Innovations in Local Governance and Decentralization in East Africa: An Inventory

Description

This publication is a compilation of innovations in local governance and decentralization process, drawn from the experience of workshops held in each of the three East African region namely; Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Different definitions of innovations, refining criteria for the identification of innovations and designing modalities for an Awards Programme within their respective local context, are highlighted. The documented practices represent creative and effective examples of social service delivery at the local level, with a particular focus on poverty reduction and improving the quality of life of the poor. It is hoped that they will act as a catalyst for better practices in decentralization in the region and beyond.

Background information

Since 1992, UN-HABITAT and the Ford Foundation have been supporting research, action and policy advocacy in urban poverty reduction in countries in east and southern Africa. As a result of this collaborative work, it has become evident that one of the effective ways of dealing with urban poverty reduction is through improved urban governance at the local level. The importance and need for encouraging improved urban governance had already been identified by the Ford Foundation as evidenced by the various awards competitions in governance that the Foundation had supported since 1986.

The activities of this project are developed within the broad framework of the Global Campaign on Good Urban Governance spearheaded by UN-HABITAT. With the reality that most of humanity will soon live in cities, the need for good urban governance is urgent. Cities are the engines of economic growth and development, creating wealth and growth in a diverse culture; they can also generate and intensify social exclusion leaving the urban poor and other marginalised groups deprived of the benefits of urban life. It has become evident to UN-HABITAT, that a key ingredient in reducing social exclusion is not more money or technology for urban areas, but improved urban governance.

The key goal of the campaign is to contribute to the eradication of poverty through improved urban governance. The campaign seeks to achieve its goal by increasing the capacity of local governments and other stakeholders to practice good urban governance and to raise awareness of and advocate for good urban governance as the key to sustainable development. The Campaign is implemented through three strategies: capacity building, advocacy, and knowledge management. The Mashariki Awards Programme will contribute to the advocacy and knowledge management strategy.

Project finished

2002

Researcher

Cecilia Kinuthia-Njenga & Saningo ole Saibulu

Article info

ISBN: 92 –1-131665-0