PGP Senegal | Quarterly Program Report

The program began in May 2010 and has made significant progress toward achieving its objectives within its four components. The components include greater transparency and accountability, strengthened fiscal decentralization and local governance, free and credible elections, and strengthened dialogue for social stability in Casamance. PGP's original period of performance was scheduled to end on September 30, 2014, but a 12-month extension was designed to continue the project until September 30, 2015. This report covers the first quarter of the extension period, during which activities focus on three categories of intervention within PGP's results framework. The first two categories of intervention fall under Components 1 and 2, respectively, while the third focuses on solidifying successes across all four of the original program components. One of the key areas of focus for PGP is the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). PGP has been working with the Government of Senegal (GOS) and civil society organizations to advance transparency in mining and extractive industries. In 2012, the GOS officially stated its intention to join the EITI, and in 2013, the EITI Secretariat accepted Senegal as a "candidate country." PGP will continue to support the GOS National EITI Committee to establish and implement its action plan for compliance. Another key area of focus for PGP is Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) integration. PGP has been working with 11 partner Collectivités Locales (CLs) across Senegal to define, evaluate, and improve their local governance performance using the Good Governance Barometer (BBG). The BBG brings together a local multi-stakeholder group to translate the five core aspects of good governance into locally relevant and easy-to-understand indicators. During the first quarter of the extension period, PGP also continued to consolidate and sustain past program achievements. The program maintained key relationships with existing partners, including ministries, civil society groups, and local authorities, and supported them as needed to advance their objectives and promote good governance, transparency, and accountability. The publication of the 2014 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) and the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index 2014 provided insight into the evaluation of governance in Africa and Senegal. These measures represent the principal international indicators of interest with regard to good governance globally, and specifically, in Senegal.