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The new development paradigm embedded in the SDGs, the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (COP21), and the Addis Ababa development financing framework reflects the emerging world view that civil society has an important role in development, and societal development challenges can be addressed only through a collaborative effort by government, civil society, the private sector, and official development assistance providers. The implication for ADB is that opportunities for supporting more and deeper collaboration with CSOs will increase as its DMCs pursue partnerships with CSOs in implementing the SDGs. ADB's current commitments and policies for supporting DMC collaboration with CSOs remain relevant and will be strengthened to deepen collaboration throughout ADB operations. In early 2016, the NGO and Civil Society Center (NGOC) reviewed the current state of CSO engagement in ADB policies and operations, in view of the regional and global trends and the changing role of civil society in poverty reduction and sustainable development. In addition, lessons from TA for Civil Society Participation for Development Effectiveness concluded that deeper CSO participation will improve development outcomes and increase the inclusiveness of programs and projects, including by (i) increasing access to and the responsiveness of health, education, and social protection services; (ii) accessing and leveraging the effects of infrastructure investments; (iii) improving public sector governance and reducing corruption; (iv) helping implement sustainable natural resource management; and (v) improving economic inclusivity through interventions that target poverty. Also, the study recommended the following: (i) demonstration pilots should be supported to deepen CSO engagement in selected DMCs that have proactive CSO engagement policies and programs, (ii) sector and thematic groups should take the lead in developing partnerships with CSOs and support results-oriented CSO engagement in sector lending operations, (iii) country partnership strategies should integrate the new development paradigm on the role of CSOs, and (iv) a strategy for financing CSO engagement in ADB operations should be developed. PTF provided technical assistance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to strengthen CSO participation in the Banks' operations. The assignment included two outputs: Output 1: Capacity for effective civil society organization engagement in the design, implementation, and monitoring of ADB projects improved. The TA cluster will seek a DMC-based solution to enhance CSO engagement and identify areas for skills enhancement. A capacity gap assessment of skills and knowledge on CSO cooperation will lead to (i) development of a learning program to build the capacity of DMC officials and CSOs on effective engagement in key sectors such as climate change, disaster risk management, gender, water, urban services, energy, health, education, and social protection; and (ii) country-specific strategies, such as CSO engagement in fragile and conflict-affected situations. To improve the skills for enhanced CSO engagement of DMC project officials and CSOs, capacity building methods and outputs will include (i) classroom training and learning-by-doing (on-the-job training, mentoring, and cross-learning visits); (ii) networking and peer learning programs; and (iii) e-learning and blended-learning courses. The TA cluster will also support regional capacity building through workshops and the use of appropriate information and communication technology (ICT) platforms. Output 2: Demonstration activities through effective civil society organization engagement conducted. TA cluster outputs will focus [...]

PTF’s Health Transparency Initiative (HTI) provides support to civil society organizations (CSOs) in developing countries to improve health outcomes. Its projects aim to raise citizen engagement with government officials and service providers, thereby controlling corruption, and improving health sector performance. Projects supported under HTI are listed below. Quality Improvement of Public Health Services in Thrissur, Kerala, India The HTI’s pilot project was a study undertaken by Indian-based CSO, Jananeethi, intended to help reduce corruption in health service delivery in Thrissur by shining a light on the district’s public health facilities. The study confirmed suspicions that vested interests were undermining public health services to push patients towards higher-cost private clinics they can ill afford. Jananeethi is now implementing a three-year project (2018-2020) to systematically address the shortcomings identified in the report be generating greater citizen engagement in ensuring quality public health services. Improving Maternal and Child Health Care Services (MCH) through Citizen Engagement in Odisha State in India MCH has been identified as the top priority in the recently issued Indian National Health Policy. This project is the first phase (2019-2020) of a longer-term program to be implemented by the Indian CSO Youth For Social Development (YSD) and co-financed by the India Development Relief Fund (IDRF). The project objectives are to: enable beneficiaries to constructively engage with authorities and demand improved access, better quality of MCH services and hold them accountable; improve access to and quality of MCH through the use of community score card process and other social accountability tools; and collaborate with researchers to contribute to evidence on improving outcomes under SDGs-3 (health), SDG-5 (Gender) and SDG-16 (governance) through citizen engagement. Health Transparency Initiative for Uganda (HTI-Uganda) The first HTI-supported project in Africa, approved in November 2019, aims to influence reforms that improve public health services in Kasangati, Uganda. The project will apply social accountability approaches with the aim of producing a robust collection of data-points on the efficiency, quality and availability of public health services as well as influencing contextual factors. This information will then be triangulated with mechanisms for change surrounding the management of public health services to produce data on the effectiveness of interventions. The initial year-long project will monitor the operations of Kasangati Health Center IV, serving approximately 100,000 citizens, to test the impact and overall viability for national-level coverage. It will be implemented by the Anti Corruption Coalition Uganda (ACCU) with support from the Kasangati Rotary Club.

