MEPP Quarterly Report April - June 2016: Mexico Economic Policy Program

The program has three principal objectives: increasing disclosure of public sector information to citizens, enabling businesses to report corrupt and discretionary government practices, and improving the transparency and accountability of government contracts. MEPP is dedicated to demonstrating the benefits of open government in an objective and measurable manner, with technical assistance designed to operationalize the concept in ways relevant for government officials and citizens. The program's premise is that large-scale and sustainable adoption of open government depends on the capacity and actions of three groups of stakeholders: public sector actors, civil society, and the business community. While governments may decide what kind of information promotes the public interest, citizens must have a voice in identifying and demanding access to information that holds government decision-makers accountable. Political commitment to transparency and openness is necessary but not sufficient to create a truly open government. During the Option Period, MEPP finalized activities and defined deliverables for the program. The Work Plan is divided into three sections: Open government, Business regulation, and Public procurement reform. MEPP developed a Monitoring and Evaluation plan, consisting of three sets of indicators to measure achievements during the period. The indicators include USAID foreign assistance indicators, Open Government indicators focused on substantive changes and institutional governance, and Data Analytics indicators that evaluate the effectiveness of electronic tools. MEPP conducted consultations with government counterparts, including the National Entrepreneurship Institute (INADEM) and the Ministry of Finance (SHCP). MEPP met with INADEM to develop a technical assistance program that will create an electronic platform for small businesses to report cases of local government corruption. The platform will enable small businesses to report corruption and provide a reliable government advocacy office. MEPP also met with the Ministry of Finance to develop a technical assistance program that will increase the effectiveness of its public works website and make it more accessible to citizens. MEPP met with the Federal Audit Office (ASF) to develop a technical assistance proposal for an electronic platform to serve as the central repository for all federal audits. The platform will make federally mandated audits available to the general public and enable citizens to search by keyword, agency, policy areas, etc. MEPP also conducted focus groups with business owners affiliated with the Chamber of Small Business Commerce, Services and Tourism (CANACOPE) to gain insight into the perspectives of small businesses. The Option Period Work Plan was approved by the USAID COR on June 15. MEPP will continue to work with government counterparts to implement changes that empower citizens to observe and curtail governmental corruption and rent-seeking practices. The program's goal is to demonstrate the benefits of open government in an objective and measurable manner, with technical assistance designed to operationalize the concept in ways relevant for government officials and citizens.