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Accomplishments of Projects

UNDP in The Gambia

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE Cluster

As detailed in the CPAP (January 2012 to December 2016), UNDP will continue its work in governance and human rights by providing support to strengthen capacities of governance institutions for accountability, justice and participation at all levels.

Interventions for this programme period include the following:

Outcome Title & Code Strengthened capacities of governance institutions responsible for accountability, justice and participation at all levels – 00066971

Output Nos., Title & Code 1.3.1 Support the provision of legal aid and ADR services at decentralized level

1.3.2 Develop knowledge tools, support periodic dialogue fora and strengthen management and reporting systems in areas such as public financial management, justice to the poor and promote participation and voice at central and local levels.

1.3.3 Support the establishment and operationalization of a consultative forum for meaningful and active non-state actors (CSOs) participation in inclusive development

1.3.4 Support the review of existing laws and practices and facilitate periodic reporting on international norms as well as amend existing laws in conformity with international best practices

1.3.5 Support the implementation of gender policy to ensure empowerment of women at all levels and sectors

1.3.6 Support awareness raising through effective communication and advocacy interventions on Electoral Rights, Civic Education and Human Rights at all levels

1.3.7 Support to strengthen PLHIV networks and support groups

1.3.8 Enhance strategic operational support for programme implementation

1.4.1. Support the formulation, adoption and implementation of coherent social protection framework

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especially for women, youths, disabled and vulnerable groups

1.4.2 Support the establishment of a consultative platform for dialogue on social protection policies, systems and strategies

1.4.3 Assess and strengthen the capacities of relevant institutions with mandates to develop coherent social protection framework, effective delivery mechanisms and targeting principles

1.5.1 Establish dialogue with the Government on lessons learnt from the piloted Public Sector Reform Strategy and the way forward

1.5.2 Support the upgrade of skills and training of existing civil servants and civil service institutions such as MDI for performance-based management

1.5.3 Strengthen volunteering infrastructure to address existing human resources capacity gaps and encourage transfer of skills

1.5.4. Continue to support the implementation of e-governance for effective and efficient public service delivery in support of the implementation of Civil Service Reform Strategy (CSR)

Duration 2012 – 2016

Implementing Partners Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MOFEA)

CCF Sectoral Theme Governance

Funding TRAC

Project Manager Bashirou Garba-Jahumpa

Project Status On-going

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1. Overview

The 1997 Constitution provides the framework for strengthening the governance processes in The Gambia for poverty reduction, sustainable improvement of the socio-economic and living standards of all. Progress is being made in some areas on financial and economic governance. Civil Service Reform is also ongoing with proposals to increase salaries, improve policy planning and management and institutionalize a performance reward system. These measures are critical to improving public service delivery, addressing poverty and gender issues, in a context where local communities are largely dependent on public service, especially at local government level.

The Government of The Gambia has taken important steps to ensure inclusiveness as a result of the 1997 Constitution, which revised the voting age downwards from 21 to 18 years. The Presidency has nominated women to the National Assembly; however, with only 7.2% constituting female members, there remains the challenge of increasing the number of elected women in the National Assembly. The same constitution also requires elected National Assembly members to spend a required amount of time in their constituencies in order to broaden citizen participation and inclusiveness. There is room for improvement.

Other measures that will encourage and strengthen democracy and electoral processes include: legal reforms and institutional building; a more vigorous civic and voter education campaign; a ture decentralized governance arrangement; inclusive participation of the citizenry, especially women and youth in government activities at national and local level will effect a change in citizens’ attitude to the issues of governance and democracy; and press freedom

According to the Beijing+ 15 Report of 2009, women constitute 51% of the population of The Gambia but occupy only 9.4% of the skilled labour force compared to 61.9% of the unskilled. This challenge posed by the low level of literacy among women also limits their participation in decision making and representation in decision making bodies. This low representation or "invisibility" is most pronounced

in local government administration where out of all the Governors, Mayors, Chairpersons of Councils and District Chiefs, there are no women. Women constitute 13.4% of elected councillors and of the 1,873 Alkalolu (village heads) in The Gambia, only 5 are women. Women constitute 7.2% of the membership of the National Assembly and 21.1 % of the Executive or Cabinet. low representation means that women are not able to influence decisions at the national level, including those that directly affect their lives such as harmful and or disenfranchising cultural beliefs and practices. Therefore, ensuring participation and equal representation of women in the decision making processes is one way of empowering them and lightening their burden. The national gender policy (2010 - 2020) states and aims to achieve 30% participation of women in public and elected positions.

