Overview on GO-FAR Project
Background
Good governance has been the vision of every local government units. After more than a decade of the implementation of the Local Government Code of 1991, local government units have become more assertive and effective in articulating LGU concerns.
Some have become innovative in implementing programs geared towards improving their service delivery as well as in addressing their priority needs/concerns.
These local initiatives and innovations have been accorded recognition by various award programs such as Galing Pook Awards of the Local Government Academy and the Asian Institute of Management; the Hannis Awards of the Department of Health and the GTZ; the KAMR of KAF; the Clean and Green Awards of the Department of the Interior and Local Government; and others.
While there are a number of good and best practices in local governance already in place, these were not utilized in terms of program or policy development or for replication by other LGUs.
The conceptualization of the project "Good Practices in Local Governance: Facility for Adaptation and Replication" (GO-FAR) is premised on the fact that there are local innovations that are worth replicating.
GO-FAR Defined
GO-FAR is a facility designed to assist LGU's in building their capacities by providing them the opportunity to improve local governance along the areas of development planning, fiscal administration, accountability and service delivery through replicating good practices that are participatory, innovative and sustainable.
GO-FAR is the first project of the DILG that serves as an intervention mechanism of the DILG in its support to the government effort in institutionalizing good local governance specifically in trying to address priority Local Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and identified local governance performance condition. Basically, it deals more on the strategies in facilitating the actual exercise of the transfer of technology of specific good practice where interested LGUs would want to replicate, manage knowledge and funds for sustainable technical assistance.
Goals and Objectives of GO-FAR
The end goal of the project GO-FAR is to institutionalize nationwide the sharing and replication of sustainable good practices in local governance to enable LGUs improve their delivery of basic services to their constituencies.
Generally, it is designed to assist the local government units institutionalize the replication of good practices as an avenue in achieving excellence in local governance. Specifically, it aims to:
- Advocate the importance of replicating good practices to enable LGUs better serve their constituencies;
- Manage knowledge on good practices to be able to sustain the provision of technical assistance to the LGUs;
- Establish a revolving fund facility for the LGUs to access purposely for the replication of good practices; and
- Strengthen institutional partnerships between and among the model LGUs, recipient LGUs, institutions, academe, concerned agencies and the Civil Society Organizations for sustained and effective replication of good practices.
Components of GO-FAR
The project has four (4) major components, namely a) promotion of GO-FAR, b) replication of good practices, c) knowledge management, and d) establishment of fund facility.
Implementation Arrangements
The project “GO-FAR” shall be operationalized within a project management structure, which shall emanate from the national level down to the local level. The Project Steering Committee (PSC) is responsible in providing policy direction and guidance as well as overseeing the overall implementation of the project. The Project Team (PS) manages the day-to-day operations of the project: develops systems and procedures, and networks with other partner agencies, etc. for the effective and efficient implementation of the project. A Selection Ad-Hoc Committee shall be organized at the national level who will be responsible in screening/evaluating the applications of interested LGUs to the GO-FAR facility. Further, a Knowledge Management Team shall also be organized to assist develop database on good practices, and analyze good practices as to their responsiveness to the needs of LGUs and their replicability.
At the sub-regional structure, the Regional Assistance Unit (RAU) facilitates the management of the Regional Resource Center (RRC) and advocacy of the project. At the local level, the CLGOO/MLGOO concerned shall be responsible in the advocacy campaign on the replication of the good practices at the ground; provides facilitation services in the conduct of the Inception Workshop; and monitors the actual replication of good practice.
GO-FAR Project Management Team
The Project Team shall coordinate with the DILG Regional Offices for the promotion of GO-FAR in the region as well as potential donors to entice them to contribute and be part of the project. It shall also coordinate with other training and resource institutions to better facilitate the dissemination and maximize the use of the learning materials.
The DILG shall also establish partnerships with the GO-FAR model LGUs, leagues of provinces, cities, and municipalities, and the Liga ng mga Barangays, Local Government Support Programme (LGSP), Local Training Institutions (LTIs), and concerned civil society organizations for the convergence of efforts for an integrated, coordinated, effective, and efficient implementation of the project.
Replication of Good Practices - Concepts and Features
Description of Good practices
A Good practice is a process, technique, or innovative use of resources (technology, equipment, personnel, data etc.) that has resulted in outstanding, and/or successful and measurable improvement in the operation or performance of a certain understanding.
A Good practice is also considered a dynamic undertaking that evolves overtime to meet chaging needs of the community.
Basically, it:
- involves partnership between different actors;
- includes community participation;
- has the potential for replication elsewhere, and;
- is an initiative that builds capabilities, enhances awareness; and/or advocates other people
Operationally, it is an initiative that:
- integrates efforts, expertise and experiences of all stakeholders in providing solutions to some of the most critical, social, economic and environmental problems faced by the LGU concerned; and
- offers the means for mutual exchange and learning and constitutes a model for other LGUs
are considered dynamic undertakings. They are different from projects and that they evolve over time to meet changing needs of the community or the changing agenda of the partners involved in the initiative. They involve partnership between different actors, include community participation and have the potential for replication elsewhere. Good practices are undertakings that build capacities, enhance awareness and/or educate other people.
