Bangladesh - Belgium

Citizens’ Voice and Accountability Evaluation – Bangladesh Country Case Study
Whilst we can still be critical of the formulaic approach and wonder who participates
and who does not this is nevertheless an important achievement.
5.2 Pathways to broader development outcomes
The overriding assumption justifying support to CVA in Bangladesh is that
democratization is more likely to lead to poverty reduction (although despite the
prevalence of this assumption it remains a contested one). All the DAC partners in
this study have governance as a theme (some within a broader interest in
democratisation). Whilst there is evidence of improved outcomes such as enhanced
service delivery, improved policies and budgetary allocations, reduced leakage of
special provisions for the poor and changing attitudes and behaviours there are
questions regarding the wider development impact and even the need to prove these
at all. Is voice intrinsically valuable in its own right?
The focus on poverty reduction and meeting MDGs generates a concern with scale
and outreach. The need to link intervention logic directly with contribution to MDGs
for CVA work can be tortuous and artificial. Whilst an organisation may prioritise a
focus on key themes of the MDGs (e.g. TIB focus on health and education, CAMPE
focus on education) expecting its CVA activities to have direct impact may be asking
too much. It places a burden on CVA interventions to prove a causal link and may
result in some important means to achieve pluralist and vibrant voice being neglected
for funding as it does not obviously fit the MDG agenda. If CVA are intrinsically ‘good
things’ then why put pressure on organisations to make this link?
Donors are encouraging the practice of results-based management of projects but
still place too much emphasis on counting participation and wanting evidence of
contribution to MDGs. There needs to be more effort made to establish a middle
ground of identifying attitude and behaviour indicators which are a direct outcome of
CVA activities.
5.3 CVA and aid effectiveness
The Paris Declaration (2005) promotes alignment and harmonisation as key
elements for enhance aid effectiveness. In terms of alignment, the Declaration
emphasises ‘respect for partner country ownership’ and intends for partner countries
to be in the driving seat. The Government of Bangladesh Poverty Reduction Strategy
strongly supports the principle of good governance identifying it as one of the three
key elements (growth, human development and governance) of a policy triangle
required to bring about poverty reduction. It states that good governance is promoted
‘by ensuring transparency, accountability and rule of law’ and this strategy along with
three others (ensuring participation, social inclusion and empowerment of all
sections, groups and classes of people and providing service delivery efficiently and
effectively, particularly to the poor) are essential to bring about change. It thus
endorses both the supply side and demand side promoted by CVA interventions.
The interpretation of voice in the PRS is primarily limited to representation by NGOs
and other mechanisms (through CSOs, Trade Unions, Professional Associations,
informal organisations) are not mentioned. The document says little about how these
strategies might be operationalised.
Although the current Caretaker Government has declared support for the PRS, there
is very little genuine ownership of the strategy and knowledge of the tenets of the
strategy remain meagre. Whilst donors quote the PRS widely in their strategy
documents to justify alignment, there is actually little substance behind what, despite
the lengthy consultation process, is essentially a consultant commissioned
document.
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