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1 TRADE MAINSTREAMING FOR DEVELOPMENT A ROADMAP FOR ENGAGING NON-STATE ACTORS ZAMBIA

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TRADE MAINSTREAMING FOR DEVELOPMENT

A ROADMAP FOR ENGAGING NON-STATE ACTORS

ZAMBIA

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ABOUT The purpose of this document is to provide a roadmap for improving stakeholder engagement practices in Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) processes in Zambia under the CUTS International EIF sPokes project. This comes as part of the EIF Guidebook on Effective Engagement of Non-State Actors (NSAs) developed under the project.

The introduction gives a brief description of the EIF sPokes project, its rationale and the importance of country ownership. This is followed by a discussion of the key challenges to NSAs engagement in EIF and related processes in Zambia, and the remedies adopted at a workshop in February 2014 to ensure effective engagement of NSAs. The complete roadmap adopted at this workshop is presented in Annex 1.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  

TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................................................... 3 

LIST OF ACRONYMES ......................................................................................................................... 4 

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 5 

CHALLENGES AND ADOPTED REMEDIES ..................................................................................... 8 

1.  AWARENESS AND COMMUNICATION ........................................................................ 8 

2.  INTEREST & INCENTIVES ............................................................................................... 12 

3.  CAPACITY TO ENGAGE ................................................................................................. 13 

4.  FORMAL MECHANISMS ................................................................................................. 14 

5.  CONSULTATIONS AMONG NSAS ............................................................................... 17 

6.  BALANCING INTERESTS ................................................................................................ 18 

ANNEX 1: FINAL ROADMAP ............................................................................................................. 20 

ANNEX 2: LIST OF PARTICIPANTS ................................................................................................. 23 

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LIST OF ACRONYMES

ARC Africa Resource Centre CBTA Cross Border Traders Association CEEC Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission CSOs Civil Society Organizations CUTS Consumer Unity & Trust Society DCC Development Coordination Committee DDCC District Development Coordination Committee EIF Enhanced Integrated Framework EIF ES EIF Executive Secretariat FP Focal Point JCTR Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection MCTI Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry MCTI/NIU National Implementation Unit MOFNP Ministry of Finance and National Planning NDCC National Development Coordination Committee NIAs National Implementation Arrangements NSAs Non-State Actors NSC National Steering Committee PDCC Provincial Development Coordination Committee SAG Sector Advisory Group SMEs Small and Medium-sized Enterprises ToT Training of Trainers ZACI Zambia Association of Commerce and Industry ZAM Zambia Association of Manufacturers

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INTRODUCTION The Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Strategic Action Plan until 2013, in its key priority areas, identified the need for capacity building of National Implementation Arrangements (NIAs) to strengthen public-private dialogue on wider trade and development issues. NIAs should be able to maintain broad-based and regular consultations among themselves in order to ensure that they are actively engaged in setting national trade priorities, and in promoting the trade agenda.

The aim of EIF sPokes project is to address the above need by enhancing the capacity of EIF NIAs, particularly the National Steering Committee (NSC), to drive forward a country-owned and sustainable EIF delivery process, through achieving inclusive participatory engagement of Non-State Actors (NSAs), particularly the private sector. Towards this end, the project is envisaged to achieve the following results:

NIAs will: (i) have a better understanding of inclusive stakeholder engagement good practices; (ii) have adopted a road map to improve NSAs involvement in EIF mechanisms; and (iii) have strong and sustainable connections with NSA networks that leverage EIF delivery;

NSAs, particularly the private sector, will: (iv) increase their participation in EIF processes, due to better understanding of consultation mechanisms, and their role and interests therein; (v) have ready access to tools for easier participation in EIF processes; and (vi) have impacted EIF project development and roll-out with targeted inputs.

The rationale of the project is to improve country ownership of the EIF and trade related initiatives by ensuring the active and effective participation of NSAs. This builds upon the idea that the recipient of a development program needs the local community to own the conduct of the process, which ranges from defining policy to the monitoring of projects.

“Ownership” is a relatively new but leading concept in development strategies of donors and development agencies. It is recognised by the majority of international institutions as being critical for economic development and poverty alleviation. This concept marks a turning point from top-down to bottom-up strategies in the economic development landscape.

In essence, ownership of policy leads to the achievement of two crucial aspects of development planning: specificity and legitimacy. Through effective and continued involvement, NSAs ensure that the solutions to their country’s problems are attuned to its specific development situation, as opposed to adopting a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution. At the same time, active participation of the NSAs results in a policy framework rooted

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in the needs of a particular country, thus establishing its legitimacy. In effect, national development strategies which are characterized by broad-based participation are accepted and also more likely to be carried out in the long run, which improves the effectiveness of development outcomes. EIF processes recognise this fundamental principle and provide for NSA entry points as illustrated in Figure 1.

