OVERVIEW

The USAID Advancing Efforts for Reform and Civic Accountability (AERCA) Anti-Corruption Component objectives were 1) to improve the delivery of key services by targeted ministries and institutions, resulting in tangible, visible changes benefitting citizens, and 2) to bolster governmental and civic mechanisms of oversight and accountability.

ACTIVITIES

• Provided technical assistance to the Afghan Ministry of Public Health to develop an anti-corruption strategy based on the Independent Joint Anti-Corruption Monitoring and Evaluation Committee’s (MEC) Vulnerability to Corruption Assessment
• Supported the Afghan Ministry of Education roll-out of an improved process for providing high school diplomas
• Supported ministries in their reform of: 1) national identification cards, 2) drivers’ licenses, and 3) small business licenses
• Provided grants for CSOs to provide community-based monitoring of public service delivery reforms
• Supported a public relations campaign to make people aware of the reforms of selected public service delivery areas and how to access the services
• Managed a rapid response fund to address compelling and urgent needs deemed highly relevant to fighting corruption, for example, providing technical assistance to the newly established Anti-Corruption Secretariat of the High Council of Good Governance, Anti-Corruption, and Justice Sector

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Conducted a Political Economy Analysis to identify levels of political will within key ministries, civil society, the private sector, and other government agencies to partner in anti-corruption efforts that would achieve the most impact
• Mapped 10 public services and selected three services to focus on improving customer service experience: 1) national identification cards, 2) drivers’ licenses and 3) small business licenses
• Maintained a public website to track accountability of anti-corruption efforts and particular public service delivery reform at the ministry level
• Improved government delivery of selected public services
• Improved citizen customer satisfaction
• Eliminated opportunities for petty corruption
• Increased public service delivery revenue
• Promoted a culture of mutual civic accountability
• Enhanced rights of access to information for citizens
• Facilitated development of roadmaps for improved transparency in government bodies