Telling Our Stories: Citizens' Voices for Change

TELLING
OUR STORIES
StrengtheningVoice I Enhancing Capacity I Improving Accountability
September 2015
This publication was produced for review by United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by theTrust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA).

USAID Citizens‟Voice Project
Telling Our Stories
September 2015
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used without the permission of Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA).
1st Edition
Citizens‘Voice Project is implemented by the TDEA
G.P.O.Box 2101, Islamabad - Pakistan
Email: info@cvpa-tdea.org
www.cvpa-tdea.org
Photo credit: Staff and Partner Organizations of Citizens‘Voice Project.
DISCLAIMER
This publication was made possible through support provided by U.S.Agency for International Development Pakistan, under the terms of Contract No.AID-391-C-11-00001.The opinions
expressed herein are those of the Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S.Agency for International Development.

VOICE & ACCOUNTABILITY
PROCESS
OVERALL GOAL
―Improved engagement between citizens and government
on priority program-supported initiatives to advance good
governance objectives‖
Mobilizing and organizing citizens‘ groups to raise voice for legislative, policy,
regulatory and administrative reforms at local, provincial and federal levels
Our work here has promoted
improved democratic governance
by strengthening the role of citizens
in government planning and decision-
making.These efforts lead to increased
accountability, reduction in corruption
and improved public service delivery.
Dr.Gregory C.Gottlieb
The partnership between the
two countries is more important
and shouldn’t be looked as an
aid-dependent relationship rather
a partnership of mutual trust
and interdependence.
It is responsibility of the civil society
to ensure that the social contract of
individuals with the state is honored.
Civil society initiatives have impacted
in increasing citizens’ awareness
regarding free and fair elections;
monitoring of parliamentary
proceedings; and enabling representation
of FATA in the National Assembly.
I.A.Rehman

1,690
36
32
24
19
30
337
27
26
50
TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS 638
783
72 45
* Awards pending USAID approval
20,576
1,908
775,489
The Citizens'Voice Project is being implemented by the
Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA)
781

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
―Telling Our Stories‖ catalogue is a compilation of the sincere efforts and achievements of the implementing partners of USAID Citizens'Voice Project for the
advancement of good governance objectives in Pakistan.This catalogue acknowledges the interest and tireless endeavors of hundreds of staff and thousands of citizens
over the past four years, working together to assert their rights and entitlements through engagement with legislators, regulators and government officials.The resulting
improvement in responsiveness of state officials towards public concerns also merits appreciation.
This catalogue would not have been possible without the zealous efforts of a hardworking and dedicated team of professionals from theTrust for Democratic Education
and Accountability (TDEA) Secretariat and the Citizens‘Voice Project office. Led by Muddassir Rizvi, Head of Programs atTDEA and Samar Hasan, Former Head of
Communications at the project, the team reviewed hundreds of reports and numerous complex datasets to draft this vibrant catalogue.This effort is the first step towards
documenting successful and replicableVoice and Accountability Models in Pakistan.
I am thankful to my colleagues from theTDEA Secretariat particularly Adnan Anjum, Usama Zafar, Syed Mohsin Shayan, Saqib Riaz,Yasser Javed,Adeel Arif, Hammad
Hussain, Muhammad Rizwan and Azhar Ali who spent countless hours to compile this document. I would also like to thank and acknowledge the work of my colleagues at
the project, including Sahibzada Shah Saud, Ubaidullah Chaudhry, Uzma Farogh,Ajmal Elahi,Aziz Zamir, Iftikhar Khan, Hussain K. Umer,Suhail Anwar,Aatif Abdullah,
Habib ur Rehman,Adnan Murtaza, Hamza Hasan, Fatima Shakeel and their respective units for extending continuous and zestful support for making it possible.This first
edition also received significant inputs towards its publication from Rehan Khan, Manager Communications & External Relations, before reaching your hands.
In the end, I would like to thank the American people for their generous support to the people of Pakistan through the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID).The support of the USAID Mission in Pakistan has been instrumental in the implementation of the project and its achievements.
Muhammad Jameel Hussain
Chief of Party
Citizens'Voice Project

DEDICATED TO THE CITIZENS OF PAKISTAN

is an expression of citizens' efforts towards making implementing partners. Nonetheless, it is our belief that
Pakistan a just, democratic, inclusive and peaceful initiatives such as the Citizens'Voice Project have great
society—an indication that citizens are demanding a better potential to help create lasting change in Pakistan.TDEA
deal from the state—a deal that is their right under the commends the United States Agency for International
Constitution of Pakistan. Development for supporting citizens led initiatives to
FOREWORD
The journey of USAID Citizens'Voice Project began with a judiciously respond to citizens' concerns over the quality of without challenges.Thematic areas such as tax reform,
vision of an empowered Pakistani nation that can engage elections.The demand for reform exhibits public desire to legislative governance, water rights issues, and municipal
effectively with state institutions, participate meaningfully in services were new to civil society, and capacity to
decision-making processes, and demand greater transparency, accountability and democratic governance. implement such projects was relatively limited, especially at
The endorsement of these principles by citizens, who are the local level. In addition, volatile security situation across
worked with civil society organizations and citizens from internalizing the spirit and content of their social contract the country, existing relationship gap between civil society
the remotest parts of Pakistan as well as urban centers, with the state and pushing for rights and entitlements is and government institutions, and performance period and
who share this vision with us.―Telling Our Stories‖ is more size of the grants to implement process-oriented
than just a catalogue of our collective accomplishments. It governance projects, posed considerable challenges to
The achievements of USAID Citizens'Voice Project must
be seen against this backdrop. The project is acting as a
catalyst and is encouraging citizens to take collective action
through engagements with the rights holders—the elected
and public institutions.An agency is being created through
consistent investments in enhancing capacity of citizens and promote and strengthen democratic values and helping
It was not an isolated event in Pakistan's political history their organizations to pursue their rights, while inculcating Pakistani civil society in achieving this goal.
that more than 55 percent people turned out to vote in the
General Election 2013 amid polarization, chaos and threats respond to their real and persistent issues.These efforts
of terrorism. Greater public interest in the electoral have resulted in an improved public and institutional
process is a sequel to an active citizenry that is emerging in behavior.
the country, stimulated by a vibrant civil society and an
independent and accessible media. The diverse and wide-ranging thematic and geographical Shahid Fiaz
coverage of the project provides a unique learning
The election followed a democratic transition of power in opportunity for local and international development
an otherwise fragile political system, which clearly indicates partners, practitioners and the government. The
progress towards democratic consolidation in Pakistan.
Furthermore, citizens' interest in the quality of the 2013 exists at the local level; the dedication and commitment of
elections in particular, and governance in general, did not civil society organizations and citizens to make Pakistan a
die long after the elections. Public protests of various kinds better society, which is diverse, inclusive and capable of
continue to build momentum for reforms as the existing ensuring equal citizenship for all. It is important to note
that the implementation of the project has not been

organization in
114 two locations
CONTENTS
42
76
Association of Global
Humanists & Ethics 68 READ Foundation 106 Institute of Social and Policy Sciences
2
4
6
96
Awaz Foundation Pakistan
Centre for Development Services
DAMAN - Development
Through Awareness and Motivation
Governance Institutes
Network International
56
44
46
48
DEVCON An Association for
Rural Development
Dir Area Development
Organization
Goth Seengar Foundation
70
72
78
Society for Human Empowerment
and Rural Development
Sudhaar Society
Hamdam Development
Organization
112 130
154
114
116
Centre for Peace &
Development Initiatives
Community Development
Foundation
Development Resource Solutions
108
8
12
14
16
18
Participatory Efforts for
Healthy Environment
Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Rural Support Program
Consumer Rights
Commission of Pakistan
Global Prosperity
Network
People Empowerment and
Consulting Enterprise
50
54
58
60
114
62
Participatory Educational Awareness and
Community Empowerment
Children First
Development Empowerment
WomenAssociation
Human Development
Foundation
Leadership for Environment and
Development of Pakistan FATA
80
KP
PakWomen
Gilgit
Baltistan
AJK Kashmir
118
120
122
124
128
132
Development Environment Legal Aid
Technical Support & Advocacy Association
Kainaat Development
Association
NGOs Development
Society
Sindh Rural Support Program
Advocacy ResearchTraining and
Services Foundation
Coastal Association
Research & Development
20
22
PublicWelfare
Organization
Research Institute of Natural
Resources of Pakistan
64
66
Organization for
Human Development
Pak Education
Society
Punjab
134
136
Society for Alternative
Media and Research
Umang Development
Foundation
24
Semiotics Consultants
(Private) Limited 138
Yar Muhammad Samejo
Educational Society
26
Strengthening
Participatory Organization
Balochistan
82
Water Environment and
Sanitation Society
142
Civil Society Support
Program
28
30
32
98
Sustainable Solutions
Private Limited
Techno Green
Associates
The Network for Consumer
Protection
Sindh
84
88
90
Your Engineering Solutions
Private Limited
Center for Research &
Security Studies
DevolutionTrust for
Community Empowerment
144
146
148
ChangeThru
Empowerment
Sahara Community
Support Program
Sustainable Development
Foundation
34
YoungWelfare
Society
Key:
Nationwide Sindh Islamabad Three projects
112 130
by one partner
92
StepTowards
Empowerment of Pupil 150
Society for Human and
Institutional Development
38
40
Akhtar Hameed Khan
Resource Centre
Association for Behavior and
KnowledgeTransformation
Punjab
KP
Balochistan
FATA
AJK
GB
26
76
42
Page No.
Two projects by
one partner
organization
154
60
one par
tner
three locations
Two projects by
organization in
102
104
Al Mustafa
Welfare Association
Awareness on Human Rights Social
Development and Action Society
156
138
IndividuallandTrust
Human Resource
Development Network

