Findings and Proposed Roadmap By Julian Mukiibi CUTS International Geneva Summary Introduction About sPokes NSAs Participation in EIF Objectives and expected outcomes Methodology Themes presentation ID: 789641
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Slide1
Challenges to NSA Engagement in EIF NepalFindings and Proposed Roadmap
By Julian
Mukiibi
, CUTS International, Geneva
Slide2SummaryIntroductionAbout sPokesNSAs’ Participation in EIFObjectives and expected outcomesMethodologyThemes presentation
Communication practices
Institutional mechanisms
Capacity to engage
NSAs’ impact on trade policies/
programmes
formulation
Inclusiveness & Balancing interests
Consultations among NSAs
Slide3Introduction – About EIF sPokesThe Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)A programme for integrating LDCs in the global trading systemThe EIF “Strategic Action Plan until 2013” identified among its priorities the need for broad-based and regular consultations of NSAs towards setting national trade priorities
and hence the development of this module that is aimed at
:
Building buy-in and engagement from wide range of stakeholders
Consolidating EIF deliverables with similar initiatives
Sharing good practices
Ensuring that NSAs’ inputs are integrated into national priorities
Supporting the NSC to effectively guide and monitor EIF process and activities
Hence the EIF
sPokes
project was designed to address the above priorities.
Slide4Introduction – NSA Participation in EIF Attain sustainability of national development strategies through:Specificity: Taking into account every country’s own set of problems, which requires its own solutions. Then stepping aside from ‘one size fits all’ solutionsLegitimacy: Ensure that national stakeholders have the feeling that they are listened to, which is essential for acquiring a broad based consent
Slide5Introduction – Objectives and expected outcomesThe specific objectives of the EIF sPokes project are the following:The National Implementation Arrangements (NIAs)Have a better understanding of stakeholder engagement and good practicesAdopt a roadmap to improve NSAs involvement in EIF mechanisms and similar initiativesHave strong and sustainable connections with NSA network that leverage EIF deliveryThe Non-State Actors (NSAs)
Increase their participation in EIF processes
Have access to tools for easier participation in EIF processes and similar initiatives
Have effective impact on EIF activities and similar initiatives
Slide6Introduction – Methodology1. Guidebook for NSAs engagementPractical guidance for effective engagement processes (Examples and case stories, Best practices)
Online platform with tools for better engagement : Website; Trade mainstreaming refresher course; Evaluation survey (SEPI); Mailing list; Discussion forum.
Slide7Introduction – Methodology 2. The Stakeholder Engagement Performance Index (SEPI)The SEPI is a simple self-assessment tool based on a set of indicators used to analyze the level/extent of NSA participation in EIF and related processes. The outcome should then serve as the baseline for improving NSA participation and engagement processes. The objective of the SEPI is to assess performance on the following key aspects of successful NSA engagement:
Communication practices
Institutional mechanisms
Capacity to Engage
NSAs impact on trade policies and/or
programme
formulation
Inclusiveness and balancing interests
Consultation among NSAs
sPokes
module process
Slide8Introduction – Methodology 3. Face-to-Face InterviewsFace-to-Face interviews were conducted with various stakeholders (government officials; private sector Apex bodies; commodity associations; trade consultants; women’ entrepreneurs, and NGOs) in Nepal, to compliment the SEPI questionnaires that had been disseminated electronically.The criteria for the selected interviewees took into account the following considerations: Membership to the NSC ; NSAs that have participated in EIF and related activities
;
NSAs that have not, but should have participated in EIF and related activities
;
The NIU and NECTRADE
.
The interviews sought to gain insights of respondents on NSA engagement in the EIF and trade related processes; challenges they face; instances of successful NSA engagement in the processes and lessons learned; as well as ideas on the way forward.
sPokes
module process
Slide9Introduction – Methodology 4. WorkshopDeliver refresher course on importance of trade mainstreaming Identify challenges for NSAs engagement in EIF and similar initiatives
Identify possible solutions
Adopt roadmap towards implementation of solutions agreed
sPokes
module process
Slide10Communication PracticesWhy is this important?Essential to ensure buy-in by stakeholders including NSAs in initiatives such as the EIFWhat does it entail?Regular communication about nature and progress of EIF activities in the country
Nepal Enhanced Capacities for Trade and Development (NECTRADE), supports the Focal Point in the implementation of the overall EIF activities, and has the role of
inter alia
raising awareness among NSAs on trade related issues
In-country survey findings
NECTRADE is
already using the media
to disseminate information country-wide on a regular basis.
Journalists expressed
the need for regular training
on trade issues to enhance their capacity to cover and disseminate accurate trade and related information to the masses.
The government maintains a
very good relationship with NSAs
, with whom they coordinate on a regular basis.
Some NSAs are
not receiving information
or regular updates about the EIF initiative.
Communication PracticesPossible improvements Use the
media
. Invite journalists to
events, send
regular press releases
etc. Train the journalists on trade mainstreaming issues.
Maintain
a
mailing list
of NSA
contacts. EIF spokes tools:
mailing list & subscription form
.
ONLINE REFREGISTRATION FORM TO COLLECT CONTACT EMAILS
This Online registration form can be put on any website to increase the list of EIF communication subscribers. The information filled in is automatically sent to a Google spreadsheet where it can then be sourced and used to update the mailing list.
Slide12Institutional MechanismsWhy is this important?For NSAs to meaningfully participate in Public Private Dialogue (PPD), institutional mechanisms need to function efficiently. Means through which NSAs can make valuable inputs in policy and programme development/implementation. Generally, it is apex bodies that represent NSAs in such forums.
What does it entail?
