Supporting local governance for poverty reduction in Rwanda

Context

The Rwandan Government introduced the first reforms aimed at decentralising political and official duties over 20 years ago. Local administrations are gaining more competencies, a move intended to promote stronger social cohesion, poverty reduction and internal stability.

However, the local authorities are often not in a position to assume greater responsibility or to plan and offer needs-based services for the population in an effective and citizen-oriented manner. The districts lack (their own) funding and expertise. They often implement local planning and budgeting only partially. Moreover, there is too little transparency about what they do, and they are not adequately accountable to the population. Civil society is insufficiently involved in decision-making.

Objective

Local authorities in Rwanda take action more effectively for good governance that helps to reduce poverty, in partnership with civil society.

Approach

The project is supporting local authorities in developing various competencies (capacity development strategy) and increasing local revenues. While it is active in various regions, the focus is on those in which it is providing training to local authorities at individual and organisational level. The individual support is provided to experts and managers in respect of, for example, inclusive services and financial administration. The technical and process-related advisory services provided to the authorities are also improving efficiency, the diversity of services tailored to individual target groups and citizen participation.

The project is promoting cooperation between civil society organisations and local authorities, for example through advisory services, with a view to improving the relationship between citizens and public authorities.

Last update: March 2025