It is in the above context that the EIF sPokes project facilitated a workshop of stakeholders in the EIF and trade related issues in Zambia, to identify the key challenges to NSAs’ engagement and effective participation in EIF and related initiatives, as well as the priority actions required to redress the challenges through a roadmap. Participants in the two-day workshop included representatives of private sector associations, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the media, Government officials, and members of the academia among others (See Annex 2 – List of Participants).

FIGURE 1: ENTRY POINTS FOR NSAs IN EIF PROCESSES

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KEY

Sequence of inputs

Representation of NSAs

NIU processes

Tangible outcomes

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CHALLENGES AND ADOPTED REMEDIES

The EIF sPokes project through field work in Zambia as well as an electronic questionnaire identified a range of challenges with regard to NSAs’ participation in the EIF processes. These were further discussed and elaborated in a workshop held in February 2014 in Zambia. The challenges can be categorised under six main themes, namely: (i) Awareness and communication; (ii) Interest and incentives; (iii) Capacity to engage; (iv) Formal mechanisms; (v) Consultations among NSAs; and (vi) Balancing interests. In the ensuing sections, the challenges are discussed along with the practices and priority actions adopted at the workshop to overcome them.

1. AWARENESS AND COMMUNICATION

Raising awareness is essential to ensuring buy-in by stakeholders including NSAs in initiatives such as the EIF. This would entail regular communication about the nature and progress of EIF activities in the country. Ideally communication channels with wide outreach to NSAs should be established by way of a communication strategy.

The National Implementation Unit at the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI/NIU), which assists the Focal Point (FP) in the implementation of the overall EIF activities, has the role of raising awareness among stakeholders including NSAs on the relationship between trade, economic growth, and poverty reduction with the aim of ensuring that agreed priorities are integrated into national development plans as envisioned by the EIF initiative. However in Zambia, it was found that trade and initiatives such as the EIF are not widely known and understood among NSAs as tools for development, growth and poverty reduction. As a case in point, only 13 out of 31 participants in the EIF sPokes capacity building workshop held in February 2014 knew about the EIF.

LACK OF APPRECIATION OF TRADE MAINSTREAMING AS AN ENGINE FOR DEVELOPMENT

In Zambia, trade and initiatives such as the EIF are not widely appreciated as tools for development, growth and poverty reduction. This lack of awareness could be redressed through regular supply and communication of information on EIF and related trade programmes.

The EIF sPokes initiative includes a refresher course targeted to both NIAs and NSAs on “Trade Mainstreaming for Development in Zambia: Rationale and Significance”. This document written in concise and non-technical language would help NSAs better

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understand the importance of trade mainstreaming, its governance structures as well as their own stake in this process. The MCTI/NIU could disseminate this document along with other similar material as widely as possible (e.g. on the MCTI website, in meetings etc.). The document could also be converted into a fact sheet to highlight the points that are likely to pick the interest of selected categories of NSAs.

EIF SPOKES’ TOOL

REFRESHER COURSE ON TRADE MAINSTREAMING FOR DEVELOPMENT IN ZAMBIA

This “Refresher Course” developed by CUTS Africa Resource Centre (ARC), Lusaka highlights in simple language the basics of trade mainstreaming in Zambia. It can be used by MCTI/NIU and NSC to raise awareness and interest of NSAs.

DOWNLOAD LINK: http://bit.ly/1ng1MWD

As a way of raising awareness, the adopted roadmap (see Annex 1) prioritises the utilization of the media to disseminate information about the importance of trade mainstreaming, ongoing developments in that regard, as well as showcase success stories. The most commonly used way of approaching the media is through media releases to the press, radio and other media outlets.

The roadmap emphasises the need for involving journalists throughout the EIF process in a consistent manner, and to use diverse media channels (radio, TV, print, online etc.) so as to reach different audiences. For instance, people in rural areas are more likely to access information through radio, while TV is widely used in urban areas.

It is also recommended that MCTI/NIU implements the module on media delivered earlier by the EIF Executive Secretariat (ES). Practical guidelines on how to approach the media and develop press releases can be found in the EIF sPokes “Guidebook on Effective Engagement of NSAs”.

In addition, the roadmap requires the MCTI/NIU to build networks and deepen its understanding of the market and its players. For instance, it should be represented at events popular among Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and other businesses (e.g. trade fairs) to network and gather entrepreneurs’ views as well as obtaining contacts to add in the mailing list.

