Foundations of State-CSO Collaboration and National Regulatory Framework in Benin
The advent of democracy in Benin in 1990 laid the foundations for participatory governance that involves civil society at the level of the constitution. The State of Benin recognises CSOs as non-state actors playing a critical role for development. It also recognizes its duty of accountability and transparency towards citizens. Freedom of association and expression is therefore reaffirmed and supervised in order to promote the development of civil society and a better contribution to development objectives at the national level.
As a stakeholder in international agreements, civil society is taken into account in the national development agenda. The 2016-2021 Government Action Program (PAG) clearly distinguishes civil society as a component that must participate in the mechanism for monitoring and evaluating public governance. In the field of monitoring and evaluation of public policies, the participation of CSOs is framed by the National Evaluation Policy (NEP) 2012-2021 that underlines the need for the participation and involvement of civil society in the monitoring and evaluation activities of public policies.
As such, civil societies are actors in the Institutional Framework for the Evaluation of Public Policies and are represented within the National Evaluation Council – the highest body at the national level responsible for advising the Government in terms of monitoring and evaluation of public policies and ensuring compliance with norms and standards in the field.
The synergy between state actors and civil society for monitoring and evaluation of public policies can contribute to improving the performance of those in government. Although the monitoring and evaluation activities of public policies practiced by the two actors are different in their approaches, they are complementary and mutually nourish each other for a better efficiency of public action.
The Project
In Benin, the NEP defines the role and place of civil society in the national evaluation system. The NEP stipulates that civil society organisations must be involved in the conduct of evaluations, be consulted during the process of design and contribute to the reliability of the evaluation work through their knowledge and expertise in the fields concerned.
As in many African countries, CSOs play a crucial role in improving the production and use of evaluation data. Therefore, a framework for sharing and learning between governments and CSOs should make it possible to strengthen the implementation, sustainability and impactof national evaluation systems (NES), thus contributing to the achievement of one of the main objectives of Twende Mbele. It is within this framework that the Twende Mbele program developed the project “Strengthening the participation of civil society organizations (CSOs) in National Evaluation Systems”.
As Benin begins to pilot activities aimed at strengthening this collaboration, a diagnostic study was undertaken in 2021.
Objectives of the Study
The general objective of this study is to carry out an inventory of collaboration between the government and CSOs in terms of monitoring and evaluation and to propose the modalities and strategy for better collaboration in the future. Specifically, it will be:
- identify current practices in Benin on how civil society works with government in using M&E to strengthen government performance;
- define a model of collaboration between the State and CSOs ;
- identify areas where collaboration between the state and CSOs would improve government performance and / or accountability;
- to make recommendations for strengthening the participation of CSOs in Benin’s NES, and strengthening the government’s capacity to better use the evidence produced by CSOs in reform processes and / or in the implementation of policies.
CSO Monitoring of Public Policies in Benin
The monitoring and evaluation of public policies by civil society take the form of citizen monitoring often called Citizen Control of Public Action (CCAP). These are initiatives taken by CSOs to monitor and evaluate public action. The CCAP draws its foundation from the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 1789 which stipulates in its article 14 that “all citizens have the right to ascertain for themselves or through their representatives, the necessity of the public contribution and to monitor its use”. The practice of CCAP makes it possible to strengthen the participation of citizens in the management of public affairs, to promote the accountability of those in power and to contribute to the effectiveness of public action.
Strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for collaboration
The environment of collaboration between the State and CSOs in Benin presents several strengths that can foster collaboration, this includes:
- The existence of a regulatory and legal framework which forms and frames the collaboration between the State and CSOs. Additionally,
- the practice of monitoring and evaluating public policies is developed both on the part of the State and on the side of CSOs.
However, the weaknesses of collaboration between the State and CSOs in Benin relate to:
- predisposition of certain State institutions to collaborate with CSOs. The latter have not yet become aware of the challenges associated with such a collaboration.
- the difficulties in accessing information on public governance
Regarding opportunities:
- the existence of international agreements that recommend that governments involve civil society in public governance is a factor that CSOs can refer to for advocacy and lobbying.
- The support of development partners for civil society is a factor which should also be underlined.
- the establishment of an institutional mechanism for collaboration in the sectors of water, energy, health and education like the agricultural sector with the PASCiB and the MAEP.
Model of Collaboration Between the State and CSOS
Collaboration between the state and civil society organisations requires an a systematic approach and methodology. From the successful experience of the collaboration between MALF and PASCIB, as well as that of the Social Change Benin, PASCIB and WANEP consortium, five determinants of collaboration emerge:
- Establishment of inclusive and continuous dialogue between state and non-state actors;
- Harmonization of visions and development approaches;
- Awareness of the importance of the collaboration between the State and CSOs;
- Inclusive participation of NSA in the management of public policies;
- Formalization of the collaboration.
