More effective donor cooperation to fight rural poverty and hunger Canadian International Development Agency, Ottawa February 3-6, 2008 More effective donor cooperation to fight rural poverty and hunger Canadian International Development Agency, Ottawa February 3-6, 2008

2 The Global Donor Platform on Rural Development (GDPRD) Is a strategic alliance Includes like-minded donors, development agencies and international finance institutions, all of which agreed to establish the Platform to increase aid effectiveness (AE) in agriculture and rural development (ARD) efforts. Acts as a mechanism for greater development assistance impact through its three main pillars: Advocacy and outreach Knowledge and innovation Aid effectiveness

3 29 members at present (bi- and multilateral) Board/Steering Committee is the decision-making body (6 members) The Platform Secretariat is hosted by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) FAOBMZ EC WBDFID CIDA DGDC UNODC IA Organization and Governance

Civil Society and Aid Effectiveness in Agriculture and Rural Development A summary of country consultations Mushtaq Ahmed

5 Background Consultations from Nov 2007 – Jan countries, 600 participants 250 CSOs 50 government ministries 30 donor organizations Three outcomes

6 Findings Outcome 1: Recognition and voice Need for greater recognition and voice for CSOs in ARD – special challenges of the sector Outcome 2: Applying and enriching the AE agenda Low awareness among CSOs about PD, AE CSOs acknowledge need to strengthen AE Limited capacity and challenges to overcome in the rural setting Consultations did raise awareness

7 Findings Outcome 3: Improved understanding of good practice Collaboration with community is strong but needs more inclusive consultation processes Collaboration with other CSOs at times hindered by competition, poor leadership Collaboration with governments requires clarification of roles and openness to dialogue collaborate

8 Findings (cont’d) Outcome 3 (cont’d) North-South CSO collaboration needs more consultation and mutual appreciation of respective roles between partners Relations with donors are mainly donor/recipient or CSOs are seen as implementing agencies; CSOs often more accountable to donors than to community; not enough engagement with smaller ARD CSOs

9 A focus on good practice Policy dialogue: legal protection for Andean producers Influence of national policies: free trade and food security in Peru Exploiting market failures – Mozambique Strategic network building – fish sanctuaries in Bangladesh Innovative approaches – Egypt canal project

10 Recommendations: some highlights Southern CSOs – should be consulted, strengthen networks and promote AE Northern CSOs – should strengthen attitude of mutual respect, ensure full participation of community

11 Recommendations: some highlights (cont’d) Governments – should provide enabling environment Donors – should involve CSOs in project/policy design, monitoring; support adequate voice for CSOs; provide flexible funding; promote participatory processes; support work of smaller local CSOs

12 Conclusions CSOs play major role in AE in ARD: Development agents/implementing agencies Promoting member participation Empowering specific social groups Defining the rights of citizens Monitoring the use of public resources The nature of ARD in itself exacerbates the challenges faced by CSOs