A/HRC/28/42 Haiti: building capacity to monitor economic, social and cultural rights 65. Since 2009, the Human Rights Section of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) has been carrying out an innovative programme to develop the capacity of civil society in several disadvantaged regions to monitor and advocate for economic, social and cultural rights. The main objectives of the public policy monitoring project were to encourage dialogue between the authorities and civil society on public policy priorities from a human rights-based approach, and to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations to participate in decision-making and in the development and monitoring of public policies and budgets. 66. The project has enhanced civil society’s exposure to public decision-making and contributed to more open and regular information-sharing between it and the local and national authorities. The overall response of the Government has been positive, with the active participation of ministers and parliamentarians. The findings and recommendations emanating from the project were taken into account in the national budget process for 2012–2013. 67. In some cases, the project has been hampered by weak capacities and a lack of coordination and cooperation among State agencies. Access to public documents and information also proved challenging at times, especially outside the capital. The Human Rights Section of MINUSTAH is evaluating the project and working with the Government, civil society and the United Nations system to explore ways to extend it to other parts of the country. Tunisia: strengthening civil society capacities to monitor the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights 68. Since 2012, the OHCHR office in Tunisia, in partnership with Amnesty International, has organized a series of training sessions outside the capital to build the capacity of civil society actors working in disadvantaged regions to better assess the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights. That has included training on advocacy, campaign methodology and human rights-based budget analysis. In 2013, around 300 human rights defenders and representatives of civil society from across the country took part in those activities. Four regional civil society coalitions have been set up in the regions of the north-west, the centre, the south-east and the Gafsa Mining Basin. They have launched a national campaign for the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and have conducted human rights assessments of the local budgets, with the participation of local mayors. IV. Lessons learned, challenges and the way forward 69. The examples presented in the present report highlight common traits and methodologies that have proved helpful in supporting programmes for human rights-based, inclusive and participatory development and poverty reduction. Most of the key determinants for success that have been identified are related to national ownership — the projects have been planned and implemented at the request of national actors and in a way that ensures accountability, transparency and the meaningful participation of all relevant stakeholders. In that regard, experience has shown that it is crucial for all relevant State and non-State stakeholders to participate in all stages of those initiatives, starting from the initial conceptualization, through implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Such participation is all the more important when it comes to planning and decision-making that involve multiple sectors and require the expertise of a variety of ministries and institutions, such as in the implementation of multisectoral development and poverty-reduction 16