PEOPLE’S VOICE (Ukraine) BETTER GOVERNANCE THROUGH PUBLIC PARTICIPATION March 11, 2004

Ukraine: Development Context second largest country in Europe population - 48,055,439 life expectancy at birth: 66.5 years Literacy: (age 15 and over can read and write): 99.7% GDP per capita: PPP - $4,500 (2002 est.) % of people below poverty line: 29% Major industries: coal, electric power, metals, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food-processing, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, vegetables, beef, milk. Source: CIA World Fact Book, December 18, 2003

People’s Voice Project OVERALL GOAL To promote public participation in building an effective, responsible and open government Project Objectives: monitoring of service delivery facilitating citizen engagement improving local governance building NGO capacity increasing transparency & integrity

Project Overview three-year project funded by Canada implemented in 4 Ukrainian cities focus on monitoring of service delivery and facilitating citizen engagement improving local service delivery, increasing transparency and integrity

Project Rationale GREATER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BETTER GOVERNANCE THROUGH PUBLIC PARTICIPATION INCREASED NGO CAPACITY IMPROVED PUBLIC SERVICES

Project Accomplishments raised awareness of public concerns active local NGO communities citizen engagement mechanisms improved capacity of local governments pilot projects in education, communal housing, urban transport and utilities sectors public-private partnerships

Scaling Up - Local Capacity project model replicated in smaller communities near project cities ‘third sector” capacity greatly increased local governments recognize the importance of civil society citizens are better equipped to identify and promote their interests

Scaling Up - Project Concept part of a broader trend in consultation, monitoring and feedback Nationwide popularization of public hearings and education advisory boards interest in neighboring countries (Moldova, Albania, etc.) project expansion to more cities parallel donor programs (USAID, DFID, etc.)

Project Goals increasing citizen participation in political and economic decision-making promoting greater transparency of local authorities establishing ongoing dialogue between the public and local governments educating citizens about the negative impacts of corruption

Activities Regional building anti-corruption coalitions and citizen advocacy offices (CAO), including mobile offices local hotlines anti-corruption information campaigns public hearings & public opinion surveys NGO capacity building through training National public opinion survey annual conference on problem of corruption in one specific field information campaigns publication of anti-corruption studies and research

Project Success Factors willingness of local governments to cooperate and engage in dialogue professionalism of the NGO community combination of training and grants relying upon local expertise and input flexibility in project management creative approach that requires donor support but is very much demand driven facilitating donor cooperation to address local issues creating local foundation for continued impact

Lessons Learned (Positive Aspects) collaboration and dialogue between civil society and local governments is key local problems require local solutions building local expertise and capacity is crucial information sharing and dissemination encourages replication simplification of processes and access points

Lessons Learned (Cautionary Points) need for a realistic time frame and expectations integrity is built over time need to work more with grassroots civil society organizations local politics have to be taken into account

People’s Voice Project – Next Phase January 2004 – June 2007 expansion to six (6) cities in Ukraine increased use of local expertise and experience focus on service improvement initiatives comparative research building networks

www.worldbank.org www.icps.kiev.ua/pvp www.aedif.if.ua Project Information www.worldbank.org www.icps.kiev.ua/pvp www.aedif.if.ua www.portal.if.ua