Democracy and Governance Programme
Project Title:
Development Education for Elected Representatives of Local Government Bodies (LOI)
Funded By:
The Asia Foundation/USAID
Project Duration:
June 2009 to May 2011
Total Project Fund :
Tk. 43,50,105.00
Project Introduction :
The project aims at enhancing the capacity of 1800 local elected leaders of influence from Union Parishads from all parts of Bangladesh over four years period to expose them to national envelopment issues through dialogue with development partner organizations with a view of promoting responsive and accountable governance, facilitating board-based economic growth and protecting basic rights and security.
It is presumed that when the Leaders of Influence at the local level are responsive, accountable and transparent, the local citizens do enjoy better services and privileges with their support and pro-people activities.
Project Goal:
To enhance the capacity of local elected representatives to contribute to national development and democratic reform efforts and, in so doing, to preserve and promote values of democracy, tolerance, diversity, and social harmony in Bangladesh society
Project Objective:
To engage leaders of influence in dialogue on an practical exposure to modern development practices and democratic values, including those to which development partners contribute through their support for democracy and human right, health, education, forestry, agriculture and other sectoral initiatives that are supported by USAID.
Project Activities:
LEBS Orientation
Project Challenge :
- Some of the leaders of influence show lack of interest in attending the sessions
- Pre-occupation of the participants delays implementation of project activities on schedule
- Some of the participants are found prejudiced.
Project Learning:
- The participants found NGOs accountability to make project transparent
- Local elected officials found their role to speak about the NGO programs in the community
- The male participants identified and strongly felt the need for building capacity of the female members and are committed to collaborate in working together
- The participants found scope to involve the youth in developmental activities in the locality
Project Recommendation:
- Field visit need to be arranged by dividing the participants in smaller groups of 15-20
- Requesting the participants to attend the session in time