Simply, good practices are initiatives that:
- integrate efforts, expertise and experience of all stakeholders in providing solutions to some of the most critical social, economic, environmental problems faced by the LGU concerned and;
- offers the means for mutual exchange and learning and constitutes a model for other LGUs.
Elements and Indicators of a Replicable Good Practice
A Project is considered a good practice and replicable when the following elements or indicators are present:
1. Development direction
2. Citizens- Focused
3. People Empowerment
4. Functional Collaboration
5. Accountability/Transparency
6. Efficiency of the Practice
Criteria of Replicable Good Practices
Local government units that wish to replicate good practices must be critical in the selection of good practices. In selecting good practices for replication, LGUs must be guided with the following criteria:
Replication is defined as systematic and supportive project implementation process that involves learning from and sharing with others, practices that are provcen to be effective solutions to common/similar problems so as to contribute to the sustainable well-being of citizens and advancement of local government with the least possible cost and effort.
Significance/Importance of Replication
- Replication embodies a common sense principle: “Do not re-invent the wheel”. Local Governments operate in the same legal and regulatory frameworks and often face similar challenges. Using approaches already tested by others offers a chance to eliminate the unnecessary steps and mistakes.
- Replicating good practices in local governance is a practical, innovative and proven way of building local capacities, addressing local government needs and challenges, and generally enhancing local governance.
- A replication program is an empowering and participatory method of capacity development for local governments. Local governments that have successfully replicated good practices are encouraged to appreciate other approaches and share their accomplishments with others, ensuring a continuous and ever-widening circle of learning. The inter-local government cooperation established through these relationships often results in creating avenues for sharing a wide range of ideas and concerns.
- A replication program can contribute a greater effectiveness and/or efficiency in local government operations.
Key Principles in Replication
- Implementing simple and organized methodologies to replicate existing good practices
- Seeing is believing
- Learning from peers is often better than formal training
- The model LGU is a partner in the replication process until the practice has been completely replicated
- Importance is on following the process and implementing the Replication Workplan to completion within the planned timeframe
- It can reduce cost and efforts
- Replication is more than a “Lakbay –Aral” (exposure, planning, implementation)
Benefits of LGUs sharing the Good Practice with other LGU
- Implementing simple and organized methodologies to replicate existing good practices
- Seeing is believing
- Learning from peers is often better than formal training
- The model LGU is a partner in the replication process until the practice has been completely replicated
- Importance is on following the process and implementing the Replication Workplan to completion within the planned timeframe
- It can reduce cost and efforts
- Replication is more than a “Lakbay –Aral” (exposure, planning, implementation)
Benefits for Replicating LGUs
- Offers tested and proven solutions to their problems
- It is an affective and innovative way to build the LGUs capacities
- It is cost effective and innovative way to build the LGU’s capacities
- It is cost effective
- It is participatory and empowering
- It improves local governance
Replication of Good Practices – A Mechanism in Improving Local Governance
The Regional Process Using the "Peer-to-Peer" Learning Approach
Replication under the GO-FAR ptoject adopts the "Peer-to-Peer" Learning Approach. Under this approach, the host and replicating LGUs undergo the following processes:
1. Pre-replication
There are two (2) activities that are involved in this process: (a) preparing for replication, and (b) building relations bteween model and replicating LGUs.
1.1 Preparing for Replication
The activity both prepares the replicating LGUs. Model LGUs will need to do a lot of work at the start of the process. A Core Project Team has to be organized who will be responsible in sharing the good practice. On the other hand, the replicating LGU that also need to build some level of capacity shall also be ready to undertake the process. Necessary administrative requirements have to be complied in the Inception Workshop.
1.2. Building Relations Between Host and Replicating LGUs
Basically, this involves introducing the model and replicating LGUs, each other through Official communication and arranging for the conduct of the "Peer-to-Peer Inception Workshop; and clarifying questions and expectations.
2. Replication
The replication process involves three stages: a). Preparing the Model LGU; b). Conduct of Inception Workshop; and c). Implementing the Replication Workplan.
There are three tools that are used to facilitate the replication; a). Tool 1 - Guidelines for Documenting the Good Practice; b) Tool 2 - "Peer-to-Peer" Inception Workshop Generic Agenda and Facilitator's Guide, and c) Tool 3 - Replication Workplan Template.
2.1. Preparing the Model LGU
The activity involves preparing the model LGU in the conduct of the "Peer-to-Peer" Inception Workshop. Using the Tool 1, the model LGU through the Core/Project Team Document their good practice to share it with the replicating LGU. A facilitator support institution, the DILG GO-FAR Team, can also be tapped to assist the model LGU in documenting their good practice provided they follow the GO-FAR documentation guidelines. The main purposes of documenting the practice are a) to make available essential information about the practice; and b) present it in a way that will facilitate its use by the replicating LGU in developing its workplan and implementing its replication project.