LIMITED INFORMATION DISSEMINATION TO THE PUBLIC

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Regular updates about the EIF and its activities is important in reminding NSAs and the general public about the existence of the initiative, which could also be an opportunity to showcase recent successful examples of NSA participation in EIF activities and raise interest in upcoming opportunities for the NSAs to participate. This is especially necessary for SMEs and CSOs who are not part of NSC members’ networks as they have no other way to stay updated.

The EIF sPokes project created a number of tools designed for MCTI/NIU to strengthen their communication practices through which updates and awareness raising may be done. These tools include:

EIF SPOKES’ TOOL

A MAILING LIST OF NSA CONTACTS

The mailing list in MS Excel contains about 200 relevant contacts and should grow over time. As a starting point, it is recommended that all NSC members provide their constituencies’ contact details for inclusion (they would have opportunities to unsubscribe).

In order to increase the size of the contact list and reach to more people, EIF sPokes also created another tool: a subscription form where subscribers’ details can be easily copy/pasted into this list.

Also, an under-utilized – yet powerful - way of disseminating such email communications is the use of the “mail merge” function in MS Word that enables the sender to send personalized emails. This is a simple and effective way to pick the recipient’s interest.

EIF SPOKES’ TOOL DOWNLOAD @ http://bit.ly/1ng1MWD

ONLINE REFREGISTRATION FORM TO COLLECT CONTACT EMAILS

This online registration form can be put on any website (currently the EIF sPokes website) to increase the list of EIF communication subscribers. The information filled in

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is sent to a google spreadsheet where the MCTI/NIU can collect the subscribers’ information and add it to its mailing list.

UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT AID FOR TRADE/EIF ZAMBIA IS NOT READILY AVAILABLE

Updating information on websites is important since such information can reach a large number of people in a timely and cost-efficient way. While an ideal way of ensuring updates could be by regularly adding information on the relevant part of the MCTI website, this may entail long back and forth communications between the MCTI/NIU and the webmaster. An interim solution for the MCTI/NIU would be to take advantage of the EIF sPokes website specifically created to contain relevant information on NSA engagement in EIF Zambia (it already contains specific information relevant to both NIAs and MCTI/NIU in this regard).

This google based facility is specifically designed for non-experts, and links to the website could be added on the main EIF website as well as the MCTI website

EIF SPOKES’ TOOL

A WEBSITE TO ACCESS EIF INFORMATION ABOUT ZAMBIA

The EIF sPokes website was specifically created for the MCTI/NIU. It contains relevant information on NSA engagement in EIF Zambia relevant to both NIAs and NSAs in this regard and can easily be maintained by the MCTI/NIU

DOWNLOAD LINK: http://spokes.cuts-geneva.org

LACK OF A COMMUNICATION STRATEGY FOR MCTI/NIU

One of the main challenges identified to effective engagement of NSAs in trade mainstreaming in Zambia was the lack of a communication strategy at the MCTI/NIU level.

Therefore, the roadmap adopted the priority action proposed by the MCTI/NIU itself to have such a communication strategy by June 2014. The present EIF sPokes roadmap along with other sources can provide the basis for drafting this strategy, which should include provisions on, inter alia:

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(i) A Communication Officer at MCTI/NIU, ideally an expert dedicated to communication and awareness raising functions;

(ii) Funding needs for supporting participation of NSAs;

(iii) Repackaging information in user-friendly language and format;

(iv) Using and maintaining the EIF sPokes mailing list of NSA contacts;

(v) Continuation of EIF Newsletter similar to the earlier version that was being produced in collaboration with CUTS. This newsletter could include project updates, discussions on the advancement of EIF activities in Zambia, highlights on other trade programmes and issues being discussed within the country, and inform readers about the role of Zambia in international forums. It could also disseminate minutes or press releases of meetings for NSAs;

(vi) Cataloguing benefits for NSAs;

(vii) Using earlier activities with/by EIF ES (e.g. media training, video documentaries etc.).

2. INTEREST & INCENTIVES

Securing the interest of NSAs in Zambia and providing them incentives to participate in EIF processes and other trade related initiatives is critical in ensuring their active and effective involvement. NSAs primary incentive in participating in initiatives such as EIF can be motivated by either social or economic considerations. While it is likely that economic growth of the country is a desirable outcome for all stakeholders involved, NSAs, and the private sector in particular can be incentivised to participate in such initiatives in order to secure their immediate economic interests that include inter alia sectroral development, increased trade volumes, and access to foreign direct investment. Other NSAs such as CSOs can be more socially-oriented and can be incentivised to focus their involvement to achieve specific objectives, for example rights of consumers, gender parity in economic opportunities, and so on.

