Tharparkar is the world 7th largest desert, which is affected by drought since last three years. Along with Drought people are badly suffering by the bad governance and lack of political rights. Due to poor performance of elected representatives failed to deliver. Representative of local governments are the basic institutional elements of decentralization, accountable to higher levels of government and to the citizens. Improving accountability and capacity of local government representative improves service delivery, particularly for the poor, increasing the resources allocated for public services without fixing the accountability incentive structure will most likely not translate into greater development benefits for the poor. It sets new rules of the political game, helping new local leaders to emerge in the political competition. It thus redefines the interactions between local leaders and their constituencies. Similarly, as a result of new regulatory and financial powers over procurement and service delivery, the decisions and actions of local governments have a greater impact on local economies. Decentralization thus leads to new interactions and contractual relationships between local governments, providers and producers of services, and communities. Building appropriate local governance structures requires local government representatives can be downwardly accountable to citizens.

Tharparkar is the world 7^th largest desert, which is affected by drought since last three years. Along with Drought people are badly suffering by the bad governance and lack of political rights. Due to poor performance of  elected representatives failed to deliver.  Representative of local governments are the basic institutional elements of decentralization, accountable to higher levels of government and to the citizens. Improving accountability and capacity of local government representative improves service delivery, particularly for the poor, increasing the resources allocated for public services without fixing the accountability incentive structure will most likely not translate into greater development benefits for the poor. It sets new rules of the political game, helping new local leaders to emerge in the political competition. It thus redefines the interactions between local leaders and their constituencies. Similarly, as a result of new regulatory and financial powers over procurement and service delivery, the decisions and actions of local governments have a greater impact on local economies. Decentralization thus leads to new interactions and contractual relationships between local governments, providers and producers of services, and communities. Building appropriate local governance structures requires local government representatives can be downwardly accountable to citizens.

The overall project strategy is being designed to bring women, youth and marginalized communities into political structures and support their participation in politics, by organizing campaigns and training programs to prepare the newly elected local government representative, enabling them to link local priorities to the planning process. Multi–track approach will be taken to achieve the project objectives. The basic premise of this exercise is the idea that informed and well trained local government representative will be equipped to handle their roles and responsibilities independently and will be in a better position to participate effectively in local affairs. Capacity-building approaches sought to enhance the understanding of women, youth and representatives of marginalized communities about their role and responsibilities, the procedures and mechanisms associated with decentralized governance and the schematic interventions of the Government. Gender sensitization was taken up in some areas; activities included training programs, perspective-building meetings, strengthening women’s collectives and developing information dissemination mechanisms. Several innovative and successful actions will be taken under this project.

After the 18^th amendment concept of devolution initiated to promote popular grassroots participation in the management and administration of local governance institutions for improved conditions of citizens. This is believed to be an important means to improving the effectiveness of service delivery and empower the citizens to participate in the development and decision making processes which affect their lives.

Technical Approach

Project Objectives:

1)      To strengthen and support the local government system by capacitating the newly elected LG representatives (female, youth, peasants/workers/laborers and minorities) by building their capacity preferably by engaging LG related training/research institutions in the public or private sector.

2)      To enhance the responsiveness of the LG system to citizens’ needs by strengthening formal and informal mechanisms for citizens’ engagement with LG representatives and in LG processes.

Activities:

Following activities will be taken to achieve the targeted objectives.

Activities under objective 1:

·         Building capacity of the newly elected LG representatives for respective tiers of  LG throughout District by conducting three trainings Seminar.

·          Facilitating training workshops for the elected LG representatives (female, youth, peasants/workers/labor and minorities); and Engagements/Partnerships with LG training institutes or LG expert.

Activities under objective 2:

 

·         Advocacy for the adoption of mechanisms by the relevant LG tiers to allow for public hearings on important issues of local development, proceedings of important committees, among other key decision making processes;

·          Advocacy for adoption of mechanism for pool of experts and key stakeholders.

·         input in the development and assessment of development plans, public oversight of development and service delivery systems, etc.;  Developing government/civil society working groups;

·         Using Information and Communication Technology (such as websites etc.) for increased transparency;

·          Creating or strengthening of linkages between academia, private sector and NGOs to institutionalize government/citizen engagement;

·          Evidence based research for developing and strengthening complaint redressed mechanisms; developing performance metrics for line departments in conjunction with government and civil society and Developing citizen reports on performance of LG representatives, budget tracking etc.

Expected Result:

·         Newly elected local government representatives have enhanced capacity on participatory planning, financial resource generation, and transparent budget processes.

·          The female, youth, peasants/workers and minorities elected representatives at all tiers will have better understanding of their respective local government system;

·         Citizens’ confidence in political and electoral processes; and  Improved governance as characterized by accountability, greater inclusivity,

·          Enhanced public participation in decision- making; and stronger legal, administrative and policy frameworks.

·         Citizens have greater knowledge of rights, responsibilities and working of local government system.

·         Citizens have greater capacity to discuss local issues and key governance challenges being faced by them and are able to engage in advocacy with community and the local government.

·         Improved interaction between civil society, academia and private sector to institutionalize local government/citizen engagement.

·          Broadened citizens’ participation and inclusiveness in law-making and executive oversight functions at all tiers.

·          Greater transparency in the activities and performance of elected representatives as well as local government bodies.

·          Voice and complaints of citizens related to LG system are more easily heard and responded by relevant local government representatives/officials through effective complaint redressal mechanisms.