funded projects and youth organizations including: ThinkPeace: Collaboration with the NGO ThinkPeace will facilitate the implementation of advocacy activities and other program activities at both the regional and commune levels. In addition, SNGP is exploring the possibility of securing office space in coordination with ThinkPeace for the future field agents will hire and deploy in the Mopti region. Harandé/Care: Mali SNGP and Harande supported the development of PDSECs in selected communes in Mopti region. This support was very successful from the point of view of beneficiaries. Mali SNGP and Harande will work on tracking future coordination opportunities, that can include joint public debates on local governance themes. EDC/SIRA: Mali SNGP had a working session with the leadership of USAID-funded project SIRA (Director, Deputy Director, Team Leader for Community Participation, Training Officer) that focused on capacity building of Educational Commissions and School Management Committees in a decentralized structure. Mali SNGP and SIRA will join efforts in organizing capacity-building sessions for members of education commissions at the commune levels, School Management Committees, and Associations of Students Mothers on their roles and responsibilities in the management of schools in a decentralized system.
Explored synergy opportunities with USAID-funded projects in the health sector: Mali SNGP and USAID-funded health projects met under the guidance of USAID on February 1, 2019 to identify avenues of synergies for better collaboration and impact on communities. The USAID-funded projects that participated in the meeting included: Mali SNGP, High Impact Health Service (SSGI), Human Resources for Health (HRH), Nutrition-Hygiene Project and Global Health Supply Chain Program.
During the meeting, Mali SNGP made two presentations: the first one on the program’s activities in the Health sector (studies, technical assistance) and the challenges/constraints to which the program is confronted, and the second on performance audits in the Health sector (free cesarean section and distribution of anti-malaria kits at Ségou and Sikasso hospitals, access to drinking-water, etc.),
These presentations sparked rich discussions that generated the following cooperation/coordination opportunities:
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 23 - Collaboration with the USAID-funded project Civic Engagement Project (CEP) for better implementation at cercle and commune levels of Mali SNGP’s activities related to transparency, accountability, health etc. - Train Mali SNGP future Field Agents (FA) on the self-diagnosis tool developed by SSGI for the promotion of good governance in the health provision chain (health service providers, civil society organizations, territorial collectivities): The FA will then be able to administer the tool in Mali SNGP target areas, in complementarity with SSGI in its focus regions; - Involve implementing partners in the planning and carrying out of fields audits in the Health sector; - Collaborate with implementing partners in the planning and execution of public debates organized by Mali SNGP on audit recommendations in order to contribute to their timely implementation by decision makers; - Create a technical group of USAIDs implementing partners working on Health issues to foster exchange and collaboration for greater impact. Participants also suggested that Mali SNGP should participate in pre-CROCEP (Regional Steering, Coordination and Evaluation Committee of the Health Development Plan) where recommendations of field audits in the health sector could be shared with the aim to promote their implementation.
Participated in USAID Education Team’s partners meeting: USAID funded partners in the Education sector held a coordination meeting in Bamako on February 28, 2019 to identify complementarity between implementing partners (IP), and forge more cooperation between the projects in the fields. 29 participants included USAID Education’s extended team and all implementing partners receiving basic education funds. Mali SNGP was represented at the meeting by two embedded TAs (TA CADD Education and TA CADD Health). One of the recommendations was that Mali SNGP and possibly NDI through a political advocacy, to assist the Education Committee of the National Parliament to speak to the Government on the issue of schools’ closure due to insecurity.
Attended USAID partners Gender Meeting: USAID implementing partners working on Gender issues met on March 22, 2019 with the aim to operationalize a functional network between USAID and its Gender implementing partners for a better integration of gender in their respective programs.
Mali SNGP Hosted Synergy Meeting with USAID implementing partners: On March 20, 2019, Mali SNGP hosted a synergy meeting with USAID Implementing Partners working on decentralization, local governance, education, health, and peacebuilding and reconstruction.
