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Project synthesis
In the Southern African region, decentralisation is seen as an effective tool to achieve better governance, strengthen democracy, increase participation and improve service delivery. At present, countries in the region are undergoing decentralisation processes at various stages, pace and success. In some cases, local government has been empowered to act, but in others its pre-existing powers have been curtailed by a combination of political centralisation and fiscal impoverishment. Traditional villages still following self-reliant and self-governing systems form only a small part of a region struggling with administrative inefficiency, citizen disempowerment and poverty, as well as inadequate delivery of social and development services.
Strategy/Objectives
This project aims to promote and strengthen democracy and good governance in the SADC region with a specific focus on the decentralisation of fiscal, political, and administrative government functions at local levels. In order to achieve this goal, IDASA’s project implementation plan is based on the identified gaps and trends that were presented as challenges for decentralisation in the first phase of the project conducted between 2002 and 2004.
Country Partners
IDASA will play the role of regional facilitator to stimulate and strengthen decentralisation structures and activities for the stakeholder partners in the selected eight SADC countries. This is necessary to create an environment suitable for integrated project development in collaboration with local governments and civil societies.
Equally important is the creation of sustainable networks that are gradually being developed with the purpose of providing platforms for information sharing. IDASA will take responsibility for managing and enabling conventions for the regional network.
Activities and Expected Results
The project will run for 36 months with 3 phases of implementation in eight countries (Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa, Zimbabwe):
· Assessment of governance capacity through the Local Governance Index (LGI) using a model for the complex nature of governance systems
· Establishment of a sustainable network for information sharing
· Capacity building activities for the CSO country partners, broader civil community and local governments
The programme has the ability to enhance regional co-operation and create synergies to exchange knowledge and ideas on decentralisation processes, knowledge sharing mechanisms and strengthen the links between municipalities and countries.
Partner
IDASA is an independent public interest organisation, founded in 1986, committed to promoting a sustainable democracy in Southern Africa by building democratic institutions, educating citizens and advocating for social justice.
Project duration
SDC has been in a partnership with IDASA since 1987. SDC is supporting the implementation of this project phase from January 2006 to December 2008.
Funding
The actual contribution to this phase is R 3 million
Geographical area
IDASA works nation-wide in South Africa and in other Southern African countries. It has two Democracy Centres located in Pretoria and Cape Town.
Contact address
IDASA
Cnr Visagie & Prinsloo Streets, Pretoria
Tel. (012) 320-3820
Fax (012) 320-2414/5
email: info@idasa.org.za
Website : www.idasa.org.za
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