Advanced EC seminar on decentralisation and local governance European Commission EuropeAid 2-5 July 2012, Brussels The seminar reviewed the country context and the evolving international development framework and considered how to manage the political dimensions of decentralisation. It also looked at using decentralisation as a trigger to foster better development outcomes and governance and what all this means for future EU engagement in decentralisation and local governance. Jean Bossuyt, ECDPM, was the lead facilitator of this meeting. Alisa Herrero, ECDPM, was also one of the experts facilitating this seminar.

1. Seminar
on
Decentralisa/on
and
Local
Governance
Some
key
messages
from
Day
2

2. The
red
thread
of
the
seminar
Day
1,
an
appe*ser
Understanding
Day
3,
the
main
dish:
contexts
and
DGL
Red
thread
dynamics
-­‐public
service
delivery
-­‐ Sector
programmes
Iden/fying
windows
-­‐ Domes/c
of
opportuni/es
accountability
Refining
engagement
strategies
Day
2,
a
starter:
Be>er
managing
Day
4:
the
dessert
the
poli/cs
of
dessert:
DGL
Grand
panel
&
Building
a
common
vision

3.
Understanding
the
evolving
poli*cal
agendas
and
mo*va*ons
behind
decentralisa*on
….
While
detec*ng
the
dynamics
and
actors
that
push
for
decentralisa*on/local
governance

4. Small
openings
evolving
over
*me
4

5. …
Can
we
create
more
space
for
domes1c
dialogue
and
policies
on
DGL?
5

6. PEA
can
be
an
interes*ng
tool
but
many
“how
to”
ques*ons…
6

7. PEA
applied
to
decentralisa*on
• Obstacles
• Success
condi*ons
• Most
cri*cal
factors
+
need
for
risk
assessments,
mi*ga*on
and
second-­‐best
op*ons
+
need
to
look
at
produc*ve
resources
(revenue
side)

8. If
we
are
serious
about
suppor*ng
domes*c
reform
processes…
we
may
have
to
change
key
elements
of
our
“soAware”…

Adopt
different
*me
perspec*ve

Support
local
agenda-­‐sePng
process

Exit
determinis*c
planning
culture
ex
ante

Review
levels
of
ambi*on
(short
route)

Capacity
to
flexibly
seize
windows
of
opportuni*es

Dialogue
with
all
relevant
actors
(even
if
weak)

BeZer
prepare
and
engage
in
dialogue
processes
(harmonisa*on?)

Reduce
gap
between
field
and
HQ
processes

9. Planning
the
future
can
blind
us
9

10. It’s
our
turn
to
eat!
10

11. Lost
in
a
maze?
11

12. GPS
12