Mid term review report. Public administration reform project in Ninh Binh

The Project

The Ninh Binh Public Administration Project (NB PAR) is a phase II (2006-2010) continuation of a project started with phase I (1998-2003). The project goal is to support Ninh Binh province to implement its public administration reform under the framework of the National PAR Master Program 2001-2010 and the socio-economic development plan of Ninh Binh province up to 2010. 16 agencies in the province are involved in the project, among which three agencies have their own sub-projects. The total budget for the phase II project is 1.599.200 USD.

Interesting Findings 

•  High relevance of the Project to local PAR needs and its significant contributions to meet citizenry needs the key beneficiary of local poverty reduction effort, and businesses through simplification of administrative procedures. The Project is a key factor facilitating effective application of OSS (One Stop Shop) and inter-agency OSS model in routine operation of the public administration of the province.
• While not directly providing capital for poverty reduction, the Project's support has created a local community based momentum for poverty reduction. This is very effective approach, since on the one hand, it can consolidate the social cohesion in villages, and on the other hand, it gradually turns poverty reduction activities to be self-reinforced community efforts. However, how to develop a tailor made operation agendas for such organizations and/or clubs and to avoid formality is key to sustain such efforts.
• The Project has focused on strengthening people's community management capacity as one of its main objectives. It has helped to improve villagers' legal awareness and income generation knowledge. The Project supported to construct the Common House of Trung Chinh Village and equipped it with computers and internet connection which has been highly appreciated by villagers.
• Concerning the effectiveness of the Project it is too early to really assess whether objectives are being met. The progress so far predicts that many of the objectives can be achieved. The objectives 4 and 5, "To enhance the capacity and participation of women at all 3 levels of local government" and "To strengthen the capacity of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and its members in monitoring and inspection within the framework of the grassroots democracy decree" are however evaluated as failed to achieve to date.
• There is no clear evidence to date to evaluate project impact. However, given the extent of achievement of stated Project objectives and its high relevance to local needs (including that of government agencies, citizenry and business community), it can be predicted with high certainty that the Project will contribute significantly to Developmental goal and provide long-term impacts on local poverty reduction, especially in beneficiary agencies, communes and districts. This prediction is reinforced by various feedbacks collected from citizens and government staff members.