Bangladesh - Belgium

Citizens’ Voice and Accountability Evaluation – Bangladesh Country Case Study
Framework and it will be carried out according to the processes/steps outlined in the
methodological guidance attached as an annex to that document, which provides
references to a choice of methods and tools for the evaluation.
18. Prior to undertaking the evaluation phase itself, considerable work will be
required by the CCS Team to finalise with donor partners in country those
interventions selected for evaluation. Critical to this process is gaining an
understanding of the context against which CV&A interventions can be gauged and
establishing a dialogue with key international and national actors to explore the
various interpretations of “voice and accountability” and, in some contexts, “citizen”.
Tasks
19. Using the Evaluation Framework and Methodology, and adapting it to the
specific country context, the Country Case Study Team (CCS Team) will provide
answers to the following overarching evaluation questions:
‣ Question 1: Channels, mechanisms and processes
What are the concrete channels, i.e. actors, spaces and mechanisms supported
by donor-funded interventions for: (i) citizens’ voice and empowerment; (ii)
increased role of poor and excluded groups, and women or their representatives
in governance processes; and (iii) accountability of governments to citizens?
How do these channels work and how important are they to achieve CV&A
outcomes?
‣ Question 2: Results and outcomes
To what extent have the different approaches and strategies adopted by donors
contributed to enhanced CV&A in partner countries?
‣ Question 3: Pathways to broader development outcomes and impacts
In what ways are CV&A interventions contributing to broader development goals,
such as poverty reduction and the MDGs? In particular, what are the main
pathways leading from improved CV&A to such broader development outcomes?
‣ Question 4: V&A and aid effectiveness
What can we learn from experience to date of donors’ effectiveness in supporting
CV&A interventions with particular reference to the principles enshrined in the
Paris Declaration?
Process
20. Two pilot studies were conducted in Benin and Nicaragua. They indicated
that there was insufficient mutual understanding of the meaning of “voice and
accountability” among ECG donors and partners. Without such an understanding
amongst donors, host nation and implementing partners it will be difficult to identify
appropriate interventions for study. To overcome this, each CCS will consist of two
phases and the commissioning donor will play an active part in the first phase along
with the CCS Team leader. In the case of the CCS Bangladesh, which is mandated
by the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), this active role will be in the
responsibility of the Evaluation and Controlling Unit of the Thematic Department,
supported by the SDC Country Office in Dhaka when necessary.
First “Inception” Phase
21. The first phase will occur some weeks in advance of the second ”main”
phase. Initially desk based research and work to initiate the context analysis and
identify, with “in country” donor partners, potential interventions for evaluation. This
will be followed by an “in country” visit (probably capital based) of some 5-7 days to:
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