ATTACHMENT_J.14_5_BALADI_CAP_Background_Information.pdf

“This publica on is made possible by the generous support of the American People through the United States Agency for Interna onal development (USAID). The contents of this publica on are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflects the views or opinions of USAID or the United States Government”

Attachment J.14.5

Building Alliance for Local Advancement, Development, and Investment – CAP Background Information

About BALADI CAP

Building Alliances for Local Advancement, Development and Investment – CAP is an activity funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) initiative and implemented by Management Systems International (MSI), which runs from September 30, 2014 to September 30, 2018.

The program aims to build technical institutional capacity of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Municipalities/Unions within three components:

Component Objectives Key intervention areas

1- Capacity Building Component (CBC)

Build the institutional capacity of CSOs so that they become capable of: (a) receiving development funding directly; (b) managing projects; (c) complying with USAID rules and regulations of; and (d) achieving measurable results.

- Financial management

- Organizational Development

- Monitoring and Evaluation

2- Civic Engagement for Democratic Governance

(CEDG)

Build the capacity of municipalities and unions of municipalities so that they become capable of: (a) adopting more participatory approach in the running of municipal affairs; and (b) better respond to the citizens’ needs.

- Organizational Development

- Financial management

- Information Technology

- Disaster Management

3- Civic Engagement Initiative (CEI)

Build the capacity of CSOs in order to: (a) promote participatory democracy by encouraging the contribution of citizens in public affairs, (b) establish of platforms that enable to find a framework for public debate based on the facts and the competition of ideas.

- Environment

- Human rights

- Good governance and accountability

Civic Engagement for Democratic Governance (CEDG) Component

Pre-Capacity Building Phase

1. Nomination of Partner Municipalities by the USAID and BALADI CAP: Partner Municipalities in CEDG are chosen by USAID and BALADI CAP as per a) implementing partners for BALADI activity, b) selected Municipalities/Unions by BALADI CAP according to the number of council members, the number of employees and the interest of the municipal council.

2. Introductory visits: BALADI CAP kicks off capacity-building process by conducting introductory visits to identified Municipalities. The visits aim at familiarizing Partner Municipalities with CEDG’s scope, objectives and processes.

3. Classification of Partner Municipalities/Unions: Based on the collected information during the introductory visits, BALADI CAP team classifies potential partners in order to determine the most appropriate capacity-building approach based on the status of the Municipality/Union and its existing human capacity. Thus, the capacity-building phase begins on two parallel tracks, based on the overall capacity of the Municipalities/Unions and their ability to adhere to an intensive work program:

Tailored Technical Assistance Program (TTAP) Public Training Program

(PTP)

TTAP includes 38 medium/large sized municipalities/unions

The training process is agreed upon within an Action Plan designed according to the results of the Benchmark Assessment which revolves around basic themes:

- Organizational Development / Financial Management / Information Technology / Disaster Management and Preparedness with emphasis on the Refugee Crisis Management / Municipal Strategic Planning and Public Outreach

PTP includes 70 municipalities/unions Trainings under PTP will be announced in the press, where concerned Municipalities and Civil Society Organizations are invited to participate in general trainings on topics of interest including:

- Project Proposal Writing / Feasibility studies / Public Procurement / Project Management / Gender Equality and Female Empowerment / Participatory approaches to strategic planning for local development / Refugee Crisis Management (where applicable)

Capacity Building Phase

4. Benchmark Assessment: The BALADI CAP experts assess the existing municipal and union’s capacity using the Municipal Capacity Assessment Tool (MCAT). The assessment is conducted in a participatory manner in a workshop-format, with BALADI CAP Specialists serving as facilitators. Partner Municipalities/Unions identify their performance gaps and select their capacity development needs.

5. Action Plan Visits: BALADI CAP develops customized Action Plans based on Benchmark Assessment and shares with Partner Municipality/Unions to ensure “commitment” and “buy-in”.

6. Coaching Missions: BALADI CAP conducts coaching missions to set training agenda and milestones with Municipal/Unions Presidents and Councils.

7. Standardized Training: Standardized training workshops aim at providing training participants with basic skills, ahead of kick starting specialized training in the field.

8. On-The-Job Training and Mentoring: On-the-Job Training & Mentoring aims at providing participants with soft and hard skills that would allow them for performing their jobs well at the Municipality/Union.

9. 12-Month and 24-Month Post-Benchmark Assessments: The BALADI CAP team conducts post-benchmark assessments (at 12 months and 24 months) to follow up the workflow and assess the progress of the individual trainings as well as the Municipality/Union according to the Action Plan.

Institutionalization phase

10. Communities of Practice: BALADI CAP convenes communities of practice so that Municipality/Unions could network and interact with specialists and experts, whilst reinforcing their knowledge and exchanging their experiences.

11. Policies, Procedures and Organizational Structures: During On-the-Job Training & Mentoring BALADI CAP helps Municipalities/Unions develop policies and procedures based on best practices.

Gender Mainstreaming:

In line with the circulation of the USAID No. 205, the BALADI CAP conducts a Gender Mainstreaming Survey that translates into per CSO Gender Action Plans.

12. The Review and Audit: In addition to the post-benchmark assessments, BALADI CAP conducts independent audit visits to track progress towards targets and goals.

13. Establishment of Public Outreach Committees: BALADI CAP works to establish Municipal Public Outreach Communities as to enhance communication between Municipalities and the local communities.

These committees are designed to provide a mechanism to address issues that affect the quality of local governance and the ability of the municipality to involve civil society in the provision of essential services to local communities.

For more information: You can follow news BALADI CAP through:

Pamela Chemali Senior Decentralization and Local Governance Specialist, BALADI CAP T: +961 (1) 380110 / 386110 http://baladi-lebanon.org/baladicap/ www.facebook.com/Baladi.cap https://baladicap.com

“This publica on is made possible by the generous support of the American People through the United States Agency for Interna onal development (USAID). The contents of this publica on are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflects the views or opinions of USAID or the United States Government”

M: +961 (76) 409177 pchemali@msi-lebanon.com

@BALADICAP

@BALADICAP