Citizen Participation and Conflict Prevention programme (PCPC)

Since 1994, Rwanda looks up to its traditional homegrown governance mechanisms to improve citizens’ ownership and active involvement in its ambitious transformational agenda. The decentralisation policy and other regulatory tools embody the principle of citizen-centredness and mechanisms such as Imihigo (performance contracts), citizens’ assemblies and Abunzi (community mediators) all created at the local level put citizens at the centre of governance and conflict resolutions. Every year, Districts are evaluated by the Central level on how they achieved citizen participation. Districts as decentralized entities are responsible for implementation of policies decided by the Central government. They manage considerable amounts of financial resources received in capital, mostly earmarked grants. Generally, management of public finance is effective and exhibits limited leakages or corruption.

Despite the policy and institutional set-up, citizens have little influence over priorities, expenditure and allocation decisions, and do not have yet the culture of holding their leaders to account. Past efforts by civil society to strengthen citizen participation have enabled thousands of citizens to have a say but face the challenge of replicability, scale-up and sustainability. Failure to institutionalize citizen participation may result in continued low citizens ownership of development outcomes and have a negative impact on lasting social cohesion. An informed and active citizenry capable to participate and challenge their leaders constitute a key pillar for Rwanda’s democracy, inclusive development and lasting peace. This programme therefore aims to support the operationalization of the policies aimed at enabling citizen influence in local governance in a systemic institutionalized manner.

• Citizens, including women and young people, in all 30 districts of Rwanda
• Public administrations and elected councillors in all 30 districts
• Abunzi mediation committees in Rwanda
• Central Government (Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Finance)
• Five local peacebuilding civil society organisations (RCN, TA, LoH, CEJP, Haguruka)

Outcome 1: Local government are capacitated to effectively engage citizens in decision-making and deliver services in an accountable manner.

Outcome 2: Local government mechanisms for effective management and prevention of conflict at the local level are reinforced through the operationalisation of Alternative Dispute Resolution policy, with particular focus on Abunzi capacities.

Expected results:  

Citizen Participation (MINALOC)

• Local Government (LG) capacity development curriculum is developed and tailored to the needs of LG staff (elected and professional) in all 30 districts
• Guidelines for inclusive citizen participation in planning are harmonized
• User-friendly manuals for LG processes of inclusive and participatory planning, assessment, feedback
• User-friendly online portals for information and service provision
• Participatory and inclusive planning meetings at cell level
• Citizens participate in and influence public service provision, decision-making and budgets in their localities
• Accountability days in all target districts
• Improvements in service delivery and local economic development

Conflict Prevention (MINIJUST/UNITAR/RCN)

• A new ADR law and guidelines for implementation are developed and implemented
• Abunzi training modules are developed and rolled out nationally and successfully assessed
• Support and incentives are provided to Abunzi to improve their performance and commitment to the role
• Women and young people have mediation capacities to participate in future Abunzi committees
• Regular coordination meetings between Government authorities, stakeholders (CSOs), Abunzi and beneficiaries contribute to ADR effectiveness
• A long-term sustainability plan for the Abunzi is developed and implemented

Results from previous phases:  

• Civil Society Organization (CSO) partners supported 370,970 citizens, including 188,951 women (50.9%), who participated in local planning and accountability processes. 85% (1,237) of the priorities issued were retained by the authorities for implementation
• Up to 90 cases of revisions to decisions, plans, budgets, etc. were noted as a result of the advocacy work of the CSOs supported
• Recognition of the project ‘Community Score Card’ approach in the national planning guidelines issued by the ministry of finance
• Adoption of a national Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) policy by the government
• Mediation skills of Abunzi (mediation committees) strengthened: 2,469 conflicts resolved by mediation, 348 gacaca judgments executed in 7 districts
• Strengthened Sector coordination, definition of common sector priorities (incl. citizen participation), adoption of a manual, creation and operationalization of respective working groups

• Civil Society and State Engagement for Socioeconomic Transformation
• Media development