Promoting participatory local governance

Context

The Participatory Local Governance Programme (PLG) aims to enable local institutions and authorities to provide public services in line with the needs and priorities of the population in the two provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. It takes a multi-actor approach that involves political and administrative actors, civil society groups and public commissions in implementing measures. This is supported by a multi-level approach with a strong focus on citizens, who actively participate in various formats to improve the design and delivery of the services provided by local governments.

The Programme provides advisory support to the administrative and managerial staff of relevant authorities and institutions at provincial and local levels as well as elected representatives in both provinces. The participation of women, young population and minorities is an important focus.

Objective

The local authorities in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab regions are becoming better at providing local services in line with the needs and priorities of citizens.

Approach

The Programme focuses on the following areas/fields of action:

-(i) Improving public services at local level (including solid waste management, traffic systems, regulation of markets, etc.)

-(ii) Supporting the implementation of the Tribal Decade Strategy through technical assistance to certain public services (e.g., primary education)

-(iii) Creating and using digital innovations both in the dialogue relationship between citizens and the public sector and in the service processes of local institutions

-(iv) Increasing domestic revenues at local level using existing revenue potentials, improving financial management (e.g., through digitisation), and developing revenue policies aimed to improve public services; and

-(v) Encouraging more active involvement of various actor groups at the individual, institutional and sector-policy levels, as well as better interaction between the local governments and provinces.

Last update: April 2023