The ECA Knowledge and Innovation Award recognizes innovative solutions and strategic learning within the World Bank that can identify solutions to development challenges.
The MDTF-JSS was been awarded the prize based on its work in measuring implementation gaps through the use of Process Maps. Process Maps offer an innovative way to measure the difference between the ‘law on the books’ and the ‘law in practice’ for any given rules-based process. Measuring – and then closing – the implementation gap is essential for the rule of law and for the Enlargement Process.
In 2014, the MDTF-JSS developed four Process Maps. The maps measured the difference between the ‘law on the books’ and the ‘law in practice’ for: (1) an eviction; (2) the enforcement of a utility bill; (3) a divorce and (4) the prosecution of a domestic violence case.
The Report on Process Maps is available here and a blog reflecting on the approach is available here.
The Award provides funding to the task team to share its experience of Process Maps with stakeholders in the region.
To that end, an infographic video will be developed explaining the methodology and how it might be used to narrow the gap between the ‘law on the books’ and the ‘law in practice’.
A workshop with the European Commission and justice sector stakeholders from the Western Balkans will be held in Brussels on 23 June 2015.