Programs: Local Democratic Governance

 

In the local government component of Haiti’s Democracy Enhancement Project, ADF designed and implemented a civic education and skills training initiative, geared toward both officials and select constituents in twenty-five of Haiti's 133 municipalities. Over 750 local government officials and civil society representatives were trained on the principles of democratic governance as outlined in Haiti’s 1987 Constitution, the role and structure of the different government bodies, and the relationship between elected officials and their constituents. Practical experience was gained in engaging in public dialogue on local problems and the allocation of public resources. The local governance program also sponsored extensive research, analysis and public policy debate and supported emerging associations of municipal officials.

 

In its Haiti Citizens’ Networks Program ADF worked with community-based popular organizations to develop their understanding of the concepts of democratic governance and their role in this process. ADF later built upon this increased understanding by sponsoring local civic forums that brought together the three main public actors in the community (government, private sector, and civil society) to discuss local problems, define priorities, and commit to working together to resolve these problems. With technical assistance from ADF, local community development committees were formed to design and implement projects drawing upon resources from all three sectors to improve local conditions.

 

In Serbia, ADF’s Community Revitalization through Democratic Action program brought together local officials with communities to discuss local problems and to work together on projects to overcome these problems. Resources for local activities were invested by the community, government, and ADF. Local representative Community Development Groups that include both citizen and local government participation were responsible for allocating and managing these resources.

 

In Iraq, through the USAID-funded Iraq Civil Society Program (ICSP), ADF developed the capacities of Iraqi CSOs to combat the corruption prevalent in public institutions. CSOs have developed effective advocacy skills to support anti-corruption agendas and their advocacy has been increasingly effective. ICSP’s partner CSOs conducted surveys on corruption among the general public and among government employees in 16 of Iraq’s 18 provinces. Results of the surveys were presented at town meetings to Provincial Councils, the public and local branches of the Inspector General’s office and Commission for Public Integrity. As a result, these 16 provinces have established joint committees to monitor and promote greater transparency in local government decision-making. Over 850 CSOs received ICSP training and technical assistance to build their knowledge and skills in anti-corruption work. Many of these CSO have, in turn, provided training to other Iraqi CSOs and government agencies on recognizing and fighting corruption. The CSO-driven National Anti-Corruption Awareness Raising Campaign utilized print and electronic media and the work of Iraqi artists (mobile theaters, art exhibitions, and cartoon displays) to reach over a million people. More than 750 workshops held by ICSP and/or its Iraqi CSO partners resulted in anti-corruption training to over 13,000 government officials and civil servants. The impact of this work includes the establishment of mechanisms to register citizen complaints or charges of corruption as well as the removal of government officials charged with unethical behavior.