INTRODUCTION
USAID Citizens'Voice Project was launched in May 2011
and is being Implemented by theTrust for Democratic
Education and Accountability (TDEA).The primary purpose
of the project is to enable civil society organizations (CSOs)
in Pakistan to harness the potential of citizens for
strengthening public accountability – a prerequisite for
improved governance.The project is unique in its design as
well as approach towards a plethora of complex issues
that the country is facing. Most issues are rooted in
unaccountable, non-transparent and non-responsive
governance. Instead of providing services and supporting
develop the capacities of citizens and public institutions to
engage for policy, legislative, regulatory and administrative
reforms for development and democratization in Pakistan.
Four and a half years into its implementation, the project
has been able to make significant headway in this direction.
The measure of success is evident from the achievements
and accomplishments reflected in the stories from across
Pakistan which are presented in this catalogue.
The five-year project has so for awarded 270 grants
worth approximately $13 million to CSOs across the four
provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The outreach of the project extends to more than 110
districts.To date, the project has announced ten grants
cycles in 19 cross-cutting multidimensional thematic areas.
How ever this version of the catalogue only encapsulates
the achievements from our Grants Cycle 1 to 5.
A common thread in all the project initiatives has been
to create an environment of inclusiveness for citizens
and civil society to engage in policy dialogue for better
governance. In the course of pursuing a myriad of initiatives
for strengthening citizens' voice, establishing state-citizen
nexuses as well as enhancing transparency and accountability
in the governance framework; the project's message has
reached more than 775,489 citizens.The initiatives, however,
are not limited to creating public awareness alone.The
project's design provides for equipping citizens and
capacitated to make the state-citizen linkages sustainable
and meaningful.
Realization of the need for developing institutions is at
the heart of the project.As a core objective, the capacity-
building initiatives start with the endeavor for institutional
development of its partners.To date, more than 1,904
participants from 150 CSOs have been engaged in a wide
spectrum of both general as well as customized
interventions.The project has developed partnerships with
leading educational institutions, such as the Institute of
Business Management (IoBM), Karachi and COMSATS,
Islamabad to help the partner organizations' strategic
outlook and enhancing corresponding management skills.
The results have been remarkable.The Citizens'Voice Project
is proud to have brought a change in the lives of Pakistanis
in the remotest areas of the country whereby the project
interventions have resulted in empowering citizenry from
Gilgit to Gwadar.This catalogue attempts to highlight some
of these achievements.
Change is a process and takes time to bear fruits. Projects
like Citizens'Voice demonstrate scalable models for
successful interventions in a given time and space. Hence,
the stories in this publication are steps towards achievem-
ents of a goal and not the universal goal itself.This gives
empirical evidence that with hardwork and honest efforts
of civil society and state officials, significant improvements
are possible.
ENHANCINGTRANSPARENCY
Transparency is an essential element of good
governance—it gives citizens (rights holders) a means to
state institutions, accountable.Accountability and the rule
of law require transparency and information sharing so
that citizens can verify the performance of state
institutions and their compliance with relevant laws.
Transparency is necessary to exercise accountability, since
without access to clear, accurate and up-to-date
information, it is impossible to ascertain whether state
decisions affecting them are at the center of democracy.
Open and inclusive policy-making increases public
participation, enhances transparency and accountability,
builds capacity and leads to better policy/decision-making.
In Pakistan, transparency of state institutions remains a
major issue, resulting in alleged corruption. Due to this
reason, a basis for accountability of duty bearers and state
institutions is missing which leads to a lack of public trust
and confidence in democratic processes and dearth of
informed participation of citizens in decision-making.
USAID Citizens'Voice Project has been a successful
facilitator in enhancing transparency and accountability
of state institutions and duty bearers through the
following mechanisms:
Inclusion of citizens at the local (district) level to
participate in crucial decision-making processes such
as budgetary allocations in areas such as education
and health;
Monitoring of government's initiatives and projects,
Utilizing existing avenues in place in the form of
law or regulations
Ms.Azra Gul Executive Director of PakWomen, a partner organization of Citizens’Voice
Project, speaks during a session of Citizens’ Provincial Assembly in Peshawar
and complexity of the partnership. In this sense, over
23,500 citizens and 783 government officials have been
institutions are working properly or not.The participation The project enabled citizens to build an effective and
viable working relationship with the state and its
www.cvpa-tdea.org i

institutions for improved service delivery and sustainable
solutions. It emphasized the importance of transparency
for good governance, and stressed the need for including
those people in the decision-making process who would
be affected by the decisions made, as excluding right holders
from the decision-making process creates unequal power
relationships.
“This is the best thing that has happened
to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly in
two decades and USAID's role and engag-
ement with the civil society is of utmost
importance in these times as one of the
major needs for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
MPAs is regular capacity building, which is
possible only through such initiatives.”
Amanullah Khan,
Secretary, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly
USAID Citizens'Voice Project facilitated a total of 1,690
meetings, enabling citizens to effectively engage with
advocate for improved service delivery, transparency and
accountability of state institutions, and legislative, regulatory
and administrative reforms. Similarly, the project facilitated
781 sessions in the form of consultative meetings, round-
tables, dialogues and conferences to lobby with government
stakeholders, strengthening citizens' voice as well as
accountability mechanisms and enhancing transparency.
Various seminars were also held to raise awareness among
citizens regarding their rights.
Pak Women's intervention for Citizens'Voice for Effective
Legislative Governance under Grants Cycle 2 held a total
of 45 advocacy meetings and six seminars, thereby creating
awareness among citizens on the role of legislatures and
legislators. It was also successful in enhancing citizens'
participation in budget formulation and strengthening their
funds.Through its efforts, Pak Women enabled citizens to
develop a direct relationship with their representatives for
transparent and responsive legislative governance.
ii
www.cvpa-tdea.org
Under the same Grants Cycle,Water Environment and
Sanitation Society's (WESS) project emphasized transparency
of legislatures for effective, efficient and pro-people legislation
and oversight of government institutions. Due to lack of
transparency in the functioning of the Provincial Assembly,
citizens and CSOs in Balochistan were unable to articulate
their demands and hold legislators accountable for service
delivery. Citizens' participation in political affairs had largely
been limited to voting, in both Ziarat and Loralai districts.
The project has been able to enhance transparency of the
Balochistan Assembly through formation of a CSOs network
which comprised of lawyers, educationists, media represe-
ntatives, labor union representatives and doctors. Peaceful
rallies and protests held by citizens and dissemination of
IEC material and newspaper articles on legislature and
accountability led to a transformed relationship between
citizens and their elected representatives. Moreover, the
project contributed towards strengthening accountability
by enabling citizens to raise their voice for effective legisl-
ation and resource allocation for their region.
USAID Citizens‘Voice Project also facilitated the redressal
of four websites for providing information on complaint
mechanisms and access to public services. For instance, Your
Engineering Solutions (YES), working for effective legislative
governance in Azad Jammu and Kashmir under Grant
Cycle-2, contributed to enhancing transparency by autom-
ating the process of monitoring development funds. In this
regard, a dedicated software was prepared byYES in cons-
ultation with legislators, which has led to transparency of
spending of development funds by enabling citizens to
directly monitor them.
Under the same Grant Cycle, Hamdam Development
Organization (HDO) facilitated the development of a legi-
slative library containing records of legislators' performance,
their contact details along with details of parliamentary
proceedings, including laws and regulations.This library was
used as a source of up to date information by youth groups,
media representatives, lawyers and provincial parliamentarians.
Over the last decade, Pakistan's electronic media has expanded
phenomenally, becoming a major stakeholder in the national
discourse.There is a strong need for working with the vibrant
but at times directionless media to promote policy, legislative,
regulatory and administrative reforms. In this context, the
USAID Citizens‘Voice Project facilitated various organizations
to use electronic, print and social media, to advocate and raise
awareness among citizens about their rights and responsibilities.
These media interventions put further pressure on policy and
decision makers.The project facilitated 132 media campaigns
and broadcasted 52,723 media massage to advocate for
enhanced transparency in the operations of public offices and
Institutions.
Participants of a walk, organized by CPDI, demanding enactment of an effective RTI law
Global Prosperity Network (GPN), working in Muzaffarabad
for energy sector reforms under Grant Cycle-3, successfully
engaged print and electronic media to build pressure on duty
bearers to redress citizens' grievances regarding power load
management.The intervention has paved way for a transp-
arent load management plan and has resulted in the establish-
ment of two complaint offices in order to resolve citizens‘
concerns. Furthermore, GPN broadcasted a total of 3,318
CPDI not only raised awareness but also
engaged political leaders and legislators
during critical lawmaking and launched a
social media campaign.A draft bill on the
Right to Information was presented to the
newly-elected Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Govern-
ment. It was later promulgated as Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa’s Right to Information Act 2013

