Component 300: Participatory Planning
The objective of this component is to support the development of model approaches to participatory planning processes by facilitating the formulation of integrated development strategies and associated action plans for the two pilot oblasts and to provide educational activities and know-how transfer in support of the implementation of these participatory plans.
301 – Build partnerships for planning and implementation: The Project will build awareness among the private sector, civil society, and public of the value of regional strategic planning and will identify mechanisms for facilitating public participation. These mechanisms will strengthen communication and coordination between the Oblast State Administrations and other regional stakeholders. This activity will include a ‘mapping’ of the stakeholder environment in each of the pilot oblasts, as well as the identification and engagement of Project champions.
302 – Conduct visioning and assess critical issues: The Project will assist pilot oblast governments in formulating a strategic vision for oblast development, using a participatory process to assess critical issues and to build consensus within the government, civil society, private sector, and public on how scarce resources should be used to achieve a shared vision and strategic direction for the oblast. Steps in this participatory visioning exercise may include: a) analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) and critical issues to be overcome, b) ratification of the vision for oblast growth and development, c) determination of strategic directions, d) prioritization of objectives, e) development of approaches and partnerships for action, and f) adoption of strategic vision.
303 – Prepare background studies: Based on the visioning and assessment of critical issues in subcomponent 302, the Project will assist the partners in the pilot oblasts to undertake background studies in order to have a good appreciation of the current situation in the pilot oblast (social, economic, environmental, and physical) and to understand trends at play. The purpose of these background studies is to record information on resources, needs and systems in a structured and accessible framework to facilitate an informed planning process. These background studies are anticipated to have a participatory element, allowing stakeholders from across the oblast to share their knowledge and to have that knowledge influence important planning decisions. It is anticipated that there will be three parallel tracks contributing to the background studies: 1) the assembly and analysis of existing, secondary sources of data and information, 2) the collection of primary data where it is determined that it does not exist in any secondary sources, and 3) the advice of working group(s) comprised of experts and/or leaders from relevant sectors that would enrich the background studies by assisting with the refinement of critical issues and providing needed analysis.
304 – Support the formulation of strategic plans and action plans in priority areas: Drawing on the results of the visioning, critical issue assessment, and background studies, the Project will assist in the formation of partnerships between Oblast State Administrations and regional stakeholders, especially Oblast Councils, for the purpose of formulating an integrated development strategy. The Project will act as facilitator of the planning process, convening stakeholders in each pilot oblast to prioritize needs; determine targets; and formulate an integrated development strategy for the oblast. The process will also include the development of associated action plans for implementing the priorities identified in the strategy.
305 – Support the implementation of strategic plans and action plans in priority areas: The Project will provide support to the oblast in the implementation of these developed strategic and action plans through the provision of advice, educational activities, know-how transfer, support to project management, and demonstration projects as needed and requested by the stakeholders.
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