Transparency in Sports, Healthy Communities: Corruption's Sudden Death
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País: Venezuela
Organization: Transparencia Venezuela
Sport - Other
Year the initative began (yyyy) - 2007
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Positioning in the Mosaic of solutions
What is your signature innovation, your new idea, in one sentence? - The incorporation of transparent management systems in local governments in order to create and reinforce sports networks in Venezuelan communities.
Describe your innovation. What makes your idea unique and different than others doing work in the field? - Our model aims at revitalizing sports activities in each municipality within the country, through the creation of reliable relations and responsible commitments between Sports authorities of local governments and the communities which participate in the mass sports programs (Sports clubs and junior groups, schools, private schools, representatives of children's communities which participate or may participate in sports programs), and also through the design, approval and difussion of a sports system of transparency, which would include the decision, designation, execution, rendering of accounts and management of all the available sports resources in each municipality, i.e.: budgets, equipment, existent and future facilities and capacity, times, schedules, coaches and professional, administrative and executive staff.
What are the existing barriers, the biggest problem, your innovation is hoping to address/change? - -Lack of transparency which is demonstrated by the poor access to public information, and which can be seen as well in the sports sector. Citizens are unaware of: the amount of funds destined to sports, the way in which the money is invested, the process of decision and the identity of those in charge of deciding;
-Citizens who practice sports ignore the powers vested upon local institutions and officials; -Lack of involvement mechanisms in public decisions which would allow groups and citizens Delivery Model: How do you implement your innovation and apply it to the challenge/problem you are addressing? - Phase One, Institutional Health: Creation of groups of sports directors and coaches of local governments. Internal workshops:
1. Recognition of corruption risks/dangers 2. Understanding weaknesses; definition of corruption and transparency 3. Creation of commitments by means of institutional rules and proceedings; 4. Devising and approving an improvement or action plan for a sports system of transparency; preventive measures and sanctions as consequences of breaches. 5. Publication of the sports system of transparency: plan, commitments and sanctions. Phase Two, Social Health: Integration of the community to the sports system of transparency: How do you plan to grow your innovation? - (cont. from above)
Phase Three, Transparent Game: What is the position and average of each citizen in this game: 1. to incorporate this program in sports training and induction programs and the training of those who receive community funds. 2. facilities of the Sports Transparency Committee: monitoring the fulfilment of commitments and being the recipient of doubts, comments, etc. Presenting proposals to local government. 3. Transparent Games Annual Day, optional. Scale: Provide one sentence describing your impact/intended impact. - Sports activity implemented by local governments is on the rise for children, youngsters and adults, through programs of sports promotion for everyone
What impact has your innovation had to date/or what is your intended impact? Exactly who are the beneficiaries? - This project has not been implemented yet. We are in the first stages of the launching of the pilot project together with the Sports Department of the City Hall of Chacao Municipality (Dirección de Deportes de la Alcaldía del Municipio Chacao), Miranda State, Venezuela.
This project can be applied globally, at a large scale, because the municipal figure is the primary political unit of the political structure in most of the countries. Furthermore, sports promotion is a legal duty of the municipalities. The network of civil society and sports organizations and, in particular, the network of 95 chapters of Transparency Internatioal, may be interested in implementing this project in their countries.
Please list any other measures reflective of the impact of your innovation? - Lack of transparency and a high level of risk of corruption are the most serious problems of developing countries, which also affect the so-called developed countries. Incorporating transparency practices in sports activities is a way of teaching citizens to demand transparency in every level of government and public activity.
What are the main barriers to creating or achieving your impact? - The deep concern shown by local governments regarding the secret of public information, the fear of revealing this information.
The possession of funds which would allow the creation of a team of promoters and facilitators trained to assist in a growing number of municipalities. The new constitution being discussed nowadays in Venezuela would weaken the decentralization and the capacity and resources of local governments How is your initiative financed (or how do you expect your initiative will be financed)? - Each municipality could cover the project expenses or contribute to the collection of funds. In order to finance the project, companies that invest in advertising or social responsibility programs in the sports sector will be contacted.
If known, provide information on your finances and organization. - Please list: Annual budget, annual revenue generated, size of part-time, full-time and volunteer staff. Annual budget in USD: $300,000
Profit: non-profit initiative Number of employees: 7 permanent professionals, plus a variable number of advisers per project. What is the potential demand for your innovation? - In order to cover four municipalities, $50,000 the first year. We also intend to develop the whole system and the improvements of each team in platform on the Internet, for which purpose we have estimated a $24,000 investment.
What are the main barriers to financial sustainability? - If the new constitution is passed, it is possible that weakness will reduce investments and interest in the sports sector.
What is the origin of this innovation? Tell us your story. - I have always been fond of sports. In the 2006 International Transparency Annual Meeting, held in Guatemala during October, I participated in a workshop about sports and corruption, which caused me to think and work on the subject, mainly due to the information presented by two sports journalists regarding cases of corruption for millions of dollars in the sports sector. In Venezuela, the weakness of control and rendering of accounts systems generates serious risks of corruption; nevertheless, there is a growing number of public and private resources in sports. More money and fewer controls cause dangers. The implementation of transparency policies is an urgent need. My work with the municipalities in the Municipal Transparency program and other connections allowed me to discover the interest of sports directors in a program of these characteristics. Furthermore, talking to representatives of European embassies in Venezuela (in particular, the Finnish Embassy) and travelling to various countries allowed me to learn about the easy access to sports in other countries (e.g. public swimming pools in Toronto).
Please provide a personal bio. Note this may be used in Changemakers marketing material. - Mercedes De Freitas is building a movement for citizen participation in governance and social activism by helping Venezuelans understand the opportunities and threats their democracy faces and the importance of the people's participation in legal and structural reform.
Contact Information:
Mercedes De Freitas
Directora Ejecutiva Transparencia Venezuela (This field has not been completed) Discussions about this entry»
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