RESULTS OF THE LOCAL OPEN GOVLAB (LOG) CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Here is the list of the seven Open Local Governance volunteers and the seven local councils benefiting from the programme
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On 27 May 2021, the Local Open GovLab (LOG) project team selected the shortlisted candidates to become AfricTivistes volunteers for open governance, as well as the local authorities that will host them. The number of applications received (363) demonstrates the keen interest young Africans have in this project. As for local authorities, 15 applications were received, resulting in the selection of 7 local councils.
The selection of AfricTivistes volunteers for open governance took place in several stages. Following a call for applications launched on 1 April 2021, 363 applications were received. The project team then drew up a shortlist, selecting the 25 strongest candidates for interview. The selection was based on a range of criteria, including motivation; skills relevant to open local governance; knowledge of digital tools and open data; and experience developing communications strategies. Candidates also needed to be able to conduct surveys, create opportunities for discussion and consultation, develop or use digital solutions, and organise and lead training sessions.
In the end, seven candidates stood out:
- Sally Bilaly SOW (Guinea)
- Pierre HINDINA NATWA (Chad)
- Alseny Farinta B. CAMARA (Guinea)
- Lionel Hugo ETOA MOUSSONGO (Cameroon)
- Hameth Ndoye (Senegal)
- Joël Arsène NOUMONVI (Benin)
- Ramatoulaye DIALLO (Senegal)
It should be noted that all the shortlisted candidates had strong profiles for volunteering in open governance. As places were limited, candidates were ranked according to their interview scores. Of the 363 applications, 68 were from women. The 10 highest-ranked women were shortlisted for interview, and one candidate met the selection criteria.
The AfricTivistes volunteers will be placed with local authorities participating in the LOG programme from 1 July 2021. They will receive briefings and preparation for their work with the beneficiary municipalities. Each volunteer will also receive guidance and a roadmap for their assigned municipality. The placement will last six months: volunteers will support their municipality remotely for the first three months, then work on site for the remaining three.
Seven municipalities selected to take part in Local Open GovLab
Fifteen municipalities applied to take part in the LOG programme’s supported pathway. Seven local authorities were selected based on the project’s target countries—Senegal, Guinea, Niger and Guinea-Bissau—as well as internet access, the municipalities’ local development plans, their readiness to host and support volunteers throughout their placements, and their ability to provide them with a suitable workspace and the resources, information and support needed to carry out their work.
The selected municipalities also showed clear political commitment to transparency, access to information, accountability and citizen participation. They demonstrated a commitment to opening up public data and a willingness to sign the partnership agreement for the project. These criteria informed the final selection of the following local authorities:
- Fass-Colobane-Gueule Tapée (Senegal)
- Rufisque (Senegal)
- Kouroussa (Guinea)
- Labé (Guinea)
- Matankari (Niger)
- Dankassari (Niger)
- Bissau (Guinea-Bissau)
It should be noted that Guinea-Bissau has only one municipality, in the capital, Bissau. It was therefore selected automatically.
As a next step, the mayors of the selected municipalities will be invited to an information-sharing seminar to officially launch the programme. The seminar will take place in Dakar on 28 and 29 July 2021. It will introduce the programme’s beneficiaries and stakeholders, present its overall objectives and help local-authority representatives agree on schedules and roadmaps. A memorandum on open local governance will also be drafted and published. If a municipality withdraws, it will be replaced by the next municipality in the ranking.
In summary, LOG supports and works with local authorities through digital technology to promote inclusive and participatory governance. Its supported pathway to open local governance involves residents in managing and organising local affairs; raising public awareness and training elected representatives to improve access to information in the public interest; creating opportunities for communication and exchange among residents to strengthen collaboration with elected representatives; encouraging elected representatives to be accountable and make useful information available to their constituents; and developing mechanisms and tools to help modernise local administration.
