The Learning and Innovation Component (LIC) of the Local Governance Support Project (LGSP) aims to promote poverty reduction and MDG achievement through building the basic service delivery capacities of Union Parishads (UPs). LGSP-LIC is an integral part of the wider LGSP – a national project to promote better local governance and local service delivery – to be supported by a World Bank/IDA loan. LGSP will provide substantive support in five main areas:

1. UUP performance-linked financing arrangements;


2. ULocal public expenditure management procedures;


3. ULocal accountability institutions;


4. UInstitutional framework for UP human resource development & training; and


5. UNational policy development and coordination. LGSP-LIC will field test in more realistic conditions the successful innovations already pioneered in the UNCDF/UNDP Sirajganj project and feed these “second generation” innovations into the national LGSP. The Local Government Division of the MLGRD&C will execute the LIC as part of the LGSP.

• LGSP is a government-owned programme, supported by the World Bank and SDC (the national upscaling component) and by UNCDF, UNDP with EC and Danida, supporting learning & innovation field-testing in 6 districts. Both components are under same government management arrangements.
• The LIC allows UNCDF key role in influencing policy, building on achievements of SLGDF. WB and UNCDF/UNDP to undertake joint supervision. UNCDF/UNDP also to be entrusted with technical management of a WB-funded Social Protection component, to pilot role of UPs in workfare and cash transfers to destitute households.
• Current political/policy moves to push decentralisation and reinstate Upazila councils offers major potential opportunity to expand scope of LIC.

• Local Government Division (LGD), Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Cooperatives
• National Institute of Local Government
• Union Parishads

• 6 Districts (of 64 total) with approx 390 Ups
• 12 million persons

• N/A

UP operational manuals and capacity bldg/training materials to be used in national LGSP have been prepared under UNCDF technical direction.

• Ensuring continuous policy value-added complementarity to WB activities and following tight timelines in synch with audit, capacity building, fund release processes.

• Mobilising staff and undertaking MC/PM assessments in time with WB audits
• Releasing 1st tranche of UP grants.
• First joint supervision with WB – January 2008.