HIV AIDS prevalence rate in The Gambia has remained low since being diagnosed in 1986. The 2008 sentinel surveillance data puts the prevalence rate at 1.4%. Between 1993 and 2007, the prevalence rate has been uneven between HIV1 and HIV2.A

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review of the National Aids Control Programme (NACP) and MRC reports revealed that 54 % and 46% of the AIDS cases are women and men respectively; and 90% of all cases are found between the ages of 20 to 54. The data further reveals that men in the 35 to 55 age bracket are twice more likely to be infected than their female counterparts. The likelihood is higher in younger females compared to males of their age group (18-25). The Gambia has adopted the ''Three Ones" approach (one strategic plan, one coordinating body and one M&E Framework) as the basis for combating HIV and AIDS

The UNDAF 2012-2016 seeks to align with national development priorities identified in the P A G E . To ensure consistency, the three pillars of the UNDAF, namely; Poverty Reduction, Basic Social Services and Governance and Human Rights have been aligned with some of the PAGE programmes. The formulation of the CPAP drew upon the UNDAF and UNDP CPO, and was prepared in a participatory manner involving a wide range of stakeholders, including the Government, UN agencies, Civil Society and other development partners. The process highlighted the key challenges that are facing The Gambia and identified priority interventions to achieve its development aspirations. To this end, the CPAP will be guided by the need to promote and sustain inclusive development in The Gambia. Over the programme period, focus will be on two outcomes or programmatic results namely first (Outcome1) "Capacities of institutions responsible for economic management and governance for inclusive growth that benefits women and men and evidence based policy formulation and implementation enhanced" and second (Outcome2) "Sustainable livelihoods security enhanced for disadvantaged groups through the promotion of income diversification opportunities and better management of environmental resources".

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2. In-depth

Accomplishments for Outcome 1 Governance Component include the following:

1.3.1

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Legal Aid sensation conducted through TV and radio talk time and community sensitization in Greater Banjul, North Bank Region and URR

300 brochures on ADR printed for advocacy 200 ADR Acts printed for dissemination and the Act being reviewed for updating Database and website developed for ADR and NALA Preparation and dissemination of the ADR Code of Conduct and Ethics for ADR

Practitioners 150 people in Basse sensitized about ADR services in The Gambia Private sector in The Gambia sensitized about ADR services in the country Provision of administrative services and technical support to the ADR Secretariat

and the National Agency for Legal Aid (NALA) Legal Aid Consultative workshop with CSOs conducted to strategise on most

effective way of collaboration between NALA and CSOs to provide ready access to level aid services in the country

Cross Country Vehicle provided to NALA for ease of mobility IUNV recruited to support technical and administrative support to NALA Office Police prosecutors trained on Legal Aid Radio and TV sensitization on Legal Aid carried out and brochure for NALA

disseminated 2 district meetings in North Bank Region conducted as part of legal aid regional

sensitization Procurement of motor bike for NALA Basse Centre to facilitate mobility while

delivering legal aid services Supported sensitization of 45 district tribunals on legal aid services in The Gambia

1.3.2

Administrative support to the National Audit Office in the form of office furniture, equipment and system

Training for 3 participants (One participant each from National Audit Office, National Assembly and Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs) in Budgeting and Financial Management for Public Sector

Training of 50 UNDP IPs and Sub-IPs on UNDP Audit Procedures conducted Strategic Plan of the NAO reviewed during a two day consultative meeting Pre Budget Orientation provided to 70 people including all National Assembly

Members Conducted review of the Standing orders for the National Assembly 20000 copies of community policing brochures produced and disseminated

nationwide

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Conducted training of 100 police officers on Community Policing within the KM, Banjul and WC Regions

1.3.3

Conducted 2 fora on citizen engagement and social audit in CRR North and West Coast Region respectively

Seminar conducted for 25 representatives from CSOs on policy dialogue, role and impact of CSOs on National Development

25 representatives of CSOs trained on Development Evaluation National forum conducted for 35 CSO representatives to build synergy and

capacities regional pressure groups on advocacy and lobbying skills for the promotion and protection of women’s rights, empowerment and political representation.

