DSF Support Office for Eastern Indonesia
The DSF Support Office for Eastern Indonesia (SOfEI) is a regionally focused facilitation group based in Makassar, and is closely aligned with the Decentralization Support Facility (DSF) in Jakarta. Established in 2004, SOfEI supports decentralization activities throughout the 12 provinces of eastern Indonesia, and has a key role in evolving development approaches that are appropriate and effective for the region. Many SOfEI activities are initiated by the Eastern Indonesia Forum, but some are the result of donor/development partner initiatives. SOfEI services include:
- provision of analysis and appraisal services, such as regional expenditure reviews and stakeholder mapping;
- customization/adaptation of successful project and program approaches to the needs of eastern Indonesia;
- dissemination of best practice approaches and relevant data to eastern Indonesian stakeholders, through appropriate media
- support and liaison services in eastern Indonesia, to promote donor engagement and harmonization.
SOfEI has organized its core work programs into four thematic areas. Good Governance; Community-Driven Development; Development Effectiveness (Knowledge Management and Networking); and Project Development and Donor Support.
Probably the best known SOfEI activity is the Public Expenditure Analysis and Capacity Enhancement (PEACH) program, which involves analysis and training for public financial managers in provincial governments. Some support and training for regionally focused legislatures has also been provided. However, SOfEI also maintains and produces a broad range of regional information sharing networks and publications, and has been especially instrumental in facilitating a number of PNPM activities and training programs. Overall, SOfEI has proven itself to be a useful partner in national and regional government decentralization approaches.
