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and feedback received informed the final report. The final report has been forwarded for
consideration and adoption by the ESAP2 SC.
44. The study assessed the existing opportunities and challenges for linkage through a careful review of
the implementation of the three sub-components, and their
management and coordination
mechanisms. Several opportunity factors for the linkages were identified which include but are not
limited to the political will on side of the government that is displayed by a committed leadership
enshrined in the ESAP2 Steering Committee, willingness of development partners to finance the sub-
components, and positive attitude of the stakeholders including different implementers. The existence
of Public Finance Management (PFM) Team to facilitate the linkage at regional and woreda levels,
and formation of Social Accountability Committees (SAC) at woreda and kebele levels were
identified as major platforms for making the linkage a reality. These platforms would also help to
strengthen the sometimes loose ownership of Social Accountability at regional level, and facilitate the
medium term plans to address issues of institutionalization and sustainability.
45. It was recommended that institutionalization in the short term should start with liking SA and FTA.
The areas of linkage that were identified for immediate implementation include joint training sessions
for local officials on budget disclosure and transparency, proactive collaboration by FTA teams with
SAIPs during participatory planning and budgeting discussions and interface
meetings at the local
levels, sharing of annual training plans among the two sub-components implementers and
collaborating the training manuals used by both programs. In addition, documentation of lessons
common to implementation of the linkage and joint disclosure in media should also be encouraged.
The above will call for joint field monitoring
and quarterly reviews, establishing joint discussion
forums and continuous follow ups based on the joint linkage action plan.
46. With regard to coordination, the study concluded that the function should be given to the Channel
One Programs Coordination Unit (COPCU) at MoFED while the ESAP2 SC and the EMCP SC
would play an oversight role. At regional level, there is a need to establish a Linkage Coordinating
Committee at BoFED chaired by BoFED Deputy Head with members
from regional Channel One
Programs Coordinator, FTA focal person, NGOs desk officer, and
a representative of SAIPs
operating in the region. At the zonal/Woreda levels, ZoFED/WoFED regular staff supported by the
PFM Team will be responsible for the day to day coordination and implementation. The proposed
improvements in the implementation, management and coordination arrangement at national and sub-
national levels would enable to lay the foundation for deepening collaboration around the linkage of
the two sub-components.
47. The long run perspective is to strengthen and enhance local accountability structures. The
implementation and coordination structure envisaged for the short- term will facilitate strengthening
and enhancing local accountability structures such as the kebele assemblies,
Woreda councils, and
regional councils which are considered to be as appropriate structures to ensure institutionalization
and sustainability of FTA and SA activities in the long-term. Further detailed study is recommended
to assess institutionalization of SA/FTA initiatives and the Grievance Redress Mechanism to support
the government’s effort of improving good governance including demand-side good governance.