Functioning
Local Government Through Awareness,Advocacy
and Capacity building.
Objectives
To
develop and support the major stakeholders and the constituencies
of local government with particular focus to the Union
Parishads through awareness building, developing watchdog
role of the local journalists/ media representatives and
initiating policy research, advocacy and lobbying to make
the Union Parishads accountable, responsive and effective.
The
ultimate goal of this project is to create awareness
and demand amongst constituencies on the role and functions
of local government and initiate policy debates/deliberations
through MPs to accelerate the process of establishing
a responsive and effective local government system in
Bangladesh through a union of UP Chairman Members called
Bangladesh Union Parishad Forum (BUPF).
Major Activities
Research
and Content Analysis
National
Coalition and Advocacy (seminars, workshops, public
hearing, press conferences)
Capacity
Management Training for Local Journalists
Increasing
Public Awareness through Festivals, Theatres, Shows
and TV spots
-Publication
of bulletins and posters
Out comes of this project:
Formation
of Bangladesh Union Parishad Forum
Local
govt. issues received both local and National media
attention give an example by publish some heading
news
A
mobile theatre group in Parts of Mymensingh
Newsletters
on achievements of UPs and BUPF
A
book on the BUPF members demand
Active
standing committees in target areas in Education
and Health
BUPF
with its National divisional and District committees
have become the united voice of LG.
Strengthening
Democratic Governance in Union Parishads through the Bangladesh
Union Parishad Forum.
Objectives
The
broad objective to enhance UPs capacity in democratic
and participatory decision-making (planning, budgeting,
implementing and monitoring, oversee service delivery
and internal transparency) and effective advocacy incorporating
stakeholders' especially poor women and ethnic minorities.
This
initiative aims at building strong membership base of
BUPF as a network of UPs, which will eventually their
respective capacity in planning, budgeting, project
implementation and effective advocacy that incorporates
the participation of the community people. This is expected
to disseminate practices of good practice and internal
democracy in the management of the UP affairs through
the activation of standing committees that will ensure
internal transparency and oversee efficient and effective
service delivery.
Major Activities
Establishment
of 6 divisional centers
Need
assessment, development and production of learning
materials
TOT
for the facilitators and divisional coordinators
TOT
for the change agents
Orientation
of UPs by the change agents
Formation
and reformation and activation of UP standing committees
Holding
communication campaigns and advocacy for change
UP
- Community cooperation for people -oriented service
delivery.
Study
Circle for effective Union Parishads.
Objectives
The
objective of the study circle is to increase community
awareness and participation in local government (Union
Parishad) affairs and to facilitate Union Parishad and
the community oversight role over the service delivery
departments
The
other objectives of study circle will be to engage Union
Parishads to closely monitor Health, Education and Agriculture
services as mentioned in the Poverty Reduction Strategy
Paper (PRSP). The objective is to ensure provision of
better services, create healthier interaction among
Union Parishad, the Community, service delivery departments
and the local administration.
Study
Circle for effective Union Parishads.
Objectives
United
States Agency for International Development aw a three-year
contract to assist efforts of local government and to
strengthen local governments by enhancing the capacity
and sustainability of local governments and associations.
This activity will be named as Democratic Local Governance
Program or DLGP. RTI International, a North Carolina,
US based international organization is the primary contractor
for this program.
Under
terms of the contract RTI will work with 70 Union Parishad
(UPs) and 15 Municipalities of Northwest and Southwest
zone to move Bangladesh toward a more decentralized
system of governance.
The
transition to democracy in Bangladesh has been inconsistent
and erratic. In general, democratic institutions remain
weak and confidence in the government is low. Bangladesh
faces problems of widespread corruption, lack of clear
representation of citizen's interests by their elected
officials, a highly centralized government and a nascent
local government movement that is still learning how
to exercise its rights. RTI staff members will work
with local officials to strengthen the role of local
governments and help officials to improve their ability
to deliver important services such as water.
