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Local Governance
USAID’s Local Governance Program (LGP) goals include promoting representative
citizen participation in governance; strengthening the management skills
of city and provincial administrations and civic institutions; promoting advocacy
and participation of civil society organizations; enhancing leadership
skills; and serving as a recruiting tool for future leaders.
Highlights this week:
- USAID’s Local Governance Program (LGP) is continuing efforts to educate
Iraqis on democracy and provide forums for constructive discussions on Iraq’s
evolving political issues. This week, 16 civic dialogue program conferences
were held in the conflictive area of Salah ad Din Governorate. These conferences
generally include 75-250 people and are conducted by trained Iraqi staff.
Conference participants discussed human rights, the Transitional Administrative
Law, elections, Islam and democracy, and federalism.
- Babil Governorate local government officials are increasing collaboration between
local government, coalition forces, and LGP through weekly meetings
to coordinate activities. Last week, attendees from the local government included
representatives of the Governorate Council responsible for public services
and representatives of governorate departments related to services such
as education, electricity, health, municipality, sewage, and water. Meeting participants
discussed local development objectives for Babil Governorate, investment
priorities, citizen participation in project preparation procedures, and the
ethics of vetting and awarding contracts.
- A local sewerage department in Babil Governorate is working with the LGP to
construct a storm-drain system to alleviate potential flooding in the area. Advisors
from LGP are providing technical expertise to assist in project implementation
and training department officials and local council members to
monitor project implementation.
- A government office in southern Iraq has received office furniture and equipment
valued at $246,434 under a grant from USAID’s Iraq Transition Initiative.
This agency oversees youth centers and sports facilities in the region and
this project will help it to constructively engage young people.
- Forty-two local government representatives participated in a LGP sponsored
management training workshop from September 23-25 in Dahuk Governorate.
Participants included officials from the Ministries of Agriculture and Construction,
the Governor’s office and a local university. The workshop covered a
range of topics including time management, leadership skills, managerial
skills, delegation of authority and problem solving.
Major Accomplishments to Date:
Established regional offices
in Al Basrah, Al Hillah,
Baghdad, and Mosul with
local offices established in
17 out of 18 governorates
and operations in all governorates.
Awarded $15.5 million in
rapid-response grants in the
first program year to
strengthen the capacity of
municipal authorities to deliver
core municipal services.
The grants were used
to restore services in agriculture,
education, health,
electricity, sanitation, and
water. In the second year, a
similar grants program worth
$13 million is being implemented.
Facilitated the establishment
or refreshment of 16
governorate councils, 90
district councils, 194 city or
sub-district councils, and
445 neighborhood councils.
Organized and carried out
numerous selection processes
for governors and
mayors, as well as local
council elections, throughout
Iraq.
Committed $2.4 million for
the nationwide Civic Education
Campaign, which educated
Iraqis on democracy
and Iraq’s political situation.
Rehabilitated and refurbished
government facilities.
Supported preparation of
2004 city council budgets in
Baghdad, Mosul, Al Hillah,
Babil, and An Najaf.
More than 26,400 democracy
dialogues have been
conducted to date.
Supporting a series of
National Agenda Dialogue
Conferences, which engage
stakeholders such as academics,
journalists, women,
tribal leaders, and local
government officials in discussions
on their roles in
Iraq’s democracy.
More Information:
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