Good governance
Good governance is a multi-faceted concept with close links to effective and efficient public service delivery. This, in turn, is essential for social development and poverty reduction. Public sector reform is one of COWI's key services. Voice, participation and influence on political priorities and access to justice are other essential elements of poverty reduction. COWI offers strong experience in the area of democratisation, including capacity building of parliaments, locally elected councils, legal and justice systems. Accountability within the public sector requires a strong civil society and independent media. COWI builds capacity in civil society and media organisations to take on these important functions.
Partnership and poverty reduction
Effective partnerships and participation are required for ownership of reform processes and pro-poor development. Participatory and gender based approaches to planning, implementation and monitoring are mainstreamed into COWI's services. COWI offers multi-dimensional poverty mapping and poverty and social impact assessments to inform policy makers of available options. Public-private partnerships are seen as drivers of change; COWI offers advise in this new form of collaboration.
Governance and Social Development (pdf)