NEED ASSESSMENT, MONITORING, EVALUATION AND INFORMATION GENERATION TECHNIQUES FOR DECENTRALISED GOVERNANCE

Transcription

1 NEED ASSESSMENT, MONITORING, EVALUATION AND INFORMATION GENERATION TECHNIQUES FOR DECENTRALISED GOVERNANCE NINTH ADVANCED INTERNATIONAL HRD PROGRAMME August 7 September 29, 2006 New Delhi Organised by: Society for Development Studies (SDS) India Habitat Centre, Core 6A, 2 nd Floor, Lodhi Road New Delhi , India Tel/Fax: , Tel: Tel: , Extn sds@nda.vsnl.net.in,sds2@vsnl.net Websites: 1

2 NEED ASSESSMENT, MONITORING, EVALUATION AND INFORMATION GENERATION TECHNIQUES FOR DECENTRALISED GOVERNANCE NINTH ADVANCED INTERNATIONAL HRD PROGRAMME, 2006 INTRODUCTION Decentralized governance has remained the buzzword of the governance system all over the world for more than a decade and the consequent changes in the planning and management of development process are now well accepted. Several experiments have been carried out in different local situations and more experiments are on in search of transparent, accountable and inclusive governance structures. Simultaneously, with increased resource constraints, budgetary processes are getting outcome oriented and there is a rising demand from the governments, the aid agencies and the civil society for unbiased assessment of the impact of the development programmes, requiring diagnostic and demand driven evaluation and linking it to the budgetary process. Several problems have been identified in the process of developing decentralized governance system. Analysis of causative factors bring out the inadequacy in the assessment of requirements for programme development and monitoring of the development process Modifications in programme components at a later stage are found to be constrained as the evaluation is restricted to traditional measures of target achievement and not assessment of outcomes (impacts) and performances. The weak convergence of inputs in multi department and multi-sector programmes, has been identified as a major road block. Lack of transparency in information flow and absence of participatory decision making process, have contributed to it. A critical factor often ignored in the development process of decentralized governance, is the capacity of the programme initiators to assess the consistency between the programme objectives and the desired programme outcomes. In the above context, it is urgently required for the administrators and programme managers as well as other stakeholders to develop creative management capacity to address the new challenges. Ground level data and information are critical for initiating an era of effective decentralized governance. New techniques are required to address these systemic problems. The proposed Programme seeks to provide capacity building inputs in these directions. India is one of the largest beds of experiments with its experience in decentralized governance, the mandate for which came through the Constitution Amendment (73 rd and 74 th ) Acts in early nineties. level planning and decision making process. It has developed a series of new toolkits that facilitate the process of data generation and helps co-ordination, convergence and leveraging of resources. Its policy programmes in Bangalore, Jaipur, Pune, Bhopal and Alwar in India have attracted global attention. Several countries are in process of adopting similar programmes.. OBJECTIVES The major objectives of the Programme are to: Familiarise the participants with the concepts of decentralized governance and the practices. Generate skills to assess crucial development intervention needs for decentralized governance. Develop capacity to generate need based and demand driven data for developing programmes and for monitoring and evaluation of them. Develop expertise in diagnostic evaluation techniques. Equip participants with effective tools for analysis of outcomes of policies and budgetary implications. Create awareness on the imperatives to institutionalize the activities for decentralized governance Provide skills to introduce the participatory process at all stages of planning, programme implementation and management OUTCOMES Informed group of officials capable of managing programmes on the principles of decentralized governance. having professional capacity for efficient assessment of local-level demand and design management instruments. equipped to develop cost effective information system in a data deficient set-up. capable of preparing strategic plans of action, with the participation of different stakeholders. having proficiency in the techniques of evaluation at all stages of development programmes and link the outcomes to the budgetary process. The Society for Development Studies (SDS) has been a major global partner Institute of the United Nations Programme on Human Settlements (UN-HABITAT) for developing and providing training and technical assistance to its Global Urban Observatory (GUO) programme for local PROGRAMME DATES Date of Commencement: Monday August 7, 2006 Date of Completion: Friday, September 29,

