Challenges:
The Western Cape Government sought to improve the quality of its regulations and policy outcomes by equipping its mid-level and senior officials with skills to implement Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA). However, there was a need for structured training to introduce officials to the RIA framework and provide them with the practical tools needed for effective implementation.
Additionally, ensuring that the Central RIA Steering Committee (CRSC) members were prepared to assess RIA studies and provide quality assurance posed a significant challenge.
Solutions:
AAA was contracted to deliver a comprehensive capacity-building program aimed at enhancing the RIA skills of Western Cape Government officials. The program included:
Tailored Training Program:
A customized training program was developed, covering the evolution, benefits, and implementation challenges of RIA. The program included case studies to provide participants with practical examples and insights.
Hands-on Training:
The training was designed to introduce 80 mid-level and senior officials to the RIA process, including its steps, challenges, and global best practices. Topics discussed ranged from the basic concepts of RIA to the challenges of implementing it in practice.
CRSC Training:
Two half-day specialized training sessions were delivered to members of the Central RIA Steering Committee (CRSC) to focus on the assessment and quality assurance of RIA studies. This session addressed common problems, evaluation areas, and challenges encountered in maintaining the quality of RIA processes.
Delivery:
Two online training courses were delivered to the 80 officials (in 2 rounds) across government departments, with an additional focused session for CRSC members to ensure that the quality assurance function is well understood.
Impact:
The RIA training provided Western Cape Government officials with the necessary skills to conduct and evaluate regulatory impact assessments effectively. The training not only increased their awareness of the importance of RIA in improving policy outcomes but also empowered officials to apply practical RIA techniques in their respective departments. The CRSC members are now better equipped to assess RIA studies, ensuring higher quality in policy evaluations moving forward.
This program marks an important step toward strengthening regulatory governance in the Western Cape.
Tailored Advisory Services