Triggering the interest and keeping NSAs incentivised to participate in EIF and related processes may prove challenging. For instance in Zambia, NSAs interest and readiness to participate in EIF programmes often starts on a high note but diminishes over time. This is attributed to factors such as the lack of capacity to understand or appreciate trade issues, lack of funding or support for trade related work in the case of CSOs, lack of sufficient time for especially the private sector to engage in EIF processes, and low coverage of trade related issues in the media.

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By adopting this roadmap, stakeholders have undertaken to tackle these challenges through the following means:

(i) Adopting a communication strategy (as earlier discussed) through which NSAs are regularly appraised on trade issues, including the EIF and its activities

(ii) Ensuring that EIF processes such as NSC meetings and other consultative meetings take a results-oriented approach and are cognisant of time limitations of some participants

(iii) Providing training and capacity building opportunities to NSAs, to bring home to them the advantages of participating in EIF processes, as well as the negative implications of their non-involvement in such processes

(iv) Identifying champions of the EIF and similar causes, who can then encourage and lead others in joining the initiative

(v) Providing incentives for media coverage of trade-related issues and initiatives such as the EIF, e.g. through sponsorship of awards for the best media/journalists coverage

3. CAPACITY TO ENGAGE

Given that NSAs have different backgrounds, knowledge, and skills it is important to ensure that they have the necessary capacity to effectively participate in initiatives such as the EIF. This entails identifying their capacity needs and gaps, and redressing them appropriately.

During interaction with stakeholders in Zambia, this challenge was highlighted to the effect that NSAs especially the private sector are faced with capacity challenges and are not able to back-up their inputs in initiatives such as the EIF, with researched facts. Further, NSAs especially the CSOs are often not very knowledgeable on trade policy and related issues hence limiting their ability to effectively participate. The other challenges with regard to NSAs’ capacity to effectively engage in EIF processes include the following:

(i) Lack of technical knowledge to develop acceptable proposals for EIF and related projects. This is occasioned by complicated requirements often imposed for drafting such proposals

(ii) The failure to engage local consultants and organisations in project development and implementation/evaluation that would otherwise have developed their capacity and expertise through hands-on experience

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(iii) Failure to identify and involve the most relevant NSAs in the EIF processes and projects under consideration which would ensure that they acquire the necessary knowledge and capacity to engage in such issues

In order to redress the above challenges, and ensure that NSAs have the capacity to engage in EIF processes, the following measures were identified:

(i) Conducting capacity building of interested NSAs on drafting of acceptable project proposals, which should include guidelines on the requirements and how to fulfil them. Such training could be in the form of workshops, study tours, or modular courses

(ii) Adopting deliberate policies to engage local consultants as a priority, in the development and implementation of projects, with the aim of improving their skills and technical knowhow. This would entail undertaking a consultant skills mapping, and maintaining their database

(iii) Utilising existing forums such as the District Development Coordination Committees to reach out to the NSAs relevant to identified projects

4. FORMAL MECHANISMS

For NSAs to meaningfully participate, trade consultation and coordination mechanisms need to function efficiently. In Zambia although a number of formal mechanisms through which NSAs can participate in initiatives such as the EIF exist, the major challenge remains in their effective utilisation to ensure NSA participation.

FUNCTIONING OF GOVERNMENTAL CONSULTATIONS MECHANISMS ON TRADE

Trade policy formulation, monitoring and implementation in Zambia is the main responsibility of the MCTI, which also oversees the formal mechanisms such as the Development Coordination Committee (DCC) system through which NSAs can participate in trade and related initiatives.

In this system, District (DDCC) and Provincial (PDCC) meetings should be held quarterly and function as platforms to coordinate planning, budgeting, implementation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation at provincial and district levels. The results of these local consultations should feed into national planning through the National Sector Advisory Group Conference and the National Development Coordinating Committee (NDCC). While these ideally should be held every July and coordinated by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning (MOFNP) and Cabinet Office respectively, they had never met as of February 2014.

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The EIF NSC is a subset of the SAG on Trade and Industry and is the primary avenue for participation of NSAs in trade policy since it meets quarterly and has NSA representatives in its membership.

STRENGTHENING GOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION ON TRADE

One of the challenges encountered in the DCC system is that district & provincial officials do not seem to regularly undertake consultations at the grassroots on trade issues, either because they are not aware of their responsibility to do so or because of capacity constraints. Moreover, it was reported that inputs made at district and provincial levels are often not transmitted to higher levels (SAG and NDCC) and are therefore lost in the process.

Among the reasons for this is that MCTI is highly centralised unlike other ministries who have strong district presence. A possible way of overcoming this challenge could be by leveraging the network of associations like the Zambia Association of Commerce and Industry (ZACI) who already work closely with the Ministry.

