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Background
The
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)
represents a real opportunity for the
Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS)
to put into practice its stated vision
for responsive and democratic governance.
However it also poses enormous challenges,
as the government needs time to establish
itself and develop and implement policies
and legislation, as well as build new
capacities, systems and structures.
The situation of the past 22 years
has meant that in Southern Sudan governance
at all levels, and domestic capacity
for service delivery is, at best,
rudimentary. Indeed, the situation
in Southern Sudan is one of starting
almost from scratch when it comes
to key capacities for governance and
service delivery.
The role of local government in the
post-conflict period is of particular
importance. It is where most citizens
interact directly with the government
in the expectation of enjoying some
form of “peace dividend”
– their security, their rights,
and their basic services.
The Local Government Recovery Programme
(LGRP) is a three-year programme.
The implementation of the LGRP is
divided among three implementing agencies
based on each one’s presence
on the ground. UNDP has the overall
management and implementation role
in the Upper Nile, Unity and Western
Bahr el Ghazal States; Catholic Relief
Services in the three States of Equatoria
Region – Western, Central and
Eastern Equatoria; and PACT in Jonglei,
Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap and
Lakes States.
Objectives
The project aims to support the local
government in Southern Sudan so that
it is capable of playing a leadership
role in socio-economic development,
and therefore contributing to democratic
development and sustainable peace in
the new dispensation in Southern Sudan.
Outputs
• The formal establishment of
a local government, with a clear legal
and policy framework and basic facilities.
• Capacity-building of local governments
in order for them to meet their prescribed
roles in governance and recovery.
• Local government assuming a
practical and central role in post-war
recovery in target counties.
• Local government perceived as
effective and legitimate.
Snapshots
of the project's major achievements
• A draft Local Government Policy
developed, in the form of a Memorandum,
and submitted to the Ministry of Presidential
Affairs.
• A draft Local Government Act
completed and submitted to the Ministry
of Presidential Affairs for presentation
to the Council of Ministers and onward
transmission to GoSS Legislative Assembly
for the legislation process.
• 10 organizational development
facilitators recruited and trained.
• 132 local government administrators
trained in planning, finance and budgeting
and in local government administration.
• Planning Units established in
all counties.
• Planning Unit staff and local
government administrators trained in
county planning, financial/budget management
and local administration, using standardized
modules as recommended by GoSS.
• County Planning and Budgeting
process completed and submitted to the
State Ministries of Local Government
in all 10 States, by all 78 Counties
in Southern Sudan.
• Design of the Local Development
Fund in its final stages.
• Assessment of the Local Government
Recovery Programme completed.
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