Natural Resource Governance Institute

Programs: Training and capacity building:capacity development: capacity development and technical assistance go hand in hand as part of nrgi's commitment to facilitating effective policy decisions while simultaneously building long-term capacity. We carry out both capacity development and technical assistance with multiple audiences, including civil society organizations, governments, journalists, parliamentarians and youth. By capacity development, we refer to activities that enable our counterparts to build their skills and knowledge over time, to more effectively manage or oversee natural resource sectors. Our efforts include substantial commitments to innovative training programs. In early 2016, in collaboration with our partners, nrgi launched natural resources for sustainable development: the fundamentals of oil, gas, and mining governance, a massive open online course (mooc). The course was repeated in september 2016. Over 8,000 people enrolled in the 12-week course. The mooc will be repeated twice a year. Additionally, nrgi will continue to provide formal trainings programs through our regional knowledge hubs, or training centers. Through the hubs in mena, asia pacific, francophone africa and eurasia, we aspire to build up the core capacities of a critical mass of oversight actors and public officials throughout the regions where we work, facilitate international experience-sharing and where appropriate, enable our institutional partners to become renowned and independent knowledge centers. Beyond the hubs, we conduct a variety of in-depth courses, some focused on particular stakeholder groups (e. G. , journalists, parliamentarians). We have worked closely with institutional partners and a range of academic institutions. Our approach to training seeks to be grounded in the latest research and lessons learned but also emphasizes the practical ways in which participants can use the knowledge gained after the session ends. Training represents the beginning, not the end of a journey to increased capacity. We recognize that developing capacity over time requires follow up, mentorship, and activities embedded in the fabric of the work that partners are carrying out every day. As such, wherever possible, we link capacity building efforts to ongoing support such as small competitive grants and to nrgi technical assistance that helps them act on new knowledge and skills. Our capacity development efforts have increasingly become grounded in country level interventions so that we can follow up more systematically on intermediate and advance knowledge and skills.

researchknowledge products: nrgi develops core knowledge products including the resource governance index (rgi) and the natural resource charter. The rgi is the only international index dedicated to measurement of the governance of extractive resources. With the rgi team now led by liz mcgrath, senior researcher, we are on track to launch the 2017 edition in june 2017. Recently, nrgi launched the natural resource charter benchmarking framework, a tool to assess and monitor the governance of wealth from oil, gas, and minerals in resource-rich countries. It features analytical questions and detailed guidance based on the twelve precepts of the natural resource charter. Looking ahead, nrgi plans to disseminate these tools widely, provide training opportunities for accountability actors and governments, and utilize the charter in global and country advocacy campaigns. Local and global policy themes: nrgi also carries out research and analysis on key themes impacting governance of natural resources in our target countries, to influence policy decisions and support the ambitions of our partners. Some of this work is aimed to inform country reform agendas by analyzing specific and relevant issues in the countries in which we work (e. G. , corruption in tanzania, the social impacts of the super cycle in andean countries, revenue management in ghana). We also conduct research to help create and reinforce norms and standards that enable greater transparency and participation (e. G. Beneficial ownership, commodity training, anti-corruption). Open data and analytical tools: as the global transparency movement continues to bear fruit, it has produced a trove of new public information that may reduce information asymmetries, inform policy and improve citizen oversight. Nrgi is committed to mainstreaming open data throughout our programming. For example, we develop and manage data tools (e. G. , resourcecontracts. Org, resourceprojects. Org) that facilitate quick access, comparison, visualization and reposting of data, and enables users to connect the dots between various data points on the extractive industry landscape. These tools are then used in trainings and workshops with a diverse of stakeholders including civil society, media and governments.

technical assistanceby technical assistance, we refer to analysis or recommendations that nrgi makes to or with our partners in response to specific policy questions. Technical assistance can substantially complement capacity building efforts by helping partners engage effectively on the practical, immediate decisions they face. Similarly, in order for technical assistance to have a meaningful long-term impact, it must be accompanied by sustained efforts to build capacity. Our technical assistance work has taken on slightly different forms with different stakeholders. With governments, we have helped analyze policy options, draft new rules, negotiate agreements and implement new mechanisms for transparency and accountability. With parliaments, we have helped analyze draft legislation, develop draft language and amendments, and monitor government performance. With civil society groups, we have supported research and analysis, the formulation of policy statements and recommendations, and the development of innovative tools for public accountability.