USAID grant no. 687-0125-A-00-6138-00 to Private Agencies Collaborating Together (PACT) to support a program in participation and poverty in Madagascar

The project, to be implemented by Private Agencies Collaborating Together (PACT), will (1) increase networking and cooperation among Civil Service Organizations (CSOs) and between CSOs and power holders; (2) conduct research to identify ways that CSOs can address poverty; (3) promote civic information, education, and communication (IEC) and advocacy by CSOs; and (4) strengthen CSOs. The project will focus on Fianarantsoa and Mahajanga regions. PACT"s first activity will be to develop networks and coalitions among CSOs and power holders. Examples of CSOs include, at the national level, the National Committee of Election Observers and the Christian Council of Madagascar, and at the local level, business and professional organizations, community organizations, and universities. Examples of power holders include certain national offices, such as the National Office of Poverty Alleviation, and the Local Development Committees in Fianarantsoa and Mahajanga. PACT will identify 20 "vanguard" CSOs, 5 of which will be CSOs not currently engaged in advocacy, and 4 of which will represent women and special needs groups, and negotiate partnership agreements between the CSOs and power holders. As part of this effort, PACT will support the formation and/or consolidation of 4 CSO networks/coalitions; establish partnerships between 5 CSOs and organizations responsible for economic data collection and policy analysis, such as the National Statistical Institute; and support 5 CSO-initiated fora on the role of civil society in governance and/or issues affecting the poor. The research component will examine the capacity of civil society to represent the needs of Madagascar"s poor. This component will develop civil society profiles of the two target regions, identify issues to be addressed under the project, develop a strategy for reconciling traditional Malagasy concepts with democratic principles, and develop institutional profiles and training plans for the 20 "vanguard" partners. The IEC/advocacy component will include training and media activities to improve CSOs" abilities to educate the public at large and power holders concerning the role of civil society. Activities will include: creation of a Civil Society Communications Network (CSNnet) with at least 25 subscribing CSOs; production of information kits on examples of effective advocacy; and establishment of a media monitoring and press clipping service. In addition, PACT will help 4 CSOs to develop innovative civic IEC programs, and help 4 CSOs to initiate regional civic education programs. At least 20 journalists will participate in workshops on the role of CSOs in democratic governance. The project will also support fora for CSOs and power holders on poverty issues. Under the fourth component, PACT will provide organizational development training (workshops, seminars, correspondence courses) for CSOs and civil society networks/coalitions. This training will be supplemented by one-on-one mentoring by PACT. PACT will also develop a participatory monitoring and evaluation system that will allow partners to assess their development and their training, information, and mentoring needs. Fifteen CSOs or networks will receive technical support to apply the skills developed during training, study tours, and mentoring.