messages on FM radio and cableTV to build citizens‘ awareness.
Similarly, Step Towards Empowerment of Pupil (STEP), working
for Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) reforms, effectively used
media through broadcasting 48 shows of the radio program
―Kadam Pa Kadam‖ to raise awareness among citizens about
their legal rights and entitlements.This helped to mobilize
citizens for collective efforts to get maximum benefits from
FCR reforms.
Access to clear,accurate and up-to-date information is a
basic human right and pre-requisite for enhancing transpar-
ency of state institutions.The Right to Information (RTI)
enables citizens to get information on all matters of interest
from state institutions.As many as 7,488 RTI requests in
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were facilitated by the Centre for
Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), under Grant
Cycle-3 for strengthening transparency and accountability
mechanisms.The purpose of these requests was to get info-
rmation about development projects‘ planning, management,
budgetary allocations and spending, etc. from respective
government departments for informed citizen engagement.
Similarly, the project facilitated the formation of nine
information counters/information exchange hubs for legal
and technical assistance of citizens on issues around
transparency and accountability.
TRANSFORMING RELATIONSHIPS
Strengthened relationships between citizens‘ and state are
mutually beneficial. Extensive and diverse inputs by the public
into the decision-making process at the local level not only
contribute to the well-being of the community but also tra-
nsform working and operational relationships between state
institutions and citizens.When people take part in making
decisions that affect them and their environment, the
outcomes of those decisions are more likely to provide for
well-being of future generations. Being part of decision-
making process increases citizens‘ trust level and confidence
in public and elected institutions. In the long term, public
participation can strengthen democracy.
Transformed relationships between citizens and the state
demonstrate to the people that they are valued and that
their views are important. It not only builds trust and
confidence in the authorities but also demonstrates to the
public that change is possible.
The Project made systematic interventions which helped
transform relationships between citizens and public instit-
utions through effective and efficient engagement for policy,
administrative, regulatory and legislative reforms at local,
provincial and federal levels.The project also enabled
citizens to access information regarding respective gove-
rnment departments.This helped in informed engagement
to recommend research and evidence based reforms for
improved service delivery to the people.
The USAID Citizens‘Voice Project facilitated the formation
of 1,908 citizen groups to oversee public departments. Under
Grant Cycle 2 for education sector reforms, LEAD Pakistan
successfully achieved 'cluster-wise' sensitization and mob-
ilization . It divided the civil society of Punjab into four main
clusters – NGOs, academia, corporations and human rights
organizations- and engaged with them separately, as well as
collectively for maximum knowledge exchange. The design
and subsequent implementation of this project ensured that
each civil society cluster was given equal room to share
their views on LEAD's platform.The formation of the group
helped highlight areas of common interests and motivations,
and thus collectively worked to advocate for better edu-
cational governance structure, school administration and
enrolment rates in Punjab.
Similarly, the citizens groups formed by the Association of
Global Humanists & Ethics (AGHE), under Grant Cycle-2
for effective legislative governance, were trained on advoc-
acy, community mobilization, social accountability, and over-
sight techniques of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly
(GBLA).The intervention has developed a direct relationship
between citizens and their elected representatives for tra-
nsparent and responsive legislative governance.While the
institutionalization of the new relationship will take time
and is a subject of similar future interventions, the GBLA
as an institution is now open to transform its rules in a
a fashion that can ensure transparent, responsive,
accountable and efficient legislative governance.The Organ-
ization for Human Development (OHD), under the same
Grant Cycle-2 for education sector reforms, engaged with
citizens, teachers and parents and facilitated the formation
of Mothers Groups (MGs) andVillage Development
Committees (VDCs) in order to take part in the manage-
ment, oversight and accountability of schools in Mardan,
Panelists respond to participants’ queries during a Corporate Cluster Meeting in Lahore
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. OHD's intervention engaged citizen
groups to prepare community score cards to generate
empirical data, enabling them to play an active and
meaningful role in school governance.This contributed
towards practical solutions to issues such as teacher
absenteeism, non-transparent use of school budget and
other service delivery problems.
Citizens' participation in policy making process is important
as these changes directly affect their daily lives. USAID
Citizens‘Voice Project facilitated a total of 11 policy making
proceedings in which citizens' participation was ensured.
Kainaat Development Association (KDA), under Grant
Cycle-3 of Citizens'Voice for Strengthening Transparency
and Accountability Mechanisms, facilitated the formation of
Tehsil Liaison Committees (TLCs) and District Support
Committee (DSC) in Dadu, Larkana, Qamber-Shahdadkot,
Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore and Sukkur. Interventions
Women being sensitized on Right to Education under Article 25-A of the Constitution of
Pakistan at a local school in district Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
iii
www.cvpa-tdea.org

FOSTERING PARTNERSHIPS
Partnerships promote sharing of ideas, information and
resources, which is mutually beneficial for citizens and
establishment of agencies which play an important role in
USAID Citizens'Voice Project facilitated the the decision-making process.Thus, the concept of
education related policy dialogues with elected represent-
such as consultative meetings and discussions involving Akhter Hameed Khan Resource Centre (AHKRC), under to exhibit information material onTMA municipal
government departments and the citizens helped Grants Cycle-1 for Citizen Oversight of Municipal Services, processes and rules & regulations.
transform relationships and enhance citizens' voice by facilitated four public hearings in Peshawar.
enabling their participation in the policy-making process.
Furthermore, a total of 11 policy-making proceedings
were held in which the TLCs and DSCs provided
feedback on policies and voiced their concerns
regarding transparency and accountability at the
local level.
In order to strengthen accountability of elected and public
officials, USAID Citizens‘Voice Project facilitated 66 ―khuli
kachehris‖ (public hearings) and interfaces with legislators and
public officials.This component involved activities which not
only transformed relationships between the state and citizens state Collaboration with the community leads to the
but also supported civic advocacy and oversight roles within
the context of specific policy areas. Moreover, the
intervention by Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)
Rural Support Programme for establishing
Citizens'Voice Project helped in drafting 34 bills/ partnerships is central to strengthening citizens' voice and
policies/discussion papers, policy briefs, strategy increasing the level of transparency and accountability of
complaint offices in three districts of AJK to papers through civil society consultations.The public institutions.
address citizens' concerns regarding electricity
load management.A total of 1,560 grievances were
recorded and sent to the relevant departments
for action and planning.
Similarly, the project facilitated 206 applied
research interventions to assess the
performance of public service departments.
This enabled organizations to not only assess
the existing situation, but also facilitated
formulation of evidence and research-backed
“We used to cajole them and
bribe them [the authorities] to
realize our own rights. But we can
now stand with dignity in front
of public servants and demand
our right in the most proper
manner,” states Muhammad
Ismail of Rohri, Sukkur.
USAID Citizens'Voice Project fostered partnerships
between public departments and citizen groups/CSOs
at the grass-root level in the form of formal Memorandums
of Understandings (MoUs) as well as informal engagements
(seminars, conferences, roundtables and dialogues).
recommendations for policy, legislative and
administrative reforms. For instance, READ aim of these activities was to strengthen citizens' voice in
Foundation, under Grants Cycle-2 for education sector public decision-making spheres, for sustainable impact.The
reforms, conducted an initial survey to facilitate citizens to Project also helped frame 33 charters of demands, which
effectively engage with the government to raise specific were presented to public officials or elected representative
issues of hiring and transfers of teachers and expansion and for endorsements.
rehabilitation of schools in District Poonch,AJK.The
intervention has contributed to transformed relationships
and broadened citizens‘ participation and inclusiveness in
It is important to mention that due to USAID Citizens'
Voice Project, CPDI was able to draft a model law for
RTI, which was later tabled and introduced in the
atives. As a result, there was a significant increase in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.The Project also helped
the school enrolment of children in district Poonch. form 218 complaint mechanisms including helplines,
facilitation desks, complaint box/desks, and help
Village kids attending the newly opened school at Khorooro,Thar
Though the regulatory framework of parliamentary
standing committees allows them to hold public hearings,
this option is rarely used in Pakistan.The USAID Citizens'Voice
Project facilitated six public hearings of standing committees
in this regard.The NGO Sudhaar, under Grants Cycle-2 for
education sector reforms, facilitated a public hearing of the
PunjabAssembly‘s Standing Committee on Education.Similarly,
iv
www.cvpa-tdea.org
desks. For instance, PEACE Sindh, under Grants Cycle-1
for Citizen Oversight of Municipal Services, established
a helpline for citizens to lodge complaints and get
information regarding Tehsil Municipal Administration
(TMA) inTaluka Hussain Bux Mari, Mirpurkhas Sindh.
Similarly, DADO, under the same Grant Cycle 1, formed a
district resource center in Upper Dir,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
SRSP resolved our problem and told us to
submit collectively signed applications.As a
result, we got the school opened within two
months,” says Hameed Pasayo, a peasant
from a village ofTharparkar.

STRENGTHENING
The project was successful in signing of 36 MoUs,
Information about some of these is included in this section.
MoUs were signed between the Community Development
Foundation (CDF) and the Health and Education
departments of Sukkur and Khairpur districts under the
project ―Fostering Community Based Structural System of
Public Accountability‖ for mutual exchange of information,
sharing of technical expertise and development of
relationships for increased transparency and accountability
in the health and education sectors.
Similarly, an MoU between Development Resource
Solutions (DRS) and the Provincial Ombudsman‘s Office of
Balochistan was also signed under the project ―Giving
Voice to the People against Corruption in Balochistan‖ to
increase collaboration between citizen groups and the
ombudsman‘s office for a transparent and accountable
public service delivery mechanism.
Devolution Trust for Community Empowerment (DTCE)
also signed MoUs with the FATA Secretariat and political
administration of Bajaur Agency for collective efforts
towards effective implementation of FCR Reforms.
Additionally, Research Institute of Natural Resources of
Pakistan (RINP) also signed a MoU with theWomen
Chamber of Commerce & Industry in lahore to share
information on the energy sector issues.
Another MoU was signed between the NGO
Development Society and the Education Department
in Larkana district for mutual cooperation and exchange
of information.
Moreover, Public Welfare Organization (PWO) also signed
an MoU with the Multan Electric Power Company for the
effective redressal of citizens' grievances over electricity
issues. Likewise, another MoU between PEACE KP and the
Peshawar Electric Supply Company was signed to promote
civil society-government partnership for improving
PESCO staff performing maintenance infrastructure of electricity
PWO established an Electricity Governance
Forum by engaging citizens from 24 union
councils in Multan in order to build capacity
of electricity consumers regarding their rights
and duties.
MoUs with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Directorate of
Education and the District Education Department of
Mardan. Similar agreements were signed by AAWAZ,
Sudhaar Society and Children First.
These formal relationships continue to strengthen the
coordination among relevant stakeholders, ensuring full
participation of all actors in achieving meaningful advocacy
for improved governance.
related to service delivery in the public sector.
Accountability essentially refers to the concept of being
answerable for one's actions/inactions. It serves a crucial
role for effective performance and responsiveness of
public bodies and for increasing trust between citizens and
accountability is the ability to hold agencies and
institutions answerable to the public.
In Pakistan, the notion of holding public bodies and civil
servants accountable to the people is almost non-existent.
In the absence of institutionalized mechanisms for
accountability, minimal provision of information and
citizens‘ lack of awareness, public bodies have largely been
marred by widespread corruption and exploitation which
USAID Citizens‘Voice Project has been successfully striving
to strengthen accountability of public institutions through
various interventions, such as citizens‘ oversight of public
bodies, advocacy meetings with legislators and government
budgets, presentation of draft bills and policy briefs, and
establishment of complaint redressal mechanisms for
citizens‘ grievances.The project has established formal
mechanisms for citizens to engage with duty bearers,
monitor the performance of public bodies and hold
them answerable for their actions and performance.
The project successfully facilitated citizens‘ oversight of 52
public departments at different levels, such as Pakistan
Electric Power Company, National Electric Power Regulatory
Authority and the Education Department, etc.
As many as 700 advocacy meetings between citizen groups,
held at the local level for effective engagement between
stakeholders, improved service delivery of public bodies
and increased citizen oversight of public bodies.
accountability and service delivery in the power sector.
DevCon also signed an MoU with the Provincial
Government of Sindh for improved citizens' voice on
primary education budget's allocation and utilization.
Organization for Human Development (OHD) signed
In this regard, the engagement of Research Institute of
Natural Resources of Pakistan (RINP) in Lahore under the
ACCOUNTABILITY project ―Creating Social Impacts of Electricity Reforms in
Accountability is one of the core aspects of good Pakistan‖ is particularly noteworthy.
governance and has remained at the center of discussions
www.cvpa-tdea.org v

