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> Building back better from Covid-19? What follows for peace, governance and equality: Topic paper

>Building back better from Covid-19? Synthesis note​





 

Read our synthesis report of regional webinars​ 

​The current COVID-19 crisis is a global public health emergency compounded by a major economic and financial crisis affecting us all, but above all, the crisis will put enormous strains on the already vulnerable economies and societies in SDC’s partner countries. It may risk reversing progress in poverty reduction of the last decades; preliminary estimates suggest that global poverty may increase by as much as half a billion people, or 8% of the total human population (OECD)

While the immediate response to COVID-19 addressing the health and economic costs is of utomst priority, it is foreseeable that the crisis will have a lasting impact on governance. The very measures required to reduce the contagion impacts all areas of democratic governance: While strong executive leadership is required to combat the crisis, we can observe that some governments use the emergency rule to consolidate power and dismantle democracy from within, undermining the legitimacy of democratic institutions and putting further pressure on human rights, fundamental liberties, the civic space and freedom of media. Corruption risks will increase in the emergency response. The unfolding economic crisis may lead into a global financial crisis affecting the macroeconomic stability and contributing to an overall political destabilization, affecting fragile contexts in particular.

As in all crisis, existing inequalities and social exclusion patterns tend to be reinforced, with the most vulnerable people hit the strongest, in particular in the absence of social protection systems that can help navigate and reduce the immediate effects for the population. In that sense, the crisis also shows the importance of effective public institutions, high quality services and broad social protection systems. We therefore need to ask about opportunities that crisis brings to ‘build back better’ and strengthen resilience in the long term.

This shareweb page collects selected resources on the impact of COVID-19 from a governance perspective. It serves as a space for the DDLG network members to share country specific challenges and SDC responses. It aims to support and guide SDC on how we can address the crisis and respond to COVID-19 while preserving and promoting democratic governance, gender equality and social inclusion, and respecting and protecting human rights, civic space and liberties.



What is our response?

In this section, we want to share and collect experiences and examples on how SDC can respond to the COVID-19 crisis from a governance perspective – be it examples of adaptation and innovation in governance programs, or strategic guidance on how democratic governance principles can be  promoted in responding to the pandemic.

 Analysis [d:5, tg:Analysis]

  • https://www.shareweb.ch/site/DDLGN/Thumbnails/Citizen-Oriented Municipal Services_COVID-19.jpg

    Citizen-Oriented Municipal Services in Times of COVID-19: The Role of Adaptive Learning

    Governments are adjusting and handling legal and financial challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic to meet the needs of their citizens. A big challenge for municipalities has been to shift to online working modalities. The amount of change and adaptation may seem a lot. Yet, as the experience of Bashki të Forta (BtF), a project of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), shows municipalities in Albania are adapting to the ever-changing situation to provide services. The project has facilitated municipalities to strengthen or introduce new ways of working and oversight. This has contributed to increasing transparency towards citizens and improving coordination for effecting actions. Adaptations, and the learning from the process, offer the opportunity to lay the foundation for improved service delivery well beyond the pandemic.

    Link
    Helvetas
    2020
    Valbona Karakaçi , Jacques Merat , Arbër Kadia , Zenebe B. Uraguchi
    🇬🇧
  • https://www.shareweb.ch/site/DDLGN/Thumbnails/COVID-19 report in Albania.png

    COVID-19 report in Albania

    Report on a functional government in response to the COVID-19 challenge in cooperation with local communities.

    Further Reading Document
    SDC, Helvetas
    🇬🇧
  • https://www.shareweb.ch/site/DDLGN/Thumbnails/Notiz COVID-19 Portfolioanalyse WBA.jpg

    LockedCOVID-19: Context and portfolio analyses Western Balkan

    The current crisis highlights the relevance of the thematic approach in the Western Balkan (governance, economic development and employment, health, urban infrastructure and energy) as well as the migration partnerships.

    Further Reading Document
    SDC
    2020
    🇬🇧
  • https://www.shareweb.ch/site/DDLGN/SiteAssets/Document_Type_images/Deza_Powerpoint.png

    LockedDDLGN Core Group Meeting 23.4.2020

    The document is only accessible to DDLGN members.

    Key Reading Document
    SDC
    2020
    Ursula Keller
    🇬🇧

 Program [d:5, tg:Program]

  • https://www.shareweb.ch/site/DDLGN/SiteAssets/Document_Type_images/Deza_Link.svg

    Program Response: Ukraine

    SDC Ukraine and its partners share with us their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Link
    SDC
    2020
    🇬🇧

 Guidance [d:5, tg:Guidance]


 


 


Documents, links, responses beyond the DDLG Network:


 

Democracy
With the pandemic crisis unfolding, it becomes clear that not only health and economy are at stake but also the impact on democracy or democratic governance more broadly. Some measures undertaken to slow down the COVID-19 propagation around the world directly impact democratic institutions and principles. In this section we gathered resources that help us understand how COVID-19 impacts democracies.

