Democratic Governance in Europe & CIS

Policy Recommendations Ukraine 2009

FYR Macedonia - Methodology for measuring the Index of Responsibility, Transparency and Accountability (RTA) at local level

Skopje, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 19 January 2009-Addressing corruption is a key priority  for Western Balkan countries hoping to join the European Union. However, one of the shortcomings in the fight against corruption is the lack of precise tools to identify the potential sources of corruption in institutions. In response to this shortcoming, a methodology for measurement of the level of responsibility, transparency and accountability in the local government has been developed in the framework of the UNDP"S Good Governance & Decentralization programmes. The framework identifies the most vulnerable points to corruption in FYR Macedonia and provides mechanisms on how to address these vulnerabilities.

Corruption in Montenegro 2007: Overview over Main Problems and Status of Reforms

Following a long state-building process, public attention in Montenegro is increasingly turning to governance issues. International observers have pointed out that two of the "key challenges" that Montenegro needs to confront on its way to EU membership are weak governance and the perceived wide prevalence of corruption. This report identifies the key challenges Montenegro faces with regard to corruption and the best hopes for progress, and makes a number of recommendations. 

Mapping of ex-ante Impact Assessment Tools and Experiences in Europe

This resource book for practitioners of ex-ante Policy Impact Assessment contains ex-ante IA methodologies and practical experiences, with particular focus on poverty reduction and on ensuring equal opportunities for vulnerable and marginalized groups. It builds on regional experiences of ex-ante Impact Assessment and Training Needs Assessment conducted in 4 countries (Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova), and lessons derived from experience gained at the country level in implementing IA-related projects.

The aim of the publication is to provide practitioners with available and usable methodologies and best practices for conducting ex-ante Impact Assessment in the region of Europe and CIS and so to contribute to proper policy-making that would be beneficial for the poor and vulnerable. The publication aims to support capacity-building regarding EU standards.

See the project page here.

Изучение и классификация методов и инструментария предварительной оценки

Исследование опирается на подробное изучение существующей международной литературы по процессам определения альтернативных курсов действий, которые представляются осуществимыми и уместными, и оценке их влияния в ряде стран ОЭСР и в странах-членах ЕС. В исследовании рассматривается опыт участия стран в такого рода процессах и разбираются четыре конкретных примера (Босния и Герцеговина, Хорватия, Молдова и Сербия). Затем авторы исследования определяют потребности и отправные точки для будущего обучения и подготовки кадров в данной области и предлагают ряд инструментов, которыми могут воспользоваться участники процесса для того, чтобы добиться максимальной эффективности своей работы в будущем.

The State and the Citizen: Delivering on Promises

This report issued by the Blue Ribbon Commission, an independent body of eminent national and international experts that operates with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has identified eight high-priority reforms that Ukraine's Government and Parliament need urgently to enact to promote growth and better living standards. While saluting the positive measures that have been implemented since the Orange Revolution, the report warns that in many areas time has been wasted and reforms are long overdue.

Telecottage Handbook: How to Establish and Run a Successful Telecentre

Democratising Security in Transition States

Findings, recommendations and resources from the UNDP/DCAF Roundtable for CIS Parliamentarians, Prague October 2005. Democratic control of the security sector enhances human security; parliaments can play a strategic role in enhancing security sector reforms by making security services more accountable. Given a legacy of non-transparency and the strong position of the responsible ministries in the region, developing parliamentary capacities is critical to ensuring effective democratic oversight, resolving conflicts and reinforcing human rights protection. This publication, jointly edited by UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre and DCAF (Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces), is based on recommendations from a 2005 CIS Parliamentary Roundtable and is intended to be a substantive tool for parliamentarians, civil society institutions and donor governments interested in furthering democratization of the security sector.

Administrative Capacity Building in Prospective and New EU Member States. Reference Guide for Horizontal Integration

This guide aims to help improve co-ordination and efficiency in policy making and implementation at the central governmental level in the new and prospective member states of the European Union. It is primarily intended for use by advisors/trainers of public administration decision- and policymakers. This publication was produced with support from the Matra Programme (Netherlands), under UNDP project RER99/003, Building Advisory Capacities in Central and Eastern European States.

Guide for Ombudsman Institutions – How to handle complaints

This guide aims to share knowledge about best practices developed by Ombudsman institutions around the world for receiving complaints. The guide provides personnel of Ombudsman institutions with accessible guidelines on how to communicate and interact with individuals and groups that contact the Ombudsman institution to make complaints or seek information, and generally on how to handle complaints. It does not suggest the type of advice that should be given, as this will vary according to national legislation and the mandate of the Ombudsman institution, but contains best practices on policies regarding receipt of complaints, procedures to be followed when receiving complaints, personnel policies, confidentiality, bias, service equity, physical access to an office, and protection of complainants and witnesses against retribution.

