Bangladesh

Local Governance Cluster

This cluster aims to provide improved, participatory local governance for socio-economic development and poverty alleviation through (i) Delivery of sustainable basic infrastructure and services; (ii) Building capacity of local government bodies to plan, finance and manage basic development activities in a responsive and accountable manner and (iii) Drawing lessons on improved local government practices of wider relevance in Bangladesh. It aims to pilot systems and processes that would contribute to strengthening local governance through greater fiscal devolution, participatory planning and implementation and improved management and accountability of services in Bangladesh.

The importance of local governance and local government reform as policy issues have moved to centre stage in Bangladesh recently and it is closely linked to the current poverty-reduction strategy debate. Recognizing the importance of the fact, UNDP’s Local Governance Cluster is, in consultation with Government, already committed to addressing these policy issues.