Under this initiative, the projects are working to explore areas of overlap based on their relevant technical fields and geographic focus implementation zones. Using the Gantt Chart (List of Mali SNGP activities per region), the COP walked the IPs representatives through the document to identify interventions zones and areas around which Mali SNGP and the two IPs can collaborate.
Think Peace and Creative (PSR), Mali SNGP discussed common synergy approaches regarding Mali SNGP’s Advocacy Committees, Think Peace’s EMEPs (Equipes Mixtes pour un Environment Paisible) and Creative’s Community Engagement Committees (CECs).The three entities are exploring possibilities of opening up membership of Advocacy Committees, EMEPs and CECs to more people or organizations to be able to integrate a citizens’ watchdog roles. In addition, the organizations discussed the possibility of hosting Mali SNGP’s field agents that will be hired to strengthen its presence in communes. Synergy actions will include the joint organization of selected activities as well as joint field visits based on the relevant work plans that will be shared across the three entities.
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 24 Mali SNGP is also exploring collaboration with the USAID-funded SIRA and Civic Engagement projects. The synergy meetings are held monthly in the office of one of the three-member entities.
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 25 3.0 SUCCESS STORIES
Mali SNGP’s success story for this quarter appears on the following page.
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 26
USAID’s Mali Subnational Governance Project Pilots Modern Technology to Support Local Governance Systems in Financial Management
Many regional governments in Mali still suffer from outdated Piloting modern systems, systems, a lack of transparency, corruption and generally poor training and technology to management of their institutional finances. In the early 2000s, replace old fashioned four local government areas in Mali’s southern-most and populous region of Sikasso trialed a computer-based practices, USAID helps to administrative and financial management package designed to improve local governance assist communes in moving from the manual method of systems and promote generating and processing administrative and financial data to a Transparency technology-based way of doing business. The initiative, however, soon stalled due to a lack of support, thus perpetuating an antiquated system that lacked transparency and fostered corruption.
But USAID’s Mali Subnational Governance Project (SNGP) has
stepped in to fill the breach. Through its support to subnational SNGP governments, Mali SNGP picked-up where these earlier efforts
stopped in order to respond to local governments’ requests for
Doumbia, Doumbia, : :
to support in improving the financial management of their respective
Pho institutions. Significant transparent and good management Through a partnership deal with the Regional Development data remain unknown because they are just on Agency (ADR) of Sikasso, in March and April, Mali SNGP trained paper. Once they are stored on the new 30 support staff from the pilot communes in the Sikasso region information and communication device, they and two IT support staff of the ADR on computer-based become public and there is no way to hide them from the citizens again,’’ Mr. Boubacar administrative and financial management. The Partnership Bagayoko, Governor of Sikasso envisages the training and roll-out of the financial management package to 10 pilot communes and plans to expand further as demand increases. “Modern technologies are an antidote for corruption and stealing. “Modern technologies are When you work with them, you don’t lose your money. You always an antidote for corruption keep track of it. You have access to the financial and administrative and stealing.” – Aly Sangaré information in real time. They’re the key to transparency”, explained Aly Sangaré, a staff member of the Commune of Kapolondougou, Sikasso region, in charge of tax and revenue collection. Piloting the modern training and technology will strengthen Mali’s subnational governments’ financial and administrative management systems and skills, and improve information flow, and coordination with the central and subnational governments. After a successful rollout of the software and training package in the selected communes, it is expected that a further expansion will follow.
4.0 MONITORING AND EVALUATION
This section captures the achievements of Mali SNGP since the beginning of Year 4. During this reporting period, many activities targeting program indicators were conducted which resulted in all ten program output indicators receiving data. We note that during the first half of Year 4, and thus Quarter 4, Mali SNGP was working under an Interim Work Plan with reduced activities while the project and USAID prepared for the Option Period. This has affected the results of some of our indicators. Out of the ten indicators, there are two that are on track:
2.1 Number of public awareness raising activities on sub-national planning and budgeting (-10% difference) and 3.2 Number of days of Technical assistance provided to reinforce CGSP in the audit of performance and audit of conformity (-35% difference). Mali SNGP exceeded the annual targets for the following four output indicators:
1.2 Number of days of Technical assistance provided at sub-national level for budgetary cycle alignment on the national system (+428% difference); 1.7 Number of women benefiting trainings on PFM (+140% difference); 2.3 Number of USG-supported activities designed to promote or strengthen the civic participation of women (+40% difference) and 3.4 Number of women controllers trained in performance audit and conformity audit (+25% difference).
