Effective Capacity Development: Harmonized Support in Practice

Effective Capacity Development From Theory to Practice Module 5: Be Contextually Relevant - Harmonized Support

This Module Identifies ways to ensure CD support is harmonised with the support of other development partners Reflects on actual practice with respect to support to the AU institutions and considers what can be done to improve practice

CD Quality grid requirement: 4. Harmonized support 4.1 Has TC support from other donors in the sector been screened to ensure complementarity with that proposed by the EU? Have other main donors been consulted on the proposed TC support and have they endorsed the proposal? 4.2 Which synergies and harmonisation options have been explored with country partners and other donors? If no harmonisation is possible at this stage, which steps will be taken to ensure that the TC support from the EU will be harmonised with other donors interventions in the future?

Basics Issue of coordinated CD support singled out as a particular concern in Paris Declaration, for which a separate indicator was produced (indicator 4). Although considerable progress reported, compliance was easily achieved. In practice, fragmented support is still a concern Harmonisation is a cross-cutting issue that needs consideration throughout the cycle of operations and has relevance across the quality criteria. Link to principles of ownership and alignment: partners exercise leadership of their CD DP support aligns with country CD at org/ sector level.

Benefits of harmonized support Aligns CD support to partner sector strategy, not DP intervention Sector CD vision becomes reference for support Encourages task division among DPs and can reduce fragmentation Reduces multiple PIUs, admin demands, and risks of staff poaching

Harmonisation: a key Design concern Put all options on the table with partners: (1) Full partner implementation Use national procedures Sector or general budget support Dialogue/ monitoring and sourcing (2) Pooling of funds, (co) - administered by the partner Can work inside or outside govt systems 6

(3) CD support delegated to one agency With comparative advantage Single implementation arrangements Other DPs don t implement but support dialogue (4) Harmonisation around objectives/results/sectors, but individually supplied Possible division of labour

When support is stand-alone Keep other donors in the loop when considering to provide CD support consult them and peer review, share info on designs and co-draft TORS Help partners play a stronger role in implementing CD, by engaging in the process of design, procurement and supervision, as well as coordination Start harmonizing CD in analytical work such as assessments, also in joint reviews and evaluations Promote mutual accountability for CD results, across all partners

Harmonisation options and experiences? Do you have experience working in partnership or complementary to other donors to improve CD? What is current experience of harmonisation: What works, what doesnt Benefits accruing, constraints identified

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