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Preliminary Findings of USAID Aid Transparency Study

This study provides an overview of the aid transparency practices in Zambia, Ghana, and Bangladesh, highlighting the challenges and information needs. It explores the current collection and sharing of aid data, stakeholder interest in aid information, and examples of its current use. The study also emphasizes the importance of making aid information more accessible through intermediaries and communication channels.

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Preliminary Findings of USAID Aid Transparency Study

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  1. Preliminary Findings of USAID Aid Transparency Study October 15, 2014

  2. Overview of the Country Pilots • Basic data: Country visits to Zambia (12-16 May), Ghana (23-27 June) and Bangladesh (23-30 September); 1 representative USAID, 3 consultants • Methodology: Desk study, semi-structured interviews (Zambia 27, Ghana 36, Bangladesh 27) and round-table and feedback discussions (Zambia and Ghana) • Government stakeholders: ministry of finance, line ministries, anti-corruption commissions, accountant general's office and parliamentarians • Other stakeholders: CSOs, print media, radio stations, online media, open data activists, private sector and academia

  3. Current collection of aid data by partner country governments • Process: Largely a manual collection of aid data by MoF, AIMS beta in Bangladesh • Challenges: Cumbersome process, error prone, inconsistencies • Donor-Gov mechanisms are in place, but not always functional, focus on planning and results • Unmet data needs: off-budget data, forward looking expenditure, sub national data • Data sharing within government: not always effective • Donor communications with the public: press releases, events and informal sharing, local public is perceived to be uninterested, key target are taxpayers back home  

  4. Interest in aid information outside national government • Stakeholder outside of government are interested in aid information • Current access to aid information through media, MoF publications & informal contacts. • Access to information on aid information often difficult and cumbersome. • Data exchange among donors: existing processes informal contacts • NGO advocacy work on aid transparency

  5. Examples for current use of aid information • Media reports are often limited to project launches • Monitoring results of development activities at local level • Follow the trail of climate funding • Business and funding opportunities 

  6. Information priorities • Basic project data: Project name, implementer, time-line, budget • Sub-national geographic data • Financial details • Project documents: detailed budget, activities, objectives, strategies • Conditions • Results information • Contributions of individual donors to funds (e.g. climate fund) • Contact person to obtain more information if needed • Off-budget data including on aid provided by INGOs

  7. Awareness of IATI and use of online tools (Foreign Assistance Dashboard and D-portal) • Very low awareness of IATI • Hardly any use of online resources (IATI registry, FAD, D-Portal)However, most data needs expressed were covered by IATI standard • Communication and promotion of IATI data is responsiblity of all stakeholders

  8. Making aid information more accessible • Direct online access by citizens is not realistic in Ghana and Zambia • Intermediaries exist, they are interested • Intermediaries have access also in rural areas • Communication channels for intermediaries: local radio stations, CSO networks, government mechanisms

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