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Transparency International puts the DRC in 168th position out of 183 in its 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index. The predatory nature of the state, its inability to provide basic services to the people, and a weak or absent relationship between citizens and duty bearers are just some of the factors recognised as holding the country back and helping to fuel conflict.

Recognising these challenges, CARE and IRC are implementing a $60m community reconstruction programme with DFID, called Tuungane that is seeking to take a different approach to traditional governance work. As with all NGO governance programmes, the project rightly focuses on increasing the demand for services by mobilising communities to develop local development plans. And, as with most NGO programmes (though not as many as should) the programme is also, working on the supply of effective governance with the district councils (ETDs) by training potential councillors. If all goes well with the passing of the decentralisation law in 2013 this will be the lowest level of state authority directly elected by the population. However, what is really different about this programme is that the district councils are being offered the carrot of financial incentives to encourage them to perform. . The programme will invest most time and resources on rewarding the four best performing councils in the region of Maniema – who will stand to gain more than $100,000 of investment to part fund the development plans created through this process.

Ensuring Conflict Sensitivity

There are obvious challenges with this approach. Clear communication, , transparency and engagement is essential at all levels to manage the tensions than can arise where groups are perceived as winners and losers, and training continues with the councils that have not been selected.,. However, in order to change deep rooted systems of patronage and incentives unrelated to serving the people, new incentives have to be offered that equal or better the benefits that would be derived from a rent seeking structure. With a community score card system in place for local people to express their views, and a central focus on evaluation and learning, time will tell whether this model has made a difference in building stronger and more effective relationships between the state and the people in the DRC.