Democracywatch starts
a project to identify the possible role of MP's and other stakeholders
to initiate a process to track local progress in their respective
constituencies. On the other hand Democracywatch will provide support
to create a more comprehensive role for civil society organizations
in democratic governance by supporting, facilitating, networking
and cooperating with other stakeholders that share a common commitment
to assist parliament to become an effective and pro-people organization.
Democracywatch will form
District Public Policy Forums (DPPFs) based on its existing Citizen
Committees in different constituencies and train them on better
understanding of how policies and laws are made in the parliament.
The training also includes the MPs roles, governance structure,
advocacy strategies on local development issues, including effective
interaction between government officials and media. Through this
training the DPPF will also understand the simplified approaches
for developing citizen' report cards' on key public services at
local level, which will include special efforts to engage women,
youth, and minority communities. The DPPF will consist of representatives
from different organizations and related interest groups, as well
as representatives from a wider forum. This forum will be formed
at the upazilla and union level to gain an in-depth understanding
of citizen issues at the grassroots level.
The DPPF will act as
a catalyst between various public interest groups, media, research
institute and Business Management Organization's specifically women's
(i.e. BWCCI, WEAB) in promoting public education, oversight of parliament
and its accurate feedback, thoughtful reporting, information sharing
on the implementation status at local level in facilitation of grassroots
democracy. This effort will also establish an effective link between
parliamentarian and people to make a pro-people parliament in Bangladesh
and establish Good Governance. DPPF will have interventions with
different stakeholders at different level.
Summary
of the project
Total
duration of the action |
|
3
Years (August 2011- July 2014) |
Partner(s) |
|
Swapno
Sahajjyo Shongstha |
Funded
by |
|
The
Asia Foundation |
Goal |
|
Institutionalization of effective
and participatory democracy to ensure adequate representation
For poor and marginalized people in the governance process.
|
Purpose
and Objectives: |
|
The
purpose of this sub-award is to encourage and support Members
of Parliament (MPs) of selected constituencies in their legislative,
representation and oversight functions by providing them with
credible local information on development issues (particularly
those affecting poor and disadvantaged people) generated through
effective collaboration between MPs, civil society, citizens
and other stakeholders.
This sub-award
will seek to achieve following objectives:
- To
increase participation of citizens and sub-national stakeholders
in the national policy making process, and improve the performance
of MPs in their legislative, representative and oversight
roles: form and operationalising District Public Policy
Forums (DPPFs) as effective platforms for sub-national level
actors (community leaders and other interested citizens,
civil society, local government, relevant national government
departments) to engage with MPs and other national level
decision makers on development policy issues, particularly
those that relate to the needs of poor and marginalized
people.
- To
strengthen the institutional capacity of civil society organizations
(CSOs) to advance public participation in the democratic
process, conduct effective advocacy, and lobby with respective
MPs on national policy issues.
- To
support MPs with research and information to enable them
to take a credible stand in Parliament in performing their
legislative and oversight functions
|
Expected
project results |
|
- By
2011 a total number of 8 District Public Policy Forums (DPPF)
at Upazilla level and 1 District Public Policy Forum at
district level will be formed. This Forum will also include
the citizens of union Parishad (UP).
- By
2011 a total number of 15 District Public Policy Forums
(DPPF) at Union level will be formed. Each Committee will
be formed from six Unions.
- By
2011 a total number of 2 orientation courses X 24 = 48 sessions
will be held on functions of parliament, role of MP's, Accountability,
Transparency and civil society role to promote parliament
more effective and pro-people.
- By
2013 a total number of 3 advocacy training will be organized
for DPPF members
- By
2013 critical issues including some policy issues, agendas
will be identified for national level advocacy.
- By
2013 a total number of 6 public hearing sessions will be
organized
- By
2014 a total number of 4 sharing meetings between DPPF and
guardians and other concerned authorities to reduce the
drop rate at primary school level.
- By
2014 DPPF will organize 6 dialogues with MPs and representatives
from government institutions to discuss the application
and implementation of national policy on safety net programmes.
- By
2013 a total number of 6 Street drama and folk songs will
be organized
" By 2014 produce bulletins, posters, brochures on
effective parliament. A number of 2 bulletin, 2 poster and
1 brochure.
" By 2014 a total number of 6 formal meetings with
MPs to inform them on project objectives and activities.
" By 2014 a total number of 3 democracy festivals at
district level will be organized
" By 2014 MPs in six consistencies will exercise their
oversight role on the local development progress
" By 2014 a total number of 2 report cards will be
produced to determine the progress of local development
issue.
" By 2014 2 meeting on the result of the report card
will be shared with policy makers at national level.
" By 2014 a series of (3) radio program will be aired
through community radio on development progress.
" By 2014 a total number of 3 Annual Partnership meetings
will be organized.
" By 2014 at least 50% of DPPF members will play proactive
role to track local progress.
" By 2014 two national convention of DPPF will be held
to determine the achievement and key lesson learning during
the intervention.
" By 2014 two meeting held with concerned parliamentary
standing committees and MPs at national level.
" By 2014 8 Mock Parliament will be held at different
schools at project areas.
" By 2014 Civil Society Organizations will as a facilitator
to ensure periodic interaction between MPs and their constituents.
" By 2014 at least 50% of voters in the working areas
will be sensitized on local progress and challenges.
" By 2014 adequate budget allocation will be demanded
for areas lagging behind at targeted constituency.
" By 2014 district level progress and challenges will
be highlighted by local and national media.
" By 2014 DPPF will emerge as a platform for articulating
citizen voices
|