ART FPs are following a determined implementation cycle: formulation, start up, consolidation, ownership and institutionalization.
The formulation phase consists in the presentation of the framework programme to the country intererested. In this formulation, the multi-donor ART framework programme, with a normal duration of three to four years, is tailored to fit the reality of each country and to cater to the prioritized processes. Once the government discusses, approves and signs the framework programme document, the different areas where to begin implementing the programme and the main structures and mechanisms promoted by ART are identified.
In the start-up phase the ART instruments and tools such as National Coordination Committee, departmental /regional /municipal working groups, development Cooperation Guidelines, local programming cycle and instruments for aid effectiveness are introduced and contextualized to fit the country’s reality.
A programme is considered to be in the consolidation phase when the framework programme’s main instruments have been introduced and are working (this can also extend to specific institutions such as LEDAs if part of the programme). This stage refers to the point at which the programming cycle has started, the working groups and NCC are operational and the strategy for actor mobilization has begun. The consolidation of a programme is also determined by the involvement of decentralized cooperation partners and actors of public and nongovernmental development organizations, universities, research institutes, foundations and others and their work is aligned to the Cooperation Strategies developed in the selected territories across the country.
In the ownership phase the national and local governments have effectivly taken leadership over the ART methodology and approach. This is reflected/expressed in strategies and institutional arrangements that a) seek to align development assistance and external resources to national policies; and b) foster the harmonization between regional and local actions and priorities. Finally, in the sustainability/transference phase the ART programme gradually reduces the level of support in proportion to the extent to which the country has taken ownership of the articulation framework. The Initiative, nonetheless, carries on promoting the participation in the programme of existing and new stakeholders. In terms of corporate ownership, UNDP is expected to adopt and complementarily insert the ART method in the organization’s practice areas and/or use the programme as a cross-cutting platform for all UNDP practice areas in the country. Sustainability of the promoted approach is also a major concern of each development intervention. ART is looking into analyzing the different levels of sustainability main instruments implemented by the ART FPs have achieved so far. Sustainability can refer to financial as well as institutional or technical aspects. More specifically, the study is to: - Look into the sustainability and the level of ownership of the following instruments/institutions promoted within the ART Initiative and its framework programmes: i) Territorial Working Groups (sub national and local level), National Coordination Committees, Strategic Guidelines for Development Cooperation, Local Planning Cycles, Decentralised Cooperation partnerships, instruments for measuring aid effectiveness at local level and Local Economic Development Agencies. The study will look into the different instruments/mechanisms in detail but will also in more general terms evaluate as to how the overall ART approach and methodology is sustainable and owned by the relevant national and local stakeholders.
- Evidence to which extent the national and local governments take effective leadership over the ART methodology and approach, as reflected / expressed in local strategies and institutional arrangements that seek to align resources and overseas development assistance to national development policies, as well as leading donor harmonization (for example: i) decrees to institutionalize main ART instruments/mechanisms such as TWGs etc., ii) scaling up to other provinces -requested by governments; iii) aid effectiveness mechanisms included in national and local development plans; iv) institutionalization of local planning cycles, etc.
- Evidence to which extent the different instruments and mechanisms are implemented by the Government officials and/or other relevant territorial actors.
- Evidence to which extent the ART mechanisms and instruments are financially, technically and institutionally sustainable. The study will look into availability of funding and sources of funding, capacity of local/national actors for implementing the approach and degree of institutionalisation of the whole or parts of the ART approach.
- Evidence to what extent the ART Initiative and its framework programmes are a useful tool to scale up successful and innovative local development practices and at the same time ‘scale down’ international processes and/or innovative approaches to the territorial level.
- Distil key strategic lessons from the evidence that will allow the ART Initiative to smoothen the process of achieving national ownership and sustainability of its mechanism and approach.
Key interrelated factors to explore will include: Internal versus external success factors: A key aspect of the study will be to gain a fuller understanding of the key internal design factors (objectives, financing, management, etc) and external environment factors (political, cultural, geographic, etc) that affect ownership and sustainability at each FP. Cooperation/integration with national and local government policy-making: ask how the ART approach/methodology might better integrate into national and local government policy-making structure which can be considered a pre requisite for ownership and sustainability. Role of regional level authorities and multi level governance systems: consider the specific importance of the regional level authorities as a means to integrate local policies and establish the linkages to national initiatives. Decentralized Cooperation: consider the potential of the DC articulation within a multilateral framework as innovative mechanism promoting ownership and sustainability based on peer to peer partnerships and lateral exchange of knowledge and experience. To what extend can DC partnerships and a structured dialogue between territories enhance ownership of innovative development initiatives. Deliverables: - Outline of the methodology and approach of the study;
- Chronogram of activities;
- Full study;
- One UNDP corporate knowledge product (e.g. discussion paper, comparative study, etc.);
Methodology: The study will be based on field work in various Latin American countries where UNDP ART Framework programmes are currently operational. Another study component will be based on literature review and synthesis, coupled with qualitative analysis. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the ART Coordinator and in close collaboration with the ART Programme Specialist, BDP/Democratic Governance Group, ART CTAs and UNDP CO management and relevant local and national government counterparts. UNDP will provide guidance and feedback at all stages of the process. Final selection of countries that will be subject to this study will be done in accordance with the selected expert. It is estimated that the study takes about 50 working days and includes two missions that will combine selected field destinations.
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