We can easily deduce that their targets were set very low, a factor that will be considered in future revisions of the PMP. There are four output indicators that require our focus through activity planning over the remaining quarter:
1.8 Number of days of Technical Assistance provided to partners at national and sub-national level (- 51% difference); 2.2 Number of advocacy initiatives on sector governance issues undertaken by civil society organizations with USG support (-83% difference); 2.6 Number of activities supported with USG assistance that are designed to retain women or recruit women into positions within the national or local government (-56%) and 3.3 Number of communication activities organized on audit/audit findings (-60% difference). Component 1 At mid-year, Mali SNGP exceeded targets for two out of three output indicators under component 1. They are:
1.2 Number of days of Technical assistance provided at sub-national level for budgetary cycle alignment on the national system (+428% difference); 1.7 Number of women benefiting from trainings on PFM (+140% difference).
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 27
The project remains on target for 1.8 Number of days of Technical Assistance provided to partners at national and sub-national level (-51% difference). Indicator 1.2 Number of Days of Technical Assistance Provided at the Subnational Level for Budgetary Cycle Alignment (+428% difference) - In the first half of the year, Mali SNGP Embedded technical Assistants focused their support mainly on the elaboration of collectivities’ annual planning tools and budget elaboration. A total of 264 days was used for this purpose. The assistance aimed at improving the quality of these tools but also ensuring that the basic needs of vulnerable populations were taken into consideration. The positive difference is due to the high number of requests from CTs to the ADRs.
Indicator 1.8 Number of days of Technical Assistance provided to partners at national and sub-national level (-51% difference) - Despite project the efforts in the development of the annual planning tools of territorial collectivities, in the first half of the year, the performance of this indicator is less satisfactory. Had northern regions like Tombouctou and Kidal but also Mopti conducted more activities, the project would have met targets, but the present regional insecurity has hindered project implementation. Related to this, the ADR of Kidal was based in Gao, far from territorial collectivities, Technical Deconcentrated Services, and Civil Society Organizations, therefore preventing continuous support. The approach used by Mali SNGP was to invite participants from targeted entities in Kidal to activities organized in other regions. Although somewhat successful, the displacement of the TA combined with persistent insecurity, continued to limit the participation of beneficiaries from Kidal. In March 2019, the government decided to reinstall office of the ADR in Kidal to coordinate with the administration’s return to the northern regions. Consequently, and mainly for security reasons, Mali SNGP decided to assign the Embedded TA of the region of Kidal to the newly created region of Dioila. For practical purposes the TA will be under the supervision of the ADR of Koulikoro. The ADR of Koulikoro will continue to provide assistance to CTs before the newly region becomes fully operational. In addition, in Mopti a ADR leadership issues resulted in the dismissal of the General Director. This situation impeded the implementation of the activities of the ADR, and thus SNGP, over the reporting period. SNGP expects the recent appointment of an Acting General Director to bring a new perspective to the agency. In contrast to the insecurity fettering performance in the north, the region of Segou saw significant technical assistance during Year 4 to date primarily due to the significant involvement of the ADR in local development efforts. Furthermore, the Embedded TA is central in the implementation of coordination activities with other USAID programs such as the Civic Engagement Program of FHI360 and the Peace, Stability, and Reconstruction Program managed by Creative Associates. The involvement of the Embedded TA resulted in improved visibility of the project within the region of Segou. It also improved the relationship between Mali SNGP and the other development stakeholders of the region.
