Knowledge

Eleven Recommendations for Working on Empowerment and Accountability in Fragile, Conflict or Violence-Affected Settings

IDS (2020)

Yemen, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza - the list of regions affected by conditions of fragility and insecurity is gradually becoming longer and longer. Due to safety considerations regarding their staff and concern for the measures of repressive regimes, donors and development organisations often withdraw their support to these countries. In its brief, the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) argues that it is of utmost importance to continue the support of local actors through empowerment and accountability measures during these times. In this context, the approach of “working under the radar” implemented by IDS’ Action for Empowerment and Accountability (A4EA) programme is explored.

Praia Group Handbook is a Long-Awaited Stepping Stone to Governance Statistics

Praia City Group (2020)

Good governance systems are by definition in need of accurate monitoring and control measures in order to allow for the identification of gaps in terms of service delivery. By conceptualising and systematising the various dimensions of governance statistics as well as taking stock of existing approaches to governance data collection, this Handbook on Governance Statistics by the Praia City Group provides a solid foundation for the development of international statistical guidance and standards in all areas of governance statistics. To provide an adequate framework it draws on eight different dimensions of governance, including non-discrimination and equality, participation, openness, access to and quality of justice, responsiveness, absence of corruption, trust as well as safety and security. The Handbooks primary target group are national statistical agencies.

Public Participation - Approaches and Experiences from Eastern Ukraine for Involving Citizens in Municipal Development

GIZ (2020)

The potential of public participation for improving governmental decision-making has become increasingly important to the Ukraine within the scope of its decentralisation reform. Therefore, the GIZ programme “Initiatives of the Infrastructure Programme for Ukraine” (IIPU) supports municipal stakeholder in developing and implementing integrated participatory measures to upgrade their delivery of basic services, public administration, public planning, social infrastructure and employment opportunities. The implemented measures as well as lessons learned are summarized in this publication.

For more publications from the programme, visit their Knowledge Tank here: developeastua.org.ua/de/studierzimmer/

COVID-19 Emergency Response - Local Government Finance. Guidance Note for Immediate Action

UNCDF (2020)

In response to the global spread of COVID-19, the World Health Organisation has urged local governments to “test, test, test”. In its guidance note, UNCDF summarised measures that local governments can conduct to respond to the pandemic. Taking into account the need for fast effective local action to slow the spread of the virus, the publication pays particular attention to actions that can be implemented within days and weeks instead of Taking into account that the past months or years and weeks have demonstrated that fast effective local action is of utmost importance to slow the spread of the virus, the publication pays particular attention to actions that can be implemented within days and weeks instead of months or years.

Generic in nature the collected responses can be adapted to individual territorial circumstances.

Remarkable Women in Transport 2020

TUMI Management GIZ (2020)

The transport sector is still highly dominated by male decision-makers. Gender equality is rarely addressed. As a result, the opportunities for men and women to use public transport remain unequal. To raise awareness for the issue and empower women in becoming active decision-makers in terms of urban policies, the Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative invited 50 women engaged in civil services, municipal institutions and international organisations to share their experiences and develop sustainable solutions for reaching equal opportunities in the transport sector. This publication summarizes their perspectives.

The Value of Official Statistics: Lessons from Intergovernmental Transfers

Inter-American Development Bank (September 2019)

Lack of accurate statistical information can be quite costly. These expenses are often hidden or neglected. IADB’s study attempts to captures these costs in the context of intergovernmental transfers from the national to the subnational level for three South American countries. The results of the study reveal that incorrect assumptions concerning municipality size have resulted in the misallocation of governmental budgets. Therefore, more precise population estimates are needed. The study concludes by recommending that the quality of projections in terms of accuracy is increased and that a census is conducted every ten years, in accordance with national standards.

Promoting Innovative Financing Solutions for Cities

IUC and European Union (2020) Both cities and municipalities are highly affected by rapid urbanisation. In order to better address these urban challenges and account for ecological and economic transformation as well as local circumstances alternative financial instruments need to be developed. In January 2020 the International Urban Cooperation (IUC) organised a webinar on appropriate financing mechanisms. This publication presents the proposed financing tools. Moreover, it showcases examples from Indonesia, Sweden and India.

SDG Learning Module 3: Reporting to National and Local Reviews

UCLG (2019)

UCLG’s third SDG Localisation Learning Module focuses on the role of Local and Regional Governments Associations (LRGAs) in relation to reporting on the SDGs. It explains how LRGAs collect local data and perspectives on the SDGs, how they actively participate in the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) process and how they proceed in drafting their VNRs step-by-strep. To enhance comprehensiveness concrete exercises and examples are included. The proposed approach has been tested during a Training of Trainers event in Ouagadougou and has been presented at the High-Level Political Forum in July 2019 in New York by UCLG’s Global Taskforce.

Evaluation to Connect National Priorities with the SDGs

IIED (2020)

This publication presents IIED’s toolkit to evaluate and monitor the local implementation of the SDGs. The toolkit considers both the national context and the underpinned principles of the 2030 Agenda. With evidence from Nigeria and Costa Rica, it summarizes the major steps required for scoping, designing and realising SDG evaluations. The toolkit was launched by IIED to propose a specific methodology for national monitoring and evaluation systems in terms of measuring SDG progress.

New Fact Sheets from Across Europe Share Best Practice Knowledge on Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning

ICLEI (2019)

In collaboration with many different partners around Europe, ICLEI has been actively promoting the issue of Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning (SUMP). This publication draws on a range of experiences, including examples from the city of Malmö in Sweden to Thessaloniki in Greece, to propose new solutions for SUMP such as Clean Air Zones, forecasting travel models, interactive maps for cycling and walking or new road space allocation policies. The presented best-practice examples aim to encourage more regions across Europe to implement and improve SUMP initiatives.