START UP AS IS THE CASE IN BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN COMMUNITIES YOU ARE WORKING WITH, IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT EACH OF THE AGENCIES LISTED HERE WILL HAVE EXISTING PRIORITIES AND STRATEGIC PLANS OF THEIR OWN. and identification systems. The ID4D platform performs assessments of existing identification systems against a set of criteria including factors like gaps in access and the legal framework for data protection and privacy. Increasingly, ID4D is also engaging in advocacy on practices promoted by the World Bank, including in countries that are World Bank clients. There is an important role here for members of civil society working with communities who may be left behind or left out of new systems, to make sure that their stories are captured and solutions are designed to meet their needs. Related resource: http://id4d.worldbank.org/ As is the case in building relationships within communities you are working with, it is important to understand that each of the agencies listed here will have existing priorities and strategic plans of their own. For communitybased NGOs and local groups providing assistance to their communities, it can be a challenge to locate your own work within the initiatives being designed and led by global organizations. Reliable, high-quality documentation of human rights abuses and strong relationships of trust within the community are key features of groups that have built successful relationships with international organizations like those listed above. 4.4 Government Authorities Groups within government that can affect your program include civil registry officials; ministries or agencies responsible for delivery of services like education, health, and social welfare; national human rights institutes; judges; and state security and law enforcement officers. The importance of developing allies at all levels of relevant government agencies is enormous, given government’s role in documentation and nationality. It is important to distinguish here between national, regional, and local government officials, and to understand how their roles and responsibilities are divided and where they may overlap. Positive relationships at all relevant levels make it possible to win support in serving clients and avoid escalation of issues. It can even lead to referrals from government, which can send people whose applications for identity documentation are denied to your program. Consider that government officials can be sympathetic to your cause and important allies. Officials within the government and the judicial system may be able to give you critical insights into the implementation of laws and policies in practice. Challenges paralegal programs have faced when working with authorities on issues of nationality and civil status documentation include: •  Discriminatory attitudes and suspicion. This can lead to higher standards of proof being imposed on stateless, at-risk, minority, under-documented, and migrant groups. • Lack of knowledge of laws and procedures. Problems this causes include denial of documents and errors on documents that make 46 | A C O M M U N I T Y- B A S E D P R A C T I T I O N E R ’ S G U I D E : D O C U M E N T I N G C I T I Z E N S H I P A N D OT H E R F O R M S O F L E G A L I D E N T I T Y