| Description |
The capacity of new government structures at all levels is built by enhancing official skills, improving communications between political officials and constituents, increasing positive links between local officials and national government authorities, and increasing accountability for government decisions and processes. |
| Objectives |
- To help governments become more responsive to constituents, accountable for their actions, and democratic in their processes.
- To help local governments increase their fiscal and political autonomy.
- To improve the capacity of NGOs to monitor and publicize government corruption.
- To enhance citizen oversight of government budgets and operations.
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| Prerequisites |
Some existing government structure is needed along with political will on the part of the government to reform. An independent media and active civil society are also needed.
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| OTI Experience |
Haiti (1994-1997); Bosnia (1998-1999); Indonesia (1998-2001); Rwanda (1998); Nigeria (1999); Honduras (1999-2000); Lebanon (2000); Albania (1999); Kosovo (1999) |
| Activities |
- Train newly elected officials about their roles and responsibilities, constituency building, transparency, structural reform, participatory decision-making methodologies, and conflict management.
- Fund audits of government ministries to demonstrate ability to manage donor funds according to internationally accepted procedures.
- Initiate an anti-corruption media campaign.
- Train journalists in investigative techniques to improve their "watchdog" capacity.
- Train elected local governments and municipal employees on the principles and methods of accountability, such as budgeting and accounting systems.
- Establish links between public officials and ordinary citizens through the organization and implementation of community improvement projects.
- Implement a citizens' oversight and complaint system.
- Improve capacity of government offices by providing additional staff and equipment.
- Help to establish checks and balances in governance institutions.
- Fund educational institutions and NGOs to provide research and implementation support for key executive and legislative offices.
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| Examples |
In Lebanon, OTI and the State University of New York/Albany worked with the Jounieh and Beirut municipalities to move revenue data from ledger books to a computerized revenue management system. When completed, the municipalities were able to quickly and transparently manage their revenues and update their tax rolls.
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