Locally-led Governance: the road to legitimate and effective delivery of services


The Somali population is facing considerable development and state building challenges, with Government institutions still very weak and fragile, particularly at the local level. With the UN Joint Programme for Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery (JPLG) as well as local peacebuilding initiatives, SDC contributes to enhanced state legitimacy, more equitable access to public service and well-being for all citizens, leading to more stability in the Horn of Africa.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Somalia
Governance
Decentralisation
Public sector policy
Public finance management
01.11.2021 - 31.12.2023
CHF  8’210’000
Background Local authorities in Somalia are struggling to raise their own finances and provide services to their citizens. In the South, there are only a few functioning district level governance structures with the majority of local governments being represented by a handful of appointed administrators in each district, none of which have meaningful resources nor capacity with which to provide services. Slow progress is being achieved through district council formation process, but resulting structures remain fledgling in nature and fragile. In the North, despite a number of districts showing increased domestic revenue collection, there is a need to promote the harmonization of legislation, policies, fiscal arrangements and inclusion of women in governance processes. Switzerland’s extensive expertise in local governance and active support to JPLG represent an important Swiss value-added. Stable governance structures help the socio-economic development of Somalia and thereby support the stabilization of the broader Horn of Africa – a geo-strategic region of global importance and key to important Swiss interests including in the area of migration and global trade. 
Objectives Effective and consensus-based Local Governance anchored on local peace 
Target groups

Outcome 1: The Sustainable Peace-building Consortium will focus on community structures and community-based organizations in Puntland, Somaliland and Galmudug.

Outcome 2: Direct partner is the federal ministry of interior who leads the decentralisation process. Ultimate target group is the population of the Federal Member States (FMS) who will benefit from improved governance systems and service delivery provided by local district authorities. Women are especially targeted for participating in dialogue and leadership. 

Medium-term outcomes

1.    Promotion of sustainable peace, cohesion and civic engagement;

2.    Responsive & inclusive Local Governments with increasingly improved capacity to deliver equitable and sustainable services.

A third outcome will be developed for the Phase II covering district council formation.

The duration of this first phase is only 13 months in an attempt to a) align the Swiss contribution to the project cycle of the JPLG strategic framework (current cycle runs until 2022) and b) to develop and integrate as soon as possible activities pertaining to the formation of district councils. 

Results

Expected results:  

Outcome 1 (Road to Sustainable Peace):

-       Community peace and reconciliation processes established

-       Civic education on good governance strengthened

-       Community governance structures and local institutions built

Outcome 2 (JPLG):

-       Policies, laws and strategies for decentralization are drafted to clarify the division of functional responsibilities among central/federal, state and local governments.

-       Structures and systems for good local governance planning and programming are functioning. Local government institutes are delivering standardized curriculum on local governance. Fiscal arrangements strengthened and expanded for service delivery and local investment.

-       Local governments deliver improved services in collaboration with central/federal, state governments and non-state actors.

Communities increased representation (incl. women & marginalized groups) engage with local governments and hold them accountable for their actions.


Results from previous phases:  

Switzerland has supported JPLG during two previous phases. During this period, JPLG has empowered communities to take control of their own development, build functioning local governance institutions and hold them to account. It has seen gradual progress where: 

-       Increased number of districts are generating their own revenues especially in Puntland and Somaliland (with more than 30% of required funds for district projects) and receive more financial, technical and political support from their respective authorities.

-       With stronger policy, capacity and structured modes of funding, local governments have been able to provide quality services such as education and health care with more than 119 primary schools renovated and over 72 health facilities supported.

-       Increased accountability through improved public procurement processes with over 2’500 local government officials trained.

-       Improved public finance systems have increased efficiency in the delivery of services and ensured that they are implemented in a transparent and accountable manner, thus improving the confidence of the public in local governments.

-       JPLG’s Local Development Fund supported over 20 districts with local projects including roads, schools, health posts, markets, streets lighting as prioritized by local communities. 

Despite this success, the UN is limited in its ability to conduct grass-root governance building and peace promotion, hence Switzerland decided to complement its support to JPLG with local implementing partners. 


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • United Nations Development Programme


Other partners

Outcome 1: Road to Peace Consortium

Puntland Development and Research Center (PDRC) is the contracting partner, with implementing partners including the Academy for Peace and Development and the Horn Centre (all three are local NGOs).

 

Outcome 2: UN Joint Programme on Local Governance

UNDP (Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office) is the contracting partner; implementing agencies include ILO, UNCDF, UNDP, UN-Habitat and UNICEF.

Coordination with other projects and actors Local governance occupies a pivotal place within SDC’s wider portfolio in Somalia and links up with different sectorial initiatives including Durable Solutions, Health and Food Security. Support to bottom-up local governance is also complemented by SDC’s contribution to state building through the World Bank and the Inclusive & Accountable Governance Program 
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    8’210’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    8’014’194 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   6’600’000 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   38’000’000
Project phases Phase 2 01.05.2023 - 31.12.2025   (Current phase)

Phase 1 01.11.2021 - 31.12.2023   (Active)