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 28
Graph 1: Indicator 1.8 Number of days of Technical Assistance provided to partners at national and sub-national level (disaggregated by region; service delivery type)
Indicator 1.8. Since the beginning of project Year 4, a total of 562 days of technical assistance was provided in the different regions of Mali to builde capacity on governance related issues. 140
120 8 4 10 100 6
13
80 6 1 1 7 10 9 7 38 60 3 9 12 1 5 6 5 1
Number of days of Number 3 13 6 6 40 20 50 3 14 6 6 25 26 1 8 47 20 1 17 3 11 9 26 7 20 12 12 12 12 12 12 0 Bamako Gao Kayes Kidal Koulikoro Mopti Segou Sikasso Tombouctou Regions Budgeting Decentralization Education Gender Health IT M&E Other PDESC Resource mobilization
Component 2 Within Component 2 the project was less successful in meeting our targets. Out of four output indicators, just one exceeded the target: Indicator 2.3 Number of USG-supported activities designed to promote or strengthen the civic participation of women (+40% difference). Mali SNGP is on track with 2.6 Number of activities supported with USG assistance that are designed to retain women or recruit women into positions within the national or local government. (-56% difference). For the following two indicators the project will need to make a concerted effort to increase our activities:
2.1 Number of public awareness raising activities on sub-national planning and budgeting (-10% difference) 2.2 Number of advocacy initiatives on sector governance issues undertaken by civil society organizations with USG support (-83% difference). The following is the situation within a sample of indicators.
Indicator 2.1 Number of public awareness raising activities on sub-national planning and budgeting (-10% difference). 90% of the annual target was achieved in the first half of the year, with public hearings focused largely on the first draft of the territorial collectivities’ budgets. Mali SNGP will support other sessions related to accountability. Locally elected officials (Regional, Cercle and Communal Councils) by law have to explain the use of the resources they collected during the
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 29
year and the amount transferred by the Central Government. We anticipate the annual target will be reached. Indicator 2.3 Number of USG-supported activities designed to promote or strengthen the civic participation of women (+40% difference) - The project exceeded targets for this indicator with activities related to this indicator are designed to be implemented in all regions. As this is a critical piece of SNGP’s work that provides more integration of women in governance, plans are in place to conduct advocacy activities related to the law of quota within northern regions, specifically Tombouctou and Gao, in the coming months.
Component 3 Under Component 3, at mid-year, the performance of the three output indicators is as follow: Indicator 3.2 Number of days of Technical assistance provided to reinforce CGSP in the audit of performance and audit of conformity (-35% difference): The workshop on audit of performance and conformity on behalf of CGSP and Inspectors within Ministries followed by the field mission conducted in the region of Segou, Kayes, Koulikoro and the District of Bamako contributed in the improvement of the performance of the indicator. We expect that the difference of -35% will be reduced in the remainder of the year. Indicator 3.3 Number of communication activities organized on audit/audit findings (-60% difference). Despite the weak performance for this indicator at this period of the year, we plan to increase activities and fill the gap with the implementation of communication activities outlined in the current Work Plan. Indicator 3.4 Number of women controllers trained in performance audit and conformity audit (+25%) The project already exceeded the annual target for this indicator, as the initial target was low only to women of the CGSP. Those from inspections of Ministries were not taken into consideration.
