Bangladesh has launched the third phase of “Sharique”, a programme for promoting local governance with assistance from Switzerland with an particular objective of fighting poverty.
“The new phase will be implemented by a consortium comprising the HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation (HSI) and the Institute of Governance Studies (IGS) of the BRAC University,” a Swiss embassy statement said here on Monday.
Sharique was launched in 2006 to address the issues of poverty alleviation in Bangladesh by facilitating improved local governance services.
“It aims to strengthen the capacities of the local government institutions at Union and Upazila level on the one hand and to support citizens’ participation in the decision making process at the local level on the other,” the statement added.. The third phase of the Swiss government mandated and supported programme “Sharique” was officially launched on March 3, 2014 at an event held in the Swiss Embassy in Dhaka. IGS director Dr. Rizwan Khair, and HIS’s country director Felix Bachmann, among others were present at the launching event which was inaugurated by the Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Christian Fotsch.
The total Swiss contribution for the third phase of Sharique stands at CHF 9.70 million or approx. USD 11 million. The statement said the first two phases of Sharique set significant milestones in improving local governance were achieved, especially with regards to increased transparency, accountability and participation of communities. “For example, under this programme, 130 targeted Union Parishads are now formulating their annual plans and budgets through an open participation of the citizens,” it said. The third phase of Sharique will focus on the strategic planning and fiscal autonomy of the local governments, poverty reduction as well as social inclusiveness while the new phase now particularly aims to influence the policies and practices at national level through promoting and sharing its good practices and strengthening research initiatives.
Sharique’s project area includes 207 Union Parishads in the districts of Rajshahi, Sunamganj, Chapainawabganj and Khulna and it is expected to benefit over 50,000 local residents while the phase will end in 2016.
“It is to be mentioned that Bangladesh is one of the priority countries of Switzerland with regards to long-term development cooperation. The current Swiss Cooperation Strategy for Bangladesh focuses on three thematic areas, namely Local Governance, Skills Development and Market Development,” the statement said.
The annual Swiss development assistance to Bangladesh amounts to around CHF 30 million.