As a priority action to improve vertical coordination, MCTI/NIU will need to operationalise and strengthen functioning of DCC system, which would entail the following:

(i) Budgetary allocation at district level for the operationalization of DCCs as a forum for leveraging grassroots knowledge;

(ii) Establishing a feedback mechanism from MCTI/NIU/NSC to district level; (iii) Training district & provincial officials on their EIF/trade consultation duties

& techniques.

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As far as horizontal (inter-ministerial) coordination is concerned, several efforts have been made by MCTI/NIU to involve other ministries in trade policy formulation and implementation. For instance, other ministries are represented in the NSC, including the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Finance. MCTI/NIU also collaborates with the Ministry of Finance in maintaining a database of Aid for Trade flows. These are encouraging practices that should continue as set out in the adopted roadmap.

THE ISSUE OF INCLUSIVE REPRESENTATION ON THE NSC

Participation of NSAs in NSC meetings is through their representative associations, e.g. manufacturers’ association representing its members, business chambers of commerce, farmers associations, small and medium enterprises associations, CSO representatives etc. The real challenge of trade consultations is to take into account all the views and interests on a particular issue, which requires finding the right balance in selecting representatives.

In Zambia representatives of the private sector in the NSC tended to send junior persons unable to make decisions on their behalf, hence often delaying progress in EIF processes. However, and on the positive side, rules for participation in the NSC were revamped and representation is now restricted to Director or Deputy Director level.

Sustained CSOs participation has also been a challenge in Zambia with several falling out over time. This is mainly because few CSOs are directly dealing with trade issues. A case in point is JCTR which is a member of the NSC but has recently revised its priorities and is moving away from trade issues, and will therefore be less likely to continue participating in the NSC.

On the other hand, the fact that the private sector is well represented with 5 members on the NSC, including the chairperson appointed by MCTI, is an acknowledgement of the private sector as an engine for growth. The Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM), which chairs the NSC, is a private sector apex body for manufacturers representing about 150 member companies and individuals in Zambia. Nevertheless, it has been a challenge to achieve an inclusive representation of the private sector given the wide range of sometimes differing interests of different private sector players (e.g. importers vs. exporters).

To overcome these challenges, and besides other relevant priority actions explained in the section “Consultations among NSAs” and “Balancing different interests”, several priority actions adopted at the EIF sPokes workshop are of direct relevance to the NSC as a formal consultation mechanism. These include the following:

(i) Formalize consultations among NSAs as part of NSC processes: The NSC will revise its ToRs to spell out the need for members to undertake consultations with their constituencies before each meeting. This would bring in an

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accountability element for members towards their constituencies to represent a “coordinated” voice.

(ii) MCTI/NIU to build networks and deepen its understanding of the market and its players: MCTI/NIU will attempt to consult apex organizations beyond the NSC and increase the profile of trade mainstreaming among the private sector for instance by participating in events such as trade fairs. MCTI has already attended such events in the past, e.g. the late June Zambia International Trade Fair. Events where the Ministry is not represented, EIF materials (e.g. brochures, surveys, feedback questionnaires, newsletter sign up forms etc.) could be provided to those NSC members who may attend.

STANDING COMMUNICATION CHANNEL FOR NSC MEMBERS

There is need for a standing communication channel for NSC members to discuss as a group and informally share their views between NSC meetings, seek clarifications from the MCTI/NIU and access relevant materials.

EIF sPokes therefore created and delivered to MCTI/NIU an online forum (Google Group) for this purpose accessible at http://spokes.cuts-geneva.org. In order to ensure ownership over this online tool, it is left to the NSC members themselves to decide how best to use it and define rules in this regard. The forum may also be used by NSC members to communicate with their constituencies.

5. CONSULTATIONS AMONG NSAs

The critical role of NSAs such as civil society and private sector representatives in the NSC is to reflect the views of their constituencies or other NSAs not directly represented in the NSC. Overlooking their duty to undertake broad-based consultations in their respective networks may result in low credibility with government officials and other stakeholders on the NSC who may not consider seriously the inputs they make. Associated risks include criticism from their constituents and other NSAs who may feel ignored, or the general public not embracing the outcomes and decisions reached by forums such as the NSC. In addition, there is a risk that realities and experiences from the grassroots are not reflected during the NSC meetings, which would hence fail to address the real issues. This is aptly summarised by Chairman Zambia Cross Border Traders Association who stated “If you have never been stung by a bee, you cannot understand the real needs of beekeepers”.

