Support to Municipal Development Programme (MDP4)


Through its contribution to the Municipal Development Programme (MDP), Switzerland aims to improve the quality and accessibility of local services and infrastructure provided by Palestinian municipalities to their citizens in the oPt. The programme builds the capacities for stable, transparent and accountable local institutions in the West Bank and Gaza. Supported by key donors of the sector, the programme promotes and supports reforms and provides a prominent platform for sector policy dialogue with the Palestinian Ministry of Local Governance. 

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Governance
nothemedefined
Decentralisation
Democratic participation and civil society
01.07.2023 - 31.12.2028
CHF  7’505’000
Background Municipalities are public Palestinian institutions established by the Palestinian authority with democratic legitimation to facilitate the work of the Ministry of Local government (MoLG) to the local population. They are critical for the delivery of basic services in the oPt. In the absence of regular and predictable PA fiscal transfers, local govermental units (LGUs) are the official bodies for service delivery to more than 75% of the polulation. The role of MDLF, as a semi-govermental orgnization, is to provide infrastrucuture and capacity building support to local government units in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in line with national policies, ensuring public participation and accountability.
Objectives To strengthen the capacities of Palestinain Local Governance Units (mainly municipalities) to deliver accountable, sustainable, inclusive and resilient services to their population in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. 
Target groups
  • 159 municipalities in West Bank & Gaza Strip
  • 1 mio Palestinian citizens (50% women and 10% people with disability, in the targeted 159 municipalities, provided services with improved urban living conditions. 
  • Technical staff at Ministry of Local Governance and Ministry of Finance. 
  • Technical staff of the targeted municipalities and MDLF
Medium-term outcomes
  1. Enhanced municipal capacities 
  2. Enhanced municipal accountability
  3. Enhanced municipal service sustainability 
  4. Enhanced resilience to disasters
Results

Expected results:  

  • 80 municipalities in WB and GS increase their performance on all levels and raise in the performance category in which they are currently classified.
  • 75% beneficiaries satisfied with the services provided under the project (50% of which women, 50% of which youth and 10% of which people with disabilities)
  • 1 operational manual for the intergovernmental fiscal transfer (IGTF) prepared and adopted.
  • 20,000 square meters of public spaces constructed/rehabilitated
  • 22 municipalities adopted revenue enhancement plans
  • 80 municipalities implementing at least 2 social accountability tools annually.
  • 120 municipalities with functional International financial management system (IFMIS).
  • 40 municipalities with responsive complaint system
  • 60 resilience plans prepared with inputs from residents/community members.
  • 60% of the 159 targeted municipalities receive capacity building support on climate change
  • 25 subprojects completed address natural hazard and climate change risks. 10 sub-projects address vulnerable communities.
  • 30% women involved in climate resilience plans.
  • 25% subprojects targeted by municipalities address natural hazard and climate risks with female engineers employed in delivery of solutions.
  • 90% of the population in the targeted 159 municipalities satisfied with MDLF performance.


Results from previous phases:  

  • 61 municipalities moved up one rank in the performance assessment system
  • 140 Municipalities disclosed the executed budget and the executed the Strategic Development and Investment Plan (SDIP).
  • 61 Municipalities have surplus with no increase in net lending.
  • 126 Municipalities have increased their own source revenues.
  • 113 municipalities have functional complaint system.
  • 85% (average satisfaction of beneficiaries regarding – relevance, coverage, impact, quality)
  • 159 municipalities were supported with capacity building packages.
  • E-municipality implemented in 16 municipalities in the West bank and Gaza
  • 70 Service Community Centre established in Gaza and the West bank
  • 195 solar energy and waste management projects were implemented in the WB&G.
  • 90% of beneficiaries were satisfied with the services provided under the project. Level of satisfaction in GS was higher than in the WB.
  • More than 83% civilians reported that complains were satisfactory resolved.
  • An external assessment showed that all completed projects were functional and usable. Most of the implemented sub-projects have had a positive impact, eased access to infrastructure utilities, and improved to a certain extent the life quality for the targeted communities.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
  • Municipal Development and Lending Fund (MDLF)


Coordination with other projects and actors
  • 7F-09403.01 Support to Village Councils in Area C.
  • 7F- 09539.02 Support to Gaza Vulnerable Communities. 
  • Swiss Representative Office (SRO) support in policy dialogue with MoLG. 
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    7’505’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    765’292
Project phases Phase 3 01.07.2023 - 31.12.2028   (Current phase) Phase 2 01.09.2017 - 31.12.2022   (Completed) Phase 1 01.07.2012 - 31.12.2017   (Completed)