Gender The following indicators illustrate the situation with the gender indicators which have. Indicator 1.7 Number of women benefiting trainings on PFM (+140%) The performance within this gender indicator is very satisfactory due to the strategy in place when organizing activities. Mali SNGP emphasizes women’s attendance when inviting government and territorial collectivities and Civil Society Organizations. However, having exceeded the target during the first half of the year means also an underestimation of the target. In looking at the attendance by regions. Tombouctou and Kidal appear to be under-performing but the numbers reflect the deteriorating security situation which prevents the implementation of on-site activities. In addition, socio-cultural barriers also constitute a hindrance to the participation of women in northern regions. There exists very low representation of women in decision-making positions in these regions at both local and regional levels (intermediary Authorities). Segou activities have achieved higher representation of women because it continues to be a region with active stakeholders that support women’s participation. In Mopti the number of women participating
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 30
is high during the sessions on PFM because there are many women who work as Territorial Collectivity Agents.6
Graph 2: Indicator 1.7 Number of women benefiting trainings on PFM (disaggregated by Region)
Indicator 1.7 since the begining of the fiscal year, 599 women took part in trainings on PFM 160 144 140 132
120
100 76 80 67 61 64 60 44
Number of women of Number 40
20 4 7 0
Regions
Indicator 2.6 Number of activities supported with USG assistance that are designed to retain women or recruit women into positions within the national or local government (-56% difference). Mali SNGP will reach the annual target of this indicator by the end of the year. WILDAF is planning to conduct activities that support this indicator and additional activities will be implemented through our advocacy work (radio campaigns) and in synergy with other USAID programs.
6 These are civil servants but working for just local collectivities. They work under the supervision of “the Function Publique des Collectivités Territoriales”
MALI SNGP QUARTERLY REPORT: JANUARY–MARCH 2019 31
Table of Indicators
% variance Current between Indicator Name and Reporting Baseline FY 20 FY 21 Reason for +/- 10% FY Current FY Result target and Number frequency Value Target Target variance Target result of current FY IR 1: National and Sub-National Public Financial Management Systems Strengthened
1.1 Number of studies Data related to this conducted on PFM and indicator are collected 0 1 1 1 1 resources/assets mobilization Annually 0% annually at central & regional levels
1.2 Number of days of REGIONS: In the first six months of Technical assistance provided Bamako: 11 Year 4, the project at sub-national level for Gao: 53 provided a lot of effort budgetary cycle alignment on Kayes: 27 aiming at improving the national system Kidal: 11 budget related issues at (disaggregated by region; Koulikoro: 21 both national and sub service delivery type) Mopti: 21 national. However, in the Ségou: 64 reporting period, Mali Sikasso: 45 SNGP made a major effort Tombouctou: 11 to support numerous 50 50 collectivities in the 0 50 TOTAL: 264 days +428% development and the
Quarterly adoption of their budget Type: and PDESC as the last Budgeting: 199 Decentralization: 14 quarter of the calendar Resource year is dedicated to these mobilization: 6 activities in Mali. PDESC: 45
TOTAL : 264 days
MALI SNGP: YEAR 4 FY2019 Q2 Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2019 1
% variance Current between Indicator Name and Reporting Baseline FY 20 FY 21 Reason for +/- 10% FY Current FY Result target and Number frequency Value Target Target variance Target result of current FY
REGIONS: Kayes: Koulikoro: 1.3 Number of sub-national Sikasso: entities receiving USG Segou: Data related to this assistance that improve their Mopti: 0 25 25 30 indicator are collected and performance (Outcome) (FACTS Tombouctou: Annually reported annually. 2.2.3-5) (USAID/Mali PMP Gao: Indicator 4) Kidal: Bamako District:
TOTAL:
REGIONS: Data related to this Kayes: indicator are collected and Koulikoro: reported annually. 1.4 Percentage difference Sikasso: between the value of funds Segou: budgeted for Education and Mopti: 2% 1.2% 1.2% 1% value transferred for this Annually Tombouctou: service (disaggregated by Gao: region) Kidal: Bamako District:
AVERAGE:
MALI SNGP: YEAR 4 FY2019 Q2 Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2019 2
% variance Current between Indicator Name and Reporting Baseline FY 20 FY 21 Reason for +/- 10% FY Current FY Result target and Number frequency Value Target Target variance Target result of current FY
REGIONS: Data related to this Kayes: indicator are collected and Koulikoro: reported annually. Sikasso: 1.5 Percentage difference Segou: between the value of funds Mopti: budgeted for Health and value Annually 25% 14% 14% 14% Tombouctou: transferred for these services Gao: (disaggregated by region) Kidal: Bamako District:
Average:
REGIONS: Data related to this Kayes: indicator are collected and Koulikoro: reported annually. Sikasso: 1.6 Number of Civil Society Segou: Organizations participating in Mopti: Annually 0 40 40 45 the budgeting process Tombouctou: Gao: (disaggregated by Region) Kidal: Bamako District:
TOTAL:
MALI SNGP: YEAR 4 FY2019 Q2 Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2019 3
% variance Current between Indicator Name and Reporting Baseline FY 20 FY 21 Reason for +/- 10% FY Current FY Result target and Number frequency Value Target Target variance Target result of current FY
REGIONS: Bamako: 61 This performance is partly Gao: 76 due to the high number of Kayes: 44 technical supports given by Kidal: 4 1.7 Number of women Embedded Technical Koulikoro: 64 benefiting trainings on PFM 0 250 250 300 Assistant; but also, to the Mopti: 144 strategy in place when (disaggregated by Region) Ségou: 132 organizing activities, which Sikasso: 67 consist of encouraging Tombouctou: 7 Quarterly +140% representation by women.
