Accountable, effective local governance as pathway for inclusive service access (AGIR)

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing a multitude of humanitarian and social challenges largely due to a centralised governance system­­­­. Building good local governance where citizens can access services and influence decisions affecting them, is one critical foundation for addressing those challenges.

The project Support to Inclusive and Accountable Governance (AGIR), works to increase access and quality of public services and broader participation in decision-making in the Haut-Katanga province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The project works with six so called “ETDs” (local government units) in the Haut-Katanga province and facilitates improved interactions between key stakeholders in the province and service provision that addresses local needs.

ETDs – a key to implement the decentralisation legislation

ETDs are the tier of government closest to the citizen. However, they face a legitimacy challenge since there have been no local elections held in DRC, which means they are not represented by people who have been elected. By supporting more effective, transparent, and inclusive forms of governance at this level, the project contributes to building trust between citizens and politicians. This is done by supporting access to information and creating spaces for dialogue and interaction between citizens and decision makers. At ETD level the project can also influence improvements in service delivery, primarily by helping the administrations to use their resources in more effective and innovative ways.

AGIR targets six ETDs in strengthening their organisational governance capacities and their roles as providers of basic services to citizens. Further, the project enhances interaction with the provincial level– to facilitate exchange and dissemination of know-how between ETDs in the province.

Nurturing local expertise

Congolese partners in civil s­­­ociety play a key role in AGIR. In implementing the strategies to achieve the expected results, AGIR is working with several civil society and expert organisations. SALAR and partners develop methods and strategies together, with an emphasis on leveraging local knowledge and experience to enable better use of good practices.

Linking practice into national processes

The project contributes to implementing DRC government priorities to advance the countries decentralisation process. AGIR promotes this process in two directions. Firstly, theoretical and practical assistance to ETD is provided to help them comply with legal regulations and make use of centrally developed tools, guidelines, and standards. This is useful for instance for budgeting and participatory local planning. Secondly, the project helps the ETDs to identify challenges or improvements, which are needed at local level. This information is then used as evidence to influence the debate on national level on how to improve conditions for ETDs. Therefore, AGIR takes part in national networks and keeps a continuous dialogue with key stakeholders on national level.

During the first three years of implementation the AGIR project has primarily contributed to: Clarified mandates, defined roles and responsibilities in ETDs and introduction of complementary tools for efficient and realistic planning and budgeting processes, strengthened capacities for local public revenue mobilization, participatory mechanisms for local finance/ resource management, increased awareness of benefits and methods for citizen engagement, and strengthened capacity to design services so that they respond to diverse needs in the population (gender, age, PWD, environment etc.) Furthermore, the project helps to increase capacity of community-based organisations, particularly those led by women and youth and enhancing preconditions for participation in public service design and implementation through targeted skill building.

Paul Dixelius
Project Manager paul.dixelius@skr.se