From October 2009 – April 2012, IF conducted the Provincial Accountability and Governance (PAG) Project. The goal of the project is to bring about change in knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding ethical provincial administration, and to instill a new culture of transparency, accountability, and good governance.
Provincial Accountability and Governance (PAG) Project
The Iraq Foundation was awarded a grant from the US Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA) to implement a project to promote good governance, improve provincial government accountability and transparency, increase capacity of Iraq’s anti-corruption institutions at the provincial level, and strengthen civil society organizations’ capacity to conduct oversight activities.
The goal of the project was to bring about change in knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding ethical provincial administration, and to instill a new culture of transparency, accountability, and good governance. Through educating, monitoring, and building alliances between provincial officials and local civic leaders, Iraq Foundation charted a course for change toward more responsive, more accountable government in Iraq.
IF implemented the project in 15 provinces to achieve the following objectives:
Objective (1) was to increase capacity in implementing Iraqi anti-corruption measures at the provincial level. With the Commission on Integrity, IF held workshops to educate civic leaders on Iraq’s legal framework to combat corruption, and will educate public officials on codes of conduct and compliance laws. IF also printed posters and pamphlets to be displayed in all provincial offices and public venues.
Objective (2) promoted government accountability and transparency by strengthening civic and official capacity to conduct oversight monitoring. In collaboration with the Lebanese Transparency Association, IF provided Training of Trainer (TOT) on international anti-corruption indicators and monitoring methodologies for civic leaders and government officials. The TOT culminated in the development of an indicator-based Agenda for Change that will act as a road map for monitoring accountability and transparency with recommendations for achieving progress in the provinces.
Objective (3), IF assisted in the formation of a province-based Integrity Monitoring Groups that implemented newly acquired oversight monitoring skills by tracking progress against the Agenda for Change. Monitoring groups will increase access to officials through radio talk shows and town hall meetings, in addition to producing periodic reports and recommendations based on the Agenda for Change. A national television campaign spotlighted the impact of corruption on the welfare of citizens and the country at large.
IF promoted coalition-building and networking among the province-based Monitoring Groups. A final report on progress and recommendations, based on reports by the Monitoring Groups, was presented at a national press conference in Baghdad.
The results of the project empowered civic groups in the provinces to hold provincial governments accountable by monitoring, engaging with, and reporting on the workings of the government according to internationally recognized standards of good governance, and thereby motivating provincial institutions to adopt more ethical, responsive and accountable practices.
