IDLGroup

VISIT FRR

CoNsUltation and communication

Our work often requires us to design, manage and implement effective consultation and communication processes.   These may be focused on a specific policy issue, or part of a broader national dialogue.   They include: 

  • support to dialogue in post-conflict environments
  • consultation processes in support of contested natural resource and land policy initiatives, such as proposals for new protected areas, new legislation, public private partnerships, and new mechanisms of customary land management
  • strengthening the capacity of communities and civil society to engage with local and national governments
  • helping governments to engage better with interest groups and trade unions on public sector change and reform
  • training of trainers for effective communication.

Examples of our experience include:

  • design and implementation of a national dialogue in Liberia including the management of field teams throughout the country. This dialogue - on behalf of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission  - was an important step in the process of post-conflict reconciliation and peace building as it provided an opportunity for communities shattered by year of civil conflict to express their views 
  • design and implementation of a consultation process on the privatization of Malawi’s forest plantations.   This included consultation with a full range of stakeholders, ranging from small wood-cutters, head-loaders, carpenters, wild fruit and mushroom collectors, local government, chiefs and traditional authorities, private sector investors
  • staff consultation for a major office relocation, involving 800 staff from the Ghana Forestry Commission, who were moved from three traditional office facilities in Accra to a new purpose built site, but which involved major changes in working practices, with modern offices, open plan working, new IT systems and new ways of working
  • our review of a DDR program for ex-combatants in Eritrea, included a mix of both quantitative assessments of the impacts of the program, and consultations with program participants that would help inform similar programs in the future
  • in Kenya, theIDLgroup lead an institution-centred strategic environmental assessment (I-SEA) of the new Forest Act. The purpose of the I-SEA was to inform and influence the process of implementing the Forest Act, indirectly inform the policy dialogue regarding sustainable use of natural resources for national development and draw lessons to refine future I-SEAs.  The I-SEA was undertaken over an 8 month period working in close collaboration with the Government of Kenya and World Bank staff. A particular feature of the assignment was the need for a well-managed and effective consultation process amongst a very wide range of stakeholders
  • together with PANOS and a number of other partners, theIDLgroup formed a consortium which was selected to provide development communications support to DFID, through a call-down advisory framework contract on communications specialists, reviews, training and media advisory support
  • theIDLgroup’s FRR division is a member of the management agency, led by ActionAid, which manages the 5-year, $9 million Rights and Voice Initiative for civil society in Ghana providing grant funds for both (i) advocacy activities of national NGOs, including faith-based organizations, trade unions, and coalitions and (ii) capacity building of local grass roots community based organisations.  The program has enabled issue-based consultation and communication and CGE throughout Ghana
  • theIDLgroup produced a detailed five year plan for taking forward land reform in Rwanda. Entailed close consultations and building consensus with key Ministries, donors, civil society and other key stakeholders. The plan was the basis of the  DFID’s support to the land reform process in Rwanda
  • we designed a multi-stakeholder governance facility in Cameroon, to complement a multi-donor sector programme on forests and environment, which provided new opportunities – and new “spaces” - for civil society, parliamentarians and other stakeholders to express their views.

For more information on our work on consultation and communication for development, please contact Terry Green.