Capacity building provided to 35 media practitioners on gender, media ethics and media law

Conducted workshop for 30 CSO participants on Advocacy through power mapping and consultation forum with 3 main individual political parties for adoption of quota system for women in all elective posts

National forum conducted for 30 members of inter-party committee of all politica particies in collaboration with IEC for adoption of a temporal measure for women’s active participation and representation in all elective posts

Conducted capacity building of 30 media practitioners on human rights instruments

1.3.4

Supported development of action plan for implementation of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

1.3.5

Conducted sensitization and training workshop for 55 government senior officials on the Women’s Act (2010) and Gender Policy (2010-2020)

Supported participation of 5 Gambian delegates in the CSW

1.3.6

100 people from the communities of CRR North and West Coast Region were sensitized on fundamental human rights and freedoms

Community sensitization on human rights conducted in North Bank Region Lower River Region

48 community members of North Bank trained on the Local Government Act 2002 100 members of Village Development committees in CRR North and CRR South

were trained on the Local Government Act of 2002 50 trainers were trained in CRR North and Kombo North on Human Rights Based

Approach to Development HRBA Training Manual Developed Sensitization provided for village development committees in CRR South on the

Local Government Act

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300 community members of CRR South and URR trained on human rights and freedoms

Conducted nationwide civic education campaign on the Local Government Elections of 2013 in 119 wards of the 5 provincial regions.

Conducted 7 radio programmes on the national radio, private and community radio stations for Local Government Elections sensitization

Conducted 3 television live phone in programmes for sensitization on the local government elections

Sensitization conducted for schools in all 7 regions of the country on human rights advocacy and citizen participation

Orientation conducted for newly elected Councilors (155 Councilors) nation-wide on the amended Local Government Act and Human Rights

1.3.7

HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination study was produced Training provided to 75 PLHIVs on stigma, discrimination, treatment literacy and

positive prevention Consultation on cross border initiatives conducted for 40 people Developing a National Strategic Framework on Gender Based Violence, HIV and

Human Rights HIV Aids Training provided for 30 people on gender HIV and Human Rights Training conducted for 525 security personnel in the Tourism Development Area on

Gender Based Violence, HIV, Human Rights Face to face community meetings in 119 Wards of all 5 provincial regions

conducted

1.3.8

Provision of Regular refresher training for IPs and Sub-IPs on HACT Administrative services and support provided for programme implementation

through the established PMU A staff of the Policy Analysis Unit was trained in Information, Records and

Knowledge Management Close monitoring of project implementation conducted on a regular basis (quarterly)

1.4.1.1 Development of social protection policy and action plan

UNDP supported the social protection mapping and analysis exercises leading to informed policy and action plan. The institutional arrangement to guide the policy formulation is already identified and being strengthened

1.4.2.2

Five billboards and other information materials on disability produced for the Gambia Federation of the Disabled.

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1.5.2

Supported the Personnel Management Office in providing specialized training for 25 Senior level civil servants on RBM, Policy formulation, Strategic Planning and Reporting

1.5.3

Recruited a National volunteer coordinator to coordinate all volunteer activities in the country

Developed the National Volunteer Policy for consideration of the legislature

1.5.4

Procured equipment for the newly established Rural Community Information Centre Supported consultancy to carry out a feasibility study for scaling up of the e-

Government Data Center

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3. Projects:

Under outcome one of the One Programme Document of UNDP’s 2012-2016 CPAP, the following three main outputs contribute towards achievement of the Governance and Human Rights focus area

1.3. Strengthened capacities of governance institutions responsible for accountability, justice and participation at all levels

This project was established to strengthen the capacities of key governance institutions working on accountability, justice and participation of people in national development.