Qasim Jan, a farmer from the rural parts of Peshawar carefully reads a poster explaining utility
bills for consumers' awareness and better understanding.The poster was produced under a grant
awarded by USAID's Citizens' Voice Project.
AJKRSP's activities also enabled citizens to lodge 1,560
complaints with the electricity department in three districts
of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. In this context, the project
established 24 hour help desks (hot lines) and information
counters for the redressal of citizens‘ complaints.
Similarly, the establishment of 100 transparency and accoun-
tability desks by NGO Development Society under the
project ―Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in
District Education Department through Different
Stakeholders‖ to facilitate students, parents and teachers is
particularly noteworthy.
A total of 781 conferences, seminars, dialogues, roundtables
and consultative meetings were held to advocate with
government stakeholders for increased accountability
in public sector. Development & EmpowermentWomen
Association (DEWA) conducted 11 such meetings in the
largely rural area of Lower Dir to strengthen citizens'
oversight of the education sector and advocate for
reforming laws and policies for improved accountability.
For the first time in the country‘s history, the project also
facilitated budgets/expenditure tracking of nine public
departments by citizens.The public tracking of budgets
has improved municipal services and institutionalized
mechanisms for effective response to citizens' needs and
priorities. In this regard, Goth Seengar Foundation's (GSF)
interventions under the project ―WorkTogether for
Improvement of Solid Waste Management System‖ is
particularly noteworthy as they brought all stakeholders
and line agencies on board to work together for improving
the condition of solid waste management in district
Jacobabad, Sindh.
As many as 32 research interventions were carried out
to assess the quality of service delivery and to strengthen
public accountability. In this regard, Development Resource
Similarly, the Azad Jammu & Kashmir Rural Support Program
(AJKRSP) under the project ―Reforming Energy Sector
through Participatory and Integrated Information Education
and Communication Campaign‖, organized 85 meetings
to advocate for the preparation and implementation of a
transparent load management plan in Azad Jammu and
Kashmir.The activities of READ Foundation under
vi
www.cvpa-tdea.org
the project ―Supporting Communities to Strengthen
Education Sector in AJK‖ also resulted in strengthened
engagement between citizens and the education
department of the region.
Establishment of effective complaint handling mechanisms
is essential for strengthening accountability and increasing
the responsiveness of duty bearers towards public demands.
Solutions‘ (DRS) project in Quetta to raise awareness on
RTI and DevolutionTrust for Community Empowerment‘s
(DTCE) project in FATA to ensure effective public
oversight and implementation of FCR reforms need a
special mention.

More importantly, as many as 34 draft bills, discussion
papers and policy briefs were presented to public bodies.
Furthermore, seven community scorecards/assessment
mechanisms were developed under various projects to
strengthen transparency and accountability. In this regard,
Establishment of citizen scorecards at twoTehsil
Municipal Administrations (TMAs) in Lower Dir by
Association for Behavior and Knowledge Transformation's
(ABKT), is particularly noteworthy.
BUILDING INSTITUTIONS
For civic engagement to be effective, civil society groups
need to be well-respected.To foster a reputation for
integrity, these groups should be transparent and
accountable.These qualities depend on an organization's
ability to manage its internal operations professionally,
consistent with internationally-accepted standards.The
USAID Citizens'Voice Project enhanced the
organizational capacity of civil society actors through
organizational development and targeted trainings.The
project funded partner organizations all across
the country for enhancing engagement of citizens at the
constituency, district, tehsil and grassroots levels as the
citizens' participation in local level initiatives is critical to
ensuring responsive public institutions and officials.
Institution building is aimed to build capacities of civil
society organizations so that they can strengthen citizens'
voice and enable them to hold public institutions
accountable. Under the Citizens'Voice Project, civil society
organizations have trained citizens to oversee the
performance of public institutions by taking actions to
oversee the effectiveness of institutional accountability
mechanisms through filing RTI requests. Similarly, the public
officials and elected representatives were also trained to
enhance their capacities for enforcing the existing laws,
rules and mechanisms that are imperative for ensuring
transparency and accountability.
In total, the USAID Citizens‘Voice Project managed to train
20,576 citizens to get acquainted with oversight/accountability
mechanisms, with a special focus on the implementation of
RTI laws. Moreover, the capacity of 783 public officials and
elected representatives was enhanced across Pakistan to enable
Partner organizations’ staff attending PMP training
them to improve their performance and efficiency for better
Under a grant from USAID Citizens‘Voice Project for
‗Strengthening Investigative Journalism through RTI‘ project,
CPDI sensitized and trained 46 journalists to support
investigative journalism in favor of citizens' rights to contribute
to ongoing civil society advocacy for stronger freedom of
information legislation. Using the RTI laws to obtain data,
journalists reported investigative stories in health, education,
and disability sectors, especially about the utilization of public
funds.A total of 23 stories were published in leading
newspapers while 40 journalists were facilitated in filling
1,839 RTI requests.
Similarly, Human Resource Development Network (HRDN)
advocated for institutional strengthening, transparency and
effective service delivery by the Office of Ombudsman
through stakeholder dialogues and capacity building initiatives
in Islamabad under the ‗CitizensVoice for Effective Grievance
Redress through the Offices of Ombudsmen‘ project.
www.cvpa-tdea.org vii

ELECTION
INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM
As a part of institutional capacity building and strength-
ening the transparency of election process in Pakistan,
USAID Citizens'Voice Project supportedTDEA's
multi-donor funded observation of 2013 general elections.
This observation was so far the largest exercise carried
out under the banner of Free and Fair Election Network
(FAFEN).Around 40,000 trained independent citizen
observers were deployed across Pakistan for this purpose.
The Election Information Management System (EIMS)
aimed to increase public trust in the conduct and quality
of elections through real-time election monitoring and
information dissemination.
An innovative and ambitious endeavor, it truly was the
converging point of Free and Fair Election Network‘s
(FAFEN) election observation and monitoring
experience, gained over the years in other election
monitoring programs. Detailed data for 272 constituencies
of National Assembly and as many as 8500 polling stations
were populated.
viii
www.cvpa-tdea.org
FAFEN's election updates and
analysis were covered by 76 newspapers, websites, blogs
and online magazines - including The News, Dawn,
HeraldTribune, Business Recorder, Pakistan Today,
Dawn.com, Daily Dunya,The Nation and Pakistan
Observer during the 2013 General Elections. FAFEN
representatives were also invited to highly-rated talk
shows on all major news channels listed above.
The following system modules were incrementally
developed indigenously to cater for the Pre-election
Day and Post Election Day activities:
a. Incident Reporting
b. Press Release, Publications, Newsletters
c. Election History
d.
e. Contact List
f. GIS Management
g. Election Day Call Center
h. Election Day Reporting Sheets
I. Election Day Results Management
j. ECP Observer Accreditation Cards
k. SST,MST observer Deployment
l. Polling Station Marker
m. APIs for different stakeholders
n. ParallelVoteTabulation
ELECTION DAY
The EIMS was an important source of information
dissemination on Election Day 2013 whereby;
a. A total of 5,621 verification calls were initiated
b. FAFEN Election Portal was heavily visited in May 2013.As
many as 1,884,183 hits on the portal were recorded in May
2013, giving an average of 20,044 per day and 835 per hour.
FUTURE STEPS
The subsystems, data and experiences gained are now being
used in other TDEA projects. For instance, the data
generated by the system is currently being used for the
geographical boundary mapping of the Citizens‘Voice
Project, the SMS subsystem is being utilized by the Citizens‘
RESULTS
b.Transparency through information
c.Accountability for enforcement
d. Responsiveness through corrective actions
e. Improved quality of elections through greater electoral
Transparency and accountability leading to increased
Public trust
f. Automated SMS & web-based reporting
g. Geo-mapping
Voice Project for the purpose of SMS communication with
openparliament.pk
TECHNOLOGY USED
PHP,JAVA Script, JQuery, OpenLayers (JavaScript Library),
Android App, Mapserver, OpenJump,Arc GIS, GDAL library,
MySQL, Google Maps APIV3
RUN UPTOTHE ELECTIONS:
a. A total of 5,926 violations were reported, out of
which 2,886 were reported through the SMS
subsystems
b.
c. 65,018 polling stations of 254 constituencies
manually entered in the database
d. 42 election-related publications
e.
administration
f.
g.
h. 9,160 polling stations selected as sample for
ParallelVoteTabulation (PVT)

