Supporting good local governance

Project description

Title: Supporting Good Governance in Yemen
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)​​​​​​​
Country: Yemen
Overall term: 2021 to 2024

Coordination meeting, with representatives of local education authorities in the Hadramout Governorate, Sah District, sitting round a table (© GIZ/ Shaima Al-Hadhrami)

Context

The ongoing armed conflict in Yemen has resulted in deep political and institutional divides in the country. This poses major challenges for state structures and affects the population’s opportunities to participate in public life.

Local government structures are still in place nationwide, however resources and the quality of governance vary in the different regions.

At the same time, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and grassroots initiatives are working to expand participation opportunities for the population and to ensure that their needs and interests are taken into account to a greater extent in local decision-making processes. The main challenges facing civil society actors include a lack of skills and resources, in addition to administrative constraints.

Objective

Local governance in the project areas is supported and public services have improved.

Coordination meeting, with representatives of local education authorities in the Hadramout Governorate, Sah District, sitting together in an office (© GIZ/ Hussein Sheik Ba Haroon)

Approach

The project contributes to the development of evidence-based approaches for good local governance. Based on lessons learned by national and international development actors, it compiles six short studies with strategic and methodological recommendations to promote good local governance in Yemen.

The project strengthens the capacities for cooperation and coordination of local government structures by supporting them through suitable measures as required. For instance, it works with representatives of local authorities to build the capacities they need to fulfil their roles and responsibilities and carry out integrative and participative planning, enabling them to provide better services.

In addition, the project supports civil society actors in developing their competencies, particularly in requesting local authorities to share information on and justification for their decisions on service provision. Using innovative methods, civil society projects contribute to increasing local authorities’ awareness of the needs of Yemen’s citizens. At the same time, measures implemented by international NGOs strengthen the methodological and strategic competencies of grassroots initiatives.

Last update: November 2022

Additional information