The LLDP aims at assisting the Government of Lesotho in implementing the decentralization process (through improved local governance and local development procedures and processes) and achieve improved service delivery and attain poverty reduction and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). To do so, it will provide appropriate technical support at national, district and community level. Four operational outputs, with specific activities, will address the following areas:

1. Development and strengthening of systems for inclusive pro-poor, decentralized and effective planning and budgeting both at national and district level;

2. Procedures for sustainable production of public infrastructure and delivery of social services both at national and district level;

3. Financing instruments for local public infrastructure and service provision for local economic development (in selected Districts); and

4. Impact of the programme on national policies of decentralization as well as the roles and functions of local government in local development and poverty reduction.

• In Lesotho, the Decentralisation for Improved Service Delivery is one of the key pillars of the Public Service Improvement and Reform Programme (PSIRP). The implementation of the decentralisation programme started with the Local Government Act of 1997, and has continued with the local government elections of 2005. However, the major challenge at the moment is the momentum, substance and direction of the decentralisation process.

• The LLDP is therefore largely to address these issues, as it aims at establishing and supporting central and local mechanisms to steer and guide the process and clarify the role of local government in poverty reduction.

• Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) will be responsible of its execution, according to its mandate to establish and support a central and local mechanism to steer and guide the decentralization process in an inclusive manner.

• The LLDP will be supervised by a Decentralisation Steering Committee (DRSC), chaired by the Principal Secretary of Local Government and made up of all the Directors in the Ministry of Local Government and Deputy Principal Secretaries from other Ministries directly involved in decentralisation. The DCS, considered as the prime mover of the decentralization process, will establish close synergy with the Steering Committee of the Public Sector Improvement and Reform Programme (PSIRP), which is placed under the Chairmanship of the Government Secretary.

• The LLDP has a nationwide impact as it supports different aspects of the process of implementation of the decentralisation across the country through the establishment of accountable, transparent and effective local governments.

• More particularly, from an operational point of view, it focuses on the six Northern districts (Maseru, Berea, Leribe, Botha Bothe, Mokhotlong, and Thaba Tseka;

• Total population estimated at about 913,000 people.

• Independent Mid Term Review mid way through the third year of project implementation.

• Final Evaluation in 2010/2011

• Focus on Resource Mobilization