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SHARIQUE: Local Governance Program in Rajshahi and Sunamganj
[in partnership with CARE Bangladesh]
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Introduction
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Local governance in Bangladesh dates back to the ancient times. With the emergence of Bangladesh as a nation, the importance of local governance got enshrined in Articles 9, 11, 59 and 60 of its constitution. More recently the Government of Bangladesh has given increased importance to local governance. This finds expression in its National Rural Development Policy (2000) and the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (2005), which highlight the key role of local governments.
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The Local Governance Programme in Rajshahi and Sunamganj, called Sharique, is a response of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation to the importance of local governance in Bangladesh in contributing to poverty reduction and equitable local development. The management of the first phase of the programme from 2006 to 2009 has been entrusted to a consortium of Intercooperation and Care Bangladesh.
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Sharique will be supporting the local governance functioning in a total of 100 Unions in the district of Rajshahi and Sunamganj. The programme will be working on improving the capacity of the local council, the participation of the citizens, the coordination between different local actors and the exchange of information and experiences among those concerned with local governance at different levels.
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Vision and Goal
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The local governance vision on which this programme is based, is the management of public affairs at local level in a democratic manner. The goal derived from this vision is poverty reduction through participatory and accountable local governance, leading to equitable local development for all segments of the society, especially the poor, women and other marginal groups.
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Objectives
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Strengthening the capacity of Union Parishads and other local government actors: Local government authorities manage public affairs in a more effective, efficient and transparent way, and are more responsive and accountable to the community, specially the poor, women and marginal groups. |
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Strengthening people's participation: The citizens participate more responsibly in local planning and decision-making processes and asks for transparency and accountability, playing a more significant role in local development processes. |
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Coordination: The main local governance actors have improved their capacity to coordinate and interact among themselves (government, civil society, private sector) for local development, with the UPs playing central coordinating role. |
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Knowledge Management: Experiences and good practices have been capitalized and disseminated to other relevant actors and are introduced into the national policy discussion.
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Approaches
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Rights-based approach |
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Gender equity |
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Capacity development |
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Advocacy |
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Main activities
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Participatory local planning by UPs and other local government authorities |
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Community mobilization and civil society participation, with special focus on the voice and participation of the poor, women and other marginal groups |
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Technical support to UPs |
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Strengthening of existing structures and mechanisms of coordination |
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Innovation, joint learning and dissemination of best practices with regards to downward accountability and transparency in local governance
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Partners of Sharique
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Intercooparation and CARE Bangladesh are working with a number of Bangladeshi Non-Governmental Organisations in implementing the programme. These include the following:
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Center for Natural Resource Studies (CNRS) |
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Mahila Sanghatee Parishad (MSP) |
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Reliant Women Development Organization (RWDO) |
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Sachetan |
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Samata Nari Kalyan Sangsthya (SNKS) |
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