KAMPALA PRINCIPLE 1:CSOs_SUBP 1.A

Sub-principle 1.A

Define national PSE goals through an inclusive process

 

Why is it important?

 

International CSOs

Local CSOs

A national strategy for working with the private sector in development co-operation can set or make reference to regulatory frameworks that companies should follow, identify priority sectors where companies can operate, set results frameworks around which companies can develop their projects, and create predictability. The quality of these regulatory frameworks varies, and is in some cases even restrictive and detrimental to civil society, workers and the environment. In such cases, international standards are called for. International CSOs play an important watchdog and policy-influencing role, as part of the relationship between people and decision makers at the global, regional and national levels, and for consolidating and voicing the views of groups that are impacted by private sector activities. A national strategy for working with the private sector in development co-operation can set or make reference to regulatory frameworks that companies should follow, identify priority sectors where companies can operate, set results frameworks around which companies can develop their projects, and create predictability. The quality of these regulatory frameworks varies, and is in some cases even restrictive and detrimental to civil society, workers and the environment. In such cases, international standards are called for. Involving domestic civil society in the dialogue to develop these frameworks brings greater accountability to the process through their watchdog and policy influencing role and can play a valuable part in ensuring that the outcomes are in the interests of the public and the environment. Civil society’s approaches in engaging with the government process that develops and implements a national PSE strategy depend on both CSOs’ capacity to engage with governments, the openness of governments and opportunities for engagement.
 

Colour code:

Yellow = implementation role

Orange = watchdog role

Black = implementation and watchdog role

Self-reflection questions
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International CSOs Local CSOs
  • Where available, are you familiar with the national PSE strategy (either a stand-alone policy or a section in an overall development co-operation strategy)?  
  • Does the strategy define any roles and responsibilities for CSOs? How restrictive is the strategy for CSOs to engage? How does it reflect the priorities and objectives of development actors and stakeholders, including MSMEs and CSOs?
  • Have you been involved in elaborating the national PSE strategy and/or defining national PSE goals at the national level through a local chapter of your organisation? Are there informal or more pragmatic ways to engage if the formal framework is restrictive? 
  • Have you supported local CSOs in participating in the elaboration of a national PSE strategy? Have you supported local CSOs in analysing their recommendations and inputs into the process?
  • Have you shared your experiences from other processes in other countries where you have engaged in PSE goal developments to share lessons learnt on the most effective dialogue and engagement? 
  • Could this process set up a more permanent scheme for dialogue for domestic CSOs on PSE matters? How can you help with this? Are there informal or more pragmatic ways to engage if the formal framework is restrictive?
  • Are you familiar with the country’s national PSE strategy (either a stand-alone policy or a section in an overall development co-operation strategy)? 
  • Does the strategy define any roles and responsibilities for CSOs? How restrictive is the strategy for CSOs to engage? How does it reflect the priorities and objectives of development actors and stakeholders, including MSMEs and community-based organisations? 
  • Have you been involved in elaborating the national PSE strategy and/or defining national PSE goals at the national level? Are there informal or more pragmatic ways to engage if the formal framework is restrictive? 
  • Do you know where to go if you need support on specific opportunities for engagement from development partners (their local office) and/or government? 
  • Have you thought about how you can co-ordinate, organise and engage with other CSOs, CSO networks and stakeholders such as trade unions to gather information, do joint analysis and evidence-based research, or develop joint advocacy for the consultation process? 
  • What processes can you set up to ensure other civil society actors are informed and provided with all the necessary documentation to engage effectively in dialogue around the strategy? 
  • Have you shared with stakeholders the best ways for getting a diverse group of CSOs involved and the best methods for doing this? How do you ensure that community-based organisations play a role in policy engagement?

Actions to consider
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International CSOs Local CSOs
  • Be aware of the legal provisions for CSO engagement. Discuss with development partners on how these provisions have been translated into practice, if it restricts civic space and what measures could be taken to safeguard and support civic space. 
  • Clearly communicate your priorities, raising specific insights, good and bad practices, and backing them up with evidence-based research conducted with domestic CSOs. 
  • Support domestic civil society to get organised by ensuring they are aware of consultations, opportunities for engagement and existing recommendations for providing input to consultations. Offer capacity building to domestic CSOs in policy and advocacy, especially smaller CSOs. 
  • Support domestic civil society in consultation processes when they request it. Participate in national consultations by ensuring smooth co-ordination with domestic and other international CSOs in a country. 
  • Be aware of the opportunities for engagement, and legal provisions for CSO engagement. Discuss with development partners on how these provisions have been translated into practice, if it restricts civic space and what measures could be taken to safeguard and support civic space. 
  • Be vocal if the process is not transparent, you have not been well informed of ongoing policies and strategy developments, or if information has not been received at the right time by the right people.
  • Where it is possible to engage, develop recommendations and strategies as input to the consultations through your context and analysis and demand continued feedback to monitor implementation.  
  • Participate in consultations together with or on behalf of communities. Use national CSO networks or platforms to set priorities instead of engaging yourself. 
  • Raise awareness of the consultation among the beneficiary communities. 
  • Get organised and enhance networking among CSOs and other stakeholders to conduct evidence-based research, amplify policy-related evidence, share resources and create united demands. Develop effective strategic alliances to harness the range of skills needed for effective policy dialogue and create a critical mass for change – such as research bodies, lawyers, media and a diversity of CSOs.

Pitfalls to avoid
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International CSOs Local CSOs

      DON’T…

  • Impose or lead discussions in place of domestic CSOs. 
  • Let yourself be co-opted to satisfy the perception of dialogue and consultation. 
  • Stay quiet and not speak up to support domestic CSOs when it is clear the process is not transparent, diverse in participation, or the information is limited and not provided in a timely manner. 
  • Miss to regularly share information in real time and with domestic networks and/or platforms. 
     

      DON’T…

  • Participate in meetings without understanding the policy-making process, preparing a targeted strategy or providing input. 
  • Engage with an inward-focused network that takes too much time developing systems for co-ordination and organisation and not enough for action and influence. 
  • Let yourself be co-opted to satisfy the perception of dialogue and consultation. 
  • Develop recommendations that are anecdotal evidence instead of collecting wide-ranging data. 
  • Not uphold internal codes of practice around transparency and accountability. 

COUNTRY-LEVEL EXAMPLES

Help us build our knowledge base! If you have any good examples, please share them with the GPEDC Joint Support Team via info@effectivecooperation.org 

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