TOTAL: 599 women
1.8 Number of days of REGIONS: The project is on target for Technical Assistance provided Bamako: 77 this indicator. Hopefully to partners at national and sub- Gao: 73 the annual target will be national level (GSB, WILDAF, Kayes: 70 through activities outlined Kidal: 24 ADR, CR, Technical Services): in the Work Plan. Koulikoro: 72 (disaggregated by region; Mopti: 38 service delivery type) Quarterly Ségou: 126 -51% 0 1150 Sikasso: 58 1150 1200
Tombouctou: 24
TOTAL: 562 days
MALI SNGP: YEAR 4 FY2019 Q2 Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2019 4
% variance Current between Indicator Name and Reporting Baseline FY 20 FY 21 Reason for +/- 10% FY Current FY Result target and Number frequency Value Target Target variance Target result of current FY
1.9 Percentage of regional budget REGIONS: Data related to this for health transferred for the Kayes: indicator are collected and promotion of the effective Koulikoro: reported annually. implementation of basic health Annually Sikasso: services (disaggregated by region) Segou: Mopti:
Tombouctou: 0 Gao: Kidal: Bamako District:
AVERAGE: IR 2: Coordination and Communication between National and Sub-National Government and Civil Society Improved
2.1 Number of public REGIONS: The organization of public awareness raising activities on Bamako: 2 hearings in the framework sub-national planning and Gao: 3 of the development of budgeting (disaggregated by Kayes: 0 annual planning tools and national & Sub-national, Kidal: 0 budgets has been the languages) Koulikoro: 2 focus in the first half of the 0 20 20 15 Quarterly Mopti: 2 -10% year as this a key part of Ségou: 5 the budgeting process Sikasso: 3 within territorial Tombouctou: 1 collectivities.
TOTAL: 18
MALI SNGP: YEAR 4 FY2019 Q2 Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2019 5
% variance Current between Indicator Name and Reporting Baseline FY 20 FY 21 Reason for +/- 10% FY Current FY Result target and Number frequency Value Target Target variance Target result of current FY
2.2 Number of advocacy REGIONS: As -83% is a large variance, initiatives on sector governance Bamako: 2 plans are in place to issues undertaken by civil Gao: 2 improve results under this society organizations with USG Kayes: 1 indicator by increasing the support (disaggregated by Kidal: 0 involvement of regional region and themes) Koulikoro: 2 advocacy committees. We Mopti: 1 anticipate the annual Ségou: 2 target will be reach before Sikasso: 3 the end of the year. Tombouctou: 0 Quarterly Kayes: 1 0 -83% 72 TOTAL: 12 72 48
THEMES: Gender: 5 Education: 2 Health: 2 Resource mobilization: 3
TOTAL : 12
MALI SNGP: YEAR 4 FY2019 Q2 Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2019 6
% variance Current between Indicator Name and Reporting Baseline FY 20 FY 21 Reason for +/- 10% FY Current FY Result target and Number frequency Value Target Target variance Target result of current FY
2.3 Number of USG-supported REGIONS: Although targets were activities designed to promote Kayes: 1 exceeded the project is or strengthen the civic Koulikoro: 2 making arrangements to participation of women Sikasso: 0 conduct advocacy activities (Output) (GNDR 1) Segou: 1 within northern regions (disaggregated by type/Region) Mopti: 1 (Tombouctou and Gao) in Tombouctou: 0 the coming months. Gao: 0
Kidal: 0 +40% Taoudenit: 0
0 5 Menaka: 0 5 5 Quarterly Bamako District: 2
TOTAL: 7
THEMES: Gender: 7
TOTAL: 7
2.4 Number of joint actions Data related to this implemented by CROCSAD to indicator are collected and improve reported annually. coordination/communication
