Economic Reporter :
The government and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Tuesday signed an agreement for implementation of a new local government (LG) project titled “Efficient and Accountable Local Governance (EALG).”
The project aimed at further strengthening the capacities of local government institutions (LGIs) of the country and other stakeholders to foster participatory local development service delivery for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with an outlay of US $7.03 million.
The project will be funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Denmark through DANIDA and UNDP, which would be implemented by the LGD during July 2017 to June 2022, according to a statement issued by the UNDP.
Kyoko Yokosuka said, “We are excited to continue the support in strengthening LGIs and promote localizing SDGs through LGIs and other actors at the local level. We firmly believe the support will contribute to ensure delivery of services to the doorsteps of the community and leave no one behind. I also take the opportunity to thank the government and the development partners-SDC and DANIDA- for continuing their support in further strengthening the LGIs in Bangladesh.”
Additional Secretary of Economic Relations Division (ERD) Shamima Nargis and Country Director of UNDP Bangladesh Kyoko Yokosuka signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides at NEC 2, Planning Commission, in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
On behalf of the implementing agency, Local Government Division (LGD) Additional Secretary Saurendra Nath Chakrabhatty also signed the agreement.
The signing of the project comes after the successful implementation of two flagship local government projects-Upazila Governance Project (UZGP) and Union Parishad Governance Project (UPGP) funded by EU, SDC, DANIDA, UNDP and UNCDF-which have made significant progress in local government arena since 2011, making the LG system more participatory, proactive and pro-people service-provider.
Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 7th Five Year Plan (7th FYP), the new project aims to further strengthen planning and budgeting system at Upazila and Union Parishads with SDGs orientation and localization and pro-poor service-delivery mechanism.
