Multipart thematic paper on multi-stakeholder ... - ISIS Europe

implement MSP-DEMs, or if the EU should rather focus on the implementation of projects via member
states’ engagements or via the assistance of NGOs.
A constructive working atmosphere is even more important as there is a strong need to plan and
implement a proper handover from international actors to national representatives for MSPs active in the
areas of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law. With the development of the post-conflict
society, international actors ideally should draw back, leaving more and more space for empowered
national actors. Apart from the NSP, these takeovers by national authorities proved to be difficult for the
MSP-DEM under research, as the effectiveness of the MSP-DEMs was reduced after more responsibility
was handed over to local stakeholders. Certainly, various political factors (like, in this case of Kosovo,
the declaration of independence) may contribute to the difficulties to hand over responsibilities to local
stakeholders, but international actors should be well aware of this dilemma and aim to strike a balance
between retaining a central role while exercising a higher degree of control of MSP-DEM activities in an
effective manner, and handing over to locals at the price of reduced effectiveness. Especially international
actors participating in MSP-DEMs are well advised to put more emphasis on the process of planning and
implementing an appropriate and timely handover to local stakeholders from the beginning.
This finding is of particular relevance for the EU. Including the respective (local) government in
MSP-DEMs more as a full-fledged partner could serve to prepare the follow-up phase of MSP-DEMs and
could thus set the scene for more sustainability.
These considerations regarding the proper handover also have strong implications for the overall
sustainability of MSP-DEMs. Without a proper handover to local authorities the sustainability of the
MSP-DEMs investigated in the MULTIPART project has to be questioned. It has been shown, for
example, that accompanied with uncertain funding for the future, the chance of sustainability for
REJUSCO is quasi zero.
For good governance and democracy to work, non-state actors, identity groups and non-elite
representation is crucial. MSP-DEMs potentially provide various empowerment steps by enabling active
citizenry and vulnerable groups to voice their concerns and needs and to develop ideas and provide firsthand
input and knowledge. However, finding the right model of collaboration between international and
local non-state actors proved to be demanding, even when the international actors were trying to apply a
MSP format in partnerships. The role and influence of local actors often remains limited. The aims of
MSP-DEM programs are often not deemed appropriate for the inclusion of private actors and the
participation of local non-state actors remains the exception for MSP-DEMs. Of course, it also has to be
acknowledged that in post-conflict countries, local stakeholders might often be unable to fully perform
the tasks of MSP-DEM stakeholders, and the civil society might lack the capacity to participate, e.g. in
the oversight of the parliamentary process or similar tasks associated with good governance. In practice,
the relationship between civil society and other MSP-DEM stakeholders remains rather passive during the
operation of MSP-DEMs. But as the ASI case study shows, local involvement is possible for MSP-
DEMs, even if - in the view of local civil society - the level of local involvement in and ownership of the
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