Danida-SP-ToC1-Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is no 185 out of 188 on the Human Development Index 2016 and 18th poorest according to IMF data (2016). Strong inequalities still persists with regards to life expectancy, education and income. An estimated 60% of the population is illiterate and more than half is under 25. Increased citizens’ influence at all levels is a precondition for Burkina Faso to continue as an important anchor of economic development and political stability in a region of critical importance to Europe but marred by conflict and poverty. The low level of education is a barrier to active citizenship, especially for young people and women. Civil society’s limited capacity impedes its active participation and influence in decision making processes at all levels. The education authorities have committed to a) effective transfer of skills and resources to lower tiers of administration and b) a focus on quality education, but there are still gaps to be addressed in implementation. 70% of the budget of the Ministry of Education is currently managed at decentralized level, closer to the constituents. Particularly the municipalities and local levels of the education sector holds potential for institutionalising and developing the influence of civil society for voicing needs and acting for transparency, accountability and fair redistribution/reduced inequality. Oxfam IBIS will support the dialogue between civil society (parents, communities, organisations and networks) and authorities at local and national levels. The overall objective is to progressively and inclusively build citizens’ space and voice to exercise their rights and to influence and monitor increased spending for quality public services, accountable fiscal systems, revenue mobilization and job-creation. It corresponds to the objective of Oxfam’s country programme. Specific objective 1 to which Oxfam IBIS will contribute: Quality education with emphasis on gender strengthened in programme areas, influencing national policy and financing. Expected outcomes: 1.1 Increase in completion and decrease in drop-out rates achieved in schools in intervention areas by means of gender balanced child centred learning, teacher training and supervision, parents and community engagement, influencing national policy for quality education. 1.2 Improved capacity of civil society stakeholders to monitor and influence local education budgets, contributes to increased transparency, accountability and financing of the education sector at both local and national level. Specific objective 2 to which Oxfam IBIS will contribute: Increasingly institutionalised dialogue between civil society and government reduce inequality at all levels by introducing and building innovative sustainable social changes. Expected outcomes: 2.1 Civil society (CS) advocacy groups and CS networks monitor sector plans and budgets for increased transparency and accountability. 2.2 Communities affected by extractive industries and CS networks, hold government and companies accountable for enforcing legislative rights on redistribution of revenues. 2.3 Youth organizations and networks enter policy dialogue with government and private sector for development and financing of entrepreneurship and employment action plans targeting job-creation.