1. The United Nations
Joint Programme on Local Governance
in Somalia
A practical case of an Integrated
Local Governance and Local Development Programme
in a Conflict/Post Conflict Situation
Seeking Peace and Development in Somalia
Patrick Duong, UN-JPLG
Kiev, 14 November 2012

2. A postcard from SOMALIA

3. But SOMALIA is also …
Moving from Conflict to Peace and Local Development

4. Why is Local Governance important
in the Somali context?
For the People:
• LG contributes to Peace-building and
Stability (2 decades of instability) and
creates a democratic space for citizens
to voice concerns (conflict mitigation).
• It improves planning and delivery of
equitable basic services (weak sectors)
and reduces the gap between service
providers and consumers (incl. minority
groups).
• It creates an enabling environment for
local economic development and
catalyses private
initiatives, investments, LED and PPPs.

5. For the 3 Somali ‘zones’ and the new Federal Government:
• LG helps restore trust between
citizens and governments and
reinforces social accountability and
citizens engagement (social contract).
• It’s an essential component of State
and Nation building (incl.
Constitution), particularly for
countries in transition.
• It builds up capacities of
administrations (local and central)
and help clarify functions, allocation
of resources and relations between
the different tiers of government.
• It’s a core element of PAR, PFM, Civil
Service reforms, D&D, etc.

6. For the International Community:
• Investing in LG supports the transition from post-
conflict/recovery to development (OECD Principles of
Engagement in Fragile States).
JPLG partner agencies are considering local
planning and delivery options, e.g.: local AWPs.
• It’s an effective way to deliver aid at sub-national
level (incl. for MDGs), using government systems
(New Deal, Busan).
JPLG donors use the MPTF Pass-Through
(multi-year and no earmarking).
• It encourages positive competition amongst local
governments which results in innovation,
stronger performance and Value for Money.
JPLG donors could channel part of their
bilateral aid using the JPLG/LG systems; + decentralized coop.
• It helps fight piracy, stabilize the Horn of Africa and beyond…

7. What is UN JPLG ?
• A programme that focuses on Local Governance and
Decentralized Service delivery.
• A partnership between 5 UN Agencies (governed by the
UNDG principles for ‘Delivering as One’) using a systematic
consultation processes including Government & Donors.
• An annual budget of USD 26-32M/year financially
administrated by the MPTF (JPLG responsible for ResMob).
• A 5 year programme (2008-12 and 2013-17) that operates
in the 3 zones of Somalia.
• Stakeholders: Communities, Vice-
Presidents, MoIs, MoPs, MEFs, Sector Ministries, Local
Governments, LGAs, CBOs.
• Main donors:

8. The Joint Programme’s approach
to Local Governance

9. Capacities and Investments for Service delivery:
(mainly through Local Governments and others stakeholders, incl. private sector)
Constitution
NDP
UNSAS
Upstream
Up-stream Policy Work
Linkages
Annual LG with other Policy work
Conference CD (ex. D&D
(NDP programmes Laws, PFM &
Planning) PAR) Institutionalization
process
Institutionalizing the LG systems
and CD tools piloted by JPLG
(ex. DDF/AWPBs, LDF, etc.)
Linkage
Capacity with
Development for Sectors
Local Governance
Geographical
(at District & expansion
Service Delivery
Central level)
Investments & Local Development
& LED incentives (Education, Health, Wat
JPLG 04/12
er, Road, Security, SW
M, NRM etc.)
For/with the People & Communities in the Districts 9

10. - Engaging in ‘Stabilization’: A difficult political decision.
• JPLG is regularly solicited to start operations in
newly liberated areas (post Al-Shabaab).
• Under ‘Stabilization’ initiatives, support is
normally provided for ‘local authorities’ (often
de facto) to deliver immediate services and
maintain a momentum for peace.
• For a LG programme such as JPLG, the challenge
(apart from security) is to limit/avoid supporting
local authorities that aren’t recognized as
legitimate ones (e.g.: former warlords) and/or
institutions and systems that are provisional by
nature.
• JPLG is considering options to link local
governance with QIP and CDR interventions.

11. Integrating Local Governance
and Local Development

12. - JPLG’s approach for local economic growth and
development:
• JPLG recognises that districts are best placed
to understand the drivers and barriers to
local growth and development, and as such
should lead their own development to
release their economic potential;
• Emphasises that the local economy is often
driven by private sector growth; and
• Focuses on the conditions that enable
businesses to be successful, for
example, through improved economic
infrastructure and streamlining business
regulations;
• All of which contribute to attracting
investment and increasing revenue from
business fees to finance public services.

13. JPLG’s key interventions towards, Peace, Local development
and LED:
JPLG 11/12
Policy
Reforms
Basic LG Capacities
Decentralized service delivery and local development
Local Governance, Stability and Local economic development

14. - Sharing a few lessons learned:
• Managing a JP of 5 UN Agencies is not an easy task... but
‘Delivering as One’ is possible, even in a conflict/post
conflict situation! Donors and Gov. are demanding.
• In a conflict situation, bottom-up approaches are
effective but Policies need to be put in place.
• Highest level Political commitment is a must. LG reforms
(incl. LGLD) must be aligned with other Governance
reforms (PAR, PFM, Civil service, etc.).
• It is possible to have UN Agencies adopt local planning
and delivering processes. But local/central planning
systems (platforms) are needed (+ M&E tools).
• Administrative and Fiscal decentralization are equally
important.
• Engaging with private sector and other groups is critical.
• Allowing time for national ownership to grow and for the
programme and reform to roll out progressively is
essential.
• JPLG can share: MTR, External Outcome Evaluations and
ideas... but there’s not a ‘one size fit all’.

15. Thank you.
For additional information,
please contact:
Patrick Duong
Senior Joint-Programme Manager
UN JPLG
patrick.duong.jplg@one.un.org
or come and visit Somalia.