 Resources [1]



 
Human Rights, civil society, media

In this section, you find resources that focus on the challenges for human rights and fundamental liberties, the critical contribution of civil society and the crucial role of media in these times where people depend on transparent information.

 Resources [2]



 

 

Gender, social inclusion and LNOB

 Resources [3]


 


 

Public policies and local governance​

From a governance perspective the response to the economic and financial crisis are critical. The crisis shows the importance of a well-functioning public sector able to manage the response. Local governments are particularly challenged in this regard. In this section you find resources that address different aspects of public policies and local governance in response to COVID-19.

 Resources [4]

  • https://www.shareweb.ch/site/DDLGN/Thumbnails/Guide to Open Government and the Coronavirus.png

    Guide to Open Government and the Coronavirus

    This is a moment of peak uncertainty for governments, civil society and citizens. Facing a unique challenge from the coronavirus, new policies and approaches are being tested in real-time.

    Link
    Open Government Partnership
    2020
    🇬🇧
  • https://www.shareweb.ch/site/DDLGN/SiteAssets/Document_Type_images/Deza_PDF.png

    Impact of COVID-19 on the financial ressources and capital expenditures of local and regional governments in Africa

    Local and regional governments are on the front line in the fight against COVID-19. But beyond this commitment, it is clear that the pandemic will have an impact on local and regional authorities, particularly in financial terms. A model assesses the impact of the pandemic on the financial resources and capital expenditure of local and regional governments.

    Further Reading Document
    UCLG Africa
    François Paul Yatta
    🇬🇧
  • https://www.shareweb.ch/site/DDLGN/SiteAssets/Document_Type_images/Deza_PDF.png

    Impact du COVID-19 sur les ressources financières et les dépenses d'investissement des collectivités territoriales africaines

    Les collectivités territoriales sont sur la ligne de front de la lutte contre le COVID-19. Mais au-delà de cet engagement, il est évident que la pandémie aura un impact sur les collectivités territoriales, particulièrement sur le plan financier. Un modèle évalue l’impact de la pandémie sur les ressources financières et les dépenses d’investissement des collectivités territoriales.

    Further Reading Document
    CGLU Afrique
    François Paul Yatta
    🇫🇷
  • https://www.shareweb.ch/site/DDLGN/Thumbnails/Screenshot 2020-08-13 at 14.22.26.png

    Graham Teskey on how the governance discours has changed

    Covid has put Governance at the heart of debates on Development, but how has it changed the questions we ask?

    Link
    Oxfam
    2020
    Graham Teskey
    🇬🇧
  • https://www.shareweb.ch/site/DDLGN/Thumbnails/OECD-COVID19.jpg

    Digital Hub on Tackling the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

    What are the impacts and consequences of the coronavirus pandemic on our lives and our societies – and what are some of the solutions we can find to boost our healthcare systems, secure our businesses, maintain our jobs and education, and stabilise financial markets and economies?

    Link
    OECD
    2020
    🇬🇧
    🇫🇷
    🇪🇸
  • https://www.shareweb.ch/site/DDLGN/Thumbnails/OECD-Covid19b.jpg

    Joint statement by the DAC

    Joint Statement by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

    Further Reading Document
    OECD
    2020
    🇬🇧
  • https://www.shareweb.ch/site/DDLGN/Thumbnails/UNCDF-Covid19.jpg

    COVID-19 Emergency Response

    LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE - Guidance Note for Immediate Action

    Further Reading Document
    UNCDF
    2020
    🇬🇧
  • https://www.shareweb.ch/site/DDLGN/Thumbnails/IMF-COVID19.jpg

    IMF Policy Responses to COVID-19: Policy Tracker

    This policy tracker summarizes the key economic responses governments are taking to limit the human and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Link
    IMF
    2020
    🇬🇧
  • https://www.shareweb.ch/site/DDLGN/Thumbnails/oecd-covid.png

    COVID19_Developing countries and development co-operation

    The unprecedented health and economic crisis developing countries are facing will aggravate existing development challenges. While governments have started to respond, their capacity is tightly constrained. OECD governments and the broader international community need to unlock ambitious support, to prevent the loss of lives, contain the risk of aftershocks, and invest in sustainable recovery.

    Further Reading Document
    OECD
    2020
    🇬🇧
  • https://www.shareweb.ch/site/DDLGN/Thumbnails/UCLG.jpg

    Live Learning Experience #BeyondTheOutbreak

    UCLG, Metropolis and UN-Habitat have launched a live learning experience with local and regional governments which, through solidarity and political will, are pushing more than ever to fulfill their critical role. They are working to carry out an affordable and fair service delivery, fostering the preservation of the commons, and promoting human rights.

    Link
    UCLG
    2020
    🇬🇧
  • https://www.shareweb.ch/site/DDLGN/Thumbnails/DELOG.png

    DeLog Network

    Decentralisation and Local Governance Network

    Link
    DeLog
    2020
    🇬🇧



 

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