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Challenges to NSA Engagement in EIF Nepal Challenges to NSA Engagement in EIF Nepal

Challenges to NSA Engagement in EIF Nepal - PowerPoint Presentation

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Challenges to NSA Engagement in EIF Nepal - PPT Presentation

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

eif nsas engagement trade nsas eif trade engagement ppd forums development nsa related participation country processes initiatives nepal policies

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Slide1

Challenges to NSA Engagement in EIF NepalFindings and Proposed Roadmap

By Julian

Mukiibi

, CUTS International, Geneva

Slide2

SummaryIntroductionAbout 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

Slide3

Introduction – 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.

Slide4

Introduction – 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

Slide5

Introduction – 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

Slide6

Introduction – 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.

Slide7

Introduction – 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

Slide8

Introduction – 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

Slide9

Introduction – 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

Slide10

Communication 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.

Slide11

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.

Slide12

Institutional 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

Slide13

Institutional 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.

Slide14

Capacity 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

Slide15

Capacity 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.

Slide16

NSAs’ 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

Slide17

NSAs’ 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

Slide18

Inclusiveness 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

Slide19

Inclusiveness 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

Slide20

Consultations 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

Slide21

Consultations 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.

Slide22

Thank you