Figure 8. Negative Feedback Loop (l) /Positive Feedback Loop (r)
No
incentives to
develop infra‑
structure
No
incentives
to use infra-
structure
More
infrastructure
No
incentives
to produce
content
More
demand
More
content
objectives and implement respective initiatives in a locally appropriate, effective
and efficient manner54. Therefore the Government believes that, wherever possible, such stakeholders should be the ones making decisions and taking actions
needed to implement the Policy. Central authority should perform only those tasks
that cannot be performed effectively at a more immediate or local level55. More aggregated (including, national) level actions should only be taken, when they would
add specific and substantial value (e.g., by enabling synergies via stakeholder
coordination).
On the basis of local and international experience, the Government believes
that successful implementation of policy interventions requires projects to
be owned and driven by local and/or line stakeholders. To achieve this such
stakeholders should: (a) have a clear stake in outcomes of respective policy
interventions (including in terms of substantive as well as reputational outcomes
(including the attribution of success)); (b) make a substantial contribution to the
respective project (and, to a reasonable extent, take responsibility for projectrelated uncertainties); and (c) have substantial freedom and be able to exercise
considerable discretion in taking actions.
Stakeholder ownership and drive is not an objective by itself. It is a tool to
achieve objectives of this Policy in general and of specific policy interventions
in particular. The Government considers that clear and meaningful outcomeoriented expectations for and/or commitments of implementing stakeholders
is an appropriate mechanism to achieve an alignment between actions of
stakeholders and policy objectives, at the same time providing an environment
enabling stakeholder ownership and drive.
In the context of this section, the Government specifically notes the
importance of local communities for implementation of projects at a local level.
Demonstrable support of local communities is an important precondition for
successful implementation of such projects. While local stakeholders are best
placed to identify the best manner to attain and demonstrate such support, the
54
An example of a specific area, where decisions will have to be made by most appropriate line and local stakeholders, is limits to electronic content available via ICT tools to students in schools.
55
This is essentially how the Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘subsidiarity’.
Approaches and Principles
47