Strengthen evidence, good practice and knowledge exchange

in priority thematic areas related to the Accra Agenda for Action (AAA)

LenCD Partner Initiative – Overview

 

Background

The preparatory process for the Accra High Level Forum (September 2008) contributed to setting a priority agenda for action on capacity development in the context of the aid effectiveness agenda. It was embodied concisely in the Bonn Consensus (May 2008) and more substantively in the “Perspectives on Capacity Development for Accra and Beyond” also generated at the Bonn Workshop.

Several of the work streams going into Accra are now rethinking their work plan for the post-Accra era, including the DAC, the CD Alliance. It is expected that these efforts will become operational around a more coordinated common effort by early 2009. LenCD can support the implementation of CD aspects of the AAA through 2011, play a neutral and supportive learning role, which stimulates both the Southern advocacy offered by the CD alliance and the DAC encouragement for donor change. LenCD can connect and reinforce many ongoing efforts by Southern, multi- and bilateral agencies to broaden and deepen CD evidence and make such accessible widely.

Approach

This is a centrepiece in pulling together strands of evidence and knowledge in a codified way and making them accessible to the wider community. Insights may come from the learning programme, from (sub) regional knowledge exchanges, from research done by partners or wherever. LenCD would encourage cross-organizational working groups to bring and sharpen evidence. This is based on convergence of common interest and employing resources in a complementary way.

The following areas may be a possible starting point:

·      CD learning and strategies in a sectoral or thematic setting

·      Measurement of capacity and CD (assessment, M&E)

·      The role of incentives in public service delivery

·      Interface capacity for engagement between Civil Society and Government

·      Capacity development in fragile contexts

The focus in and beyond these areas will be shaped based on expressed demand, interest and available resources.

The process will largely be managed electronically with dedicated workspaces and products would link to existing efforts for documenting evidence and providing access in resource corners. The working groups would manage their own way of engaging with support as required by the executive coordinator. Physical meetings where the respective issues are at the centre of debate can be organized in relevant settings, ideally linked to a mainstream process that would directly benefit (e.g. collaboration with Regional Evaluation Associations on CD measurement). It is important to foresee sufficient energy to distil good practice and to package it in ways that can easily be accessed and/or cater meaningfully for particular purposes.

 

Budget

The budget would vary depending on scope and member engagement. The Executive coordinator would hold the various work streams together. Most resources for supporting this effort can come from various partners interested in collaborating in the particular area. It will be critical to have a champion that is willing to manage the process and take the lead in pulling together the collective products. Working groups may decide to collectively outsource some work.