PGO - Responsive Governance

OVERVIEW
The Responsive Governance (RG) activity enhances good governance, public financial management, and effective public service delivery in conflict-affected municipalities. To increase citizen trust in the Colombian Government, RG strengthens Colombian public officials and institutions’ capacity to effectively plan, finance, and deliver vital public services, like health and education. RG also empowers citizens to participate in their communities and promote government accountability and responsiveness to citizen interests. RG is implemented in 34 municipalities, and it runs from October 2020 to August 2025.
 

GOALS

STRENGTHEN DECENTRALIZATION

RG strengthens national Colombian Government policies, systems, mechanisms, and institutions to improve public service delivery in targeted municipalities.

IMPROVE MUNICIPAL PERFORMANCE

RG enhances municipal public financial management to comply with national standards, increase revenues, and promote the implementation of the Peace Agreement in targeted municipalities.

INCREASE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

RG collaborates with civil society, the media, academia, and the private sector to strengthen and increase their participation in local governance processes and the implementation of the Peace Agreement.

STRENGTHEN OVERSIGHT INSTITUTIONS

RG strengthens the capacity of oversight institutions to monitor public resources in the health, education, and infrastructure sectors. RG collaborates with the Comptroller General’s Office, the Inspector General’s Office, local controllers, and municipal representatives, known as Personerías.

PROVIDE RAPID RESPONSE

RG employs a rapid response mechanism to adapt to evolving contexts. To achieve this, RG collaborates closely with strategic local partners to identify emerging dynamics, opportunities, and challenges specific to the local context.

RESULTS

• RG has mobilized the equivalent of USD $US66,6 million through the approval of 132 projects aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Peace Agreement.
• RG provided technical assistance for the Community Roads for Total Peace program, which mobilized the equivalent of USD $120 million through solidarity agreements (Convenios Solidarios in Spanish). This initiative aims to improve Colombia's tertiary road network with active participation from community-based organizations.
• RG supports the Vice Presidency of the Republic in developing strategies to advance the implementation of the Ethnic Chapter of the Peace Accord and has identified the equivalent of USD $250 million for its funding. Additionally, RG contributed to the formulation of the Public Disability Policy.
• RG provided technical assistance for the implementation of the Special Rural Education Plan (PEER for its acronym in Spanish), engaging 364 teachers and principals, and benefiting 12,385 individuals, including students and families. Additionally, RG supported the implementation of the ethnic educational model of the Awá community in Pacific Nariño, along with educational ecosystems and other mechanisms that facilitate the direct involvement of ethnic communities.
• RG increased the participation and retention of young people in the Municipal Youth Councils (CMJ) by 23%, with 11 CMJs influencing their municipalities' Annual Operational Investment Plans. Additionally, 88 public servants and 86 teachers were trained in the operation of the National Youth System, and two Public Youth Policies have been approved.
• RG supported the consolidation of the Participa Colombia Network which includes 66 civil society organizations that have completed 48 social control exercises. The Network identified 16 public issues in the health, education, and infrastructure sectors, which will be addressed by new local administrations in 2024.
• RG promoted private sector involvement in local development and the implementation of the Peace Agreement, mobilizing the equivalent of USD $4.4 million through the Works for Taxes mechanism. This initiative benefited 93,209 individuals through improved education and infrastructure services.