Locations
Liberia Decentralization Support Programme (LDSP) II
Project Summary
Liberia’s 14 years of civil war not only destroyed infrastructure but also grounded public administration and delivery of services. The 2003 Accra Accord provided a framework for inclusive peace, political stability, recovery, and development. Notable efforts towards decentralization include the passage of the Local Government Act (2018) and the launch and adoption of the National Policy on Decentralization and Local Governance (NPDLG) in 2020. The LDSP Phase II (2020-2024) is designed to support and facilitate the implementation of the NPDLG as well as operationalize the Local Government Act. The programme deliberately targets the decentralization of administrative and political governance in line with the fiscal decentralization component implemented by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP). It is aligned to peacebuilding and reconciliation processes, Public Sector Reform Agenda, Civil Service Reforms (CSR) and the Government’s national agenda. By extension, it supports the implementation of all pillars of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, and the SDGs particularly goals 1,5, 16 and 17.
Objective
The LDSP Phase II is designed to help address inclusive governance imperatives that ensure the full participation of the whole population in the sustainable development agenda of Liberia, especially the vulnerable and disadvantaged. It builds upon the reforms and gains recorded in Phase One and focuses more broadly on interventions geared toward the implementation of the Local Government Act (LGA). Under the current governance system, revenue collection, budgeting, and expenditure are all under the jurisdiction of the central government. This must change to enhance inclusive governance and promote financial sustainability for local government structures.
As a strategy, the project ensures that citizens of Liberia and stakeholders (men and women) are more aware, better motivated, and actively participate in the implementation of the LGA reforms. It provides management, coordination, and monitoring support to help strengthen decentralization. It also strengthens institutions to become more effective, accountable, transparent, inclusive, and gender-responsive in the delivery of essential services at the national and sub-national levels. The project supports the strengthening of government decentralization efforts by improving the quality of the delivery of services to all Liberians and residents across the 15 Counties- women, youth, the elderly, and other marginalized groups.
Expected Results
The LDSP II is built around the transfer of authority and responsibilities from national to local governments in Liberia to:
Enhance the sensitivity, responsiveness, and capabilities of local governments and make them accountable to local people.
Accelerate effective and efficient service delivery and poverty alleviation by developing and strengthening local-level planning, monitoring, and management capacity and providing access to national and local resources through fiscal decentralization.
Increase equitable distribution of the nation’s resources to ensure a more wholesome process of development and democratic governance; and,
Enhance participatory decision-making to engender peacebuilding and reconciliation.
Achievements
The project has built its support around advocacy for the passage of the Local Government Act (LGA) of 2018, the rollout of an innovative citizens’ feedback mechanism, and the establishment of service centers in each of the 15 counties. These centers provide at least 17 services including birth certificates, driver's licenses, vehicle registration, marriage licenses, business registration, and biometric identity cards. They provide the only opportunity for citizens and residents to access key services including payment of taxes without traveling to Monrovia. It reduces unnecessary transportations costs and the stress of commuting long distances under horrendous conditions to the Capital. The establishment of the CSCs serves as a source of revenue generation for the government and has helped the government to understand the complex issues it faces in advancing the decentralization policy. The project also supported the establishment of four County Treasuries in Nimba, Bong, Margibi, and Grand Bassa Counties which ultimately has reduced payment time to local vendors.
The LDSP continues to provide management, coordination, and monitoring support to help strengthen decentralization. The project supported advocacy around the enactment of the Revenue Sharing Act which is designed to promote financial autonomy and enhance local economic development at the subnational level. Local Government services are to be fully devolved, and corresponding resources managed at the assigned level of government.
With support from the project, 15 County Councils were established in line with Chapter 2 of the LGA which creates a check and balance as it relates to accounting for development funds, local taxes raised, and supplements the Revenue Sharing Law which will contribute to local development. The County Council is required by law to approve development plans, and budgets, levy local taxes and fines to support social and economic development as well as promote peace, unity, and reconciliation. It comprises one representative each from women groups, persons with disabilities organizations, CSOs, and chiefs out of 9 representatives on the County Council.
| Duration | July 2020 to December 2024 |
| Budget/Investment | US$ 15,460,760 (Secured US$ 2,130,007.72) |
| Donors | Ireland, Sweden, UNDP |
| Implementing Partners | Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA); Governance Commission |
| Coverage | National |
| Targeted Beneficiaries | Citizens, government, and CSOs in seven counties |
| Focus Area/SDG | Inclusive Governance/SDGs 1, 5, 16 & 17 |