Decentralisation & Local Governance
Overview
Decentralisation moves decisions and resources closer to communities, but it only works when roles, finances and accountability are clear. This course explores models of decentralisation and local governance, how to share responsibilities between central and local levels, and how to build capable, accountable local institutions.
Who should attend
Officials of local administration ministries, governorate and municipal leaders, council members, and development partners.
Training methodology
Interactive presentations, regional and international public sector experiences, case studies, group work on participants' own institutions, practical exercises, and an action plan for each participant's entity.
Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Compare models of decentralisation
- Clarify the division of responsibilities between levels of government
- Understand fiscal decentralisation and transfers
- Strengthen local councils and accountability
- Plan capacity building for local administration
Course outline
Day 1Concepts of Decentralisation
- Political, administrative and fiscal decentralisation
- Deconcentration versus devolution
- Benefits and risks
- International experiences
- Discussion
Day 2Sharing Responsibilities
- Assigning functions by level
- Legal frameworks
- Coordination mechanisms
- Avoiding overlap
- Function assignment exercise
Day 3Fiscal Decentralisation
- Local revenue sources
- Intergovernmental transfers
- Formula-based allocation
- Local borrowing
- Case study
Day 4Local Councils and Accountability
- Roles of elected councils
- Council and executive relations
- Oversight and audit
- Citizen participation
- Simulation of a council session
Day 5Building Local Capacity
- Capacity assessment
- Training and support systems
- Performance-based grants
- Phasing reforms
- Action plan