The output of the documentation is called a Reference Document which will serve as reference in undertaking the next stages of the replication process. The Reference Document contains the following information:
- Objectives of the host LGU in implementing the practice
- Conditions in the LGU/locality prior to implementing the practice (Rationale)
- Key steps in implementing the practice
- Results/Impact to the LGU/community of implementing the practice
- Analysis: Lessons learned and insights gained in implementing the practice
- Samples of the specific forms and plans, tools, etc used by the model LGU in implementing their own replication project
The reference document will also help the replicating LGU understand the practice they are about to replicate, and provide them with a ready template to modify in developing their own replicating project.
Basic requirement in documenting a good practice is the conduct of data gathering (review of documents and reviews) to get the information required in writing the Reference Document. The writer should remember that the "Key Implementation Steps" are the most important part of the guidelines. These steps are the most important part of the guidelines. These steps constitute the actual implementation process of the initial project and will be adopted/modified by the replicating LGUs.
Documenting the implementationsteps may require a meeting with the implementors of the practice in the model LGU. It requires that the facilitator or writer exercises judgement and helps the implementers of the initial practice "take a step Back" and objectively analyze their implementation process.
Documenting a good practice requires time and a series of interactions with the individuals having implemented the project in the first place. Several meetings may be required to properly document a good practice.
The reference Document should be short, focused on the implementation and written in a simple manner. Adding visuals and pictures are important.
2.2. Conduct of "Peer-to-Peer" Inception Workshop
After having prepared the Refence Document , the next activity in the replication process is the conduct of the "Peer-to-Peer" Inception Workshop using Tool 2: The Facilitator's Guide and Generic Agenda. The Inception Workshop is a 3-day structured learning experience between the model and replicating LGUs.
The "Peer-to-Peer Learning Workshop has four (4 ) objectives.
a. Allow the model LGU to present their good practice to replicating LGUs.
b. Deepen the understanding and appreciation of replicating LGUs for the good practice (through the model LGUs presentations and seeing the practice for themeselves)
c. Provide venue for replicating LGUs/ to formulate a first draft of their replication workplan with the inputs from the model LGUs.
d. Forge partnership and committment of model replicating LGUs to the replication project (through the signing of format agreement, personal interaction, agreeing on modes/mechanism for communication and coordination, and levelling off on roles and expectations.
In preparing the Inception Workshop, teh model LGU using Tool 2 - Facilitators Guide and Generic Agenda may get the services of an external professional facilitator or the DILG GO-FAR Team at the Region to them facilitate the Inception Workshop. The Core/Project Team of the model LGU should be immersed in this process as they are responsible in the actual hsaring of the good practice. The preparration of the Facilitator's Guide and Generic Agenda (Tool 2) should be based on the Reference Document, the product of Tool 1.
The Inception workshop should be conducted in a way that it provides opportunity to build a solid foundation and take off point for the replication process. In this case, Tool 2 can help the model and replicating LGUs undergo the activity by simplifying the procedure, setting clear tasks for both and ensuring that optimum results are achieved.
The Conduct of Inception Workshop will be highlighted with the formulation of the Replication Workplan and the forging of partnership between the model LGU and the replicating LGUs.
The replication workplan using Tool 3 (Workplan Template) has four (4) purposes:
1. Provide the replicating LGU with a simple, yet comprehensive template in designing their workplan for replicating the exemplary practice.
2. Gudie the replicating LGU in identifying their objectives for replication, ho should be involved, key replication steps and activities, needed resources potential problems, constraints and issues and ways of resolving them
3. provide replicating LGus with a plan by which to monitor progress and identify delays, milestons and accomplishments in the replication process.
4. Set modes and mechanisms for coordintaion between host and replicating LGUs, as well as monitoring and evaluation
The Replication workplan which serves as the output of the Inception Workshop includes the following:
- Executive Summary
- Project Title
- Rationale, Goals and Objkectives and Results
- Implementation Plan
- Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation
- Budget
The replicating LGU prepares the Replication Workplan with the assistance by the model LGU.
The Memorandum of Agreement between the model and replicating LGUs delinates the roles and responsibilities of bothe the LGUs during teh actual replication while it also spells out the services to be provided by the model LGU to the replicating LGU. The MOA also provides role for both LGUs in taking part in the final assessment of the project.
2.3. Implementing the Replication Workplan,
Implement the last step of the replication process is between the model and replicating LGUs. As stipulated in the Memorandum of Agreement, the model LGU will be providing the necessary technical assistance to the replicating LGU.
Prior to the actual repliaction, the Core/Project Team of the replicating LGU and other stakeholder are mobilized and briefed on the workplan. The draft workplan shall also be validated and have secured legislative support before this is finalized. Monitoring and Evaluation activities shall also be in place to assess actual replication of the good practice.
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