From the Foreword:

"This report, “Fostering Democratic Ownership - Towards Greater Impact on Poverty”, has been commissioned by Alliance2015 as a contribution to preparatory discussions in advance of the third High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness to be held in Accra in September 2008. [Alliance2015 is a group of six European non-governmental organisations (NGOs) committed to working toward more effective aid and full achievement of the MDGs by 2015.] It focuses on the extent to which the Paris Declaration - the subject of that High Level Forum - promotes “democratic ownership” in specific country contexts. [The report builds on country studies in Mozambique, Ghana, Nicaragua, and Bolivia.] Its point of departure is the absolute necessity for such ownership, which enables participation of civil society and parliaments in defining, implementing and monitoring development policies and strategies at local and national levels. The importance of linking aid effectiveness to actual impact on intended beneficiaries is a second point of departure reflected in the title itself."

Table of Contents

Foreword

Executive Summary

1.1 Changes in Civil Society Participation
1.2 Changes in Government Funding Trends

2. Thematic Analysis of Country Studies
2.1 Democratic Ownership
2.2 Accountability and Transparency
2.3 Enabling Environment for Civil Society

3. Key Recommendations for Fostering Democratic Ownership
3.1 Recommendations for Multilateral and Bilateral Donors
3.2 Recommendations for Aid Recipient Governments
3.3 Recommendations for Local NGOs
3.4 Recommendations for International NGOs

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e-CIVICUS newsletter, Issue No. 385, April 24 2008.