Accountability through Watchdog Institutions (AWATCH)

September 2004 - September 30, 2007

Donor: USAID
Partners: Catholic Centre for Justice and Development, Southern African Centre for Dispute Resolution, Transparency International Zambia, Zambia National Women's Lobby, Jubilee Centre, Women and Law in Southern Africa, Foundation for Democratic Process

In September 2004, USAID/Zambia awarded Pact a five-year award to implement the "Accountability through Watchdog Institutions" (AWATCH) project. AWATCH's goal is greater public sector accountability and less public sector corruption. Achieving this goal involves three major initiatives:

• Management and leadership of the mult-donor Parliamentary Reform Project in full collaboration with the National Assembly and its reform committee and with the donors, including USAID/Zambia.
• Management and leadership of the USAID/Zambia Anti-Corruption Initiative in collaboration with the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly.
• Management and oversight of subgrants to local organizations in relation to citizen demands for accountability and in relation to HIV/AIDS initiatives related to Democracy and Governance.

Our approach focuses on policy processes and oversight of public institutions. Permanent dialogue mechanisms will be strengthened to increase the quality of citizens' interaction with public institutions and to mitigate the isolation of both from each other. In order to increase the efficacy of civil society organizations' (CSOs) interactions with government institutions, Pact supports CSO capacity strengthening in key areas, including analytic and policy research capacity, public opinion polling, and understanding of the policy and legislative processes. In addition Pact works with the Zambia National Assembly to strengthen its accountability and transparency and to build its capacity to provide effective oversight of government fiscal management, which directly ties into the goals of the Anti-Corruption Initiative. Finally Pact implements all USAID HIV/AIDS funds concerning democracy and governance, including providing technical assistance and capacity building grants to CSOs working in HIV/AIDS and the health field.

Interim results

• In total 75% of the 500 targeted NGOs/CBOs/FBOs have been sensitized and trained in the reduction of HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination, as well as advocacy for increased voluntary counseling and testig (VCT) and antiretroviral treatment (ART) utilization.
• The official launch of the African Parliamentarians Network against Corruption (APNAC) Zambia chapter took place at the main Parliament building. Following the launch the Zambia APNAC chapter developed a work plan and budget and members have started to organize and take part in national, regional and global anti-corruption activities.
• All 500 targeted Judiciary staff had been trained by the end of this quarter, drawn from all districts of the country where there are local and magistrate courts. It has been reported that in Kabwe, Kaoma and Senanga, judiciary advocates are conducting daily information dissemination sessions in the gallery before morning court sessions.