National Capacity Self-Assessment: A tool for priority-setting & Programming

Sub-regional Workshop for GEF Focal Points Europe & CISIstanbul, Turkey 7-8 March 2007

Background

NCSA – National Capacity Self-Assessment – a global initiative initiated by GEF with support of UNDP and UNEP since late 2003

NCSA – a nation-wide process implemented in 27 countries of Europe and CIS

Primary objective: ”Identify national priorities and capacity building needs to address global commitments in the areas of biodiversity, climate change, and land degradation, with the aim of catalyzing domestic and/ or externally assisted action to address those needs in a coordinated and planned manner”

Key Players

NCSA process attracted key stakeholders: Line Ministries, Members of Parliament, National experts, NGOs, local communities

Main tools of engagement: steering committee, advisory groups, thematic groups, stakeholder workshops, direct consultations, surveys, web-based discussion forums

In most countries number of people involved ranged between 50-200

Key Principles of NCSA (1)

Connect the global with national and local – Illuminating the intersection between global environmental obligations and national sustainable development priorities.

Avoid re-inventing the wheel, build on what exists –Improving cross-sectoral coordination and dialogue by using existing mechanisms and reinvigorating inactive ones

Generate a shared vision of what the country would like to accomplish – Raising awareness and understanding of global environmental issues among stakeholder communities

Key Principles of NCSA (2)

Break silos and cross fences in order to build consensus – Strengthening networks and channels of communication within the national environmental community, and with the broader governance and development community

Avoid wish lists, adopt prioritization tools and approaches – Establishing or reinforcing a culture of self-evaluation and problem-solving within the public sector

Example of prioritization

IssueImportance of the issue

Effect on economic development and poverty reduction

Financial feasibility of solving the problem

Technical feasibility of solving the problem

Connection with national environmental management plans

1.

Access to rural energy

How urgent is it to address the issue at present, in view of both:- the country’s national environment and development policy;- the latest COP decisions.

Will addressing the issue foster local development and renewable energy?

Will it improve local socio-economic conditions?

What is the feasibility of accessing financial resources for this purpose?

(If it is low the issue should not be considered a priority at this stage.)

What is the technical capacity available to address this issue?

(If it is low the issue should not be considered a priority at this stage.)

How closely connected is the issue to national environmental plans and priorities?

Key Recommendations

NCSA reports can inform priority setting for all GEF focal areas – approx 70% of all GEF focal area projects make reference to NCSA findings in ECIS

Partnerships built through the NCSA can support national dialogue for GEF country portfolio development

Countries with NCSA under implementation could use stakeholder consultation process for GEF priority setting

Key principles of NCSA remain valid for broader national consultations and prioritization

Key to success:

Ownership and Leadership:• Systematic engagement of stakeholders –

requires adequate planning and process design

• Consensus building – Identified GEF priorities should reflect the necessities and priorities of key stakeholders, and be placed squarely in national development framework