Policies, legislation and regulations impact on programs and institutional frameworks for development. Effective decision makers from both government and civil society organizations use policy reviews and studies to inform planning, programming and service delivery.
FIT applies a capacity development approach to conducting policy studies and regulatory and legislation reviews, utilizing participatory strategies to ensure input from a wide range of stakeholders. Through this process, the relationship between policy formulation, development planning and program implementation is made explicit. As well, employing a capacity building approach strengthens systems of multi-sector cooperation, building political will that is essential to the development of innovative policies and achieving positive change.
Identifying Disability Issues Related to Poverty Reduction
FIT was selected to design and deliver a regional project for the Asian Development Bank aimed at mainstreaming disability issues in poverty reduction programming in the Asia Pacific region. This project included a review of policies, legislation and regulations in four countries—Cambodia, India, The Philippines and Sri Lanka—and explored the institutional framework within which disability issues are addressed, from government departments and agencies to civil society organizations, disabilities advocacy organizations and community-based services. From this work, National Plans of Action to mainstream disability issues were developed in each country, leading to a regional strategy. The project applied a capacity building approach to strengthen a system of multi-sector cooperation to achieve disability issues mainstreaming.
Health Planning Studies – Ghana
FIT partnered with Ghanaian experts to carry out three health planning studies in the areas of health policy, finance and manpower to help the Government of Ghana formulate new policies and engage in planning activities to reorganize its health priorities and programs more efficiently. The Health Policy Study examined current policies and recommended reforms at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. The Manpower Study examined health manpower capabilities, needs, career development, remuneration and training requirements, while the Finance Study strengthened the Ministry of Health's capability to estimate health costs, budget health resources and recover service costs.
Information, Education and Communication for Poverty Alleviation - The Gambia
In collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs and the UNDP, a program was designed to assist with the planning, analysis and assessment of a comprehensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Strategy for the Gambian government’s Poverty Alleviation Program. FIT documented current IEC efforts conducted by Ministries, agencies, NGOs and donor agencies and made recommendations for improving overall coordination. Major findings and recommendations were presented at a workshop held with senior decision makers from the Gambian Government and UNDP. The study resulted in enabling both the Government and UNDP to make informed decisions regarding IEC activities and coordinate among the various sources of external IEC assistance in the country.
National Training Capacity Supply and Demand Study – Ethiopia
This study supported the Ministry of Capacity Building’s effort to design and plan for widespread public sector training by carrying out a National Training Capacity Supply and Demand Study, supported by the Government of Canada, the Government of Ethiopia and the World Bank. Owing to the central role of training in Ethiopia’s Public Service Delivery Capacity Building Program (PSCAP), this work also involved close collaboration with the World Bank and other donor partners. The Study identified and characterized the extent of the gap between demand and supply for civil service training, and made several recommendations for bridging that gap through medium- and long-term strategies. Following submission of the final report, FIT organized a workshop at the Ministry’s request in order to present the study findings to multiple stakeholders, and facilitate a process of action planning based on the Study.