Context
Since 2004, work has been under way in Niger to create an enabling environment for the decentralisation of the country and the establishment of local authorities. The decentralisation process gained political momentum as a result of the elections in 2011. It is both an integral part of the country’s poverty reduction strategy and part of its medium and long-term economic and social development plans. This strategic policy direction was formalised by the adoption of a national strategy paper and a practice-oriented priority action plan for the years 2013 to 2015.
Despite a number of positive developments, regional and local authorities are still unable to provide efficient public services and offer genuinely citizen-centric administration. Local people are not involved to an adequate extent in the municipal decision-making and development processes taking place within the context of the decentralisation reforms.
Objective
The participation of local people in municipal decision-making and development processes and the provision of public services and efficient citizen-centric administration by regional and local authorities have improved.
Approach
The project provides technical, organisational and process-related advice via international, regional and local long-term and short-term experts and development advisors. It also provides limited contributions in kind and local subsidies, particularly for development measures in partner municipalities.
To support the country’s decentralisation policy, the project provides political, administrative and organisational advice at ministry level. Activities to strengthen regional and local authorities focus on actors operating at decentralised level, who are given training and coaching for their new roles. To promote good local governance and civic participation, activities also focus on aligning the decentralisation process with democratic values, particularly at local level.
Results achieved so far
Since the project began, the percentage of participating municipalities has increased from 69 to 80%.
According to a qualitative survey, 75% of mayors in municipalities supported by the project and 75% of representatives of the decentralised public services believe that cooperation between the municipalities and public services has improved.
In 44 of the 51 communities in the three intervention areas, coordination forums provide a platform that the relevant social groups can use to discuss various municipal issues. 51 communities have a forum for the development of municipal investment plans and 27 communities have their own communication strategy, which facilities transparency and participatory decision-making at municipal level. 9 pilot municipalities have already gained experience in participatory budgeting, 15 communities have set up an advisory expert committee to address municipal issues and 2 municipalities have a municipal forum dedicated to all community-related subtasks.
Overall, municipal planning processes and services are more citizen-oriented.
MORE CLOSE
FURTHER INFORMATION
Website of the Niger governmentPromotion of Good Governance in German Development Policy (BMZ 2009) Publications for download
Contact
Ulrich Berdelmann
ulrich.berdelmann1@giz.de