Legislative Watch and Democratic Development

Aim of this program is to take initiatives whereby citizens’ ability to effectively watch and participate in legislative and democratic process not only increases but also gets institutionalized. One initiative under the program is to observe the performance of legislatures at the provincial and national levels, and establish interfaces whereby citizens and civil society groups could monitor the work being performed by their legislators. Relevant focus areas include:

  • Non partisan research and analysis of legislative performance
  • Public awareness about the roles and responsibilities of legislators as well as legislatures
  • Discussing broad social issues and advocacy for appropriate reforms
  • Capacity building of legislators and civil society groups
  • Organization of Seminars
Projects Legislative Watch and Development

Citizens for Good Governance: Strengthening Citizens’ Engagement for Inclusive and Accountable Local Governance (In Progress)

TitleDetails
Project TitleCitizens for Good Governance: Strengthening Citizens’ Engagement for Inclusive and Accountable Local Governance
Project Duration24 Months
Project Objectives1. To strengthen public demand for efficient, transparent, inclusive, responsive and accountable LGs through evidence-based debates, dialogues, discussions and public awareness initiatives;
2. To enable CSOs and citizens for effectively engaging relevant government institutions and establishing partnerships for efficient, transparent, inclusive, responsive and accountable LGs; and
3. To build capacity of journalists, media groups and social media activists for accessing information, analysing data and producing investigative reports with focus on promoting efficient, transparent, inclusive, responsive and accountable LGs.
Geographic FocusKhyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab
Target Groups and beneficiaries1. Members of local CSOs,
2. Elected local government heads and councillors,
3. LG officers,
4. Members of legislatures/LG standing committees,
5. Active citizens, out of school youth, community leaders,
DescriptionCitizens for Good Governance: Strengthening Citizens’ Engagement for Inclusive and Accountable Local Governance project is under implementation in KP and Punjab provinces. The aim of the project is to strengthen the ability of civil society organizations, journalists, social media activists and citizens for promoting efficient, transparent, responsive and accountable local governments in Pakistan. It focuses on promoting informed debates and dialogues among key stakeholders, and providing technical support to stakeholders on the demand side for their effective engagement with local governments, legislatures and other provincial/ Federal institutions. The project will adopt inclusive and a flexible approach; and will work with a wide range of stakeholders including members and officers of local governments, legislators, officers of relevant institutions in the provincial/ Federal governments, community leaders, out of school youth, university students and faculty members, women leaders and activists from marginalized or socially excluded groups

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Project TitleStrengthening of Municipal Services to Citizens through improved local governments - Support to Local Government program-II
Commissioned byFederal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, (BMZ)
DurationMay 2021- Feb 2022
Objectives1. To Provide technical assistance to the LGE&RDD KP for developing or improving statutory rules under the LG Act 2013.
2. To provide technical assistance for enhancing regulations, procedures and guidelines for the efficient delivery of identified municipal services.
3. To build capacity of LG staff and elected officeholders through a strengthened Local Governance School (LGS) that delivers training based on enhanced capacity development instruments, tools and approaches.
4. To strengthen the capacity of the Regional Municipal Office (RMO) and the office of Superintending Engineer (SE) for more efficient oversight and monitoring functions.
Geographic FocusKhyber Pakhtunkhwah (KP) - Swat, Haripur, Kohat
Target Groups and beneficiariesLocal Government Elections and Rural Development Department (LGE&RDD) KP, Tehsils Local Governments
DescriptionCPDI and GIZ are implementing a project titled Strengthening of municipal Services to Citizens through improved local governments. Main Aim of the project is to Pilot-test improved mechanism for efficient and effective delivery of municipal services by tehsil local governments and to advise LGE&RDD KP on the institutionalization and upscaling of such pilot approaches. The project is funded by German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

