Home ›

What is TRACE?


TRACE, which stands for Transparency and Accountability in Extractive Industries, is a capacity strengthening programme for civil society, coordinated by PWYP Norway.

Background

TRACE was initiated as a response to civil society demand from colleagues working in resource rich countries in the South, that Northern coalitions should take more responsibility to develop and facilitate capacity strengthening on extractive industry issues. PWYP Norway developed, designed and implements the programme in close consultation with:

  • The PWYP global network, organising over 300 organisations from over 70 countries working since 2002 on particular issues of relevance for civil society on transparency and accountability in the extractive industries
  • Our member organisations
  • PETRAD’s experiences since 1989 with drawing on the combined expertise of the Norwegian oil and gas industry, facilitating knowledge and experience transfer between managers and experts in governments and national oil companies about petroleum management, administration and technology
  • Norwegian Church Aid , drawing upon their experience in humanitarian and development aid and advocacy work. NCA is also an ACT member, which is an alliance of more than 100 organisations working in 125 countries.

The first practical experience

During 2008 – 2009 we implemented the first pilot of the programme in the African region with English speaking participants representing 27 organisations from seven African countries. We referred to this pilot as Region 1 . The first module of the programme was implemented in Stavanger, Norway, 1-9 December 2008. The second module was implemented in Accra, Ghana on 23-26 September 2009, with the local host organisation Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC). The third module was implemented in Kampala, Uganda on 23-26 November 2009, with the local host organisation, Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC).

Regions, participants and approach

The programme is offered in one pre-defined region at a time and to a selected group of maximum 32 participants. The regions are determined based on geographical and linguistic factors. After an open application process, we select participants who represent and are supported by an NGO, labour union or media that works on advocacy issues related to relevant issues in the extractive industries.

We apply a participatory approach in our programme, were participants actively engage in shaping the content to meet their organisations’ needs. Structurally, the programme consists of three pedagogic modules. Each module includes preparatory work to be conducted individually or in country groups, and a seminar/training.

>> Follow the links in the menu on the left to read more about the programme