Ha Noi Core Statement and CSOs Panel Discussion on Case Study on Harmonization, Alignment, Mutual Accountability Ms. Vu Thi Bich Hop, Centre for Sustainable Rural Development

Ha Noi Core Statement Localized statement of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness to the Vietnamese context Developed by the Partnership Group on Aid Effectiveness – a Government-Donor Forum Agreed by the Government of Viet Nam and the donor community and approved in September 2005 Common vision: “To take far-reaching and monitorable measures to make aid more effective looking ahead to the achievement of Viet Nam’s Development Goals (VDGs) by 2010, and the Millennium Development Goals by 2015”

Ha Noi Core Statement (Cont.) It contains 28 partnership commitments and 14 indicators with 5 guiding principles Principles follow the Paris Declaration (Ownership, Alignment, Harmonization (and Simplification), Managing for Results and Mutual Accountability) while the commitments and indicators are based on Viet Nam context There is progress towards the targets (ODA’s formats, UN reform, program based and sector wide approach, joint program and study, …) But where are the CSOs in all this?

Ha Noi Core Statement and CSOs Most CSOs in Viet Nam were not involved in - and not aware of - the preparation of Ha Noi Core Statement CSOs play an increasingly important role in Viet Nam’s development process and their contributions are increasingly recognized SRD attended a workshop on the new aid paradigm (Intrac, UK, Dec. 2006) with support of SNV, Paris Declaration and the way towards the Ghana HLF were discussed among CSOs CSOs should be explicitly a part of Ha Noi Core Statements and its principles…

How SRD as a CSO relates to the 5 principes of Ha Noi Core Statement- a case study Ownership:  SRD supports local people to identify own issues and priorities  SRD cooperates with local authorities, mass organizations and grassroots people in design, implement and M&E project  SRD support local SEDP, Village Development Planning (VDP), Commune Development Planning (CDP) and gendermainstreaming  SRD’s donors respect SRD’s decisions on geographical areas, issues to address and working approach (participation is a focus)

SRD and 5 principles of HCS (cont.) Alignment:  SRD as a legal entity registered under the umbrella of VUSTA follows strictly Vietnamese policies and regulations  SRD works closely and in partnership with local authorities to ensure legal compliance  SRD takes local SEDP as an important reference in the design of projects  SRD’s donors support and request legal compliance of SRD and its activities

SRD and 5 principles of HCS (cont.) Harmonization and Simplification:  SRD makes efforts in getting information of other interventions/donors in the same areas to avoid duplication and optimize resources  SRD is active in joining networks in order to learn from others, share experiences and advocate for pro-poor policies (PPWG, CIFPEN, Gencomnet, CDG, NRM..)  SRD’s donors encourage SRD’s networking & building up development synergy

SRD and 5 principles of HCS (cont.) Managing for results:  SRDs focus on capacity building for grassroots people, priority is given to the poor and women  SRD support Community based management to ensure local sustainability ( community natural resource management, participatory irrigation management, water user associations and participatory land use management,… )  a project log frame is built with clear results and indicators for monitoring and evaluation in all SRD’s projects  SRD donors request for efficiency and effectiveness and target the poorest of the poor

SRD and 5 principles of HCS (cont.) Mutual Accountability:  SRD, local authorities and people are working together in a project  Local people implement and manage their own development  Local authorities contribute with finance and human resources  SRD financially support and facilitate the implementation  Each stakeholder has responsibility and authority to ensure development progress and objectives achieved

Recommendations on CSOs and HCS Ownership:  CSOs and grassroots people should take part in SEDP formulation and implementation  Good models such as Village and Commune Development Plan (VDP/CDP) and gender mainstreaming that were supported by many CSOs should be used as a basis and be integrated into the SEDP Alignment:  Improved policies and procedures, legal framework and enabling environment and space for CSOs to actually take part in SEDP Harmonization and simplification:  make the procedures less complicated for CSOs in project’s registration, approval and implementation;  support to build up a Vietnamese NGO resource center for capacity building, networking, sharing and exchange of information

Recommendations (cont.) Managing for development results:  government and donors should involve CSOs in designing, implementing, M&E of all aid/ODA’s projects  make use of NGO models (community based natural resource management, participatory irrigation management, gender mainstreaming,…) Mutual accountability:  Government, donors, CSOs and people are stakeholders in the development process  Government’s information on aid should be more transparent and accessible.  CSOs and People should be involved in monitoring and evaluation of development projects.

Thank you for your kind attention! Vu Thi Bich Hop Director Center for Sustainable Rural Development Tel: Fax: Web: