Objectives:

• Providing a multi-stakeholder advisory forum for seeking Civil Society Input in critical issues of sustainable development for informed decision making
• Raising intellectual awareness on environment, poverty, governance and integrated development planning
• Building consensus for advocacy on matters of significance that may emerge as critical issue in future

Major Achievements:

• The only forum in the district, which discussed bottom up approach two years ahead of the govt. devolution plan (2000)
• First forum in the district, which gave input on integrated development and fixed eleven priority areas
• The forum, which held regular meetings during the last 8 years and contributed in formulating the first ever integrated development vision for the district in Pakistan in accordance with the provisions of LGO 2001(147-4 a)
• A unique forum, which was owned by the District Development Advisory Committee (DDAC 1997-99), District Administration (1999-2001) and the District Govt. (2001-04)
• An exceptional advisory forum, which was recognized by the District Govt.in approving CCS document and acceding to the establishment of district level fund for sustainable development

Constraints:

• Lack of legal instrument to institutionalize the forum as a think tank for Sustainable Development in the district
• Lack of funding sources for running the secretariat of the forum
• Political instability and lack of political will to sustain the forum
• Lack of capacities in the district government departments to institutionalize the forum within the ambit of their system
• Absence of strong civil society voice to support a multi-stakeholder think tank for consensus building and advocacy

Future Prospects:

• The forum is strong enough to prove its utility in future by building consensus on generating sources of income through taxes at local level
• The forum will ensure its sustainability by bridging the gap between public sector, private sector and civil society organizations through meaningful dialogue on critical issues pertaining to integrated development in the district
• The forum will enhance its strength by fetching additional resources to its institutional home i.e. Finance & Planning Department in the district government through donor support or other suitable financial mechanisms

Institutional Home:

Finance and Planning Department, District Government Chitral

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