About the Project

CUTS Geneva Resource Centre (CUTS GRC) is tasked with the implementation of the FEATS (Fostering Equity and Accountability in the Trading System) project with funding support from William and Flora Hewlett Foundation of the US. Project focus is on Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Main objectives of the 36 months project include:

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FEATS National Dialogues 2010

CUTS GRC organized the second set of FEATS National Dialogues in project countries in October 2010. The NDs were held in collaboration with the local partners with the following as objectives:

Read presentations and their summary reports for NDs in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

FEATS Informal Country Stakeholder Dialogues in Spring 2010

CUTS GRC, in collaboration with country partners, organized informal dialogues with key stakeholders in FEATS project countries in March 2010. Main objectives were to strengthen interaction with and among key stakeholders, disseminate findings of the first phase research on Inclusiveness of Trade Policy Making Processes in project countries, and seek further feedback, on emerging findings in the second phase country-specific research on agriculture-related issues.

Read Informal Stakeholder Dialogue Presentations and Reports for Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

FEATS First Phase Research Publication

The outcome of the research during the first phase of the FEATS Project has been published with the title “Towards More Inclusive Trade Policy Making: Process and Role of Stakeholders in Select African Countries”. Research focus is on trade policy making processes and role of main stakeholders in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. This research shows that a number of initiatives have been undertaken by the governments in the project countries to open up the trade policy making process to a larger group of stakeholders. Research also indicates that the stakeholders are aware of these efforts. However, their performance, as measured by the scores on the Inclusive Trade Policy Making (ITPM) Index indicates that their improved and effective participation in trade policy making requires strengthened capacity of all stakeholders, improved consultative mechanisms, and promotion of a culture of dialogue among all stakeholders.

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FEATS First Phase Advocacy Monograph

This advocacy monograph titled “Improving Ownership through Inclusive Trade Policy Making Processes: Lessons from Africa” brings out the key conclusions and recommendations of the research during the first phase of the FEATS project. While the situation varies among countries and among different groups of stakeholders, the conclusions affirm that much has been done to improve national ownership of policy through inclusive trade policy making processes. The main recommendation is that more can and should be done and hence the effort must be sustained.

Download advocacy monograph

FEATS First Geneva International Conference 2009

First FEATS Geneva International Conference was held in Geneva, Switzerland on 01 October 2009 (See substantive backgrounder and agenda). Conference was inaugurated by Mr. Shishir Priyadarshi, Director Development Division of the WTO and heard presentations on

>  Improving Ownership through Inclusive Trade Policy Making Processes: Lessons from Africa,

>  Research Topics and Methodology for Sector-Specific Research in the Second Phase

and on the FEATS second phase research ToRs for Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia. Based on these presentations, the conference discussed the findings of FEATS first phase research on trade policy making processes in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia as well as the ToRs and research pans for second phase research on the agriculture sector in these countries.

Read report of the conference

Glimpses

FEATS National Dialogues 2009

National Dialogues (NDs) were organized in April and May 2009 in the five project countries. The NDs discussed and validated the research reports of the first phase of the project that had focused on trade policy making processes in the project countries. NDs also discussed and finalized the ToRs for the second phase research.

Read country ND reports for Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

FEATS National Inception Meetings 2008

FEATS National Inception Meetings (NIMs) were held in the five project countries in October 2008. These NIMs were attended by relevant stakeholders (i.e., representatives of the governments, private sector, CSOs, and academics) in each country who were briefed about the FEATS project. The NIMs approved the ToRs for the first phase research and established country FEATS National Reference Groups.

Read country NIM reports for Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia

Read consolidated report of the five country NIMs

FEATS Geneva Inception Meeting 2008

FEATS Inception Meeting was held on 16 July 2008 in Geneva, Switzerland. The event was attended by capital-based representatives of the governments, private sector and CSOs from Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia, as well as representatives of Geneva missions of developed and developing countries, IGOs, and NGOs. This coincided with the launch meeting of CUTS GRC.

Read summary report of the Launch and Inception meeting