Support to the development of National Action Plans (NAP) in Sub-Saharan Africa through policy support, research, knowledge building and advocacy, in particular through Understanding Children’s Work (UCW)

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION CODEV -TECHNICAL COOPERATION SPROUTS/PRODOC Summary Title: Support to the development of National Action Plans (NAP) in Sub-Saharan Africa through policy support, research, knowledge building and advocacy, in particular through Understanding Children’s Work (UCW) Countries covered: Countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa region: Cameroon, DRC (The Democratic Republic of Congo), and Ethiopia Duration and budget: 01 October 2008 – 31 March 2010 (18 months); US$1,000,000.00. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The development objective of this proposal is to contribute to the elimination of child labour through strengthening policy responses and advocacy to child labour in Sub-Saharan Africa, and will be implemented by IPEC with the research assistance of UCW. The proposal is directed towards enhancing the political commitment to child labour elimination in Africa and providing support in critical capacity areas, such as data collection, analysis, advocacy and national action planning. Development of National Action Plans (NAPs) will be supported through research based policy advice. The proposal involves a new UCW research and policy support project concentrating on the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region, where progress against child labour has been slowest and where accelerated action is therefore most needed (see below). Building on the global-level research undertaken to date, this project will be directed towards three immediate objectives: (1) improving the information base on child labour and related issues, (2) informing policies and action plans addressing child labour and (3) strengthening national capacity in measuring and monitoring child labour. The project is expected to have a duration of eighteen (18) months. For administrative reasons the Agreement should have a duration of 24 months. Logical framework Immediate objectives The project efforts in the targeted countries of the Sub-Saharan Africa region will be directed towards the following immediate objectives: (a) Strengthened knowledge base on the child labour phenomenon and the various factors underlying it, for a common understanding of child labour and a common basis for action against it; (b) Enhanced policy framework for developing and implementing policies and action plans on child labour; and (c) Enhanced national capacity in the collection, analysis and application of child labour data, and establishment of systems for regular data collection to guide policy and assess progress. Outputs and activities Main outputs in the targeted Sub-Saharan Africa countries will include the following: (a) research findings and statistical information, helping to provide a common understanding of child labour and a common basis for action against it; (b) policies and action plans, helping to ensure that research outputs are translated into concrete measures impacting upon the lives of child labourers; and (c) mechanisms and tools for regular data collection on child labour and its effective dissemination, helping to guide policy and monitor progress. In addition to the above, the policy and action plan component should develop a child labour free area programme to be tested in one selected African country for further expansion in the continent.

Project symbol

RAF/08/06/ITA

Admin unit

IPEC

Start date

01/09/2008

End date

31/12/2011

Total allocation

976053

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

978020

Development Partners

Italy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Country/Countries

Africa - regional

Outcomes

Child Labour