Situational Analysis Study and Development of an Implementation Plan for a Future More Decentralized/ Devolved Palestinian Local Government System.

Project Overview

Global Communities is a non-profit international development organization whose mission is to create long-lasting, positive and community-led change that improves the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable people across the globe. With funding provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Global Communities-West Bank/Gaza (WBG) is implementing "Local Government and Infrastructure - LGI" Program. The main objective of this program is to promote an enabling environment for good local governance and provide the basic infrastructure necessary for sustainable improvements in the quality of life for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. A key intervention of the program is to strengthen local government capacity to respond effectively and efficiently to community needs by promoting and institutionalizing good democratic governance practices.Within this context, the LGI aims to conduct an analytical study on decentralization covering the current realities and the possibilities for a more decentralize/devolved Palestinian local government system.The main objectives of this analytical study were to: Research, analyze and diagnose the current situation of the local government system in the WB, identify its level of decentralization as stipulated by the Local Authorities Law/s and based on current practices establish criteria to assist in evaluating the roles and responsibilities of the LGUs and the MoLG.Provide decision makers with insights and recommendations to determine the appropriate level of decentralization/devolution in the future for the Palestinian local Government System.Develop a doable practical implementation steps and plan building on what exists, what needs to be changed, requirements for change and in what timeframe to move for a more decentralized/ developed local government system. Inclusive of Laws need to be changed/updated and implications.Build consensus among relevant stakeholders on the practical steps that need to be adopted in the short, medium, and long term, to move for a more decentralized local government system. To this end , GC has contracted the local association of GCT and NCD to undertake this assignment in professional and comprehensive manner.