Final Project Report_ template as of 31 July 2013 (rev 27 May 2016) FINAL PROJECT REPORT (FPR) PROJECT INFORMATION AND RESOURCES Project ID: 00066185 Output ID: 00082402 Project Title: Empowering Citizens to Deepen Democracy Implementing Partner: Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines Consortium Group for the Indigenous Peoples represented by Philippine Association for Responsible Parties (if Intercultural Development (PAFID), Christian Convergence for Good Governance (CCGG), applicable): Kaagabay Youth Development Initiatives (KYDI), Institute for Political and Electoral Reform (IPER), Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) and Philippine Society of Public 2012 Administration (PSPA) Bagong Lumad Artist Foundation, Inc. (BLAFI), Christian Convergence for Good Governance (CCGG), Focus on the Global South – Philippines Foundation with LILAK (Purple Action for Indigenous Women’s Rights), Institute for Political and Electoral Reform (IPER), Philippine 2013 Association for Intercultural Development (PAFID), Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), Philippine Society for Public Administration (PSPA), Social Watch Philippines (SWP) and Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN) Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ); Social Watch Philippines (SWP); Christian 2014 Convergence for Good Governance (CCGG); Institute for Political and Electoral Reform (IPER); and Philippine Society for Public Administration (PSPA) Christian Convergence for Good Governance (CCGG); Caucus of Development for NGO Networks (CODE-NGO); Economic, Social & Cultural Rights-Asia (ECSR-Asia); Focus on the Global South- Philippines and the Purple Action for Indigenous Women’s Right (LILAK); Institute for Political and 2015 Electoral Reform (IPER); Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA); Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ); Philippine Society for Public Administrations (PSPA); Social Watch Philippines (SWP); and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Christian Convergence for Good Governance (CCGG); Social Watch Philippines (SWP); and the 2016 Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Donors: United Nations Development Programme Project Starting date Project completion date Originally planned Actual Originally planned Actual January 2012 March 2012 January 2017 30 June 2018 Total Budget Original Budget (US$) Latest Signed Revision (US$) 2012 120,000 120,000 2013 257,000 257,000 2014 60,000 60,000 2015 265,000 265,000 2016 61,500 57,500 Final Project Report_ template as of 31 July 2013 (rev 27 May 2016) Total Expenditures (US$) Based from Audit Report ( also refer to final CDRs) 2012 119,114.70 2013 256,992.42 2014 60,919.70 2015 262,166.50 2016 61,253.10 Grand Total 760,446.42 Resources Donor Amount TRAC (2012-2016) UNDP/ 04000 760,446.42 PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT The resurgence of right wing populism in the Philippines is a reaction to the slow rate of inclusive development, and the perceived ineffectiveness of liberal democracy in many respects. While the new administration has committed to a development agenda that is aligned with the SDGs, the implementation of this agenda seems to have led to the gradual constriction of democratic space in the process. Scaling-up the PPFI initiatives illustrate that there is room for active citizen engagement in governance. The Citizens forum, on the other hand, offers an alternative platform for citizens and organized groups including civil society organizations, faith-based groups and the academe that are otherwise excluded in traditionally organized civil society-state engagements. Citizens can constructively engage the administration in support of its development agenda and, by doing so; protect the principles of democratic governance. At the national level, the Citizens Forum provides a vital mechanism by which citizens may directly influence national policy, particularly in regard to Charter Change and human rights. For 2015-2016, the programme seeks to broaden the democratic space on citizens’ rights in the Philippines through the following components: Component # 1: Expanding the Democratic Space. The project continues to support the human rights-based approach in examining development issues and in initiating advocacy actions for policy reforms especially those that impact on marginalized sectors such as women, farmers, fisher folk, indigenous peoples and the urban poor. It acknowledges the diversity in political and ideological persuasions in social movements and therefore ensures that policy discussions create an environment that respects these differences but at the same time result in concrete advocacy actions and ultimately, policy reforms. This year, policy discussions