Strengthening Citizens Involvement in Mitigating Governance Risks in Local Government Units in the Philippines provided technical assistance to support more effective citizen engagement in the formulation and execution of budgets and procurement processes at the local level. Five sub-projects were developed to address governance risks unique to Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Caraga Region in Northeastern Mindanao. Insights gained from this pilot will feed into a series of reforms undertaken by the Government of the Philippines, including the Bottom Up Budgeting and Open Data disclosure.

In order to ensure that the law is being properly applied in the courtroom, the Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights (YUCOM) in Serbia partnered with the Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina to develop a regional trial monitoring program. This coordinated approach fostered knowledge sharing among the organizations, allowing them to benefit from past best practices and lessons learned, as the countries share commonalities in their historical and cultural contexts. During training workshops in each of the countries, experts presented on the relevant court procedures and the monitoring and reporting process to over 80 monitors, including human rights activist, journalists, and citizen volunteers. Once monitoring of cases began, daily reports were published on a web portal, launched during YUCOM’s first PTF-funded project in Serbia, and now expanded to include Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The reports provide observations on the procedure, such as presentation of evidence and handling of objections, with special note of violations. The site, which draws approximately 3,000 visitors each month, also includes hearing schedules and media coverage of the cases. A platform for visitor comments encourages discussion, many drawing attention to unreported corruption. As the pilot project of the Barry Metzger Rule of Law Initiative, this regional network of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina provided important lessons and impacts that can be scaled-up in the future. Impacts and Results Achieved 80 monitors were trained to systematically evaluate corruption trial proceedings, a step toward changing the nature of reporting on corruption cases from sensational and political to professional and legitimate. The capacities of CSOs were strengthened and they developed a new level of professionalism and expertise. Citizen awareness of the fight against corruption was raised through the website, video, and publication of a policy paper. Monitoring increased procedural compliance by introducing a new level of accountability. It also provides evidence that can strengthen future advocacy and data that can help measure the impact of reform on the system. Lessons Learned In Croatia, it was determined that more monitors would be needed for a comprehensive program, as hearings in different cases were often scheduled at the same time. Across all countries, more monitors would ensure a more comprehensive impact. Obtaining information about cases, including the hearing schedules, is one of the most difficult parts of the monitoring process and affects researchers’ ability to evaluate consistently and effectively. Additional efforts need to be made in this regard to ensure officials abide by FOI laws. Sustainability The Metzger Initiative is currently considering plans for a broader regional network in the Western Balkans. This project serves as an important launching point for collaboration among CSOs in the region, and is the starting point of developing best practices for their coordination. In working toward a unified front against corruption, during the course of the project, relationships were built among 20 key stakeholders including journalists, court staff, and CSOs. DOWNLOAD PROJECT PROPOSAL DOWNLOAD Q&A WITH YUCOM DOWNLOAD POLICY PAPER OTHER METZGER RULE OF LAW INITIATIVE PROJECTS Review23 - Regional Rule of Law Network in the Western Balkans Regional Gender-Based Violence Legal Training