For the NSC to be truly inclusive, NSA representatives should undertake consultations with their membership ahead of each NSC meeting and other EIF related engagements. The EIF sPokes “Guidebook on Effective Engagement of NSAs” provides

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several input-gathering techniques that may be considered, including comment forms, polls, interviews, focus group discussions etc.

In Zambia, such consultation processes rarely happen before NSC meetings mainly due to time and capacity challenges. The other challenges that hinder effective consultations include the perceived complexity of EIF and trade related issues that are the subject of EIF programmes. This is especially the case for the CSOs. These challenges could however be redressed through the following means:

(i) Strengthening collaboration amongst NSAs by facilitating regular consultative meetings where insights and clarity of EIF and trade related issues may be gained. In Zambia, the MCTI/NIU has undertaken to facilitate such consultative meetings whenever required

(ii) Ensuring sufficient advance and detailed notice is provided for NSC and similar EIF meetings/engagements. Such notification should include the agenda and relevant materials on the issues to be considered, and circulated at least two weeks before the engagement. This would allow for the downstream pre-meeting consultations to take place amongst NSA representatives and their constituents

(iii) Use of online tools such as the EIF sPokes online forum to undertake consultations through quicker and cheaper means not requiring physical presence of those participating in the consultations. This would however necessitate publicising of the forum in order to ensure wide participation.

6. BALANCING INTERESTS

During the engagement process of initiatives such as the EIF, interests and priorities are likely to diverge even amongst NSAs themselves. For instance business associations and CSOs may differ in their objectives leading to conflicting positions.

In Zambia it was found that conflicting interests lead to prolonged delays in reaching decisions and thereby affecting planned activities and projects, for instance the Tier II project for enhancement of the honey sector spent three years in the consultation phase. Such delays often result in another challenge of keeping up the momentum, since stakeholders may grow weary of deliberating over the same issues and withdraw from the engagement. The causes for such conflicting interests arise due to the following reasons:

(i) Varying objectives and interests amongst NSAs (ii) Domination of decisions by some stakeholders, based on their perceived power

over others

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(iii) Where NSAs’ representatives may have personal interests opposed to those of their constituents

Addressing the above challenges calls for balancing of interests among NSAs and all stakeholders in the EIF and related processes, this could be accomplished through the following measures:

(i) Whenever varying objectives and interests occur due to issues under consideration, stakeholders should be re-aligned into sub-clusters of their interest groups, these should then deliberate and take decisions guided by National Development Plans such as Gender or Youth Empowerment Policies; Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission; and others. That way national interests would be considered above the interests of the sub-cluster

(ii) To avoid dominance in EIF and related processes, there is need to ensure equal and fair representation and accountability of the NSAs within the NSC and related public-private structures. Participation in such forums should be on equal basis irrespective of the size or perceived power of some players.

(iii) In the case of NSAs’ representatives, they should be subjected to due diligence before co-option to forums such as the NSC. This would avoid NSAs being represented by those with conflicting personal interest.

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EIF SPOKES – ZAMBIA | ANNEX 1

FINAL ROADMAP

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ITEM DESCRIPTION TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBILITY

PART I: PRIORITY ACTIONS

1 Develop a communication strategy Should include provisions on: (i) position of a Communication Officer at MCTI/NIU; (ii) funding needs for participation support; (iii) repackaging information in easy to read form; (iv) maintaining and using a mailing list of NSAs; (v) continuation of EIF Newsletter (v) cataloguing benefits for NSAs; (vii) using earlier activities with/by EIF ES (e.g. media training, video documentaries etc.). This EIF sPokes roadmap can provide the basis for this strategy, and EIF ES can advise and comment on the draft.

Q2-2014 MCTI/NIU

2 Operationalise and strengthen functioning of Development Coordinating Committees

This is to enhance vertical governmental coordination. Action entails: (i) budgetary allocation at district level for the operationalization of DDCCs as forum for leveraging grassroots knowledge; (ii) establishing a feedback mechanism from MCTI/NIU/NSC to district level; (iii) training district & provincial officials on their EIF/trade consultation duties & techniques.

Q2-2014 MCTI/NIU

3 Formalize consultations among NSAs as part of NSC processes

NSC should revise its ToRs to spell out the need for members to undertake consultations with their constituencies before each meeting. This would bring in an accountability element for members towards their constituencies to represent a “coordinated” voice.

Q2-2014 NSC Members

4 Establish a standing communication channel for NSC members

Use the online forum provided by EIF sPokes for this purpose. NSC members should decide themselves how they wish to use the forum.

Q2-2014 NSC Members

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5 Use EIF sPokes website to make updated information available

The EIF sPokes website should be taken over by MCTI/NIU and used to make available any relevant information about the EIF/trade related matters. Encourage state and non-state actors to use the website.