on current national governance issues such as Constitutional change, and prospects for federalism will be tackled as they impact on poverty, inequality, discrimination and people’s participation. This will be conducted in a series of Citizens Forums conducted separately or in collaboration with other institutional partners who will be conducting major governance conferences this year. This forum is primarily convened and composed of grassroots organizations and NGO-support groups. It will serve as a venue for sharing of knowledge and tools particularly those that provide solutions to address deficits in the State’s obligations. It is designed to build and expand the constituencies among local citizens and organized groups around current governance issues/themes. It will also use online advocacy campaign through social media and by engaging various media agencies such as Rappler, Inquirer, and CNN. Local versions of the Forum will be set-up by G-HUBS in selected regions and provinces to reach out to those in remote and impoverished communities. Component# 2: Empowering Citizens as Claimholders. The project supports citizen’s participation in governance processes such as planning, legislation, service delivery and public finance management. Meaningful participation requires citizens to be fully equipped with the values, knowledge and tools before they can actively engage government. The project supported and will continue to support the People’s Public Finance Institutes (PPFI) set-up in 2013 to empower ordinary citizens like farmers, fisher folks, indigenous peoples, and informal workers with the continuing education and training on public finance. Now on its 5th year, there are at least 11 local universities nationwide that are hosting the PPFI. This year the project will support the development of new learning modules and the expansion of PPFIs to other five (5) provinces including the training of additional PPFI Fellows or faculty. The projects initiate reform through a rights-based, local democracy model that aims to strengthen voice channels between Final Project Report_ template as of 31 July 2013 (rev 27 May 2016) claimholders (citizens), and duty-bearers (government). Interventions will be geared toward establishing indirect and direct voice channels at the local level, where the practice of democratic dialogue, constituency-building, and inclusive participation can be strengthened. Citizen empowerment needs to be sustained in order to put premium in the sector’s contribution in the vibrancy of the country’s democracy and expression of human rights. It is imperative to ensure that they are not only empowered by means of building their capacities but more importantly, by means of providing platforms for their sustained participation in the governance and ultimately, the democratic process. 1. CONTRIBUTION TO THE UNDAF and CPD OUTCOMES and OUTPUTS: UNDAF/ Country Programme Outcome 2012 – 2018 UNDAF/CPD Outcome 3: Capacities of claimholders and duty bearers will have been strengthened to promote human rights, inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and the rule of law in governance. Sub-Outcome Statement/s: Sub-Outcome Area 3.2: By 2018, the poor and disadvantaged will have increased participation in governance processes and oversight functions. UNDAF/ Country Programme Indicators 2012-2018 UNDAF Outcome Indicators – Outcome indicator 3.1: Percentage of local government units having adopted gender-sensitive and rights-based development policies, plans and budgets incorporating integrity measures and local mechanisms for broad citizen participation, in governance processes. Voice and accountability index - 0.12 out of Governance score range of -2.5 to +2.5 Percentile rank of 45.5 percentage countries being below the Philippines. Year 2012: 47.87’ Year 2013: 47.9 Year 2014: Index of 0.14 with percentile rank of 5,2 Year 2015: No changes Year 2016: 50 Target: Uptrend in WGI, Voice and Accountability Index Civil Society Index for the Philippines .8% - perception of impact (country has high regard for the sector) 57.9% - level of organization (sector has adequate managerial and operational systems) 54.7% - civic participation (citizens quite active in social and community concerns) 53% - external environment (country provides a supportive environment for the sector) 48.9% - practice of values (low rating; low adequate labor standard as factor) Progress towards achieving the Outcome [A brief analysis of the status of the situation and any observed change(s) made possible by the project contribution, at a higher development result level. Make reference to the applicable MDGs or PDP goals/targets] Citizen participation calls for involvement of ordinary citizens or organized groups not only to assess and identify their needs