TitleDetails
Project TitleWorld Learning Legislative Fellowship
Duration2011-2015
ObjectivesThe World Learning Legislative Fellowship have following themes and topics related to legislation and governance that may be included in the program, as well as those proposed by participants – multiculturalism, ethnic/religious tolerance, social justice, emerging democracies, grassroots democracy, freedom of the press, environment, building civil society, transparency and government oversight, conflict resolution, economic development, worker rights, and the role of women. The program goals are as follows. Participants will:
1. Gain an understanding of public policy and the role of NGOs in shaping it
2. Explore governance principles and practices in both public and civil society institutions in the U.S.
3. Enhance their appreciation for the role of civil society in the political process
4. Gain a deeper understanding of U.S. society, culture, and people
5. Gain a deeper understanding of the societies, cultures, and people of other countries in the fellows’ region
6. Develop and implement projects or programs in their home country that promote good governance, civil society, and democratic institutions
7. Effect positive change in their workplaces and communities
8. Increase regional cooperation among governments and civil society
9. Create linkages between American and Asian governments, institutions, and citizens
Geographic FocusPakistan
Target Groups and beneficiariesNGOs, Civil Society Activists
DescriptionTo strengthen the understanding of the U.S. legislative branch and civil society’s role in the political process and foster relationships among Asian and American institutions, World Learning (WL) will select 40 NGO leaders and staff from Pakistan to join the 2012-13 South and Central Asia Region Legislative Fellows Program (LFP). The selected Pakistani participants will join their counterparts from across the region and actively take part in LFP, which is a two-way exchange project for professionals and young leaders from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan and the U.S. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of State. WL is an American educational and development organization with decades of training, exchange, and youth leadership development experience. Through the program 80 young emerging leaders from the ten Asian countries and 26 from the U.S. will gain knowledge and leadership skills to become more engaged in their communities, learn about their regional colleagues and discover each group members’ ethnically, religiously, and nationally diverse background.
LFP will increase the institutional capacity of local and national NGOs in Pakistan as a result of the active participation of selected Pakistani NGO leaders and staff. Through professional fellowships, experiential activities, dialogues, site visits, and training modules, participants will have the opportunity to increase their understanding of U.S. civil society while engaging in civic life in the United States. Participants will explore facets unique to each country’s history and identity, and engage in discussion and educational activities that promote learning on an academic and a personal level.
The World Learning Organization in collaboration with its partner organization Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives, (CPDI) will implement Legislative Fellows Program in Pakistan. CPDI will facilitate WL in selection process of the candidates.

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TitleLong Term Election Observation and Oversight in Pakistan, (LTEOOP)
Project DurationJanuary 2013 - December 2013
Project Objectives1. To strengthen democratic institutions in Pakistan by contributing to transparent and accountable electoral process.
2. To observe the pre-election and election day process
3. Advocacy for corrective measures for electoral reforms
Geographic FocusRawalpindi, Jhelum, Jhang, Sargodah, Chiniot, Khushab, Toba Tek Singh
Target Groups and beneficiariesElection Stake Holders
DescriptionTDEA-FAFEN is implementing the European Union (EU)-funded, Long-Term Election Observation and Oversight in Pakistan (LTEOOP) in partnership with its member organizations, covering all the National Assembly constituencies across Pakistan. CPDI in collaboration of TDEA-FAFEN will implement LTEOOP in 25 National Assembly Constituencies of seven districts in Punjab.
The overall objective of the TDEA-FAFEN strategy is to strengthen democratic institutions in Pakistan by contributing to transparent and accountable electoral processes. Free and fair elections are a vital element of democratic processes. The freedom and fairness of elections are not confined to Election Day. All aspects of the electoral cycle contribute to the freedom and fairness of elections and the democratic process as a whole. TDEA-FAFEN is implementing a long term observation programme as part of its overall election observation methodology, encompassing the monitoring of both pre and post electoral processes.
Under this program CPDI will recruit seven District Long Term Observers (for 10 months), 25 Constituency Long Term Observers (for 3 months), Two Assistant District Long Term Observers (for 3 months) and an Election Observation Manager (12 months) to execute the project. All LTEOOP staff will monitor the election related activities daily in their respective constituencies during the pre-election phase and report to FAFEN online reporting portal daily. CPDI will further recruit 4310 short term observers for Election Day observation in 25 constituencies. After the execution of election observation the LTEOOP District Long Term Observers will hold the advocacy campaigns on the electoral reforms in their respective districts which aim to reforms the electoral process in Pakistan.