These institutions deal with justice at the decentralized levels through the provision of legal aid and alternative dispute resolution service;

oversight institutions such as the National Audit Office and the National Assembly, in addition to some other key governance institutions, are provided support to develop knowledge tools, conduct fora and strengthen their management and reporting systems in areas of public financial management, justice to the poor and promotion of participation and voice at central and loc al levels;

Support is also provided to Civil Society Organizations to help them establish and operationalize a consultative forum for meaningful and active participation in inclusive development;

Support is provided to review existing laws and practices and facilitate periodic reporting on international norms as well as amend existing laws in conformity with international best practices to promote inclusive development;

Support is provided for implementation of gender policy to ensure empowerment of women at all levels and sectors;

Support provided to awareness raising through effective communication and advocacy interventions on Electoral Rights, Civic Education and Human Rights at all levels;

Support to strengthen PLHIV networks and support groups; Enhance strategic operational support for programme implementation;

1.4. Social protection framework formulated, adopted and implemented in partnership with relevant UN Agencies

This is a high level project formulated to provide support to establishment of the relevant social protection frameworks through the joint effort of UN Agencies in partnership with national stakeholders. Among others, the project provides the following:

Support the formulation, adoption and implementation of coherent social protection framework especially for women, youths, disabled and vulnerable groups

Support the establishment of a consultative platform for dialogue on social protection policies, systems and strategies

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Assess and strenghten the capacities of relevant institutions with mandates to develop coherent social protection framework, effective delivery mechanisms and targeting principles

1.5. Access to best practices for civil service reform at national and local levels facilitated

This is a follow up project to the old CPAP interventions that supported civil service reform at national and local levels. The project seeks to implement lessons learned from the Public Sector Reform and Institutional Capacity Development Project as well that of the support provided to the civil service in terms of e-governance.

Among others, the project aims to achieve the following:

Establish dialogue with the Government on lessons learnt from the piloted Public Service Reform (PSR) and the way forward

Support the upgrade of skills and training of existing civil servants and civil service oriented institutions such as MDI for performance-based management

Strengthen volunteering infrastructure to address existing human resources capacity gaps and encourage transfer of skills

Continue to support the implementation of e-governance for effective and efficient public service delivery in support of the implementation of Civil Service Reform Strategy (CSR)

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Planned Activities for 2013 include:

1.3.1

ADR dialogue with Judges and Lawyers Construction of waiting shed for clients of the ADR Regional Centre in Basse Preparation of ADR Training Manual Training of Community Mediators in Basse and Farafenni Review and Update of the ADR Act (2005)

1.3.2

Capacity building of NAMs on key oversight functions

1.3.4

Treaty body reporting on CRC, CEDAW and CERD Implementation of Resolution 1325 Action Plan

1.3.5

Update and Development of Action Plan for the African Gender Development Index (AGDI)

Recruit IUNV for development of AGDI database development Conduct comprehensive review on adequacy of laws, policies and vision 2020 on

gender sensitivity Dissemination Workshop on Gender Policy conducted Capacity Building of traditional communicators on Gender Policy and Act Finalise the Gender Policy Strategic Plan Review and Update Gender Responsive Budgeting report Conduct sensitization training workshop for newly elected National Assembly

members on the Women’s Act and the Gender Policy Support enactment of Sexual Offence, FGM & Domestic Violence Bills: Dialogue

session with NGOs Celebration of International Women’s Day

1.3.6 Finalisation and pre-test of HRBA training manual

Conduct face to face community meetings in 60 villages on civic education and human rights

Conduct TOT on HRBA Conduct step down training on HRBA in CRRN and Kombo North

1.3.7

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Terminal Evaluation of the Joint Programme on PLHIV/AIDS Organize UN Cares and UN learning strategy on HIV prevention, treatment, care

and support workshop Capacity building and institutional strengthening for PL Networks and Support

