"The session discusses concrete examples of citizen engagement approaches and mechanisms implemented in FCV contexts and how the iterative interaction between citizens and authorities or service providers has a transformational impact on development results."

There is growing evidence that, under the right conditions, citizen engagement (CE) can help governments achieve improved and sustainable development results. Citizen engagement approaches can contribute to empowering citizens, reducing corruption, and improving service delivery. The Bank is increasingly focusing on addressing the drivers of FCV. Community-driven programs underpinned by citizen engagement mechanisms are an effective way of addressing some of these drivers. They can enable the delivery of basic services in an inclusive and accountable manner, thus helping to build community resilience and cohesion as well as state legitimacy.

The iterative interaction between citizens and authorities or service delivery providers through CE mechanisms helps to build trust between citizens and the state actors and thereby, reinforce state legitimacy. Resource allocation and access to basic services are often one the main conflict triggers and integrating CE to enhance citizens' voice, participation and transparency is key to building trust, therefore, addressing one of the issues at the core of conflict and fragility. However, more evidence and lessons from experience are needed to inform the design of effective programs and engagement mechanisms, particularly in FCV contexts. Several Bank-financed operations in FCV contexts have employed citizen engagement approaches at the local level, while partnering with civil society organizations (CSOs), to improve service delivery; stimulate local economic development; strengthen citizens mobilization and participation at the community.

At the same time, integrating CE mechanisms into operations has allowed for building local governments capacity to interact constructively with communities, improve access and quality of basic services based on communities feedback and strengthen communities' resilience and state legitimacy. Also, social intermediary institutions are key players for voice and service delivery in FCV environments as they are essential in building trust between underserved communities and fragile formal institutions. Civil Society Organizations can play an important role to facilitate this dialogue and ensure feedback loops are effective.

The session strengthens the knowledge and understanding of development practitioners about the impact and effectiveness of CE approaches in risk mitigation efforts as well as on sustainable development results. It also provides an opportunity for development experts and practitioners to ask questions and engage in a debate about how the concrete mechanisms and the lessons learned in these cases and how they can be adapted and employed in other FCV contexts and across development interventions more broadly.

This session is part of the Fragility Forum 2020 Virtual Series.