‘Views from the Frontline’ is a participatory multi-stakeholder engagement process designed to monitor, review and report on critical aspects of “local governance” considered essential to building disaster resilient communities.

The review process is designed around a survey questionnaire based on a series of “core indicators” intended to  reflect the core functions of local governance as defined by the UN  'Hyogo Framework for Action' .

The questionnaire is designed and coordinated by the Global Network Secretariat through regional nodes and administered by locally-active participating civil society organisations. These conduct a series of guided face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions with local government officials and community representatives to assess the level of progress achieved on a scale of 1 to 5.

Following an initial analysis of the survey data, a programme of consultations are held with local stakeholders to discuss the outcomes of the survey in the local context. Discussions are designed to highlight key challenges and constraints encountered by the local authorities, identify drivers of success and agree recommendations to accelerate progress at the local level. These findings, analysis and recommendations are presented in National Progress Reports which form the basis for coordinated policy advocacy and lobbying actions to accelerate local progress.

In turn, national reports  are distilled down into regional and global reports, with main recommendations amplified at regional and international levels.  Summary findings, conclusions and recommendations are presented in a Global Report (available in English, Spanish and French) and consequently form the basis for coordinated regional and international advocacy actions.  The next one will be presented at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in May 2011.