Groups Training of 300 PLHIV on Treatment Literacy Income Generation for PLHIVS

1.4.2.2

Recording of summary of the UNCRPD in 3 local languages for radio transmission Capacity Assessment of the GFD Capacity Assessment Thematic stakeholder forum on themes of accessibility, employment, health and

information

1.5.2

Review of condition and scheme of services for MDI Upgrading Internet Facilities for MDI

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4. News

UNDP Supports training of Media Practitioners on Human Rights Instruments

UNDP provided support to the Gambia Press Union (GPU) in organizing a 3-day capacity-building training for journalists on Human Rights Instruments rom the 21st to 23rd of August, 2013. The event is the second of a series of training-of-journalists programmes being implemented by the GPU under the UNDP’s 2007-2012 CPAP.

The workshop brought together thirty (30) journalists drawn from print, broadcast and online media. This comprised beginners and mid-career journalists, specialized human rights reporters and general assignment reporters, staff journalists and freelance journalists.

The objectives of the workshop were to:

(A) Build the capacity of media workers to enable them to report professionally on human rights issues.

(B) Equip the media workers with relevant knowledge on rights to enable them document and expose human rights violations.

(C) Encourage media workers to promote local and international human rights instruments on their newspapers and radios.

And the outcomes were as follows:

A well trained and informed journalists on Human Rights Reporting Professional and ethical coverage of Human Rights issues by trained

journalists A synergy built among the journalists to mainstream Human Rights issues in

news reporting

Participants were taken through a wide range of topics concerning human rights by experts in the field namely, Dr Abubacarr Senghore of the University of the Gambia, Mr Gaye Sowe of the Instituted for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA), Mr Cherno Marenah of Ministry of Justice, Mrs Neneh Cham and Mrs Sagar Jahateh, both from the Female Lawyers’ Association (FLAG) and two revered media practitioners, Sam Sarr and Ahmed Aloa Alota.

The many questions addressed during the course of the 3 day training included:

- What are human rights? - Why are journalists concerned with human rights? - What tools do journalists need? - How is human rights enforced? - Which human rights instruments are available to journalists both at the domestic

and international levels? - What did these instruments say about journalism? - Freedom of speech: What’s the history and why does it matter?

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Consultation Forum of Main Political Parties and National Forum to Form Inter-Party Committee

A four-day consultation was convened at the Paradise Suites Hotel, from July 31 to August 1, 2013 under the joint auspices of the African Center for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS), the UNDP- Gambia Office and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, for members/representatives of three leading political parties, namely APRC, NRP and UDP, to explore means of increasing the representation and participation of Gambian women in the political dispensation.

The first three days of the consultations brought together 86 participants, comprising of female and male party activists and leaders to exchange views and thoughts on issues relating to the political empowerment of women, and to explore how to advocate for the adoption of:

1. A quota system for women in all elective posts; and2. Temporal measures for women’s active participation and representation in all

elective posts.

The first day of the consultation, which was exclusive to the APRC, brought together 28 members. The second day brought together 29 NRP activists/members, while on the third day, 29 members of the UDP convened. The APRC team was all female while the other two parties had an almost equal gender mix and representation from central and branch offices. The fourth day brought together six representatives of each of the three political parties, and personnel of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to discuss how political parties can collectively work for the realization of active participation and representation of women in all elective posts. (See Annex 1 for List of Participants)

OBJECTIVES OF THE FORUMSThe intra-party forums were intended to discuss how “to promote the representation of women, advocacy and advance quota systems for women in all elective posts in a bid to strengthen capacities of governance institutions responsible for accountability, justice and participation at all levels.” The inter-party consultation, on the other hand, afforded party representatives an opportunity “to discuss the establishment of a National Inter-Party Committee for the adoption of temporal measures for women’s active participation and representation in a bid to strengthen capacities of governance institutions responsible for accountability, justice and participation at all levels.”

