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IV. Institutional frameworks and coordination mechanisms at subnational levels

The objectives of this module are:

To discuss and illustrate the frameworks, structures and mechanisms of coordination for integrating environment into economic decision making at sub-national levels.

To discuss the various tools for coordination and illustrate how they are used.

To assess the various constraints in national-sub-national coordination.
 

Institutional arrangements refer to formal government organizational structures as well as informal norms, which are in place in a country for arranging the undertaking of its policy work. Institutional arrangements are crucial as they provide the government at all levels - federal, provincial and local - with the framework within which to formulate and implement policies. The credibility, transparency and predictability of the operations of these institutions have a direct bearing on the extent to which a government is successful in achieving its goals, including that of protecting the environment for sustainable development.

(Source: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. Integrating Environmental Considerations into Economic Policy Making: Institutional Issues. New York, 2000.)

A. Institutional set-up and mechanisms for coordination within unit or sector or environment region

  a. Institutional arrangements
  1. Central ministry having offices in each state
  2. Central government forms advisory body
  3. Creation of subnational/local environmental cells or units
  4. Creation of environmental cells or units in various ministries
  5. Creation of a local (urban/rural) entity with representation from various local government departments

b. Legal framework

B. Coordination between various subnational levels and the national level
 

a. Vertical coordination among layers of government

b. Coordination through organizational hierarchy

  1. Coordination along the organization management level
  2. Direct coordination between national government and local governments (not going along the management line)

c. Coordination through an established coordinating body

d. Combination of coordination through an established coordinating body and coordination through organizational hierarchy

 

C. Coordination mechanism for integration of private sector, local communities, NGOs and academia
  a. Opening public policy for private participation

b. Institutionalizing participation

c. Local capacity building for participation

 

D. Policy roles
 

a. Decision making units and their policy roles

  1. Government "administrative units"
  2. Project/Sectoral level
  3. Environment units
  4. Economic units

b. Use of 'Tools' for integrated policy making

 

E. Use of assessment data in undertaking functions
 

a. Monitoring and Assessment

b. Reporting

c. Use of assessment data in undertaking functions

 

F. Capacity to undertake tasks assigned (human and financial)
 

a. Capacity constraints

  1. Autonomy constraints
  2. Manpower constraints
  3. Financial constraints
  4. Technological constraints

b. Capacity building of local governments


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