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Q3-2014 MCTI/NIU

6 Building NSA capacities on EIF & trade issues and their interests therein

Deliberate efforts from the MCTI/NIU to explain to NSAs their interests in the EIF and dangers if they stay passive. Also enhance understanding of how to use Public-Private Dialogue structures (e.g. NSC, DCCs etc.). Good supporting materials could include refresher courses developed by CUTS and UNDP, and existing EIF videos.

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7 Building NSA capacities on quality proposal writing

Develop and advertise clear guidelines on quality proposal writing for EIF projects in collaboration with Donor Facilitator. Also establish a constructive feedback mechanism on failed proposals. NSA training may be done through TOT, workshops, study tours, modular courses etc.

Q3-2014 MCTI/NIU/DF

8 Sponsor a trade award for the media This will help addressing the lack of interest of the media in trade issues. Q4-2014 MCTI/NIU

9 Develop a policy for prioritizing hiring of local consultants

Skills mapping and development of a database of local consultants/organisations. Develop and implement a policy for the engagement of local consultants and organisations. Should be seen as a capacity building process for the country (sustainable).

Q4-2014 MCTI/NIU

10 Building NSA capacities on reaching out to their Networks with EIF information

This would entail providing EIF outreach materials for their use (e.g. brochures, flyers, newsletters etc.), as well as equipment.

Continuous MCTI/NIU/CUTS

11 Enhance funding efforts for NSAs’ participation in the EIF

Leverage resources with support from relevant ministries for funding participation of NSAs in trade mainstreaming initiatives. This is because some NSAs may not be in a position to afford the time/money for effectively participating (e.g. transport, accommodation etc.). Resources may be sought from EIF, ZGF, international donors etc.

Continuous NSAs

12 NSC/NSAs to hold brainstorming sessions towards a "coordinated" voice

NSAs, especially those sitting on the NSC, ought to organise brainstorming sessions to: (i) sensitize communities about the EIF processes and other trade related activities; (ii) help them identify their interests and opportunities in trade; and (iii) define coordinated positions for participation in Public-Private Dialogues.

Continuous NSC/NSAs

13 Donor Facilitator to leverage/foster linkages among CSOs on trade issues

So far, few CSOs are involved in trade policy issues and they are not organized into networks. Donor Facilitator should leverage/foster CSO linkages among themselves and with the EIF in order to enhance their participation in trade discourse.

Continuous DF

PART II : ADOPTED PRACTICES

1 Ensure meetings lead to tangible results that are worth the time invested by NSAs

Need for result-oriented approach to meetings. Representation structures of Public-Private discussions should be at an agreed level with the mandate of decision-making. Ensure implementation of this decision. Provide sense of long-term benefits to NSAs

Ongoing MCTI/NIU

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2 Enhance leadership Champions to educate others and to have a position for them in EIF processes. Provide leadership for NSAs.

Ongoing NSC Members

3 Enhance horizontal coordination within government structures on trade

Continue ongoing efforts to strengthen inter-ministerial coordination

Ongoing MCTI/NIU

4 Advance notification of NSC meetings

NSC meetings notification, agenda and relevant materials should be provided to NSC members at least 2 weeks in advance, to enable pre-meeting consultations.

Ongoing MCTI/NIU

5 Representative NSA associations undergo due diligence before appointing to the NSC

Establish where allegiances lie and ensure declarations of interest by representatives of NSAs

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6 MCTI/NIU to build networks and deepen its understanding of the market and its players

MCTI/ZDA/NIU should be represented at events popular among SMEs and businesses (e.g. trade fairs) to network, gather entrepreneurs’ views and keep contacts to add in the mailing list.

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7 Effective utilization of media Getting media involved at all stages of the process, and using diverse media channels (radio, TV, print, online etc.) to reach different audiences. Also use the outputs of module on media delivered earlier by EIF ES.

Continuous MCTI/NIU

8 NSC/NSAs to take advantage of their regular activities to undertake pre-meeting consultations

NSC/NSAs’ representatives could reduce time pressure for undertaking pre-meeting consultations by taking advantage of their regular activities, e.g. to distribute feedback/comment forms.

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9 Refer to existing policies to address position hardening

To prevent position hardening in meetings (e.g. NSC, consultations, DCC etc.), the contentious issue should be broken down into sub-clusters. Decisions on each of them should be guided by existing national development plans where they are covered (e.g. SNDP, CEEC, Gender/Youth Empowerment policies etc.)

Continuous MCTI/NIU

10 Ensure equal and fair representation and accountability of the different NSAs within the NSC and other PPD structures.