ReView23, founded in 2015, is a regional network of civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Western Balkans (Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro) which share common goals linked to the rule of law, specifically to judicial reform. The long-range vision for the Network is to strengthen the rule of law in fighting corruption to bring about judicial and human rights reform in the region. ReView23 was built upon earlier regional efforts, supported by the Partnership for Transparency Fund, to improve transparency and accountability in national judicial systems. ReView23 was launched with a specific focus to support partner countries’ actions and strategies as each pursues membership in the European Union (EU). Network attention is directed toward Chapter 23- Judiciary and Fundamental Rights, the laws and regulations governing the European Union, to which EU candidate countries must adhere. Each candidate country has been reviewed by the European Commission annually, during the candidate period and receives specific guidance as to the reforms that will be necessary prior to EU membership. The Network partners are at different stages of EU accession, but one purpose of the Network is to add value to each partner’s efforts, by sharing national knowledge and experience in judicial reform. The three partners have produced a working ‘draft’ of a joint paper entitled From Independence of the Prosecution to the Right to a Fair Trial. ReView23 is led by the Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights (YUCOM), a Serbian-based CSO, which holds a distinguished track record in fighting for human rights, providing free legal aid and advocating for justice to all citizens. Network partners are: the Center for Civic Education (CCE) in Montenegro which strengthens civil society by promoting citizen participation in shaping policy; and the Macedonia Young Lawyers Association (MYLA) which supports young legal professionals to implement judicial reform. PTF/HQ and YUCOM are working closely with PTF’s European affiliate, PTF/e.V., to introduce the Network to a broad and diverse audience, to expand the mission of ReView23; demonstrate its relevance to support and guide civil society leaders to strengthen transparency in government institutions and improve access to judicial process for all citizens; and obtain financial support from a broad base of donor constituents. Forthcoming activities include YUCOM as the Secretariat for the European Citizen Action Service (ECAS) and a co-sponsored conference with the Southeast Europe Association (SOGDE) in the first half of 2017. OTHER METZGER RULE OF LAW INITIATIVE PROJECTS Regional Gender-Based Violence Legal Training Regional Trial Monitoring Program in Eastern Europe

Expertise: Environment, Gender Equality, and Health

Laws alone do not protect citizens from abuse and corruption and too often the institutions meant to root out impunity themselves lack oversight and accountability. Though the Metzger Rule of Law Initiative, PTF and partnering legal experts support civil society organizations (CSOs) to track judicial processes, identify irregularities and follow-up with officials, bringing about justice for citizens. OUR SERVICES × Our Services Technical Assistance: We connect experts with local leaders to jointly develop plans, support implementation and evaluate impact. Networking Services: We link organizations with similar goals and complementary skills to provide mutual support. Knowledge & Learning: We share lessons by hosting events and publishing findings to advance our collective understanding on governance challenges. Analytical Services: We provide analytic and advisory services on institutional development and improving citizen engagement. Project Funding & Management: We provide grants accompanied by technical assistance to CSOs undertaking good governance and anti-corruption projects. Close Featured Work Regional Gender-Based Violence Legal Training In 2016, the Barry Metzger Rule of Law Initiative, the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) in the Balkans and the Hogan Lovells law firm partnered to develop a training project for licensed advocates and CSO representatives to increase the capacity of advocates to represent clients in cases involving gender-based violence and discrimination in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Macedonia, and Serbia. Related Experts Elizabeth AduADVISER William CorcoranPROJECT ADVISER Philipp JahnADVISER Roberto LaverPROJECT ADVISER Lelia MooneyProject Adviser Lukas WeitbrechtPROJECT ADVISER Past Projects 1 2 NextReview23 – Regional Rule of Law Network in the Western BalkansRegional Trial Monitoring Program in Eastern EuropeStrengthening the Public Council to Fight Corruption in MongoliaCivic Engagement Using Right To Information Laws in Rajasthan, IndiaRegional Anti-Corruption Action: Supporting the Judiciary in Combating Corruption in the Western BalkansSupporting the National Anti-Corruption Strategy through Monitoring and Advocacy in MoldovaMonitoring Property RightsSupport to Develop Anti-Corruption Legislation in CambodiaTraining on Preventing Corruption in Public Procurement and Judicial SystemMonitoring of the implementation of the Government’s National Anti-Corruption Program (NACP) in Mongolia and the Role of the Open Society in Fighting Corruption Related Content Citizens Against Corruption: Report from the Frontline PTF’s Barry Metzger Rule of Law Initiative Awards First Grant of $35,000 to establish a Rule of Law Network in the Western Balkans Insights from Transparency and Access to Information Projects in Argentina New Program Honors PTF Co-Founder Barry Metzger Pro-Active Project Planning – Serbian Example Regional Anti-Corruption Action: Supporting the Judiciary in Combating Corruption in the Western Balkans Advocating for Conflict of Interest Law in Mongolia Improving Training and Adherence to an Enhanced Judicial Code of Ethics in the Mongolian Judiciary Campaigning for Transparency at Local Governments in Mongolia Strengthening the Public Council to fight Corruption in Mongolia

Expertise: Legal Reform

.Expertise: Anti-Corruption, Civil Society Capacity Building, and Gender Equality

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