IV. FACTORS CONDUCIVE TO INTERSECTORAL PARTNERSHIPS
Ideally the country context will provide a positive enabling
environment for the ISP strategy. This environment refers to the political, legal, social,
and economic context within the country. However, few USAID missions work in countries
with an ideal enabling environment already in place. The absence of such an environment
does not preclude the possibility for ISPs to exist or succeed. It may require, however,
that the mission dedicate time and resources to both goals: improving the enabling
environment and facilitating ISPs. Each mission, as well as the individual partners, must
analyze the costs and benefits of the ISP strategy in their local context. This section
offers some factors to consider when deciding if ISPs are an appropriate option. These
factors combine to create the overall context that affects the ISP’s chances for
success.
| Box #5: POLITICAL AND LEGAL CONTEXT Ecuador:
Creating Conducive Factors
Through its policy dialogue initiatives, Fundacion Ecuador (FE), Ecuador's premier think
tank, continues to work with the government of Ecuador to improve the political and legal
context by establishing laws, policies, and institutions that support the creation and
growth of micro and small businesses (e.g., with NGOs such as Fundacion Alternativa,
ASOMICRO, and the chambers of small industries). With financial support from international
donors, FE is working to reform the banking and financial sector by improving the
prudential supervision capability at the Superintendency of Banks and the Superintendency
of Companies (NPI Resource Guide 1997).
Guinea: Overcoming Barriers
Until the death of President Sekou Toure in 1984, social change in Guinea was impeded
by traditions that discouraged individual initiative and encouraged a privileged class
with vested interests. Most Guineans were ignorant of their legal rights and public
officials' responsibilities or were reluctant to risk the displeasure of the ruling elite
by protesting when these rights were violated. Since 1984, however, Guinea's government
has implemented widespread economic and political reforms. These reforms have included the
re-establishment of civil rights and freedom of expression, adoption of a new
constitution, creation of new political parties, and holding of multi-party elections. In
Guinea, ISPs have led to increased school enrollment, improved maternal child health care,
AIDS prevention, and environmental safe-guards (NPI Resource Guide 1997 & USAID/Guinea
2000 R4). |
Factors to Consider
When Starting an Intersectoral Partnership
- Common issue: The issue to be addressed through the
partnership must be important to all partners. Potential partners need to determine why
forming an ISP is necessary to address the problem, how key actors are affected by the
problem, and to what extent resources from the different stakeholders are required.
- Belief in ISPs as a strategy: Each actor must believe
that this strategy can improve outcomes compared to the status quo. They must be willing
to treat each other as equal partners.
- Presence of a convener: A convening party must have the
capacity to bring the key stakeholders to the table. Donors may play this role. USAID, for
example, has facilitated and instigated numerous partnerships.
- Resources: Financial and human resources to
support the process must be available. Each partner must be willing to commit the
particular resources that it is able to share. One of the surprises of ISPs is the degree
to which new resources are discovered and traditional resources are made more effective
when combined cross-sectorally.
- Willingness to explore opportunities: While the ideal
political and legal context may not exist, it is important for partners to be willing to
explore ways to work creatively within the system and encourage the adoption of factors
leading to a more enabling environment.
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