International Experience and Best Practices - Clean Air Initiative

Start” program. Indian automotive manufacturers also launched a capacity-building
campaign for the service sector as part of its effort to strengthen I/M (see Chapter 4 and
Appendix C). As noted earlier, when Swisscontact committed to promote I/M systems
in Central America, it undertook a comprehensive program of capacity building in the
private (and public) sectors (see Box 5-1). Missing, however, in the I/M literature is
analysis of what “M” capacity-building efforts work best—a topic beyond the scope of
this report but worthy of donor attention.
The need for capacity-building in the public sector is also strong due to the typically large
turnover of staff when political power changes hand and by the low levels of technical
competence at the medium to high bureaucratic levels. There are many examples
BOX 5-1. SWISSCONTACT’S CAPACITY-BUILDING PROGRAM IN CENTRAL
AMERICA.
In 1993, the development agency of Switzerland began a 10-year program to improve air
quality in the Central American countries of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador,
Nicaragua, and Panama. Central to that program was promotion of I/M systems and related
capacity-building. Targets included:
• Transport and environment agencies that received technical and policy training via
seminars, tours abroad, and consulting services.
• Vehicle mechanics and mechanic instructors that received training in repair and
maintenance, particularly for advanced engines and pollution control equipment.
• Drivers that were exposed to advertising campaigns and events intended to elevate
awareness of I/M issues and their future responsibilities.
Source: Swisscontact, Clean Air Project: Report of Activities 1993-2002, 2003.
of donor organizations building capacity in the public sector. The Clean Air Initiative
supported by multiple donors is building I/M capacity in countries in Asia, Africa, and
Latin America. 193 These efforts are crucial to spreading best practices to policymakers
launching or strengthening I/M programs.
There are no guarantees of success in any capacity-building exercise. When the
European Commission made a major effort in Almaty, Kazakhstan, noted earlier, it did
not succeed in catalyzing the government to strengthen its moribund I/M system. 194
Finally, policymakers must ensure that they have sufficient capacity to carry out their
own roles. Engaging independent experts is a demonstrated method of having access to
the needed technical knowledge, and donors can provide the resources. The consultant
study for Sri Lanka noted earlier is a good example of the in-depth technical analysis
that can be brought to bear. The consultant study for Surabaya, Indonesia noted earlier
provided draft terms of reference for a bidding procedure and illustrates how experts can
assist policymakers in that crucial activity.
193 See .
194 Lennart Erlandsson, personal experience.
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