End of Commitment Report – Co-creation of public policy for reforestation and environmental care in the province of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas and digital system for environmental control and delivery of environmental species.

Name of Evaluator

Franklin Gerardo Naranjo Armijo

Email

fnaranjo@itsjapon.edu.ec

Member Name

Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Ecuador

Action PlanAction plans are at the core of a government’s participation in OGP. They are the product of a co-creation process in which government and civil society jointly develop commitments to open governmen... Title

Action plan – Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Ecuador, 2021 – 2023

CommitmentOGP commitments are promises for reform co-created by governments and civil society and submitted as part of an action plan. Commitments typically include a description of the problem, concrete action...

Co-creation of public policy for reforestation and environmental care in the province of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas and digital system for environmental control and delivery of environmental species.

Action

This commitment of the Open Government Action Plan of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas aims to contribute to the fight against pollution and deforestation processes in the affected areas identified in the province, creating the necessary mechanisms to involve representatives of various provincial sectors to work in an articulated way, through the following actions: Co-creation of a provincial reforestation and environmental control policy with the participation of representatives from various sectors of the province. Generation and publication of open dataBy opening up data and making it sharable and reusable, governments can enable informed debate, better decision making, and the development of innovative new services. Technical specifications: Polici... on the inventory of forest species in the province, as well as the species available for reforestation in the plant nursery of the province. Development of processes and an online system to expedite requests for species for reforestation as well as complaints of environmental impacts by citizens. Socialization of the degree of importance of environmental complaints where the procedure and the requirements for support and verification of environmental effects will be announced, subject to study and analysis. Design and implement a training program in environmental educationAccountability within the public education system is key to improving outcomes and attainment, and accountability is nearly impossible without transparent policies and opportunities for participation ... aimed at the citizens of the province, to also promote citizen environmental responsibility. Dissemination campaign on the importance of caring for the environment to reduce incidences of tree felling.

Problem

Agro-productive activities added to the indiscriminate felling of trees have caused a serious problem of deforestation and environmental pollution in various sectors of the province. Faced with this situation, the Provincial Council of Santo Domingo has created a plant nursery that allows having native species of conservation, same that through a sustained program of reforestation, it has allowed implementing the distribution of plants in the population that lives in the affected areas. reforestation and watershed protection projects. That is why it is necessary to strengthen the interest and citizen participationAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, citizen participation occurs when “governments seek to mobilize citizens to engage in public debate, provide input, and make contributions that lead to m... More to carry out the reforestation and care of native species, as well as the involvement of representatives of various sectors of the province to coordinate joint actions aimed at protecting the environment, creating, or also strengthening the mechanisms to respond to citizen requests and complaints.

1.1 What was the overall level of progress in the commitment implementation at the time of this assessment?

Complete

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

The co-creation of a public policy for reforestation and environmental care for the province of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas is a collaborative process involving multiple stakeholders, including representatives from the provincial government, environmental organizations, local communities, environmental experts, and other relevant actors.

This process of co-creation and implementation requires a long-term commitment to the environmental sustainability of the province of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas. Additionally, transparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More in the use of resources and the achieved results is essential to generate trust and public support.

Provide evidence that supports and justifies your answer:

• Photos 1, 2 and 3

1.2 Describe the main external or internal factors that impacted implementation of this commitment and how they were addressed (or not).

1. Identification of needs and objectives:
   • Conduct a diagnosis of the current environmental situation in the province, including deforestation, loss of biodiversity, water quality, and other environmental issues.
   • Define specific objectives of the public policy, such as restoring degraded areas, conserving critical ecosystems, and promoting sustainable practices.
2. Development of public policy:
   • Develop a public policy project that includes concrete measures, goals, and deadlines for reforestation, conservation, and other environmental actions.
   • Consider integrating technology and digital systems to monitor and control the progress of initiatives.
3. Environmental impact assessment:
   • Conduct an environmental impact assessment to ensure that proposed actions do not cause additional damage to the natural and cultural environment of the province.
4. Implementation and monitoring:
   • Allocate financial and human resources to implement the measures defined in the public policy.
   • Establish a monitoring and evaluation system to measure progress towards objectives and make adjustments as necessary.
5. Development of an environmental control system:
   • Develop a digital platform that allows real-time monitoring of activities related to reforestation and environmental care.
   • Facilitate citizen participation through the submission of observation reports and reporting of illegal or destructive activities.
6. Delivery of environmental species:
   • Establish nurseries for native species for reforestation and restoration of degraded ecosystems.
   • Implement environmental education programs and community participation to promote the adoption of sustainable practices.
7. Communication and awareness:
   • Carry out communication campaigns to inform the population about the importance of reforestation.

1.3 Was the commitment implemented as originally planned?

Most of the commitment milestones were implemented as planned

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

In the implementation of this commitment, the core development proceeded as initially planned, albeit with some changes in milestones due to unforeseen circumstances and the availability of the direct participants in this commitment. In the end, the proposed objective was achieved, aligning with the initially set goal.

Provide evidence for your answer:

• Photos 1, 2 and 3

2.1.1. – Did the government disclose more information; improve the quality of the information (new or existing); improve the value of the information; improve the channels to disclose or request information or improve accessibility to information?

