The United Nations Joint Programme on Local Governance in Somalia

A practical case of an Integrated Local Governance and Local Development Programme in a Conflict/Post Conflict Situation

Seeking Peace and Development in Somalia

Patrick Duong, UN-JPLGKiev, 14 November 2012

A postcard from SOMALIA

But SOMALIA is also …

Moving from Conflict to Peace and Local Development

Why is Local Governance important in the Somali context?

For the People:

• LG contributes to Peace-building and Stability (2 decades of instability) and creates a democratic space for citizens to voice concerns (conflict mitigation).

• It improves planning and delivery of equitable basic services (weak sectors) and reduces the gap between service providers and consumers (incl. minority groups).

• It creates an enabling environment for local economic development and catalyses private initiatives, investments, LED and PPPs.

For the 3 Somali ‘zones’ and the new Federal Government:

• LG helps restore trust between citizens and governments and reinforces social accountability and citizens engagement (social contract).

• It’s an essential component of State and Nation building (incl. Constitution), particularly for countries in transition.

• It builds up capacities of administrations (local and central) and help clarify functions, allocation of resources and relations between the different tiers of government.

• It’s a core element of PAR, PFM, Civil Service reforms, D&D, etc.

For the International Community:

• Investing in LG supports the transition from post-conflict/recovery to development (OECD Principles of Engagement in Fragile States).

JPLG partner agencies are considering local planning and delivery options, e.g.: local AWPs.

• It’s an effective way to deliver aid at sub-national level (incl. for MDGs), using government systems (New Deal, Busan).

JPLG donors use the MPTF Pass-Through (multi-year and no earmarking).

• It encourages positive competition amongst local governments which results in innovation,

stronger performance and Value for Money. JPLG donors could channel part of their bilateral aid using the JPLG/LG systems; + decentralized coop.

• It helps fight piracy, stabilize the Horn of Africa and beyond…

• A programme that focuses on Local Governance and Decentralized Service delivery.

• A partnership between 5 UN Agencies (governed by the UNDG principles for ‘Delivering as One’) using a systematic consultation processes including Government & Donors.

• An annual budget of USD 26-32M/year financially administrated by the MPTF (JPLG responsible for ResMob).

• A 5 year programme (2008-12 and 2013-17) that operates in the 3 zones of Somalia.

• Stakeholders: Communities, Vice-Presidents, MoIs, MoPs, MEFs, Sector Ministries, Local Governments, LGAs, CBOs.

• Main donors: DANIDA, DFID, EU, Italy, Norway, SIDA, Switzerland, USAID (in alphabetical order, as for Agencies!)

What is UN JPLG ?

The Joint Programme’s approach to Local Governance

Upstream Policy work

(ex. D&D Laws, PFM & PAR)

Investments & LED

incentives

Service Delivery & Local

Development(Education,

Health, Water, Road, Security,

SWM, NRM etc.)

Cent

ral/

Sect

or

plan

s/re

venu

es

& D

onor

s Co

ord.

Institutionalizing the LG systems and CD tools piloted by JPLG

(ex. DDF/AWPBs, LDF, etc.)

Capacities and Investments for Service delivery: (mainly through Local Governments and others stakeholders, incl. private sector)

9

Linkage with

Sectors

Up-stream Policy Work

Institutionalization process

Geographical expansion

Efficiency/VfM

Ownership

Annual LG Conference

(NDP Planning)

For/with the People & Communities in the Districts

Linkages with other

CD programmes

ConstitutionNDP

UNSAS

JPLG

04/

12

- Engaging in ‘Stabilization’: A difficult political decision.

• JPLG is regularly solicited to start operations in newly liberated areas (post Al-Shabaab).

• Under ‘Stabilization’ initiatives, support is normally provided for ‘local authorities’ (often de facto) to deliver immediate services and maintain a momentum for peace.

• For a LG programme such as JPLG, the challenge (apart from security) is to limit/avoid supporting local authorities that aren’t recognized as legitimate ones (e.g.: former warlords) and/or institutions and systems that are provisional by nature.

• JPLG is considering options to link local governance with QIP and CDR interventions.

Integrating Local Governance and Local Development

• JPLG recognises that districts are best placed to understand the drivers and barriers to local growth and development, and as such should lead their own development to release their economic potential;

• Emphasises that the local economy is often driven by private sector growth; and

• Focuses on the conditions that enable businesses to be successful, for example, through improved economic infrastructure and streamlining business regulations;

• All of which contribute to attracting investment and increasing revenue from business fees to finance public services.

- JPLG’s approach for local economic growth and development:

JPLG’s key interventions towards, Peace, Local development and LED:

Basic LG Capacities

Decentralized service delivery and local development

Local Governance, Stability and Local economic development

Policy Reforms

JPLG 11/12

- Sharing a few lessons learned:

• Managing a JP of 5 UN Agencies is not an easy task... but ‘Delivering as One’ is possible, even in a conflict/post conflict situation! Donors and Gov. are demanding.

• In a conflict situation, bottom-up approaches are effective but Policies need to be put in place.

• Highest level Political commitment is a must. LG reforms (incl. LGLD) must be aligned with other Governance reforms (PAR, PFM, Civil service, etc.).

• It is possible to have UN Agencies adopt local planning and delivering processes. But local/central planning systems (platforms) are needed (+ M&E tools).

• Administrative and Fiscal decentralization are equally important.

• Engaging with private sector and other groups is critical.• Allowing time for national ownership to grow and for the

programme and reform to roll out progressively is essential.• JPLG can share: MTR, External Outcome Evaluations and

ideas... but there’s not a ‘one size fit all’.

Thank you.

For additional information, please contact:

Patrick DuongSenior Joint-Programme ManagerUN JPLG patrick.duong.jplg@one.un.org

or come and visit Somalia.