PROJECT
Active Citizens and Accountable Local Government
LESSON
Lesson Learned: Active Citizens and Accountable Local Government
Compromise is often a necessary element of successful advocacy processes. Imperfect legislation for pedestrian’s rights can be better than no legislation, particularly when amendments can be introduced later. The original project proposal had included the development and drafting of legislation. However, when the Ministry of the Interior (MoI) launched a bill, IP determined that it would make more sense to engage in and influence the MOI’s proposal rather than seek to push their own initiative. IP engaged in a dual-pronged stategy during the advocacy process that included both constructive and frequent dialogue with the MoI on the content of the law as well as civic activism to pressure parliament on approval of the legislation.
Project Name
Project Partner
BRAC
Project Description
The project aimed to create conditions for more active civic engagement among poor rural citizens. It also aimed to strengthen the capacities of local government to be more accountable and effective in rural provinces in Bangladesh. Project activities were undertaken pre- and post-elections. In line with Bangladesh’s National Rural Development Policy and the constitutional mandate, the project made a deliberate effort to reach out to socially disadvantaged communities. The project’s baseline survey confirmed that the target area's rural population was hardly involved in local decision-making processes and that little was known about the roles and responsibilities of their locally elected representatives, the Union Parishad (UP) members.
Capacity building and communication activities prompted UPs to activate public consultation mechanisms such as standing committees and topical community meetings. Poor citizens were brought into direct contact with their UP members. The project greatly facilitated access to and use of local resources and services corresponding to the needs of the rural poor and the marginalized.
Report
Evaluation Date
November 2012
Theme
Country
LESSON
Lesson Learned: Active Citizens and Accountable Local Government
There are now spaces for citizens’ concerns and the consideration of their suggestions - for example in the context of local budget formulation. There is also evidence that this has led to improved levels of acceptance of things like local tax payment among the rural population in Bangladesh.
Project Name
Project Partner
BRAC
Project Description
The project aimed to create conditions for more active civic engagement among poor rural citizens. It also aimed to strengthen the capacities of local government to be more accountable and effective in rural provinces in Bangladesh. Project activities were undertaken pre- and post-elections. In line with Bangladesh’s National Rural Development Policy and the constitutional mandate, the project made a deliberate effort to reach out to socially disadvantaged communities. The project’s baseline survey confirmed that the target area's rural population was hardly involved in local decision-making processes and that little was known about the roles and responsibilities of their locally elected representatives, the Union Parishad (UP) members.
Capacity building and communication activities prompted UPs to activate public consultation mechanisms such as standing committees and topical community meetings. Poor citizens were brought into direct contact with their UP members. The project greatly facilitated access to and use of local resources and services corresponding to the needs of the rural poor and the marginalized.
Report
Evaluation Date
October 2011
Theme
Country
LESSON
Lesson Learned: Active Citizens and Accountable Local Government
Women Union Parishad members in Bangladesh have moved beyond involvement in fields they are traditionally associated with such as health, education and social services and become increasingly involved in the identification and management of local infrastructure projects and the assurance of public order.
Project Name
Project Partner
BRAC
Project Description
The project aimed to create conditions for more active civic engagement among poor rural citizens. It also aimed to strengthen the capacities of local government to be more accountable and effective in rural provinces in Bangladesh. Project activities were undertaken pre- and post-elections. In line with Bangladesh’s National Rural Development Policy and the constitutional mandate, the project made a deliberate effort to reach out to socially disadvantaged communities. The project’s baseline survey confirmed that the target area's rural population was hardly involved in local decision-making processes and that little was known about the roles and responsibilities of their locally elected representatives, the Union Parishad (UP) members.
Capacity building and communication activities prompted UPs to activate public consultation mechanisms such as standing committees and topical community meetings. Poor citizens were brought into direct contact with their UP members. The project greatly facilitated access to and use of local resources and services corresponding to the needs of the rural poor and the marginalized.
Report
Evaluation Date
October 2011
Theme
Country
LESSON
Lesson Learned: Active Citizens and Accountable Local Government
The beginning of the operation of “Upazila forums” not only helped women Union Parishad members to establish direct working relationships with sub-district level government officials in Bangladesh, they have also facilitated networking among the women from different councils to cooperate and jointly develop solutions to common issues.
Project Name
Project Partner
BRAC
Project Description
The project aimed to create conditions for more active civic engagement among poor rural citizens. It also aimed to strengthen the capacities of local government to be more accountable and effective in rural provinces in Bangladesh. Project activities were undertaken pre- and post-elections. In line with Bangladesh’s National Rural Development Policy and the constitutional mandate, the project made a deliberate effort to reach out to socially disadvantaged communities. The project’s baseline survey confirmed that the target area's rural population was hardly involved in local decision-making processes and that little was known about the roles and responsibilities of their locally elected representatives, the Union Parishad (UP) members.
Capacity building and communication activities prompted UPs to activate public consultation mechanisms such as standing committees and topical community meetings. Poor citizens were brought into direct contact with their UP members. The project greatly facilitated access to and use of local resources and services corresponding to the needs of the rural poor and the marginalized.
Report
Evaluation Date
October 2011
Theme
Country
LESSON
Lesson Learned: Active Citizens and Accountable Local Government
Due to a misunderstanding the grantee's approach to data collection and analysis remained incomplete, as the grantee did not undertake a second survey among a representative sample of beneficiaries for comparative purposes.


Project Name
Project Partner
BRAC
Project Description
The project aimed to create conditions for more active civic engagement among poor rural citizens. It also aimed to strengthen the capacities of local government to be more accountable and effective in rural provinces in Bangladesh. Project activities were undertaken pre- and post-elections. In line with Bangladesh’s National Rural Development Policy and the constitutional mandate, the project made a deliberate effort to reach out to socially disadvantaged communities. The project’s baseline survey confirmed that the target area's rural population was hardly involved in local decision-making processes and that little was known about the roles and responsibilities of their locally elected representatives, the Union Parishad (UP) members.
Capacity building and communication activities prompted UPs to activate public consultation mechanisms such as standing committees and topical community meetings. Poor citizens were brought into direct contact with their UP members. The project greatly facilitated access to and use of local resources and services corresponding to the needs of the rural poor and the marginalized.
Report
Evaluation Date
October 2011
Theme
Country