GRANTS
MANAGEMENT
INFORMATION
SYSTEM (GMIS)
applications; review, shortlisting and award of grants;
monitoring and evaluation of project activities to final
close out, the system facilitates each and every step of
the grants management process.
Potential applicants are able to upload all credentials,
documents and annexures required for submission of
their applications within the given deadline.A clearly
visible countdown timer serves as a reminder of the
Some of key highlights are:
a. Five cycles initialized
b. Online facing since November 2011
c. 2,423 applications received and assessments
conducted
d. 70 grants processed
e. 5,000 active users throughout Pakistan
application submission deadline. Once submitted, GMIS
enables applicants to track the status of their
applications online.The system also sends them emails
f.
g.
Up to 400 GB of storage space utilized
Up to 5.5 million records of data populated
Effective and efficient utilization of modern knowledge is at
the core of USAID Citizens‘Voice Project.A fully automated
online system was developed to manage life cycle of grants.
In doing so, not only Citizens‘Voice Project staff but all other
users have benefitted from using the system and learning from
its features which have been designed keeping in view the global
best practices in grant making.
The system was initially developed with an aim to support
grant making functions, monitoring and evaluation and has
now morphed to include the projects‘ numerous auxiliary
functions like HR and procurement.
Grants Management Information System (GMIS), integral
to the grants making and the monitoring life cycle, is the
technical workhorse of the USAID Citizens‘Voice Project.
Indigenously produced, this online system is user driven,
transparent and multi-rolled. It provides a complete 360-
degree snapshot of the project.
It serves as a core communication interface between
USAID, Citizens'Voice Project, implementing partners and
technical and project management personnel. From annou-
ncement of grants cycles to easy submission of grant
and text messages at every stage of the application
review process in order to keep them informed.
Meanwhile, management personnel can start processing
the applications online as per pre-defined criteria.
Application evaluation process entails several steps at
different levels from the initial Completion Check to
theTechnical Review, Grants Management Committee
Review, Project Steering Committee Review and finally,
USAID Review and Approval and award of grant.
Through role-based access as well as activity logs, GMIS
is able to maintain integrity and transparency of the
system.
The following system modules were incrementally
developed to cater for the entire life cycle of the grants:
a. RFA Announcement & Cycle Opening
b. Application deadline and System Lock Down
c. Desk Review and Assessment
d. Management Decision Support System & Analysis
e. Milestones and Grantee Activities
f. Monitoring and Evaluation
g. Integrated Live Support System
h. Integrated SMS and Emails Subsystem
I. Role BasedView
j. AuditTrails
The project has successfully harnessed the system to
leverage business advantage.Almost all of the
operational functions are handled by the system.
FUTURE STEPS
The GMIS is a unique system geared towards handling
monitoring. For similar projects, this can be a drop in
replacement with few customizations, if required.The system
is scalable with zero vendor lock-in, free of cost, indigenously
built and with technical support readily available in the
market.
TECHNOLOGY USED
GMIS is a layered and modular platform, technically referred
to as a LAMP stack and includes the following building
blocks:
PHP,JAVA Script, JQuery and MySQL
In essence, GMIS is a complete environment enabling donors,
Citizens'Voice Project staff and implementing partners to
view the entire grant award and management process online
through basic, advanced and auxiliary tools. It is an innovative
online tool which will act as a flag-bearer of effective
management, accurate information and transparency in all
projects and has great applicability for the Development
Sector in Pakistan and abroad.
ix
www.cvpa-tdea.org

FAT
IMPROVINGWATER RIGHTS
April 2012 to July 2013
Total Funds Disbursed: PKR 42.05 Million
Gilgit
Baltistan
Awaz Foundation Pakistan Centre for Development Services,
Multan and Bahawalpur
DAMAAN - DevelopmentThrough Awareness and Motivation
Khanewal,Vehari and Lodhran
KP
Governance Institutes Network International
Faisalabad, Gujaranwala and Sargodha
AJK Kashmir
Participatory Efforts for Healthy Environment
Sukkur
A
Sargodha Gujaranwala
Punjab
Khanewal
Faisalabad
Multan Vehari
Balochistan
Lodhran
Bahawalpur
Sukkur
Sindh

1
OBJECTIVES
Strengthened citizens‟ voice through, among others, oversight of public bodies that
leads to policy reform or innovative approaches to irrigation system management
and improved implementation of water related rights and entitlements
Strengthening the voice of community organizations, farmer groups and water users‘ groups to advocate for full implementation
of water rights/ entitlements and enforcement of equitable distribution of water
Promotion of informed public dialogue around the policies and challenges being faced in implementing water rights and reforming
water distribution systems and management in order to make it more efficient and equitable
Development of a farmers' Charter of Demands prepared in consultation with community organizations, large and small farmer
groups as well as provincial and district level irrigation and agricultural departments
Organization of stakeholder consultations with the aim of building alliances for public private partnership in the water sector
leading to innovative, more efficient and sustainable water use and management mechanisms
Advocacy at the provincial levels for policy change, especially with the aim of promoting public private partnerships to maintain
water use and distribution system integrity, encourage investment, improve efficiency and ensure accountability
Oversight of relevant public bodies to identify strengths, weaknesses and challenges to inform public discourse and provide
appropriate feedback into the policy making, implementation or regulatory processes as it relates to water use and management
Identification and advocacy for forums whereby citizens, civil society groups and related private organizations/ companies could
participate in and contribute to the policy making and regulatory processes as it relates to water use and management
Participation in the policy making, public hearings and regulatory proceedings organized by relevant bodies to convey citizens'
voice and demands, as articulated through evidence-based and participatory methods as it relates to water use and management
Undertake actionable research to identify issues and give recommendations for policy change pertaining to water rights and
efficient management of water distribution system.
2
Civil Society-Government connections, or linkages between and among government and non-
government actors for improved accountability in relation to implementation of water rights/
entitlements and water distribution systems in the districts
Engagement with political parties and elected representatives to seek commitments, demand performance and ask critical questions about inadequate
policies, inefficiencies, consumer/farmer complaints or corruption in the water sector
Establish linkages/ partnerships among large and small farmer groups, companies and provincial/ district level irrigation and agricultural departments to
pave the way for public private partnerships in water sector leading to more efficient management and use of water
Establish partnerships/ linkages with (or make use of) parliamentary committees (e.g. committees of provincial assemblies on irrigation and agriculture)
and/or other institutions meant for accountability (e.g. provincial Ombudsmen) as it relates to water
Establish partnership/ linkages with relevant government departments (e.g. Departments of irrigation and agriculture) for setting up appropriate forums
where citizens, farmers groups, civil society groups, private sector and other relevant stakeholders could ask questions, seek answers, raise concerns
about performance and suggest reforms
Develop monitoring mechanisms to highlight good performance (and support it) vis-à-vis bad performance; and demand accountability in order to
improve water rights and pave the way for reforming the sector.

PROJECTTITLE
PARTNERORGANIZATION
Peoples' Awareness DistrictWater Charter Water Entitlement
1 Fact Sheets
IMPROVINGWATER RIGHTS OF
RURAL COMMUNITIES IN
MULTANAND BAHAWALPUR
A view of crops in extensively irrigated district of Punjab
PROJECT BRIEF AND OVERALL PROGRESS
Awaz Foundation Pakistan,
Centre for Development
Services (AWAZ-CDS)
www.awazcds.org.pk
ALLOCATED FUNDS (IN PKR)
10.0m
DURATION
15 MonthsApril 20, 2012 to July 19,2013
GEOGRAPHICAL AREA
Punjab
Multan and Bahawalpur
OBJECTIVES
To strengthen citizens' voice through
oversight of public bodies that leads
to policy reform in irrigation system
management and improves
implementation of water-related
rights and entitlements
To develop and strengthen public-
private connections/linkages for
improved accountability in relation
to implementation of water
rights/entitlements and water
distribution systems in the districts.
The ‗Improving Water Rights of Rural Communities‘
project was implemented in Southern Punjab's largely
province to realize water entitlements/rights of of 20 local activists.
rural communities with a sharp focus on target AWAZ-CDS conducted capacity building exercises
officials, local decision-makers, media, civil society
society and politicians participated.
agrarian districts of Multan and Bahawalpur.The
project is unique in its approach as it worked with
districts.The mapping generated a list of available with
advocacy strategy.The local chapters of PARCs
Based on their recommendations, a Farmers' Charter
of Demands was developed and presented to the
the weakest and the most vulnerable segment of the
population associated with agriculture in Pakistan i.e.
the lower riparian small farmers in extensively
among public bodies and private actors who could started campaigns and formed the District Water Rights
be engaged to bring lasting change (reforms) in Committees (DWRCs). Citizens' campaign for water
water resource management. rights was led by local PARC chapters. For this purpose,
irrigated districts. Based on this exercise, already established Peoples' strong public engagement was ensured through tehsil
AWAZ-CDS carried out a comprehensive mapping Awareness and Rights Committees (PARCs) were
of the organizations/institutes working across the
level farmers' forums in each tehsil of Multan and
Bahawalpur, in which tail-end farmers, government
HIGHLIGHTS 11and
Rights Committees
1,422Citizens Engaged in
Rights Campaign
2Rights Committees
Farmers‘1of
Demand
11Boards
Advocacy Policy
Strategy
9
02 www.cvpa-tdea.org

