This fund has been completed and has been financially closed

Fund Dates

• Start Date: 1 July 2006
• End Date: 31 December 2011

JP Bangladesh LGSC LIC - Reports

• 2012 Consolidated Report
• 2013 Consolidated Financial Report
• Final Source and Use of Funds Statement
  

Overview

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have established a Joint Programme, using a pass-through funding modality, entitled "Local Governance Support Project – Learning and Innovation Component (LGSP-LIC)." The Joint Programme aims to enhance decentralisation and local governance, and reduce poverty in the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The Learning and Innovation Component is an integral part of the wider national Local Governance Support Joint Programme – to promote better local governance and local service delivery. In particular, the Learning and Innovation Component builds the service delivery capacities of Union Parishads. 

The LGSP-LIC Joint Programme encompasses:

• Six districts: Sirajganj, Habiganj, Satkhira, Feni, Barguna, and Narsingdi;
• A duration of four years, from 02 April 2007 to 31 December 2011; and
• Partnerships with the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives - Local Government Division; the Monitoring, Inspection and Evaluation Wing of the Local Government Division; Union Parishads; and the National Institute of Local Government.

The LGSP-LIC Joint Programme is administered by the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in accordance with its financial regulations and rules.

Assistance Strategy

The Local Governance Support Project – Learning and Innovation Component (LGSP-LIC) Joint Programme introduced an incentive framework in 388 elected Union Parishads in the six districts of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, and is currently strengthening existing mechanisms for accountability and participation. The LGSP-LIC Joint Programme aims to build upon, and go beyond, the lessons learned from the Sirajganj Local Governance Development Project completed in 2006.

The main expected outcome is to improve the capacity of Union Parishads for effective, efficient, and accountable delivery of pro-poor infrastructure and services. The five summarised objectives are:

Objective 1: Increase financial resources made available to Union Parishads

• Guidelines developed as a block grant for Union Parishads (UPs);
• Performance assessment arrangements established, assessment teams trained;
• Funding agencies adopt performance-based methodology for UP funding nationwide; and
• 25% average annual increase of revenue collection in all UPs.

Objective 2: Develop improved public expenditure systems for Union Parishads

• Planning & implementation guidelines implemented;
• Participatory planning operation in all UPs; and
• Upazila-level officials support Union Facilitation Teams and UPs; and Supervision Committees operational.

Objective 3: Implement enhanced mechanisms for local accountability

• Dissemination of UP budgets and accounts;
• Scheme notice-boards erected for all UP-funded projects; and
• UP standing committees meet with line departments, and quarterly with Wards.

Objective 4: Establish more effective framework for capacity development

• Implement training plan and evaluation mechanisms on UPs funding mechanisms, oversight, monitoring and evaluation, and quality assurance;
• Strategic plan for capacity enhancement of the National Institute of Local Government; and
• Implement for UP demand-led training funded through block grants.

Objective 5: Implement policy development informed by lessons learned

• UP block grant and procurement regulations;
• Proposals for refined policy, legal and regulatory framework for UPs;
• Gender strategy for local government; and
• Adequate local government district monitoring, inspection, and evaluation database in UPs. 

Governance

The Local Governance Support Project – Learning and Innovation Component (LGSP-LIC) Joint Programme is implemented jointly by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) using a pass-through funding modality. The programmatic and financial accountability rests with the Participating UN Organisations, which manage their respective components of the Joint Programme. The LGSP-LIC Joint Programme is governed by a Steering Committee.

Steering Committee

The main objective of the Steering Committee is to facilitate effective implementation and coordination of the LGSP-LIC Joint Programme. The Steering Committee consists of: the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), representatives of the implementing partners (the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives - Local Government Division; the Monitoring, Inspection and Evaluation Wing of the Local Government Division; Union Parishads; and the National Institute of Local Government), and the donors as observers.

Administrative Agent

The Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office) of the UNDP serves as the Administrative Agent (AA) of the LGSP-LIC Joint Programme. The AA is responsible for concluding Standard Administrative Arrangements (SAAs) with donor(s) and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Participating UN Organisations.

Decision Making

The Steering Committee discusses and approves work plans and budgets as well as any substantive or financial issues pertaining to implementation of the Local Governance Support Project – Learning and Innovation Component (LGSP-LIC) Joint Programme. The members agree to assume responsibility for performing joint monitoring of LGSP-LIC Joint Programme activities. Decisions are made by consensus. Members provide regular feedback on implementation of the LGSP-LIC Joint Programme, and propose any necessary corrective actions to resolve problems, ensure accountability, and make recommendations. 

The Administrative Agent Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)] for the Local Governance Support Project – Learning and Innovation Component (LGSP-LIC) Joint Programme is responsible for the receipt, administration, and management of contributions from donors; disbursement of funds to the Participating UN Organisations in accordance with instructions from the Steering Committee; and consolidation of financial reports produced by each of the Participating UN Organisations and Participating Non-UN Organisations and provision of these reports to the Steering Committee for onward submission to the donors.