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TRAINING ON DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION

Introduction

With support from UNDP, The Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (TANGO) organized training for 25 participants of CSOs on Development Evaluation from the 26th to 28th June 2013. The objective of the training was to build the capacity of NGO professionals in the areas of data collection, management and analysis as well as in monitoring and evaluation for development results. The training was tailored to the needs of the trainees to better apply their skills in the day-to-day execution of their duties. The training was conducted through presentations and hands-on practical work on questionnaire design and research techniques, data analysis and management. Practical examples related to their current work were given to enhance their understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. The training was interactive to ensure that participants concentrate and follow the lectures.

Day 1

The first day was the opening ceremony chaired by the Programme Manager of TANGO. The Executive Director of TANGO gave the welcoming remarks to the participants highlighting the importance and objective of the workshop.

The topic for the day was on research methods. The participants were exposed to different types of data collection methods both qualitative and quantitative studies. An exercise was given to them on research method or methods to be used for different researches. The participants were taken through the different sampling methods (probability and non- probability sampling). They were give exercises on how to do sampling in case one is conducting a sample survey.

The participants were exposed to different techniques of data processing (i.e. designing a screen, entering the data, data management and data analysis). All the participants were given the opportunity on how to run simple frequencies. The participants we r e also exposed how to prepared dummy tables and how to interpret statistical tables.

Day 2

The training on Day 2 was on monitoring and evaluation focusing on the following issues:

• Planning evaluations and project cycles• Thoughts about Monitoring and Evaluation• The use of logical, strategic and result-orientated frameworks to control and

monitor programmes and projects• Objective setting and performance measurement• Collection and management of data to inform learning and identify solutions• Improve the operation and management of the M&E function• Improve the effectiveness of the M&E process to help assess programme impacts

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Day 3

The focus of the day was on Development Evaluation, which also focused on the following areas:

1. What is Development Evaluation?

2. Development Evaluation approaches

3. Evaluation and Development

4. When is Development Evaluation appropriate

5. What point in the initiative should a Development Evaluator get involved

6. Competencies needed to be an effective Development Evaluator

7. Who to choose as a Development Evaluator

8. Entry point for the Development Evaluator: orienting yourself

9. Entry point for the Development Evaluator: building relationships

10. Entry point for the Development Evaluator: developing a learning framework

11. Development evaluation analysis

12. Development evaluation data

13. Conventional vs Development Evaluation

14. Challenges of Development Evaluation

The rest of the day was entirely practical on how to design data entry screen using Census and Survey Processing System (CSPro) and using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for data analysis.

Structure of Training The training was structured like this:

• Introduction

– Definition of Census and Survey – Census surveys and sample design.Examples of surveys of surveys and censuses: 2003 Population and Housing Census, 2006 Economic census, Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, Integrated Household Survey, Poverty and Social Impact Assessment. Sample of Questionnaires used in Qualitative and Quantitative surveys will be used during the training

– Advantages and Disadvantages of Censuses and Surveys

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• Sample Surveys

– Definition of Sampling ( population and frames)– What is a sampling frame– Types and methods of Sampling –

Non probability sampling (Convenience sampling and Quota sampling) Probability sampling (Simple random sampling, random number tables, systematic random sampling, stratified random sampling, cluster sampling)

– Sampling Frame– Advantages and Disadvantages of the various method of sampling

• Data collection methods and their advantages and disadvantages: Self completion questionnaire, telephone interviews, personal (face – face interview)

• Problems arising in the collection of data – Validation and verifications (consistency)• Questionnaire design

– Principles of questionnaire design – formulation questions• Types of questions and their advantages and disadvantages• Coding of response categories – before the survey, during the survey and after the survey• Data cleaning• Data Analysis – Use of a software or Focus Group Discussions• Data quality and management

RESULTS OF THE TRAINING

By the end of the training, the participants will be able to:

• Distinguish between experimental and observational studies;

• Define, explain and give examples of census and sample surveys;

• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of census and sample surveys;

• Understand the main method of data collection using questionnaires;

• Understand the advantages and disadvantages of self-completion, telephone interviewing and personal interviewing methods;

• Understand problems that can be encountered during data collection as a result of poor questionnaire design, misinterpretation of questions, interviewer problems, etc;

• Design and assess a questionnaire based on best practice principles of questionnaire and question design;

• The use of coding in data processing;