Needs to be done continuously and provide safe mechanisms for equal and fair representation and accountability of the different NSAs within the NSC and other PPD structures.

Continuous MCTI/NIU

11 MCTI/NIU shall facilitate NSA consultative meetings

MCTI/NIU shall facilitate NSA consultative meetings in the context of EIF and related initiatives. This could entail: (i) making rooms available at the Ministry; (ii) providing user-friendly materials (e.g. re-packaging information into brochures etc.) on how NSAs can expect to benefit from the EIF programme; (iii) any other support.

Continuous MCTI/NIU

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ANNEX 2: LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

NAME ORGANISATION/POSITION SECTOR PHONE EMAIL ADDRESS Akende Martin Millenium Radio Media 0956403586 [email protected]

Benjamin Musonda Zambia Weights and Measures Government 0977786440 [email protected]

Bwalaya Miselo UNZABECA Academia 0979756481 [email protected] C. Mulenga MCTI Government 0973017956 [email protected] Cecilia Kalaya Muvi TV Media 0976060268 [email protected] Charles Kakoma CBTA Private Sector 0979821219 [email protected] Chilambwe Lwao European Union Donor 0978712450 [email protected] Christiane Kraus EIF Executive Secretariat +41795831295 [email protected]

Davison Mumba COMESA

International/ Regional Organizations 0977442716

Derick Simuchimba CBTA Private Sector 0977812076 [email protected] Derricks Ingela Rainbow Newspaper Media 0977199447 [email protected] Ezekiel Kunda MCTI - Protocol Officer Government 0799455924 [email protected] Favourie Malando UNZA Radio Media 0975876031 [email protected]

Felix Daka President Cross Border Traders Association (CBTA) Private Sector 0969968124 [email protected]

Ganizani Gwai Programme Manager ZCSMBA Private Sector [email protected]

Gift Chanda The Post Media 0977617201 [email protected] Healey Mweemba MCTI - NIU Government [email protected]

Jetin Mulenga

Food & General Suppliers' Association of Zambia (FGSAZ) Private Sector 0975883444 [email protected]

Joseph Chilonga CBTA Private Sector 0977852786 [email protected] Julian Mukiibi CUTS Geneva Civil Society [email protected] Julien Grollier CUTS Geneva Civil Society [email protected] Kelvin Kamayoyo MCTI - NIU Government [email protected] Ketiwe Kangombo CBTA Private Sector Mario Musa EIF ES

Michelo Obrey Centre for Trade Policy Developlent (CTPD) Civil Society 097685853 [email protected]

Mr. Benson Ndhlovu Central Province Provincial Association Private Sector 977171674 [email protected]

Mr. Emmanuel Ipanga

North Western Province Provincial Association Private Sector 977329574 [email protected]

Mr. John Mukuwa Eastern Province Provincial Association Private Sector

0979728172/ 0966548229 [email protected]

Mrs. Eudia Mukosha Western Province Provincial Association Private Sector 977673292 [email protected]

Ms. Elda Chirwa National Economist- UNDP Donor 0977851758 [email protected]

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Ms. Valerie Sessia Member ZACCI Private Sector 0966750153 [email protected] Musila Daka MCTI Government 0979947166 [email protected] Musonda Kunda Chita Economist – Industry MCTI Government 0975654833 [email protected]

Mwale E. Mbiliyawo

Senior Certifications Officer: Management Systems ZABS Government 0965709510 [email protected]

Natasha Malana UNZA Radio Media 0969941680 [email protected] Nathan Sologny CUTS Geneva Civil Society [email protected] Patrick Soko Ama FM Radio Media 0979000447 [email protected] Pearson Kavimba CBTA Private Sector 0947840257 Phiri Obby UNZABECA Academia 979968124 [email protected]

Ruhindayo Rumana Zambia Center for Social Development (ZCSD) Civil Society 0976776087 [email protected]

Salome Phiri UNZA Radio Media 0978719918 [email protected]

Simon Mwamba ESSAF Farmers Association 0965900567 [email protected]

Simon N'gona CUTS Lusaka Civil Society [email protected] Stephen Kata One FM Radio Media 0990297030 [email protected] Sunday Chikoti MCTI Government 0973017956 [email protected] Tommy Singongy Caritas Zambia Civil Society 977300297 [email protected]

Yusuf Dodia Chairman Private Sector Development Association Private Sector

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spokes.cuts-geneva.org

CUTS International, Geneva 37-39, Rue de Vermont, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland

Phone: +41 (0) 22 734 60 80 | Fax: +41 (0) 22 734 39 14 Email: [email protected]

Web: cuts-geneva.org