ACBF supports Sadc parliamentary strengthening program

Opinion

The Sadc Parliamentary Forum which was established in 1996 as the community’s parliamentary institution to strengthen the capacity of SADC by involving representatives of the people in the implementation of SADC programs and projects has benefited immensely from the African Capacity Building Foundation. In December 2004, the ACBF board approved a grant of US$ 2,6 million to the SADC Parliamentary Forum Secretariat. The support sought to create an institutional framework for equipping members of parliament, parliamentary staff and parliamentary institutions in the SADC region with knowledge, skills and information that enhance their professional performance in implementing their mandates. Effectively, the Sadc Parliamentary Forum was offered US$3 million by the ACBF to strengthen its role to provide a platform to support and improve regional integration through parliamentary involvement, and promote best practices in the role of parliaments in regional integration and cooperation. As Zimbabwe prepares to host the third Pan African Capacity Development Forum (CDF3) from May 2 – 6, Sifelani Tsiko, our Zimpapers Syndication senior writer speaks to Dr Folasade Ayonrinde, the ACBF senior program officer for East and Southern Africa about how his organisation has strengthened the regional parliamentary body.

ST: How has the ACBF supported the SADC PF? What are the major objectives of this support?

FA: In December 2004, the ACBF executive board approved a grant of US$2.6 million to the SADC-PF. The overall objective of the project was to create an institutional framework for equipping MPs, parliamentary staff and parliamentary institutions in the SADC region, with knowledge, skills and information that enhance their professional performance in implementing their respective mandates. In April 2012, the executive board of the ACBF approved a second phase funding of US$2.8 million over a period of four years to the SADC- Parliamentary Forum. The Grant Agreement was signed on 1 August 2013 and declared effective on 20 August 2013. The goal of the project was to enhance the legislative, representation and oversight functions of the legislatures in the SADC region. The specific objectives of the project were to: (i) to enhance the capacity of individual Members of Parliament and their Staffers to effectively perform their respective roles; and (ii) Enhance the human and institutional capacity of SADC-PF Secretariat. The grant closing date was originally set for 30 September 2017; however, due to a grant amount reduction, it was mutually agreed that the project should close early and this led to the closing of the project in March 2016.

ST: When did the ACBF start supporting the parliamentary forum?

FA: It started supporting the Sadc Parliamentary Forum in 2004 and the second phase just ended in March 2016.

ST: What are some of the major outcomes of your support to the SADC PF?

FA: With support from the ACBF Grant which was implemented from 2005 - 2011, the following achievements were recorded: (i) establishment of the Parliamentary Leadership Centre (PLC), (ii) training of one thousand and five hundred (1 500) MPs and over five hundred (500) parliamentary staff across SADC Parliaments in three areas: orientation; leadership and thematic issues, (iii) conducting research studies on ICT utilization in SADC parliaments, and Poverty, Equality and Growth: The Role of Social Transfers. (iv) establishing the Parliamentary ICT Managers Forum for the region which mainstreamed the ICT training in other programs of the Forum (v) increased consensus on regional issues of importance as result of regional workshops, which were summed up in conference communiqués and comprised the parliamentary conclusions, resolutions and recommendations (vi) enhanced implementation capacity of the SADC-PF to service its standing committees and undertake more responsibilities, and (vi) crowding-in of resources as the SADC-PF project was able to mobilise other resources towards the Aids program.

ST: How much financial support has been provided to the SADC PF so far?

FA: The total amount which was approved was US$4 million for the two phases. However, the second grant was reduced making effective contribution to be US$3 million.

ST: What challenges are you facing in terms of up scaling your support to the SADC PF?

FA: Overall, the portfolio of ACBF supported projects in Namibia witnessed some challenges particularly as regard reduction in grant amounts. In 2014, the Foundation undertook a general restructuring of projects in order to keep within its available financial resources. Due to the Foundation - wide restructuring of projects and programs in 2014, SADC - PF was affected with an 82% reduction in the grant size. The grant amount was reduced from US$2.8 million to just USD$400,000. The drastic reduction negatively impacted on the overall operations of the project, coupled with the time frame of the grant reduction. The SADC-PF management and policy organs didn’t take it kindly that the notification of the drastic reduction of the budget came barely after project implementation began.

ST: What are your future plans for SADC PF?

FA: Our ACBF Strategic Plan (2012 – 2016) would be wounding up and we are looking forward to having a new plan for the next five years. Regional integration is coming out clearly as one of the niche areas ACBF will still be focusing on. We believe that SADC-PF might still benefit from new interventions from the Foundation.

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ACBF supports Sadc parliamentary strengthening program

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