AWAZ-CDS
RESEARCH / SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS
At the onset of the project,AWAZ-CDS carried out a comprehensive mapping of the
organizations/institutes as well as the efforts made across the Punjab province to realize
water entitlements/rights of rural communities with a sharp focus on the target
districts. The mapping report was helpful in generating a list of available resources and
identifying key stakeholders among public bodies and private actors who can be engaged
to bring lasting change and reforms in water resource management.The groups included
water users' associations, farmers' groups/associations, relevant media personnel, Civil
Society Organizations (CSOs), water rights associations, relevant policymakers and private
sector organizations etc.
ROLE OF CITIZEN GROUPS
Two DWRCs consisting of 15 members (each) and 11 PARCs with 20-25 members (each)
were formed.The members belonged to Community Based Organizations (CBOs), bar
associations and trade unions.These groups were trained for raising awareness on water
rights. Citizen rights campaigns were carried out in both the districts with the help of
PARCs whereby 11 tehsil level forums were organized with more than 1,000 male and
372 female farmers.This campaign was aimed at making citizens realize their water
ownership rights to ensure equity of distribution, legitimate water sales, reduce deficit and
ADVOCACY AND ENGAGEMENT
Citizens, members of CBOs, CSOs and professional associations were engaged through
skill building that helped them to identify existing issues in the water services sector and
advocate for improvements in the same.A total of 11 meetings were held with with PARCs
(five in Bahawalpur and six in Multan) in this regard. Furthermore, the Irrigation
Department was engaged in 11 formal and 99 informal meetings with PARC members to
implement the Canal and Drainage (Punjab Amendment) Act 1975, install water measur-
ement gauges to ensure equitable and transparent water distribution which can promote
equity as well as sustainability, and develop and implement a mechanism for the joint
monitoring of water measurement gauges by private and public stakeholders.
FUTURE OUTLOOK (Replicability and Sustainability)
RESULTS ACHIEVED
The irrigation system in Pakistan is supply-oriented and distributary outlets are designed
to discharge a fixed supply of water when the distributary is running.A transparent and
enforceable governance system of water entitlements and rights is critical to ensure
efficient water usage. In this regard, apart from enhancing the capacity of farmers to
organize and make demands collectively, the project has facilitated the development of
operational linkages between groups of farmers with the Irrigation Department.The
traditional patronage mechanisms that breed on the citizen-state disconnect have been
replaced by a more robust mechanism.AWAZ-CDS formally furnished recommendations
for policy and legislative reforms to the Government of Punjab to enable equitable
distribution of irrigation waters, thereby ensuring greater yields. Furthermore, the
project effectively facilitated the development of formal mechanisms to connect
farmers with the Irrigation Department.The consensus between representatives from
various bodies (private and public) and farmer groups over improvements in water
management and distribution provides a roadmap for future reforms.
DELIVERABLES/OUTPUTS
Activate already existing institutions/groups undertaking efforts for the realization of water rights
11 PARCs formed
Policy advocacy strategy for realization of water rights and entitlements
Citizens' Rights Campaign engaging 1,422 community members
Farmers' Charter of Demands
2 DWRCs formed
Linkages of PARCs and DWRCs with government line departments and private actors
11 water entitlement boards at tehsil level - 6 in Multan and 5 in Bahawalpur
AWAZ-CDS used its already established
networks through tehsil level PARCs‘
which are functional across 53 tehsils of
Southern Punjab. During this Project,
AWAZ-CDS established 2 more
networks (DWRCs and a PWRC) to
bring together local and national civil issues of mutual concerns. In addition, resource and their linkages with public
society groups including media, lawyers post-project sustainability is ensured as sector duty-bearers will be an asset for
associations, private businesses and these water rights committees will other water sector initiatives in the
CBOs on a common platform in continue their efforts in collaboration target districts. Finally, the project also
order to discuss, debate and work on with AWAZ-CDS, government and non- developed the capacity of AWAZ-CDS
options to address the challenges and government actors.This trained human as an organization and helped its staff in
understanding efficient ways of bringing
lasting changes in the lives of marginalized
communities of Southern Punjab.The
project is replicable in rural Punjab and
Sindh: both regions have predominantly
agrarian economies.
www.cvpa-tdea.org 03

PROJECTTITLE
PARTNERORGANIZATION
A PROJECT FOR MATERIALIZING
WATER RIGHTS AND
ENTITLEMENTS
A farmer standing near a well which is used for irrigation of local crops of area
DevelopmentThrough
Awareness and
Motivation (DAMAAN)
www.damaan.org.pk
10.1m
DURATION
GEOGRAPHICAL AREA
Punjab
Khanewal,Vehari, and Lodhran
OBJECTIVES
Strengthened citizens' voice through,
among others, oversight of public
bodies that leads to policy reform or
innovative approaches to irrigation
system management and improved
implementation of water-related
rights and entitlements.
DAMAAN implemented its project,―Transforming the The target area was also among the top listed food Sustainable Agriculture Action Group (SAAG), management and improved implementation of water
Thinking-A Project for Materializing Water Rights deficient areas of Pakistan.The project aimed to Pakistan Kissan Ittehad PKI, and Small Farmers related rights and entitlements. Finally, increased
and Entitlements‖ in three districts of South Punjab strengthen citizens' voice through oversight of
(District Khanewal, DistrictVehari, and District public bodies that leads to policy reforms or
Lodhran) for a period of one year.The selection of innovative approaches to irrigation system manage-
the target area was based on the high dependency of ment and improved implementation of water related
its population on agriculture as a source of livelihood. rights and entitlements.
Moreover, feudal system was still strongly rooted in The project developed and disseminated IEC materials,
the target area and there was a need for improving developed a policy proposal and organized interactive
Network (SFN)) to work as peer educators on
water rights and entitlements. It also established
networks and alliances at the district and central
levels.
These activities have increased the capacities of
CSOs, SAAG, and PKI to lead advocacy campaigns
(directed at government institutions) on policy
participation of CSOs in the events organized
by DAMAAN and its partner networks (SAAG,
and PKI) helped in bringing clarity about water
rights and entitlements and resulted in the
development of a framework for policy advocacy
at the governmental level.
the equity of water distribution and entitlements. workshops for CSOs (in collaboration with reform pertaining to irrigation system
HIGHLIGHTS
Increased
Capacity of
CSOs
Irrigation
System
Management
Reform
Policy
Recommendations
and
Approaches
Improved
Complaint
Mechanism
System
Water Rights
Network
Increased
Awareness
about Rights
in Farmers
Increased
Responsiveness
of Irrigation

DAMAN
The project kicked off by reviewing a number of research papers on colonial law and
contemporary water issues, irrigation inequalities, performance of irrigation system etc.
An event was organized in Khanewal on WorldWaterWeek to review the issues and
flaws in existing policies. On the basis of research findings, the team started preparing a
policy proposal.Various case studies were analyzed on issues related to water theft,
rotation disputes, corruption and rigid management system laws.The baseline study
covered all issues encountered by farmers regarding irrigation water and focused on the
existing laws and policies which were troublesome for farmers.The research findings
prompted certain amendments in existing policies.
The project increased the capacity of CSOs in addition to the activation and training of
SAAG, and PKI to lead the advocacy campaign.The aim of this advocacy campaign was to
achieve policy reforms in irrigation system management and improved implementation of
water related rights and entitlements.
A policy draft related to water rights, entitlements and ensuring water regulations and
accountability was developed by CSOs, SAAG, and PKI.
This was achieved through in-depth analysis of existing policies and practices.
DAMAAN sensitized and mobilized citizens to join the policy advocacy process through
walks, rallies and other public events.Two walks were organized in urban centers and two
district level policy dialogues were organized inVehari and Lodhran to share a policy
proposal draft and to have an open discussion on irrigation laws and policies. Four public
officials spent a full day with the participants and explained the workings of the divisional
irrigation system.The debate between CSOs, SAAG and irrigation officials‘ got heated on
many occasion but at the end the government officer assured of his complete cooperation
for CSOs and SAAG appreciated their stance.
Three district level water rights networks will continue working for include power outages, wheat
networks have been established.The farmers‘ water rights.The network procurement and spurious pesticide
purpose of these networks was to members are organizing their etc.The network is not only an
build a relationship between people, meetings at different Venues in the organizing body but is also
RESULTS ACHIEVED
The most common violations of water distribution results from the lack of oversight
by public sector officials and unfair manipulation of irrigation time to benefit influential
stakeholders.A lack of institutional approach and near absence of information exchange
among small water users results in inefficient watering of crops in an environment
where farmers are not accustomed to borrow or lend water in accordance with their
needs. In this sense, the project has facilitated the awareness rasing efforts for small-
scale farmers and built their capacities to effectively lobby and advocate for policy
reforms to improve the implementation of water-related rights and entitlements.The
project has established farmers' groups and capacitated CSOs to strengthen the voice
of farmers. Furthermore, CSOs and farmers' groups have also been engaged directly
with duty bearers to recommend policy reforms in the irrigation sector.These
engagements are likely to transform the relationship between public institutions and
irrigation system users to meet local demands and ensure improved water distribution.
The participation of citizen groups in water rights and entitlements has increased
significantly over the course of the project to ensure that duty-bearers are held
accountable by the farmers.
Increased capacity of CSOs, SAAG and PKI to develop and lead advocacy with government
institutions on policy reforms in irrigation system management and improved implementation of water
related rights and entitlements
Engagement between farmers‘ representatives, CSOs, NGOs and networks
Improved policy recommendations and approaches related to water rights and entitlements ensuring
improved water regulations and accountability developed by the water rights network/ alliance
Increased participation of CSOs, SAAG and PKI in water rights and entitlements to develop a policy
framework and facilitate advocacy at district and provincial levels
Complaint mechanism system improved; number of resolved complaints increased
Water rights networks have been established to ensure project sustainability
has been also developed to connect
the farmer community with
government officials.
communities and officials so that once target districts and discussing Issues strengthening social relations among
the project is completed, these beyond water rights.These issues the communities. A web based blog

PROJECTTITLE
PARTNERORGANIZATION
Baseline District
1 DistrictTraining
1
IMPROVINGWATER RIGHTS
IN CENTRAL PUNJAB
GINI’s focal person talking about the concerns of farmer to ensure participation from farmers
Governance Institutes
Network International (GINI)
www.giniweb.net
11.28m
DURATION
GEOGRAPHICAL AREA
Punjab
Faisalabad, Gujaranwala and Sargodha
OBJECTIVES
Strengthened citizen voice through
oversight of public bodies that
facilitate policy reform
Government-civil society linkages to
enhance accountability
The ‗Improving Water Rights in Central Punjab‘ project the policy environment, assess efforts similar to the
proposed project and strengthen the oversight of
relevant public bodies by identifying strengths and
process, GINI facilitated the participation of farmers identified through research.A benchmark study
associations, civil society and media representatives in was conducted that served to evaluate outcomes
the special regulation program for allocating seasonal and progress along with enhancing the accountability
management and distribution. In this regard, GINI weaknesses and proposing responsive policies. canal distribution frameworks by the Punjab Irrigation of government performance in the delivery of water
facilitated the establishment of linkages between Subsequently, district roundtables served as a platform Department. rights and its efficient and equitable use, management
government and non-governmental stakeholders to for research findings and recommendations, as well as
ensure program delivery (based on empirical evidence) a forum to develop a Charter of Demands in
and voiced the concerns of disadvantaged groups, collaboration with relevant government and non-
particularly women. governmental actors.
The organization also conducted a broad-based
awareness raising campaign to create public pressure
for implementation of decisions made at district
roundtables and the policy engagement workshop,
and distribution.
Furthermore, GINI conducted a baseline study to map To enhance transparency and accountability of the as well as to create awareness of key water issues
HIGHLIGHTS 1Study 3Roundtables
Policy Engagement
Workshop
3Workshops
Provincial Training
Workshop
1Charter 1of Demand
Network Formed

