Local Governance and Poverty: The UNCDF approach

By Angelo Bonfiglioli, UNCDF LGU Senior Technical Advisor

Abstract: This document was presented at the annual meeting of the Belgian Survival Fund's partners held in Brussels on 30th of May 2002. It presents, in a concise manner, UNCDF's approach in support to local governance and poverty reduction.After presenting UNCDF's mandate and key objectives, section 1 discusses its major planning tool for local governance: the local development programme (LDP). Particular emphasis is put on institutional support through technical and financial assistance to local governments, especially those that are the result of a process of democratic decentralization (particularly stressed are the linkages between poverty and lack of governance).Section 2 presents major LDP components: institutional development; planning mechanisms; building of local capacities; and financial facilities for local governments. Strategies, which correspond to the key principles of good governance, are analyzed. A number of examples, taken from a group of projects which are co-financed by UNCDF with the BSF, show how these principles are translated into actions aimed at dealing with the most important causes of local poverty and at improving local livelihoods. Section 3 identifies key indicators to assess the impact of LDPs on local governance and poverty.The last section presents a set of crucial LDP-related questions, especially in terms of basic assumptions and methodologies.

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