LGAZ Embarks on Implementing the “Enhancing Local Government Capacity for Development Project”

The Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ) in collaboration with the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) has started implementing a project called, “Enhancing Local Government Capacity for Development.”  The project will be implemented within the decentralisation framework which has expanded local authorities’ mandate. Local authorities require capacities to effectively and efficiently deliver on their expanded mandates as well as strategically engage citizens in local governance and development. Once the Decentralisation Policy is fully implemented, it will eventually contribute towards the achievement of the 7th National Development Plan.

The project is funded by the European Union and will be implemented over a period of three years.  The expected outcomes from the project are:

• Improved leadership and institutional capacities of local authorities for enhanced local governance.
• Local authorities have increased capacities to plan and implement inclusive service delivery and promote local economic development.
• Increased capacity for LGAZ to represent and support the local government sector in the decentralisation process in Zambia.

The project will contribute to enhanced local governance for effective, efficient and inclusive service delivery and development through local government capacity building, inclusive development planning and implementation of Local Economic Development and Primary Health Care. The Project will also support the Association to effectively represent and support its members in executing their Constitutional mandate.

The Project will therefore target elected and appointed officials of councils and representatives of ward development committees in the 10 local authorities from Northern, Copperbelt and Lusaka Provinces. The 10 participating councils are Ndola, Masaiti, Luanshya, Chongwe, Rufunsa, Kafue, Kasama, Mporokoso, Mpulungu and Luwingu. Other target groups include the Local Government Association of Zambia, Ministry of Local Government (MoLG), Chalimbana Local Government Training Institute (CLGTI) and the Ministry of Health (MoH). The rest are Community Based Organisations (CBOs), Faith Based Organisations (FBOs), chambers of commerce, research institutes and relevant government departments at provincial and district levels in in the 10 local authorities.