Yes

Degree of result:

Outstanding

Explanation: In narrative form, what has been the impact on people or practice.

This commitment not only benefits the local community by reducing landslide risks and improving the quality of the environment but also contributes to the global effort to combat climate change by increasing carbon dioxide absorption and preserving green areas. It is an excellent example of how local actions can have a positive impact globally.

Provide evidence for your answer:

• Photos 1, 2 and 3

2.1.2. – Did the government create new opportunities to seek feedback from citizens/enable participation inform or influence decisions; improve existing channels or spaces to seek feedback from citizens/enable participation/ inform or influence decisions; create or improve capabilities in the government or the public aimed to improve how the government seeks feedback from citizens/enables participation/ or allows for the public to inform or influence decisions?

Yes

Degree of result:

Major

Explanation: In narrative form, what has been the impact on people or practice.

Reforestation campaigns are an excellent initiative to raise awareness among the population, especially in rural areas, about the importance of caring for trees and the environment in general. These campaigns have multiple benefits, and it is encouraging to see that they are having a positive impact on public awareness and environmental protection. Continuing to promote and expand these initiatives is essential to ensure a more sustainable and resilient future in rural areas and worldwide.

Provide evidence for your answer:

• Photos 1, 2 and 3

2.1.3 Did the government create or improve channels, opportunities or capabilities to hold officials answerable to their actions?

Yes

Degree of result:

Major

Explanation: In narrative form, what has been the impact on people or practice.

The Autonomous Decentralized Provincial Government of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas enhances opportunities and capacities to hold officials accountable, which is a fundamental aspect of transparent, effective, and responsible government administration. Below are some ways in which the institution works through its Environmental Directorate:

1. Transparency Laws and Regulations: The government can enact laws and regulations that demand the disclosure of information, transparency in decision-making, and accountability of public officials. This may include access to information laws, financial disclosure requirements, and government ethics.
2. Whistleblower Protection: The identity of whistleblowers reporting illegal or inappropriate activities is protected.
3. Independent AuditsInstitutional and legal frameworks are necessary for providing assurance of the integrity of financial information and of compliance with budgetary rules and procedure. Technical specifications: These... and Assessments: Independent audits and assessments of government actions are conducted to identify problems and areas for improvement.
4. Citizen Participation: Citizen involvement in the decision-making process is an effective way to hold officials accountable. Citizen participation includes public hearings.
5. Sanctions and Accountability: Ensuring that legal sanctions and effective accountability procedures are in place for officials and citizens who violate the law or codes of conduct is essential for maintaining accountability in government.

These are some of the strategies and approaches that the Prefecture of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas employs to improve the accountability of public officials. By promoting transparency, citizen participation, and accountability, democracy is strengthened, and a more effective and ethical government is fostered.

Provide evidence for your answer:

• Photos 1, 2 and 3

2.1.4 Other Results

Yes

Degree of result:

Outstanding

Explanation: In narrative form, what has been the impact on people or practice.

It is very positive to see that the environmental complaints platform has proven to be effective in resolving environmental issues in the community. Here is a summary of the notable achievements:

1. Speed and Efficiency in Reporting: The environmental complaints platform has enabled senior citizens to quickly and effectively report the situations affecting them, which is crucial for ensuring a timely response to health and environmental pollution problems.
2. Sanction Against the Oil Extractor: The sanction imposed on the oil extractor for its pollution is an important action to enforce environmental regulations and protect the water quality in the estuary. This sends a clear message that pollution will not be tolerated, and companies must comply with environmental regulations.
3. Fly Control in Poultry Farm: Collaboration with Agrocalidad officials to control flies in a poultry farm is essential to maintain the health and well-being of birds and prevent public health issues. This demonstrates effective cooperation between different government entities to address biosecurity and environmental issues.

In summary, these actions demonstrate how an environmental complaints platform can be a valuable tool for efficiently and effectively addressing environmental issues. Furthermore, they highlight the importance of enforcing environmental regulations and promoting the health and safety of both the community and the natural environment.

Provide evidence for your answer:

• Photos 1 and 2

2.2 Did the commitment address the public policy problem that it intended to address as described in the action plan?

Yes

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

A public policy issue was addressed through a commitment, and it is essential to follow certain steps to achieve the goals and objectives defined in the action plan. The commitment was executed as a public policy issue per the action plan.
The commitment has been consistently addressed as a public policy issue, meeting established objectives and being based on evidence and citizen participation. Furthermore, it is transparent in its implementation and evaluation, contributing to accountability and strengthening trust in the government.

3. Provide at least one lesson or reflection relating to the implementation of this commitment. It can be the identification of key barriers to implementation, an unexpected help/hindrance, recommendations for future commitments, or if the commitment should be taken forward to the next action plan.

It is important to acknowledge that adapting and adjusting governmental initiatives in response to the changing needs and demands of the citizens is an essential part of effective governance. That is why the plant management portal was originally conceived with the intention of providing access to plants, but it does not fulfill the objectives of reforestation and environmental care. Therefore, certain changes or adjustments have been made regarding the methodology of plant delivery.