Ireland increases assistance to Local Governance

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Ireland increases assistance to Local Governance

In a boost to the decentralization process in the country, the Government of Ireland signed additional contribution of EUR 360,000 to the Local Governance Support Programme (LGSP), implemented under the Ministry of State Administration and Territorial Management (MSATM) with the joint support of the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Mr Charles Lathrop, the Irish Aid Representative, and Mr Akbar Usmani, the UNDP Country Director, signed the agreement in a ceremony that took place on 31 July at the Irish Aid office, in Dili.

"The establishment of an effective local government is essential for the future of this country. With this additional contribution we would like to reinforce Ireland's commitment to support the decentralization process in order to improve the delivery of public goods and services to the people of Timor-Leste and towards poverty reduction, said Mr Lathrop.

“UNCDF and UNDP are grateful to the Government of Ireland for its valuable contribution which will enable our continued support to the decentralization process in the country. This contribution comes at a crucial time with establishment of new municipalities scheduled in 2010", said the UNDP Country Director, Mr Akbar Usmani. The UNDP Country Director expressed his personal appreciation to Mr Lathrop whose tour of duty in Timor-Leste comes to an end this month. "We could always count on you and your good collaboration made the difference", he said.

The US $ 7.75 million LGSP started in 2007 as a five-year project built upon two predecessor projects: Local Government Options Study (LGOS), and Local Development Programme (LDP). Its aim is to contribute towards poverty reduction in Timor-Leste through support to the establishment of a decentralized, accountable and effective government. The project is also funded by the Government of Norway and the Government of Timor-Leste.