Integrated Local Development Project (ILDP)
Background
ILDP is a response to a call for support by municipal partners to sustain a systematic approach to capacity development and policy design at the local level in BiH. Although few participatory planning approaches were promoted in BiH, a unified methodology in planning and implementation of local development strategies has not been accepted either formally or informally.
Therefore, ILDP would initiate a process where such a unified local planning framework is elaborated, launched and successfully applied throughout BiH municipalities in the long term. The translation of municipal strategic goals into concrete projects and action plans, and making direct connections with the municipal budget cycle remain a challenge at the municipal level. With that respect, ILDP would come up with a solid and well tailored capacity building component and seek to tackle these existing challenges within the partner municipalities. Local civil society in BiH does not provide any real “check” on decisions or local administration and still has no effective involvement and participation in the local planning, policy-making and implementation.
Underpinning these shortcomings, ILDP would seek to contribute to the open, transparent and inclusive local planning processes, encouraging strengthening of social capital and enhancing local democracy within the partner municipalities. ILDP is an initiative carried out by UNDP BiH in partnership with the BiH Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, RS Ministry for Administration and Local Self-Governance, FBiH Ministry of Justice, entities Associations of Municipalities and Cities and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Financial support for this initiative is provided jointly by SDC and UNDP BiH.
Objectives
An underlying objective is to support the modernisation and professionalization of local development planning in BiH, elaborating and launching a standardised approach for integrated and inclusive local development planning. Therefore, ILDP aims to create a unified local planning methodology, which defines the scope of local development widely, bringing spatial, economic, demographic, social, physical and environmental dimensions of development together and is characterised by participation and inclusion. ILDP will in parallel seek to work closely at the municipal level, channelling targeted assistance and strengthening the capacities of municipalities in BiH to undergo quality integrated and participatory planning processes and further be well prepared to operationalise the local strategies and effectively implement them. An integral part of the ILDP core objectives is also to secure participation of local civil societies and socio-economic stakeholders in local planning processes, enhancing local democracy and providing external scrutiny of development choices and practices.
Achievements and Expected Results
All ILDP planned activities will be implemented in a core group of around 20 municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. ILDP will create and launch a unified local planning framework for BiH. The 20 ILDP partner municipalities will receive tailored and practical assistance to create or update their local development strategies through open and participatory manner, elaborating the broader development vision and objectives for the relevant territory and introducing the integrated approach as inseparable way of perceiving indigenous and competitive local development. The ILDP will also provide support to the development of a critical and independent, but also responsible, local civil society. Moreover, the project recognizes the wider participatory and therefore developmental benefits of building a vibrant local civil society. Attention will also be given to ensuring inclusion of interests of minorities, women and youth through encouraging their direct participation and representation of their interests in existing civil society organisations.
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