Citizen Participation in Policy-Making (SN0019)

Description of the commitment

What public issue the commitment will address ? Increasingly, there is a trend towards better involvement of populations in the development and implementation of public policies. Generally speaking, citizen consultations are often carried out as part of the formulation of public policies. However, it should be emphasized that the level of citizen participation in the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of public policies still remains low. By way of illustration, the Senegal evaluation report, within the framework of the Peer Review Mechanism (MAEP), reveals that nearly 50% of citizens think that certain important segments of society such as young people, women, customary and religious authorities are not sufficiently involved in development policies. Many public policies are defined and managed at central level, without real participation from territorial stakeholders. On the other hand, Senegal has signed and ratified several conventions including CEDAW, the Maputo protocol, the ECOWAS Additional Act relating to equal rights between women and men adopted by the Heads of State and Governments. He undertook several reforms and measures (Constitution 2001), passed laws aimed at consolidating the role and place of women and young people in public life. Among these, include Law No. 2010-11 of May 28, 2010 establishing absolute parity between men and women in elective and semi-elective bodies, the National Gender Equity and Equality Strategy (SNEEG), National Parity Observatory (ONP), etc. However, despite the passing of the law and its implementing decree, the law on parity is not always respected in all elective assemblies and women are still poorly represented in decision-making bodies. This is the case with the representation of young people in these bodies. With regard to environmental policy, the adoption of several texts (environmental, mining, oil, gas codes, etc.) and numerous initiatives aimed at effective involvement of populations in preservation activities and environmental restoration are noted. These instruments and measures give an important place to citizen participation. But in practice, this participation deserves to be strengthened both in formulation and in implementation and monitoring-evaluation.

What are the objectives of the commitment ? The objectives of this commitment are to: • strengthen the technical capacities of territorial actors in the development and monitoring of public policies; • strengthen the territorialization of public policies by broadening consultation at the grassroots level; • strengthen leadership, civic engagement and citizen participation of women and young people and in elective assemblies. • make citizen participation effective in the management of natural resources, including oil, gas, mining and extractives, while systematically publishing research contracts and permits and contracts for the exploitation of natural resources; • revitalize the national committee and regional committees for monitoring and evaluation of public policies • promote the application of the Deconcentration Charter • promote the strengthening of the representation of women and young people in decision-making bodies;• strengthen the capacities of elected officials in local authorities; • raise public awareness of environmental policy issues, particularly issues related to climate change;• strengthen the level of ownership of environmental instruments and initiatives; • promote the effective involvement of populations in environmental preservation and restoration activities.Involve populations in the application of recommendations resulting from environmental impact studies.

How will the engagement help solve the public problem? This commitment will contribute to strengthening the level of participation and engagement of citizens (women, young people and populations) in decisionmaking bodies. It will also help to establish more transparency and trust between the Government and citizens on the management of public resources (financial, natural, etc.) and accountability. Finally, it will contribute to the territorialization of public policies and to bringing environmental policies into line with the expectations of populations.

Why is this commitment relevant to the values of the OGP ? This commitment is part of the implementation of the principles of transparency, citizen participation and accountability.

Additional information

Women represent 49.4% and young people under 35 75% of the total population (ANSD 2023). The Nationally Determined Contribution is validated: Report from the CASC (National Commission of Civil Society Actors on Economic and Social Policy)  Citizen Report on the participation of CSOs in public policies

Important actions with a verifiable deliverable | Starting - Closing | Estimated budget | Responsible

1. Carry out a diagnostic study on the participation of civil society organizations in the development of public policies | January 2024 - December 2024 | 15,000,000 | ANSD

2. Strengthen the technical capacities of territorial actors in the development, implementation and monitoringevaluation of public policies | January 2024 - December 2025 | 70,000,000 | DGPPE

3. Raise awareness of the issues of citizen participation of territorial actors in the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of public policies | January 2024 - December 2025 | 20,000,000 | DGPPE

4. Systematize citizen consultations in the development of public policies | January 2024 - December 2025 | 70,000,000 | DGPPE

5. Establish a national platform for collecting grievances regarding citizen participation in the development,implementation and monitoring of public policies (e-participation) | January 2024 - December 2025 | 10,000,000 | SENUM SA

6. Popularize the national deconcentration charter | January 2024 - December 2024 | 50,000,000 | MINT

7. Revitalize the Civil Society Commission on public policies | January 2024 - December 2025 | 10, 000, 000 | DGPPE

8. Publish periodic citizen reports on public policies | January 2024 - December 2025 | 20,000,000 | DGPPE

9. Hold, in the regions, workshops to popularize instruments for preserving and restoring the environment, including the NDC (nationally determined contribution) | January 2024 - December 2025 | 70,000 000 | MEDDTE

10. Advocating to accelerate the proces of revising the environment code | Janury 2024 - December 2024 | 10,000,000 | Comité national de pilotage

11. Establish a consultation framework for monitoring environmental policies. | January 2024 - December 2024 | 5,000,000 | MEDDTE

12. Institutionalize a prize to be awarded to the 10 cleanest local authorities and the 10 champion companies for environmental action. | January 2024 - December 2025 | 50,000,000 | DCT

13. Carry out a study to identify sectors providing green jobs. | January 2024 - December 2024 | 15,000,000 | MEDDTE

14. Organize capacity building workshops for women on leadership, civic and citizen engagement. | January 2024 - December 2025 | 50,000,000 | DEEG

15. Organize capacity building workshops for young people on leadership, civic and citizen engagement. | January 2024 - December 2025 | 50,000,000 | MJEE

16. Organize national awareness campaigns on participation in political and civic life with different stakeholders and young and women CSOs | January 2024 - December 2025 | 50,000,000 | DPBG

17. Edit a practical guide on citizenship, civics and create a platform for intergenerational dialogue | January 2024 - December 2025 | 40,000,000 | MJEE