nssd dialogues in partner countries

		Updated 5 March, 2004

Topic Guide 1: Status Review

This page outlines some suggested issues about process and methodology, information on which would be collated during the status reviews. The information would be used, in preparation for the second phase of the dialogues, to identify acceptable processes and methodologies; key stakeholders and institutions; the state of play of existing/planned strategic processes.

The status review in each country/region will be carried out by the in-country lead organisation/team. In summary, it will seek to understand the following key issues:

Context - historical and current strategy work in the country.
Stakeholders - identifying the real/key stakeholders and the extent to which they been involved in the strategic processes, policy development and decision making.
Institutions - responsibilities for strategy implementation, institutional relationships and existing integration. Decision making processes.
Political commitment and policy - initial indicators of wider impact. Policy provision for sustainable development.

Through the course of the discussions, key stakeholders, strategic processes, institutions and key documents will be identified until a map of the country’s nssd related work is built up. It will also be important to identify key cross-cutting issues which might be used as a analytical tool during the next stage of the dialogues.

The lead organisation/team will provide regular feedback to the in-country steering committee, and present the findings of the status review to key stakeholders, It will then be required to produce a report of the status review of the country’s nssd work. This report should include recommendations for the dialogues, including appropriate approach, format, stakeholders and institutions, etc. The co-ordinating organisation (IIED) will liaise with each in-country lead institution on the emerging nature and structure of each dialogue and share this information with the other countries.

This phase of the project will help to limit the potential for duplication and also strengthen collaboration with other donors. It will be important to identify private sector stakeholders and to bring them on board at this early stage to strengthen the links between government and the private sector.

Issues	Information to be Gathered
Current Situation	What strategies/planning processes have been undertaken/are underway/planned (national / local). When initiated and by whom. Time perspective of each (& components). What is the main focus and aims. If more than one strategy, what were they Opportunities for complementarity and integration. Were these planning processes finished. Were there any binding agreements. Was the strategy /process implemented. Was the strategy process monitored. What are the links to the global conventions (biodiversity, climate change, desertification).
Stakeholders	Who is/has been involved and to what extent. What social grouping do they belong to. Who else should be involved. What were the approaches/ forums used for this process. Were alternatives considered.
Institutions	Which institutions were/are involved in the process and implementation. Who is responsible for strategy implementation and management. Are there TOR for the responsibilities. Which sector has led the strategy/process and which has adopted. Where does relative power lie.