Training, Advocacy and Networking (TAN) Project Update
Mercy Corps International

SO2: MORE EFFECTIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE
posted by Skip Waskin on Thursday, September 15, 2005 1:56 AM

Support for the CSO Network in Dundgovi. In August, the Dundgovi CSO network promoted and provided volunteers for a citizen’s referral center that connects rural citizens to legal, financial, and social services in the aimag. In just the first two weeks of August, the referral service received 68 complaints, requests, and comments from citizens living in the aimag center and more rural soums. Of these, 55 were successful—i.e., the complaining citizen actually received the requested service. Requests included how to get a loan, how to get involved in life skills training, where to get information on land privatization, and where to get child support and social assistance. In fulfilling these requests, the referral service also provided advice on how to write a complaints letter, complete a loan application, and apply to the administrative court. The Dundgovi Network used local media for announcing this activity.

Support for the CSO Network in Uvurhangai. The CSO network in Uvurhangai organized two public discussions concerning corruption in the government, commercial, and civic sectors. Twenty-three people from local government, businesses and CSOs participated in the first round of discussions; in the second round, local CSOs conducted focus group meetings with bagh citizens, who complained that they are required to give gifts of between 5,000-120,000 tugriks ($4-100) to local government organizations for "solving problems”. The network also put corruption complaint boxes in various public places, including the black market, post office, and hospital; 35 corruption-related complaints were collected from the boxes in August.

Public Procurement. With technical support from TAN staff, the Uvurhangai health department finalized procurement procedures for tendering public services related to the provision of HIV/AIDS education materials, and for surveying public awareness of, and the need for, health information. This is the first time that the aimag health department has issued a tender for which local CSOs can compete. The tender will be announced at the beginning of September.

Training, Advocacy and Networking (TAN) Project Update
Mercy Corps International

SO2: MORE EFFECTIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE
posted by Skip Waskin on Thursday, August 11, 2005 9:18 PM

CSO Networking. As part of its efforts to link local citizens to government, in July the Dundgovi civil society organization (CSO) network began soliciting the opinions and complaints of local citizens and delivering them to the respective local government departments. The network is currently advertising this service among local communities and has already received opinions from ten local citizens.

Corruption Training. A two-day training session on “Participatory Corruption Appraisal” was conducted in Uvurhangai involving 15 CSO representatives. As a follow-on activity to the training, the Uvurhangai CSO network will organize community focus group meetings to discuss the topic of corruption among local citizens, government organizations and community leaders.

Project Expansion. TAN Program staff traveled to Selenge, Bulgan and Arhangai aimags in July to begin selection of three new aimags that will join the project later this year. The staff met with 31 local CSOs, gathering information on their current activities and organizational development needs. The team will visit Khentii and Tuv aimags in August.

Training, Advocacy and Networking (TAN) Project Update
Mercy Corps International

SO2: MORE EFFECTIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE
posted by Skip Waskin on Monday, July 18, 2005 8:58 PM

Capacity Building. TAN conducted proposal-writing training for civil society organizations in June. Participants developed six project proposals, focused on increasing citizens' participation, improving local service organization service provision, and health issues.

CSO Networking. On June 26th, the Dundgovi CSO network successfully launched the first in series of project activities aimed at increasing civic participation. Over 500 people attended the Network's inaugural event—designed to raise awareness about local services—and local civil society organizations, government and businesses provided information about their organizations. Members of over 20 local NGOs, business and governmental organizations volunteered to organize the event, turning their offices into centers for community activity. The Network also completed a survey in over 40% of the central baghs to assess the civic participation patterns of low-income families, and presented the findings to local government officials.

Technical Assistance. As a result of the TAN-supported joint service planning initiative completed in May, tender announcements were issued by the Uvurhungai Department of Social Welfare and Labor. The tender announcements mark the first time CSOs will bid on the provision of public services in Uvurhangai, paving the way for effective collaboration between government and CSOs in other aimags.