3 PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS The programme is primarily designed for senior and mid-level civil servants, planners, and technocrats. As the course places special emphasis on strategic issues and capacity building to manage the process of change, it is expected that the participants will be in a responsible position to plan and implement the programmes. Candidates should possess a minimum 10 years of experience and have a good command of written and spoken English. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE The Programme is designed with a specific focus on practical issues involved in implementation of plans and programmes at decentralized level of governance. It is intended to be delivered through a mix of classroom lectures, interactive sessions, simulation exercises, group learning, case studies, use of software and field visits. The programme will be of 8 weeks and will have 8 modules. Module 1: Week 1 Principles and Practices of Decentralized and Participatory Planning and Governance Module 2: Week 2 NAME Techniques: Selected Social Sector Programmes Module 3: Week 3 Information System, Indicators and Local Observatories Module 4: Week 4 Application of Indicators Products in Planning and Policy Decision making. Module 5: Week 5 Outcome Budgeting Module 6: Week 6 Local Leadership & Community Participation in Decision Making and Programme Implementation Module 7: Week 7 Field Visits and On-Job Experiences Module 8: Week 8 Specific training and knowledge needs of the participants & Preparation of Reports RESOURCE PERSONS Both in-house and external resource persons with recognised expertise in the selected areas of training and belonging to academic and research institutions, Planning Commission, concerned Ministries of Government of India, Financial Institutions, State and Local Governments and international organizations. The in-house faculty includes a multi-disciplinary team of professionals. Senior faculty have extensive professional experience in various sectors in India and work experience in as many as 25 countries and have been associated with international organisations like UNDP, UN HABITAT, World Bank, ADB, UN ESCAP, UN ESCWA, UK DFID, US AID, ILO, etc. English MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION VENUE The venue of the programme is the Conference Hall of the Training Division of the Institute. Latest instruction aids such as audio-visuals, computers, library, documentation and photocopy facilities are available. The venue is centrally located, adjacent to institutional as well as commercial areas. It is easily commutable from all parts of Delhi. ADDRESS Society for Development Studies (SDS) India Habitat Centre, Core 6A, 2 nd Floor Lodhi Road, New Delhi , India Tel/Fax: (91-11) , Tel: (91-11) sds@nda.vsnl.net.in, sds2@vsnl.net stutilall@sdsindia.org Website: TRAINING FELLOWSHIP The training fellowships are awarded by Government of India under the Technical Co-operation Scheme (TCS) of Colombo Plan to the selected participants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Fiji, Indonesia, Iran, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The main components of the training fellowship are: Tuition Fees, To and Fro Air Fare, Hotel accommodation (sharing basis), Daily Allowance, Book Allowance and Medical Allowance The monthly subsistence allowance would vary between Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 8,000, depending on the eligibility of the participants, to be decided by the Indian Mission in the respective country. The course fee payable by participants from countries other than those under TCS is US $ 5,000. This would cover tuition fee, hotel accommodation (sharing basis), and subsistence allowance in the range mentioned above. Possible sources of funds are CITYNET, UNDP, UN-HABITAT, County UN/World Bank projects. On working days, lunch will be available at subsidised price and tea/coffee, free of cost. Breakfast and dinner on all days are to be met from the living allowances. ACCOMMODATION The Society for Development Studies does not have campus residential facilities. Accommodation is arranged in nearby hotels. 3

4 APPLICATION PROCEDURE Applications to be obtained from the Indian Mission, and have to be submitted to it through proper channels of the applicant s country. As seats are limited, preliminary application form may be sent directly to the Institute also, but only the Indian Mission would directly communicate decision on selection. For participants not covered by Government of India s TCS, applications may be made directly to the Institute and the Fees have to be paid in advance. WEATHER Weather is humid in August and September. CONTACT PERSONS Dr. (Ms) Stuti Lall Programme Director Ms. Trisha Agarwala Programme Coordinator: Society for Development Studies India Habitat Centre, Core 6A, 2 nd Floor Lodhi Road, New Delhi , India Tel:(91-11) , , Fax: (91-11) , s: sds@nda.vsnl.net.in, sds2@vsnl.net stutilall@sdsindia.org Websites: ABOUT THE SOCIETY FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (SDS) SDS is an internationally recognised autonomous research and training institution, established in The primary objectives of the SDS are: to undertake research and advisory work; to evaluate public policies and programmes; to participate in the process of policy making at all levels of governance; to impart training to the Government officials, NGOs and CBOs, and the private sector; to undertake action-research projects; to develop data base and management of information system and to provide technical assistance. SDS also receives academic students and professionals from India and abroad for collaborative research on a regular basis. SDS has been the Regional Partner Institute for Asia- Pacific and Arab Regions of the United Nations Programme on Human Settlements (UN-HABITAT, earlier UNCHS) and is a part of regional networks like CITYNET and LOGOTRI. It is globally recognised as a leading institution in the emerging area of Knowledge Infrastructure-led Planning and Decision-making. SDS has three branch offices in India, in Mumbai ( Maharashtra), Alwar and Dausa (Rajasthan), and has networks in several countries. Recently, the alumni of the Programme from Sri Lanka have established the Sri Lanka SDS Alumni Association (SSDA). During the last 21 years of professional work, SDS has developed itself into an acclaimed research and policy formulation institution and has demonstrated its expertise in need assessment, monitoring and evaluation, and information management techniques; capacity building; institutional development; and need assessed policy formulation. The main work areas are human settlements policies and strategies, urbanisation and regional planning, rural development, data and information management system, urban finance, resource mobilisation, informal sector, poverty reduction, micro-enterprise, participatory planning and action based community development programmes and empowerment of marginalised segments of the population. SDS conducts national and international HRD programmes on behalf of the Government of India, State Governments, Development Authorities and Local Governments as also UN Agencies. It organises highlevel policy seminars for government officials and NGOs. During , 200 participants from Asia- Pacific region had participated in ten programmes under Technical Cooperation Scheme of Colombo Plan of Government of India. At the international level, SDS and its faculty have provided professional services to Asia and Pacific Islands, Arab States, Africa, and South America, in the areas of its specialization. SDS received the United Nations Best Performance Award in 1996 for Monitoring and Evaluation Indicators for the Housing and Urban Sector from among 110 countries that participated in the Global Indicators Programme in Habitat II held in Istanbul. In November, 2003, SDS was awarded a best practice prize on Urban Governance Innovative Facility (UGIF) by TUGI of UNDP. SDS has organized 75 Training Programmes and 54 High-level Policy Seminars and Workshops, in which as many as 2,425 officials of the Central, State and Local Governments, public agencies, international agencies, researchers and academicians have participated. In the programmes in India, international participants have been from USA, UK, Australia, Netherlands, Italy, Canada, Thailand, Germany, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Indonesia, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Nepal, Maldives, Finland, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Brazil, Iran, China, Ethiopia, UAE, Jordan, Lebanon, Peru, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Uganda. Germany, Senegal, Hungary, Poland. International organisations, which have taken part in the seminars, include, among others, World Bank, IDRC, UN-ESCAP, UN-ESCWA, UNCHS (now UN- HABITAT), UNDP, UNICEF, ILO, ARTEP, UK DFID, USAID and UNIDO. There have been organised in India and 25 other countries. 4

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