Phase I: July 2008 to June 2011
Budget: CHF 0.950 million (Helvetas)
Partner: Local
Development Division, Gross National Happiness
Commission, Thimphu.
Contact: Mr. Sonam Yarphel, Program Officer, Local Development Division; syarphel ( ) gnhc.gov.bt
Location/Geographic Coverage: Samtse, Sarpang and Zhemgang
The new political environment at the national level is often not matched by mechanisms, processes and institutions at the local levels. Therefore, taking into account the opportunities and challenges facing the country in the field of local governance, the project “Support for Local Governance” was formulated.
The goal of the project is to: “Contribute towards enhanced democratic governance at local levels through practical application of self-governance and support for participatory decision-making processes and structures”. The expected outcomes are:
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and other models empowering rural communities and focusing on good self-governance developed and demonstrated;
Enhanced capacities of local governments to provide administrative services and facilitate socio-economic development processes;
Increased gender balanced participation in governance and development of the community.
Main Achievements:
The main achievements are:
Planning of the project and priority activities completed;
Collaboration with governance programme of other development partners on-going;
Orientation for Gewog Administrative Officers planned.
Outlook
:
Identify relevant associations and groups for practical application of self-governance;
Support participatory decision-making process and structures within identified associations and groups;
Support interested groups and associations to become recognised as CSOs;
Include gender considerations into local government trainings;
Capacity development of local government personnel and the Local Development Division.
An important initiative has been the passing of Civil Society Organizations Act of Bhutan 2007. However, steps forward depends largely on the establishment of an institution (CSO Authority) that would facilitate the development of CSOs and provide avenues for their legal recognition.