Way Forward
Utilising the lessons from successful partnerships, and understanding the factors for success, BEPPAAG is leading a pilot project with the Education Sector in 2022. The aim of this project will be create a more sustainable collaborative relationship for M&E using new tools for collaboration on evaluations.
Adapting the National Evaluation System during COVID-19
Observations from Aloyce Ratemo and Timothy Lubanga
When COVID19 hit, it took us all by surprise. In response to the pandemic, many governments were unsure of which measures to take and for how long. Governments’ already limited resources were stretched, and economic activities which government rely on for service delivery were increasingly hampered.
Government demand for M&E
Kenya’s government prepared a Post-COVID19 Economic Recovery Strategy, a two-year strategy to put the Kenyan economy on a recovery path. This Strategy included M&E indicators to track the progress of the different initiatives. When preparing a recent progress annual report (2019/20 and 2020/21 Annual Progress Reports), it was clear that economic activity had reduced significantly, and that further monitoring information was needed to guide the next steps. Surveys from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics painted a bleak picture of the economy particularly around job losses and business closures, further indicating the negative impact of COVID19 on the economy. These has aided in resource allocation and mobilization efforts.
In Uganda there was an increased demand for evidence, particularly real health and economic statistics and M&E data. The government of Uganda, facing social pressures, came up with a strategy to increase its social welfare programs for the hardest-hit citizens. However, it became clear that the Bureau of Statistics did not have the necessary data to find and understand who was hardest hit. As a result, the government made a directive to invest more in statistics and M&E systems so as to have the necessary information to target service delivery to vulnerable groups better.
In Uganda and Kenya there has been a reduction in development assistance funding over the last couple of years. Increased demand for M&E has been driven mainly by a desire by governments for prudent spending and budgeting; ensuring they put resources where it will yield greatest benefits. The government has been doing this by better prioritization and maximisation of resources, particularly in the last 18 months.
Impact on citizens’ participation in holding government accountable
Juggling the demands for social distancing and lockdowns on one hand with the desire for citizen participation and feedback to government on the other has been a challenge, Existing for a like Baraza’s continues to exist, but with limited numbers and a greater focus on covid-19 activities, which may mean other services have suffered.
In Kenya, one of the governments’ containment measures was to ban all forms of in person meetings and trainings. Unfortunately this has stalled a lot engagement points with community and progress reports from the various government agencies show that most targets were not achieved due to COVID-19 containment measures.
Expanding Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs)
The move to working from home has not always been easy, but the evaluation community has adapted well. In a recent National M&E Conference Kenya (9th National M&E Conference), over 600 participants engaged from online platforms. This was the highest attendance of the event since its inception. Another positive outcome of the online migration has to been allow a more streamlined annual progress report (track the implementation of the Medium Term Plan of Kenya). Online methods of data collection and validation facilitated completion of the annual progress report in record time – three months earlier than usual.
Uganda saw a slower uptake of online engagements and tools, however, since embarrassing the transition, online migration has increased participation and attendance at meetings, workshops and conferences. Secondly, it has encouraged essential upgrades to information and communications technologies, while also saving money on international and local travel.
Expectations for the future post COVID
The COVID-19 pandemic brought to light the lack of adequate systems, data and statistics needs to be able to guide decisions and learning in a more nimble way. Investing in ICT will provide opportunities for greater collaboration, communication and cost-effective monitoring. However, governments must continue to prioritise their own evidence needs and invest in quality data systems, rapid evaluations and long term goals. There is need for capacity building on how to conduct M&E in the context of pandemics. M&E Plans need to be revised to address recovery strategies. Explore new data collections methods and methodologies to conduct M&E.
Call For Proposal for a literature review
Call For Proposal For a Literature Review
The purpose of this TOR is to invite proposals for a literature review focusing on providing options for practical tools used to strengthen government budgeting systems by improving the use of evidence (with particular focus on M&E).
Application Deadline: October 31st 2021
Location: Remote
Use the link below for the full terms of reference: bit.ly/3beR6tn
Send applications to [email protected]
Atelier Sur l’Évaluation Rapide 4-7 Octobre 2021
Atelier Sur l’Évaluation Rapide 4-7 Octobre 2021
l’atelier sur l’évaluation rapide a l’ hôtel toubal de Dosso organisé par le Haut Commissariat à la Modernisation de l’Etat. L’atelier se déroule du 4 au 7 octobre.
10ème conférence de l’AfrEA reportée du 15 au 19 novembre 2021
10ème conférence de l’AfrEA reportée du 15 au 19 novembre 2021
Le comité d’organisation de la conférence AfrEA est ravi d’annoncer que la nouvelle date de la conférence est du 15 au 19 novembre 2021.