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Afghanistan Local Governance Assistance Project (ALGAP) - Lessons Learned Review

Author: Kim G. Glenn
Date: 2007
Size: 44 pages (523KB)

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Summary

Has USAID's Afghanistan Local Governance Assistance Project (ALGAP) been successful in helping Provincial Councils build their capacity and carry out their responsibilities? This report by ARD inc. suggests that the Councils are defining a meaningful role for themselves and responding to provincial needs. Furthermore, ALGAP has contributed to the development of an environment in which the government, councils, public, civil society, and businesses, can begin to work together. USAID should continue to support subnational governance in Afghanistan.

Between November 2005 and June 2007, the ALGAP project promoted the legitimate role of the Provincial Councils and helped to build initial capacity to fulfil that role. Despite limited resources, the Councils are contributing to subnational governance in conflict and dispute mediation and in overseeing provincial government activities. They are also representing people in the provinces, communicating their needs to government administration and advocating improved security, public services, and infrastructure. However, the Provincial Councils are still at a very basic stage. Carefully targeted, well-designed training and technical assistance over the next few years, combined with civic education campaigns for the general public, would improve their effectiveness.

ALGAP undertook a variety of training activities which included workshops, consultation tours, conferences and provincial exchanges. The project’s civic education campaign included roundtable discussions, focus groups, mobile theatre productions, radio, TV and print media.

• ALGAP's nationwide presence gave it credibility with the Councils and governors. Recruiting local facilitators reduced travel costs and security risks and, although individuals often lacked experience, they were known to Council members.
• The lack of field offices obliged facilitators to work directly with the councils but it made communications with Kabul difficult.
• ALGAP's activities worked well even without a government facilitator.
• Consultation tours were particularly successful as they encouraged communication between Councils, constituents and other subnational governance actors.
• Participatory methods work better in workshops when two or three facilitators are present. Multiple-day events are feasible and effective.
• Radio and TV remain the most cost-effective way of reaching large segments of the population. Print media is important although there is high illiteracy.

Despite the Provincial Councils' successes, conditions for implementing development projects in Afghanistan remain challenging. Experienced, educated, and skilled human resources are scarce and in great demand. Building this base will take many years. To help these fragile institutions succeed USAID should:

• Capitalise on the investment it has already made in subnational governance by pursuing its support of Provincial Councils
• Advocate that Councils remain independent of central government control so that they continue to be the voices of their constituents, as well as being effective in settling conflicts and disputes
• Expand support for training and technical assistance to District Councils
• Provide civic education at the district level to prepare the voters and candidates for District Councils in advance of the elections
• Make careful decisions over gender issues and budget for chaperones (maharam) for female staff and beneficiaries.

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Source: Glenn, K.C., 2007, 'Afghanistan Local Governance Assistance (ALGAP) - Lessons Learned Review', USAID