GINI
that is likely to sustain in future.
GINI conducted a baseline study for the assessment of current water entitlements in the
targeted districts (particularly for disadvantaged groups such as women).The study also
provided an overview of the policy and institutional environment, including an assessment
of current efforts similar to the proposed project.This study identified demand-side
problems faced by users of the irrigation system through a survey of the target districts
(Faisalabad, Sargodha and Gujranwala).The total sample size was 600 respondents (200
respondents from each district). GINl also conducted ten Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)
with supply-side government stakeholders to identify (supply-side) factors that cause and/or
worsen demand-side problems.
GINI was able to establish a network of over 285 entities in Faisalabad, Gujranwala and
Sargodha through community mobilization and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).The
network was termed as the Punjab Water Network (PWN) and its members were tied up
with the common objective of improving the economic status of farmers by ensuring
equitable and uninterrupted water supply as per their crop needs. GINI also established
district network desks which provided facilities voluntarily to the Network members.An
eight-point Charter of Demands with inputs from all stakeholders was developed and this
was the first time ever when farmers had a chance to prepare and present their demands
directly to the duty bearers.
An awareness campaign targeting citizens was executed through print and electronic media,
while district roundtables were organized in all targeted districts with around 80 participants
in each.The participants included farmers, members of CSOs, CBOs, officials of irrigation
department,AreaWater Board (AWB), media personnel, representatives of political parties
and parliamentarians.Three district level trainings- one each in Faisalabad, Gujranwala and
Sargodha were conducted with around 50 participants (in each training). Further, one
provincial policy engagement workshop was organized that was attended by 80 people from
diverse backgrounds.
RESULTS ACHIEVED
A transparent and enforceable governance system of water rights and entitlements is
critical to ensuring resourceful usage of water.The irrigation system in Pakistan remains
highly inefficient and inequitable, threatening its agriculture-dependent economy.There
is no formal definition and enforcement of water rights, due to which it is crucial to
strengthen the voice of citizens to ensure delivery of these rights and improve efficiency
and equity in water distribution. By taking a collaborative approach, the project
facilitated the direct engagement of farmers with duty bearers and paved the way for
policy reforms in the irrigation sector. Besides enhancing the capacity of farmers, the
project activities established an institutionalized mechanism for increased participation
of farmers in policy issues.The establishment of citizen groups is likely to develop strong
linkages between farmers and the irrigation department, allowing the former to
aggregate, articulate and raise their demands with the latter in a proactive manner.
Besides formally presenting a Charter of Demands for equitable distribution of water,
the project promoted innovative water management practices to ensure greater yields.
The participatory role of the community is expected to improve the responsiveness of
the Irrigation Department, besides increasing public accountability and equitable
distribution of water in the longer run.
One baseline study on water rights in Central Punjab
District roundtables to discuss research findings to agree on policy actions needed at the local level
One Policy EngagementWorkshop
3 district level training workshops
One provincial level training workshop
Awareness raising through electronic and print media
Benchmark study to highlight improvements in the efficiency and equity of water use and management
Community mobilization resulted in intervention. Moreover,FGDs for The establishment of PWN that can retain such group to resolve relevant public officials/institution
developing a sense of ownership and creating awareness on rights and has representation of over 285 water distribution disputes in future. in an effective manner.
belonging among citizens along with
increased involvement and ownership
of local Communities- both will be
responsibilities equipped farmers,
CSOs and other rights and
duty-bearers with the knowledge
entities from Faisalabad, Gujranwala Finally, the training component built
and Sargodha, will also contribute the capacities of communities, NGOs
to project sustainability.The trained and CBOs which will help them in
crucial for the replicability of this duty-bearers and rights-holders the future to raise demands with

PARTNERORGANIZATION
PROJECTTITLE
Lobbying Farmers‘ Organizations Training Sessions
4 1
CAPACITY BUILDING OF FARMERS‟
ORGANIZATIONS FOR EFFECTIVE
AND EFFICIENT ADVOCACY FOR
WATER RIGHTS IN SINDH
A facilitator conducting an capacity building advocacy session for farmers about water rights
Participatory Efforts for
Healthy Environment
(PEHE)
www.pehesindh.org
10.67m
DURATION
GEOGRAPHICAL AREA
Sindh
Sukkur
OBJECTIVES
To mobilize all stakeholders such as
Area Water Boards (AWBs), Farmers‟
Organizations (FOs),Water Course
Associations (WCAs) and Irrigation
Department for water rights on 23
minors/distributaries of Ghotki
Feeder Canal in Sukkur District
Capacity-building of Farmer
Organizations in Sukkur
To advocate for water gauges of
irrigation water at minor and water
course levels on 23
minors/distributaries of Ghotki
Feeder Canal in Sukkur.
The ‗Capacity Building of Farmers Organization for
Effective and Efficient Advocacy for Water Rights in
Sindh‘ project was implemented in Sukkur for
achieving set goals and enabling farmers‘ organizations
to acquire water rights for farmers.
All stakeholders (AWB, FOs, WCAs and Irrigation
and Revenue Departments) on 23 minors/
distributaries of Ghotki Feeder Canal and AWB in
District Sukkur were mobilized to work together
for the water rights of farmers.
Capacity and skills of 23 FOs of Ghotki Feeder Canal
in Sukkur were enhanced on organizational management,
financial management, on farm water management and
advocacy, lobbying and leadership in one year. Moreover,
advocacy campaigns for the water gauges on 23 distrib-
utaries of Ghotki Feeder Canal in Sukkur District were
launched during the year. Finally, the financial capacities
of 23 FOs were enhanced to collect irrigation revenue.
HIGHLIGHTS 7exercises 23Capacitated
2 Distribution
of IEC
Materials
Quarterly Meetings
with Irrigation
Department
Advocacy
Irrigation
Services
ExposureVisit of FO
Representatives

PEHE
A baseline survey was conducted by PEHE which focused on minors, water courses and
problems associated with irrigation such as legal water entitlements and actual (water)
discharge of each minor and water course.The survey focused on the role of FOs,WCAs,
Irrigation Department, Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA) and Ghotki Feeder
Canal AWB.An important purpose of the survey was to assess and evaluate the roles,
capacities and strengths of FOs in resolving identified issues and meeting the objectives
assigned to them.All project activities (especially advocacy, lobbying and awareness raising)
under all objectives were designed and executed on the basis of the findings of the survey.
Citizen groups remained at the forefront of all project activities. The same FOs which
were unable to function effectively in the past were trained through various capacity
building sessions during this intervention: this had a positive impact in improving their
overall functioning.Another value added by the project was the component of advocacy
and lobbying whereby it transformed FOs from a dormant and redundant body into
proactive, capacitated, sensitized and organized voice of the farming communities.
During the year,the project mobilized all stakeholders including members of the AWB,FOs
and water course associations, for water rights on 23 minors of Ghotki Feeder in Sukkur
District. It also conducted six monthly meetings with these stakeholders and organized
four awareness sessions on water shortage.
RESULTS ACHIEVED
Unlike other provinces of Pakistan, especially Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh
gets an average of less than five inches of rain every year; moreover, irrigation from
other sources such as hill torrents and natural lakes is also negligible. Up until now,
farmers in the area were largely unaware of their rights to equitable water distribution
and lacked formal institutions which could help them in raising their demands with duty
bearers in a collective manner. Besides enhancing the knowledge and building the
capacity of farmers, the project has been facilitated mobilizing local communities to
advocate for equitable water distribution. In addition, the project has also established a
formal mechanism for farmers to aggregate their demands and build pressure on
authorities to redress their grievances.The project activities have also transformed
relationships between citizens (FOs) and public officials for improved service delivery in
the irrigation sector and paved the way for a sustainable and workable connection
between citizens and state institutions- allowing the latter to make informed decisions
based on public demands.
Advocacy campaign for water gauges on 23 minors of Ghotki Feeder Canal in Sukkur
Increased financial capacities of 23 FOs by enhancing their capacities to collect abyana (irrigation revenue)
Capacity building of 23 FOs in organizational, financial and on farm water management and advocacy
7 lobbying exercises in Sukkur
Training sessions for 50 participants from 23 FOs involved in organizational matters
One exposure visit for 50 participants from 23 FOs to the FOs of the other AWBs
Advocacy for water gauges of irrigation water at minor and water course level
Distributed 1,000 brochures/banners/pamphlets for all 23 minors regarding water entitlements and actual
discharges, cultivable area and number of water courses
4 quarterly meetings of farmers with irrigation departments and AWBs on water entitlements
and discharge gaps
8 advocacy sessions with farmers about water losses at minor and water course levels
8 awareness and advocacy sessions/meetings on water losses
The most important task of this their enhanced knowledge to out annual, seasonal and routine future. Legally, FOs have to provide for
intervention was to obtain a reliable overcome water losses and water maintenance of the channels, which the organization and management of
water supply (instead of getting more disputes will continue beyond the includes regular de-silting, repair of the distributary/minor with the help
water).This required an efficient flow intervention. Furthermore, for the hydraulic and non-hydraulic structures, of the AWB.In this regard, for the first
embankment and weed clearance-steps time, FOs have made AWB responsible
year. The formulation of FOs and have been made responsible to carry that will result in replicable benefits in for the same.

