Brief Description of the UN JPLG

UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery (JPLG).

The JPLG is designed to contribute towards:

1. The Somali Reconstruction and Development Programme 2008 –12 (RDP) priority/goal(s) of deepening peace, improving security and establishing good governance and investing in people through improved social services, and specifically to the RDP target outcome of ‘Decentralised service delivery achieved in all of South-Central Somalia, Puntland and Somaliland.
2. It follows a comprehensive approach to rendering local governments as credible basic service providers, and strengthening civic awareness and participation in decision making. The JPLG covers Outcome 1, sub outcome 1.3 of the United Nations Somali Assistance Strategy (UNSAS) 2011 -2015.

EC, DFID, SIDA (Sweden), USAID, Italy, Norway, Denmark, UNDP and UNCDF.

It will be the responsibility of the respective governments to establish the Regional and District councils in accordance with their regulatory framework and ensure safety and security for UN operations in target areas. Then the JPLG will assist to develop, strengthen and initiate systems for these local councils to be recognised and legitimate, function professionally, perform effectively, and to be responsive, representative, participatory, open and accountable to their citizens and provide services. The JPLG will support the design, development and implementation of appropriate policies, institutional and regulatory frameworks that facilitate participatory, transparent and equitable decentralised delivery of services and good governance at the local level. It will build the capacity of districts to engage communities in the planning, implementation and monitoring of public investment in basic services in urban and rural areas, and improve delivery of and access to basic services through public-private partnerships and relevant institutional frameworks.

Emphasis will be on ensuring people are provided with opportunities to participate in the local level public expenditure management processes such as district planning, prioritising, monitoring and holding local authorities accountable; as well as to engage in the implementation of projects directly benefiting them. Consensus building, conflict resolution techniques and gender considerations will be important themes built into the policies and systems alike. A seminal piece of the JPLG is the development and implementation of a local development fund (inter- governmental fiscal transfer mechanism) and this will be in place in Somaliland and Puntland by 2011.

The specific objectives of the programme are:

• Communities have access to basic services through local government, and
• Local governments are accountable and transparent.

Throughout the JPLG strong emphasis will be placed on equity and participation of marginalised groups, human rights, and good governance principles of transparency, accountability and participation.

Duration :

5 years in 2 phases 2008-2010 (UNTP) and 2010-2012 with the project document being officially signed in April 2008.

Geographic scope

• A national programme and eventually all Regions/98 Districts of Somalia and starting with a small number in 2009 to pilot methodology.
• Separate and integrated Annual Work Plans and budgets for Somaliland, Puntland and South Central.

Partnerships for implementation

A joint programme of 5 UN partners – UNDP, UNICEF, UN Habitat, ILO and UNCDF who are committed to work together and with and for national stakeholders, local governments, communities for maximum capacity development impact. The joint programme pass through mechanism is the stated financing arrangement for this joint programme.

Principles of JPLG

Participation, accountability, transparency and capacity development.