(Outcome) 0 5 7 9 Annually
MALI SNGP: YEAR 4 FY2019 Q2 Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2019 7
% variance Current between Indicator Name and Reporting Baseline FY 20 FY 21 Reason for +/- 10% FY Current FY Result target and Number frequency Value Target Target variance Target result of current FY
2.5 Percent of citizen groups REGIONS: Data related to this supported by USAID rating the Kayes: indicator are collected and regional budget formulation Koulikoro: reported annually. process as transparent and Sikasso: inclusive (USAID/Mali PMP Segou: Mopti: Indicator 2) Annually 0 20% 20% 25% Tombouctou: Gao: Kidal: Bamako District:
AVERAGE:
2.6 Number of activities -56% at this period of the supported with USG assistance year is low performance. that are designed to retain However, WILDAF is women or recruit women into Quarterly planning to conduct positions within the national or activities that support this local government. 7 -56% indicator and additional 0 16 16 8 activities will be implemented through our advocacy work (radio campaigns) and in synergy with other USAID programs. IR 3: The Contrôle General des Services Public (CGSP)
MALI SNGP: YEAR 4 FY2019 Q2 Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2019 8
% variance Current between Indicator Name and Reporting Baseline FY 20 FY 21 Reason for +/- 10% FY Current FY Result target and Number frequency Value Target Target variance Target result of current FY
Data related to this 3.1 Number of studies Annually 0 0 1 1 indicator are collected and conducted to reinforce CGSP reported annually.
3.2 Number of days of At mid-year, the project Technical assistance provided surpassed half of its annual to reinforce CGSP in the audit -35% target. With the rest of the 0 100 65 120 150 of performance and audit of Quarterly activities in the Work Plan, conformity the annual target should be reached.
3.3 Number of communication As only two activities organized on communication related audit/audit findings activities were organized since the beginning of Year 0 5 2 -60% 7 9 4, arrangements are being Quarterly taken to increase these activities in the coming quarters.
3.4 Number of women In Year 4 of project controllers trained in implementation, three performance audit and capacity building sessions conformity audit were organized for CGSP Quarterly 0 8 10 +25% 8 8 staff. The target was exceeded because other institutions of control took part in the sessions besides CGSP.
MALI SNGP: YEAR 4 FY2019 Q2 Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2019 9
% variance Current between Indicator Name and Reporting Baseline FY 20 FY 21 Reason for +/- 10% FY Current FY Result target and Number frequency Value Target Target variance Target result of current FY
3.5 Percentage of local Data related to this governments audited on an indicator are collected and annual basis as reported by the Annually reported annually. central government auditing 74% 77% 79% 80% body (Outcome) (FACTS 2.2.3- 8) (USAID/Mali PMP Indicator 5)
3.6 Number of mechanisms for Data related to this external oversight of public indicator are collected and resource use supported by USG reported annually. assistance (Outcome) (FACTS Annually 0 1 1 1 2.2.4-4) (USAID/Mali PMP Indicator 6)
MALI SNGP: YEAR 4 FY2019 Q2 Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2019 10
U.S. Agency for International Development/Mali ACI 2000 Bamako, Mali Phone: (223) 2070-2700 Fax: (223) 2022 3933
MALI SUB-NATIONAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT (SNGP) TRIP REPORT CONSULTANT: CLINTON SEARS 12