FAT
ENERGY SECTOR REFORMS
April 2012 to May 2014
Total Funds Disbursed: PKR 86.76 Million
Gilgit
Baltistan
Semiotics Consultants (Private) Limited
Nationwide
Ghizer
Gilgit Skardu
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Rural Support Program
Muzaffarabad Mirpur and Bimber
Global Prosperity Network
Muzaffarabad
Peshawar
KP
Mardan
Muzaffarabad
Hattian
People Empowerment and Consulting Enterprises (PEACE)
Mardan
Nationwide Islamabad
AJK Kashmir
Public Welfare Organization
Lodhran
Research Institute of Natural Resources of Pakistan (RINP)
Lahore
Nationwide
A
Rawalpindi
Mirpur
Bimber
Gujaranwala
Punjab
Lodhran
Lahore
Balochistan
Khairpur
Sindh
Consumer Rights Commission of Pakistan
Nationwide
Strengthening Participatory Organization
Muzaffarabad and Hattian
Sustainable Solutions Private Limited
Gilgit Ghizer and Skardu
Techno Green Associates
Gujaranwala
The Network for Consumer Protection in Pakistan
Islamabad Rawalpindi and Peshawar
YoungWelfare Society
Khairpur

OBJECTIVES
1
Strengthen citizens‟ voice through, among others, oversight of public
bodies and/or advocacy for policy reforms and improved public service
delivery in the energy sector.
Advocate for establishment of forums where citizens and civil society groups could participate in and contribute to
the policy making and regulatory processes
Participate in the policy making, public hearings and regulatory proceedings organized by the relevant bodies to
convey citizens‘ voice and demands, as articulated through evidence-based and participatory methods
Promotion of informed public dialogue around the policies (in relation to aspects like availability, access, quality,
equity, regulation, priorities) and challenges being faced in reforming and improving the performance of energy
sector (e.g. electricity, gas, renewables etc.)
Campaigns for energy conservation and specific energy sector reforms on the basis of demands articulated
through a broad-based consultative process involving various stakeholders
Oversight of relevant public bodies (e.g. PEPCO, DISCOs,WAPDA etc.) to identify strengths, weaknesses and
challenges in order to inform public discourse and provide appropriate feedback into the policy making,
implementation of regulatory processes.
2
Civil Society-Government Partnership, or linkages, between and among Government and
non-Government actors for improved accountability in the energy sector.
Engagement with political parties and elected representatives to seek commitments, demand performance and ask critical questions
about inadequate policies, inefficiencies, consumer complaints or corruption in the energy sector
Establish partnerships/ linkages with (or make use of) parliamentary committees (e.g. Parliamentary Committees of Senate or National
Assembly on Water and Power or on Petroleum), regulatory bodies like the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA),
the Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) etc. and/or other institutions meant for accountability (e.g. Federal Ombudsman)
Establish partnership/ linkages with relevant public bodies (e.g. Ministry of Water and Power; Ministry of Petroleum, OGDC,WAPDA,
PEPCO, DISCOs etc.) to establish appropriate forums where citizens and civil society groups could ask questions, seek answers, raise
concerns about performance and suggest reforms
Engage with energy service providers to ensure equitable service delivery and curb line losses attributable to theft.

PROJECTTITLE
PARTNERORGANIZATION
the complaint system, citizens' voice for policy reforms
and 512 were addressed through 24-hour help desks
Around 474 citizens took part in energy conferences,
71 participants attended meetings with Members of
The project activities directly benefitted around 4,612 three targeted districts of AJK.
Legislative Assembly (ML As) in districts Bhimber and
By carrying out various activities, public participation
and engagement in energy related policies and
delivery improved.Approximately 1,560 complaints
6 Public Awareness
REFORMING ENERGY SECTOR
THROUGH A PARTICIPATORYAND
INTEGRATED IEC CAMPAIGN
Local community highlighting issues of energy management in a social mobilizing activity
Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Rural Support Program
(AJKRSP)
www.ajkrsp.org.pk
6.24m
DURATION
18 MonthsDecember 28, 2012 to June 30, 2014
GEOGRAPHICAL AREA
AJK
Muzaffarabad, Mirpur and Bimber
OBJECTIVES
To mobilize the citizen to participate
in decision-making processes on
energy sector issues in AJK
To advocate with government
departments to prepare and
implement transparent load
management plans;
To form Citizens' Electricity Forums
to engage authorities on a range of
consumer concerns
To advocate for a people-centric
energy policy for the region
To inform and sensitize the public
about existing complaint redress
mechanisms and key issues of energy
sector
The project was launched by organizing inception citizens whereas the spectrum of indirect beneficiaries As many as 15,000 citizens were informed (through the Mirpur; and 85 meetings were held with local
workshops at the divisional level. Moreover, six incorporated the whole population of the three project's IEC campaign, FM radio, and banners) about
stakeholder dialogues were conducted at the district targeted districts. electricity management.
level, 65 Citizens' Electricity Forums (CEFs) were in the energy sector, roles and responsibilities of
formed at the UC level, three consultative workshops distribution companies and energy producers, and the
were organized, three energy conferences were carried need for proactive disclosure of revised/new tariff
out and three meetings with policymakers and schedules.
legislators were arranged.The project team also related to the electricity department were lodged
disseminated and displayed IEC material in project areas,
including banners and posters at prominent locations.
HIGHLIGHTS
Stakeholder Dialogues
65 Consultative 10 3with
1,800Radio Programs
42Forums Workshops Messages Legislators Broadcasted Campaigns

AJKRSP
AJK requires around 400 MW of electricity but is generating only 37.65 MW,which
illustrates the wide gap between energy supply and demand.The people of AJK experience
prolonged power outages, which usually result in street protests.
Citizens were engaged to highlight the significance of the project in the emerging scenario
of the energy crisis in AJK. CEFs were formed in three targeted districts to encourage
community participation in local governance.These forums engaged authorities on a
range of consumer concerns, including on complaint redress procedures within the AJK
electricity department. Consultative workshops were held to advocate for a people-
centric energy policy while stakeholder dialogues were conducted to mobilize the local
community to participate in decision-making processes on energy related issues
pertaining to production, distribution and management.The formation of CEFs was
carried out in 65 targeted UCs and the members of local support organizations, CBOs
and CSOs actively participated in these meetings.The participation of at least one official
of the Electricity Department of AJK was ensured in these community dialogues.The
participants were educated about the themes and overall objectives of the project.The
project team also delivered detailed sessions by highlighting the need for citizens'
participation in decision-making processes on electricity related issues.
The local community was mobilized to participate in decision-making processes on
energy-related issues pertaining to production, distribution and management. Public
officials and departments were engaged to prepare and implement transparent load
management plans. Moreover, CEFs were formed to engage authorities on a range of
consumer concerns, including complaint redress procedures. Citizens were sensitized
about key issues of energy sector and existing complaint redress mechanisms. Public
awareness campaigns were carried out with the help of radio and around 1,800 public
messages were disseminated for the consumption of citizens. Similarly, three meetings
were arranged with policymakers and legislators to lobby for policy reforms.
AJKRSP followed a three-tier social levels which were well integrated implementation of its array of
mobilization approach, wherein and coordinated with local support activities, the project required a
community institutions were organized organizations.These institutional longer time frame.Also, as
at three levels: 1) hamlet level 2) village arrangements gave a solid basis for Muzaffarabad district has a
level and 3) union council level.As many sustainability of the project. mountainous topography,future
RESULTS ACHIEVED
AJKRSP has successfully facilitated the sensitization of citizens on electricity
management, distribution and pricing in the target areas. Participatory dialogues,
consultative workshops and conferences have developed strong and sustainable linkages
between consumers and energy sector officials and proved instrumental in promoting a
greater understanding of issues related to the energy sector among consumers.The
establishment of citizens' forums has allowed citizens to institutionalize their voice so
they can collectively raise their demands and have their grievances resolved in a timely
and effective manner.The forums have also proactively highlighted the issues of energy
management and successfully advocated for the preparation and implementation of a
transparent load management plan in the region. In addition, the project activities have
resulted in enhanced levels of community awareness on the role and responsibilities of
distribution companies.The capacity building of citizens and increased level of
collaboration between stakeholders is expected to foster partnerships and establish
agencies to hold public institutions accountable.While policy changes cannot be achieved
within a short span of time, the project has successfully paved the way for citizens'
participatory role in the policymaking process.The long-term achievements of the
project are likely to be visible in the form of an energy sector that is responsive towards
citizens' demands and transparent in its functioning.
6 stakeholders' dialogues organized in Muzaffarabad, Bhimber & Mirpur
65 CEFs formed, one in each UC of the three target districts
3 consultative workshops organized in 3 targeted districts (one in each district)
3 district level conferences organized (attended by 403 male and 71 female participants)
3 meetings with legislators and policymakers highlight grassroot-level energy issues
1,800 short radio messages developed and broadcasted on a local radio channel
1,150 copies of IEC material printed and distributed
42 public awareness campaigns launched through media
One closing workshop held
One project completion report prepared
according to the expected mobility
costs.
as 65 CEFs were formed at UC For smoother and more effective projects here should be budgeted

PARTNERORGANIZATION
PROJECTTITLE
evidence on planning, policy-making and regulatory
regulation more transparent.The crisis in natural gas to undertake advocacy, lobbying and oversight of the
Online Campaign Policy Briefs
5 Fact sheets
4 1
IMPROVING GAS SECTOR
GOVERNANCETHROUGH
EVIDENCE GENERATION AND
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Consumer Rights Commission
of Pakistan (CRCP)
www.crcp.org.pk
5.97m
DURATION
GEOGRAPHICAL AREA
Nationwide
OBJECTIVES
To enhance capacities of CSOs by
providing them independent
evidence and sufficient information
about the gas sector
To better articulate citizens'
demands in the decision-making
process
To make sector planning,
regulation and operations more
transparent and accountable
Policy dialogue on improving gas sector governance
The aim of the project was to build the capacities of assessments of gas governance and to advocate for Provider Liaison Group for addressing the technical
CSOs and citizens to oversee governance of the improvements in the sector. and managerial issues faced by the consumers.The
natural gas sector and to play an active role in making interventions helped achieve vibrant, sensitized and
the sector's operations, planning, policy making and capacitated CSOs with enhanced skills and capacity
matters of the sector.The project also sensitized
sector indicates the inability of the government to sector at national, provincial and local levels.
handle the situation.Absence of citizens' proactive
engagement with government is another key issue.
parliamentarians in policy dialogues. Policy
recommendations were also made through policy
CRCP formed a project core group and advisory briefs.
board to guide and support initiatives during the The project further established a Citizens' and Service
HIGHLIGHTS 48 5 Policy Dialogues
4 Articles Published National Consultation
Citizen and
Gas Provider
Liaison Group
E-alerts

Telling Our Stories: Citizens' Voices for Change

Telling Our Stories: Citizens' Voices for Change

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

Viewers also liked

Viewers also liked (19)

Similar to Telling Our Stories: Citizens' Voices for Change

Similar to Telling Our Stories: Citizens' Voices for Change (20)

Telling Our Stories: Citizens' Voices for Change