Quarterly Performance Report No. 17: Good Governance Initiative (GGI) in Georgia

GGI's work targets the legislative and executive branches at both the central and local government levels, and seeks to strengthen linkages between different branches and levels of government in key governance systems and processes. To ensure greater government accountability, GGI works with government and civil society representatives to enhance public participation in, and disseminate public information about, key reforms. GGI is introducing and strengthening systems for strategic planning and performance management, performance-based budgeting, participatory policy and legislative development, governmental oversight systems, and intra-governmental and public communications and coordination. GGI assistance supports Georgia's participation in ongoing governance-related reform initiatives and international commitments. GGI is implemented for USAID/Georgia by Tetra Tech ARD. Result 1 activities are led by GGI DCOP Mariam Gorgadze, GGI Governance Program Manager Mikheil Darchiashvili, Public Administration Reform Expert Mariam Davitashvili, and GGI partner PMCG. Where appropriate, other GGI staff and partners are involved in supporting the achievement of Result 1 Outcomes. Administrative and financial management of public institutions, internal systems, and processes for long-term strategic planning and performance management have been improved. GGI supported the Administration of the Government of Georgia (AoG) to improve policy planning, policy assessment, and implementation practices at the central government level. Monitoring and evaluation of the Hepatitis C Elimination Strategy for Georgia 2016-2020 was conducted, and an evaluation report was developed in compliance with the policy planning manual adopted by the GoG in 2016 and EU guidelines. The evaluation report was translated into English and published with 100 copies in English and Georgian. The main findings of the evaluation report were presented to a broad audience on April 24. Result 2 activities focus on increasing civic engagement and improving access to independent, reliable, and balanced information relevant to Georgia's good governance. Functional mechanisms for ensuring transparency and access to public information have been strengthened. The Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) and the Civic Development Agency (CiDA) have been supported in developing and implementing a civic engagement strategy. Result 3 activities aim to strengthen policy development and lawmaking processes. Internal and inter-agency systems for evidence-based policy development and lawmaking will be established, including mechanisms for civic participation. Development of select policies and laws has been supported, including the development of a regulatory impact assessment (RIA) framework. Result 4 activities focus on strengthening institutional oversight of government. The capacity of partner parliamentary committees and the budget office to provide oversight of line ministry and state agency performance and spending has been strengthened. The capacity of the State Audit Office to support parliament in conducting effective oversight of line ministries through external audit reports and recommendations has also been strengthened.