Guide for Ombudsman Institutions – How to conduct investigations

This guide is to share knowledge about best practices developed by Ombudsman institutions around the world. It aims to provide personnel of Ombudsman institutions with accessible guidelines on the rules and approaches for examining complaints and most importantly, for conducting investigations. More specifically, the guide contains best practices on policies regarding the receipt of complaints, decisions to investigate or not, how they are investigated and how the results of those investigations are presented to the complainant, the subject of the investigation, the public and the media. At the same time it does not consider the specific types of complaints or complainants, specific subjects, media relation other than concerning investigations, alternative dispute resolutions or evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of an Ombudsman institution.

Report from the Civic Monitoring of Courts

How can the Slovak justice system help ensure transparency and efficiency of the country's courts? By finding an audience. The benefits of encouraging public attendance of courtroom proceedings is a key message of a UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre project on the civic monitoring of courts in Slovakia. The report found that public attendance of trials—which is generally allowed but citizens do not always exercise their right in this regard—can increase transparency and efficiency of the judicial system. Report available in Slovak only.

Approach to Quality Assurance in Local Governance Training

This approach to Quality Assurance in local government training has been developed by the Council of Europe (CoE) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) following an experts’ workshop held in Strasbourg on 12-13 September 2005. The aim of the workshop was to draw lessons from current approaches to Quality Assurance in local government training and disseminate them more widely.

Virtual Consulate Primer: How to Design and Implement an e-Visa Programme

UNDP and Hewlett-Packard (HP) are working to help governments find e-solutions to their consular needs. In conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and the Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia, UNDP and HP have documented the implementation of e‑Visa programmes in Armenia and Saudi Arabia in the new publication, "Virtual Consulate Primer: How to design and implement an e‑Visa programme”.

The Dynamics of Honor Killings in Turkey: Prospects for Action

UNDP and the United Nations Population Fund in Turkey have launched a groundbreaking report on a particularly shameful form of violence against women, honour killing. Based on research conducted by the Population Association of Turkey, the report analyzes the social structures and mentality behind so-called honour crimes and makes recommendations for a zero-tolerance policy to eradicate such violence against women.

Fiscal Decentralization in Transition Economies: Case Studies from the Balkans and Caucasus

This study, based on research conducted by Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, assesses the current status of fiscal decentralization in Armenia, Croatia, Georgia, FYR Macedonia, and Serbia and Montenegro, and contains valuable lessons for many countries of the region. It recommends policy and institutional changes for the consideration of these governments as they seek to find the right mix of central and local governance, as well as state and private enterprise, in navigating the challenges of transition. 

Сектор безопасности: процесс демократизации

Выводы, представленные в настоящей публикации, показывают, что в странах СНГ существует значительный потенциал усиления роли парламента в целом и, в частности, в демократическом контроле над сектором безопасности. Целый ряд мер, направленных на усиление парламентов, крайне важен для эффективного контроля над сектором безопасности и содействия развитию человеческого потенциала, как, например, учреждение специальных комитетов по контролю; профессионализация стандартных процедур; открытость бюджетного процесса; интеграция перспектив по вопросам прав человека в законодательную практику; поощрение плюрализма мнений; содействие публичному обсуждению ключевых вопросов политики; развитие сотрудничества между парламентом и гражданским обществом; и последнее по счету, но не по важности, - развитие потенциала и независимой экспертизы в вопросах безопасности человека, включая гендерный аспект проблемы.

Сектор безопасности:мониторинг и расследование жалоб. Защита и поощрение прав человека во

До настоящего времени было разработано лишь очень ограниченное число пособий для служб омбудсменов о том, как им следует структурировать свою работу по безопасности человека и общественной безопасности для достижения наилучших результатов. Данная публикация предназначена для заполнения этого пробела, в ней представлены рекомендации для практического применения. Рекомендации в значительной степени базировались на практическом опыте служб омбудсменов из стран Восточной Европы и СНГ

How to Build Open Information Societies

A collection of best practices and know-how. This publication contains knowledge-based best practices accumulated by UNDP in Europe and the CIS and shows how ICT can promote socio-economic development and good governance. The articles collected here give readers a glimpse of the powerful transformative force ICT can be when deployed wisely. ICT offers the leapfrogging development potential that less developed countries can use to build modern, competitive, mobile, versatile, and ultimately democratic societies – open information societies for all their citizens.

The report can be downloaded in its entirety, or by country article.

Fighting Corruption in Post-Communist States

This policy brief examines the tools and methods used in fighting corruption in the Europe and CIS region, based on case material from nine states. It offers a fresh look at different methods applied in the fight against corruption, and assesses prospects for adapting relatively successful methods to other parts of the region.