• Context
Decentralisation is an integral part of political discourse in the French-speaking countries of West Africa. However, progress varies when it comes to transferring skills, human resources and funds from central governments to local governments.
In designing their reforms, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger need to take account of increasingly fragile governmental structures. In addition, criminal and terrorist groups pose security risks for municipal stakeholders and the general public.
Countries such as Mauritania and Niger are only just beginning to implement decentralisation reforms. This particularly affects the development of empowered communities and the ap-propriate apportionment of public revenues.
With the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) and its advisory body the Council of Local Authorities (CCT), institutions are in place that can be used to share experi-ence and knowledge at regional level.
• Objective
Key decentralisation actors draw on regional experience to carry out their work.
• Approach
The project works in seven countries in western Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Togo. The aim is to enable national municipal associations and their um-brella organisations to position themselves as representatives of the interests of local authori-ties in political exchange with their respective governments and to contribute efficiently to-wards the processes in their respective countries.
Moreover, there are plans to improve the range and quality of education and training facilities available for mayors, local councillors and municipal officials.
Local councillors, municipal officials and the line ministries responsible for the financial re-sources of the communities have the skills required to expertly carry out their work relating to decentralisation. For this reason, and in addition to the bilateral projects in the region, the pro-ject organises cross-border exchange and learning platforms to disseminate regional experi-ence and tried-and-tested procedures for implementing decentralisation reforms. The aim is to create regional standards, and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) is a key strategic partner.
• Results
o The project began by building up trust among key decentralisation actors through re-gional exchange formats, training courses and study trips. This created strategic alli-ances and strengthened existing networks.
o Lobbying by national municipal associations and their umbrella organisations has im-proved considerably. These groups are now more actively involved in legislative pro-cedures in the area of decentralisation, especially regarding the development of a pub-lic service provided by local authorities in Benin and Niger and the provision of per-sonnel and financial resources to assist communities in Benin, Niger and Togo.
o National education and training centres have expanded and fine-tuned the content of their training strategies for local elected representatives and office holders. The basis for this was experience gathered in other countries. In Niger, for example, a certifica-tion system for education and training modules has been introduced. Trainers now need to be accredited in coordination with the relevant ministry.
o Stakeholders from the seven countries now proactively share their experiences. They take successful approaches and knowledge from other countries and apply them to their own work. For example, the ministry responsible for decentralisation in Niger drew on experience gained on exchange trips to Mali and Rwanda to push the issues of financial transfers and the public services of local authorities to the top of the politi-cal agenda. This has given rise to corresponding framework laws. The National As-sembly passed these laws following successful lobbying supported by the associa-tions. The trips to Mali and Rwanda were organised by the project.