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Project TitleContent Development and Management
for Pakistan Elections Information Web Portal (PEIWP)
Duration One Year (Apr 2013 – Mar 2014)
Objectives1. To sensitize the voters community, with a focus on Youth, Women and marginalized groups, and other electoral stakeholders like political parties, civil society organizations etc. on the importance of the political process and to motivate them to actively participate in the electoral processes;
2. To provide a one-stop resource to people of Pakistan about election related news, views and Information;
3. To produce voter education material to enhance the understanding of voters about political and electoral system of Pakistan.
Geographic FocusNational
Target Groups and beneficiariesVoters of Pakistan 2013 elections, political parties and civil society organizations
DescriptionThe project is aimed to sensitize Citizens of Pakistan on the power of their vote and thus serve as a catalyst in increasing the voter turnout. The project activities intend to produce a variety of audio-visual resource material to assist the voters in understanding the voting process extensively and also to motivate him/her to cast their vote. The project material, which comprises e-booklets, documentary, election jingle, democracy games, monthly newsletter, animations, online election analysis and quizzes on political concepts and facts etc, is all intended to be disseminated via utilization of web-technology as the primary means. It is envisaged that the project would connect the citizens of Pakistan in the electoral process and empower them in playing their part towards building a democratic Pakistan.

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Project TitleParliament Watch Pakistan (PWP)
Project Duration July 2011-June 2013
Objectives1. To observe the proceedings of parliament and share the reports with the voters.
2. To get the observation data on a specially designed check list based on rules and procedures of the parliament and generate qualitative reports of working of house and performance of members thereof.
3. To make the performance of houses and the members available for further research and advocacy.
Geographic FocusNational (National Assembly and Senate)
Target Groups and beneficiariesElected representatives, Voters
DescriptionThe project is aimed at getting an independent insight into the performance of the parliament and the individual elected representatives based on a scientific study that is supported by direct observation of permanent observers. The observation of the observers will be reported on a well designed check list that will be based on the rules and procedures of the relevant house of parliament. The project will disseminate observation information to all stakeholders i.e. parliamentarians, civil society and the voters. Purpose of dissemination of this information will be to bring improvements in the working of parliament and open new avenues of public accountability in Pakistan.

TitleDetails
Project TileStrengthening Gender Legal Framework for combating Violence against Women
Duration15 Months (October 2010-December 2011)
Project Objectives







1. To accomplish action oriented research study on implementation deficit of gender legal framework for combating violence against women
2. To capacitate the officials in legal structures for gender sensitive approach to support women victim in target areas
3. To inform and undertake advocacy campaign with civil society, government machinery and legislators for proposed gender sensitive reforms in legal structures to promote gender justice
Geographic FocusDistrict Jhelum, Khushab, Lahore, Muzaffar Garh
Target Groups and beneficiariesGeneral Communities, Lawyers, Police Department, Crisis Centers( Women Protection Centers), Public Helath Department, Legislators, Civil Society, Women Development department, Provincial CEDAW Committee
DescriptionGeneral Communities, Lawyers, Police Department, Crisis Centers( Women Protection Centers), Public Helath Department, Legislators, Civil Society, Women Development department, Provincial CEDAW Committee

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Project TitleWomen Political & Parliamentary Development
Objectives1. To support a vibrant and strong Women MPs’ Caucus in developing leadership skills.
2. To Provide Women MPs Caucus with technical support in conducting researches on the topics of their interests
Duration 7 months(August 1, 2010 to February 28,2011)
Geographic FocusIslamabad
Target Groups and beneficiariesWomen Legislators, Police Department and Women Development Department.
DescriptionWomen Political and Parliamentary Development project aims to strengthen Women Parliamentarians Caucus (WPC) by providing institutional support and building capacities of WPC members in order to enable them to play an effective role in the parliamentary processes. Under research component of the project 7 research reports were developed to capacitate the Women Parliamentary Caucus on topics as follows:
Gender analysis of National education Policy 2009
Parliamentary brief on free and compulsory education
Gender base analysis of Police Order 2002
Parliamentary brief on Women Policing in Pakistan
Towards new legislation to combat burn violence in Pakistan
Rising from the ashes: Medical treatment of burn patients and victim of burn violence
Parliamentary brief on home based workers

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25 June 2022 – Punjab Local Government Act, 2022

January 2022