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• The use of pilot surveys

• Understand the concepts of a ‘population’ and a ‘sampling frame’;

• Identify, understand and explain how under-coverage and over-coverage of a sample can bias the results of a survey;

• Understand the difference between random and non-random sampling;

• Understand convenience and quota sampling and identify the advantages and disadvantages of each;

• Select appropriate sample size under constraints of cost and accuracy

• Understand how dummy tables are prepared

• Understand what is meant by data management

• Understand what is meant by documentation

• Understand what is data cleaning and analysis

Training Seminar on NGO Legitimacy, accountability and sustainability

With funding from UNDP Gambia, TANGO implemented a component in the UNDP country program, ‘CPAP 2013: Output 1.3.3: Support the establishment and operationalization of a consultative forum for meaningful and active non-state actors (CSOs) participation in inclusive development’.

In light of the above, TANGO organized a three-day seminar on NGO Legitimacy, Accountability and Sustainability on the 26th – 29th June 2013 at the Conference Hall of the National Nutrition Agency (Kanifing Municipality, The Gambia). The seminar targeted 25 Board Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons, Treasurers and other members of CSO community given their role in oversight and decision making that go to impact on the operations, management and governance of development organizations.

The training sought to highlight the issues of good governance as a prerequisite for strengthening the integrity and status of NGOs, resource mobilization and creating positive public perception as well as ensuring effective and efficient results-based development work and service delivery.

The training is also closely linked to the useful insights obtained from the findings of the TANGO membership assessment study conducted in 2012, which identified specific capacity development needs in these areas for the NGO community in the country.

The main objectives of the training are:

● To develop the capacity of NGOs/CBOs in analyzing and managing accountability responsibilities to stakeholders, with a view to enhancing their legitimacy and thereby improving their chances of sustainability;

● To provide mechanisms for NGO partnerships and networking on joint ventures;

● To expose participants to the various aspects of NGO sustainability;

● To reflect on the legitimacy of NGOs and to contribute to improving the management of their legitimacy by identifying and analyzing the main criteria and challenges for legitimacy; and

● To enhance NGOs/CBOs capacity in policy and advocacy work.

Three main areas have been identified as crucial for NGOs /CBOs in the country and hence the focus of the training program: NGO accountability, NGO legitimacy and NGO sustainability. Skills in these three areas should enable NGOs to operate effectively and harmoniously, and also be able to sustain the operations of their organizations.The training program will focus on the following three thematic areas:

NGO Accountability: The training will equip participants with the requisite skills to analyze, streamline and strengthen their accountability responsibilities to stakeholders;

NGO Legitimacy: In a competitive and unstable market environment, it is effective to build and maintain trust, reputation and credibility. The training will provide participating NGOs with the skills in how to construct and manage legitimacy for enhancing organisational effectiveness;

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NGO Sustainability: This is a crucial area for any organization to operate in the current competitive environment. This training should enhance the NGOs/CBOs ability to analyze and effectively manage their sustainability options, and design targeted resource mobilisation strategies to guide their organizations.

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Senior Level Civil Servants Trained on RBM, Policy formulation, strategic Planning and Reporting

In pursuit of its support for public sector reform in The Gambia, the UNDP supported a training for 25 senior level Civil Servants on RBM, Policy formulation, Strategic Planning and Reporting. This was based on the recognition that civil servants need to possess adequate capacities and skills commensurate to the tasks and responsibilities contained in their mandates. Administrative and leadership skills are in dispensation for implementation of national development goals.

Topics at the training included management and administrative planning, monitoring and evaluation, effective communication, change management; ethics project management cycle, negotiation skills and effective office administration using information technology. The training aims at building leadership and project management skills and pertinent information technology capabilities among these officers. The training will help government in effectively revitalizing the sector, coming up with innovative approaches in addressing national issues and promoting a better quality of life for all Gambians.

The training is part of the national capacity building initiative targeting the project staff of the government. It is designed to fill the human resource capacity gaps not just of middle to senior level project staff but ultimately for teams working directly at the Project Intervention sites or Practice Areas.

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