Civil society organizations in the public policy process in Rwanda A case study of Rwanda Civil Society Platform

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the role played by Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in public policy (PP) process in Rwanda, a case of Rwanda Civil Society Platform. Specifically, the study aims: (i) to explore the activities carried out by CS with regard to the agenda setting, policy formulation and adoption, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; (ii) analyze strengths and weaknesses of Rwanda civil society organizations in public policy formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; (iii) assess the challenges that Rwanda civil society organizations face when they seek to influence public policies; identify civil society organizations opportunities with regard to public policy processes and how they are utilized. The study is both qualitative and quantitative and relied on two sources of information: primary and secondary data whereby primary data were collected through questionnaires and qualitative in-depth interviews, while secondary data were collected through desk review. The study revealed that the level of participation of CSOs in public policy process is only highest when it comes to the implementation of public policies as confirmed by 43.3% of respondents. However, the involvement of CSOs in policy agenda setting becomes lower as affirmed by only 15.0% of respondents. This does not augur well for CSOs which are expected to influence public policy process and bring a change in government‟s performance. 62% of respondents affirmed that CSOs don‟t carry out research on public policy that interest their beneficiaries, members and constituents. The collaboration of CSOs with leaders is highest at District level (33.3%) while CSOs collaboration at ministry and parliament levels is very low as only affirmed by 5.1% of respondents which implies that CSOs are decreasingly involved in policy formulation and adoption from lower to higher government institutions. These statistics indicate that CSOs perform better in pointing out government‟s shortcomings but their involvement in decision making is very limited. There exist various challenges that become a hindrance to an efficient and effective participation of CSOs in public policy process. These include but are not limited to the low level of understanding by CSO of their role in public policy process, reluctance to confront the government for fear of spoiling their relations with the government, total donor dependency, limited human and material resources, etc. Even so, there are many opportunities that CSOs can be seized to overcome existing challenges and improve performance as well as participation level in public policy process. Existence of political will to involve CSOs in Public policy process, the existence of legal framework and formal structures, open for CSOs, such as JADF, open day within various public institutions, Sector Working Groups, thematic commissions at parliament level, several networks and coalitions at national, regional and international levels to which CSOs are members, availability of donors and development partners which can financially support CSOs in their programs with regard to the agenda setting, policy formulation and adoption, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.