DRIVERS OF CHANGE Opportunities & Constraints Africa Governance Retreat May 2005 Ann Freckleton

What have the DOC studies told us? All the studies take growth as a given Multiple DOC have been identified 26 key or potential DOC Between 9-18 identified for each country But common themes have emerged 9 identified in over two-thirds of the studies Mix of structural, institutions, agents

Key Drivers of Change The top three Close runners-up Corruption Elite Capture & Civil Society External Actors Close runners-up Media & Public Administration Reform Ethnicity/Discrimination, Political Opposition, Decentralisation & Private Sector

DOC study recommendations Most indicate the need to focus on issues with political traction But there are relatively few operational recommendations Instead the recommendations focus on how we work

The studies suggest we…. Ensure teams have country knowledge Tailor our ambitions to the situation Adopt longer-term strategies Set realistic time-frames Are flexible, as politics is unpredictable View crisis as an opportunity

And…. Recognise that power doesn’t only lie with the government Work with non-traditional partners Use non-traditional channels Find ways of stimulating demand Recognise our role is political Recognise our incentives affect our behaviour

We have used this knowledge to… Promote joint working with OGDs Harmonise with donor partners Influence partner governments Improve the quality of engagement Inform planning Analyse & mitigate risk And to a lesser extent – select or modify programme initiatives

To make the link to programming Undertake diagnostic work with operational implications in mind, & with programme staff Gain &/or use a greater understanding of: Informal systems How policy is implemented Incentives – the levers for change Non-traditional groups Non-traditional channels Non like-minded partners

And we may need to… Undertake some additional work on methodologies &/or tools Develop complementary aid instruments Consider greater use of complementary non-aid instruments Develop long-term strategies, but strengthen our ability to gauge progress

Our capacity Recognise we can’t do it all ourselves But match partners to tasks & legitimate non-traditional sources Build DFID capacity TSP & the Governance Cadre But reach out beyond Governance Cadre Be aware of our own incentives & where necessary modify the right ones