To adopt best practices for consulting NSAs that include:
Allow meaningful participation from each and every NSA
Effective representation of NSAs
Build a broader picture of NSAs points of view
Enhance legitimacy of NSAs views in NSC meetings
Slide13Institutional MechanismsIn-country survey findingsThe NSAs’ participation in PPD is important and well-known in Nepal Some of the PPD forums are not very well
institutionalised
Lack of
regularity and motivation
of NSAs to utilise PPD forums
PPD Forums
are not well
coordinated
The abundance of PPD forums on trade and related issues may result in
overlaps
Possible improvements
Re-evaluation of the existing forums
to ensure clarity, effectiveness, and non-collusion of tasks
Formalisation of all PPD mechanisms
, and duplication existing in some of the forums should be addressed
Give NSAs
prominent roles and responsibilities
in order to motivate their participation.
Slide14Capacity to EngageWhy is this important?NSAs have different backgrounds, knowledge and skillsEnsure that NSAs have the capacity to engage effectively in initiatives such as the EIF and similar initiatives
What does it entail?
Build
knowledge and skills
to engage efficiently into participatory processes
In-country survey findings
Need to identify their
capacity needs and gaps
, and redressing them appropriately
Government regularly consults NSAs
and more especially the private sector in the development of trade and related policies
In Nepal trade mainstreaming initiatives more and more appreciated as
tools for development, growth and poverty reduction
Lack of a
national databank
on trade and related issues which could inform policy decisions
Lack of
knowledge
on issues that are subject of engagement, to meaningfully contribute
Slide15Capacity to EngagePossible improvementsConduct targeted capacity building workshops in Nepal for stakeholdersOffer a refresher course targeted to both NIAs and NSAs on “Trade Mainstreaming for Development in Nepal: Rationale and Significance”
The document written in concise and non-technical language should enable NSAs, including at the grassroots, to better understand the importance of trade mainstreaming, its governance structures as well as their own stake in the process.
REFRESHER COURSE ON TRADE MAINSTREAMING FOR DEVELOPMENT IN NEPAL
This “Refresher Course” highlights in simple language the basics of trade mainstreaming in Nepal. It can be used by the National Implementation Unit (NIU) and NSC to raise awareness and interest of NSAs.
Slide16NSAs’ IMPACT ON TRADE POLICIES/PROGRAMMES FORMULATION Why is this important?NSAs will have a more effective impact on trade and related policies and programmesMeans through which NSAs can have a more favourable business environmentIn-country survey findings
NSAs
actively participate
in identifying challenges and contributing to development plans
Involvement of NSAs is
often weak
and they do not seem to be
motivated
Implementation
of agreed policies and programmes remains very
disappointing
The government has
allocated budgetary funding towards sectors identified in the NTIS
Limited
resources to implement development plans remain
challenging
Dependency attitude from
NSAs
who look
towards government or initiatives such as EIF to address their issues
Slide17NSAs’ IMPACT ON TRADE POLICIES/PROGRAMMES FORMULATION NeedsLeverage NSAs participationEnsure NSAs involvement in a functional mannerManage NSAs expectations
arising from their active engagement in PPD
forums
Possible
improvements
Make clear commitments to NSAs
The
NTIS is in the process of being updated to reflect current realities in the country, leading to better planning for trade and related
sectors
NSAs
should
participate actively in this process
to ensure that their interests are reflected in the
updated NTIS
, which will be
the basis of government’s trade development programmes and
policies
Slide18Inclusiveness and Balancing InterestsWhy is this important?Inclusiveness in PPD forums essential for ensuring ownership and legitimacy
of policy decisions and programmes
Country ownership of EIF processes = a
large spectrum of NSAs included
in representation
schemes
But NSAs
have
different interests and priorities
Hence
conflicting interests
can often arise
In-country findings
Civil Society Organizations
are
not
directly represented
in
all PPD
forums
such as the EIF NSC
Some
CSOs
like the
South Asia Watch on Trade and Environment
(SAWTEE)
and the Federation of
Women Entrepreneurs’ Association of Nepal (FWEAN) engage with government regularlyInterests of some NSAs not articulated by their representative bodies
Slide19Inclusiveness and Balancing interestsPossible improvements Allow direct representation in PPD forums of Civil Society Organisations, as they represent an important constituency and would ensure wider outreach to NSAs
Put in place a representative mechanism to ensure the relevant and
fair
representation of stakeholders
, and enable them to bring their issues to the
fore
Slide20Consultations among NSAsWhy is this important?NSAs have a critical role to play in PPD on trade
: reflect
the views
of their constituencies or other NSAs not directly consulted by the
government
In-country findings
FNCCI
encourages direct participation
of its members in PPD
forums
Development partners have found
more effective to deal with commodity associations
rather than apex
bodies
According to
the SEPI survey
:
56% of NSA
are aware
of who
represent
their interests in the EIF NSC
44%
of NSC members’ constituencies felt that their apex body relayed their
interests
NIU usually provided enough lead time to undertake NSCs’ consultationsAt times government calls meetings
on very short notice, consultations may not be possible
Slide21Consultations among NSAsNeed for more effective coordination mechanisms between the Apex bodies and the commodity associations at the grassroots levelNeed for more transparency and feedback from apex bodies to their members on how they advance their interests in PPDs.Possible improvements NSC members should systematically disseminate a report to all their members after participating in
PPDs
EIF
sPokes
online forum as a useful tool to undertake online follow-up
discussions
NIU/NECTRADE should make all necessary efforts to reduce instances of meetings called at short notice
This “Online Forum” provide to all stakeholders the opportunity to stay in touch, to advertise events, to give feedbacks, to ask questions, etc.
Slide22Thank you