Afghanistan Subnational Governance Programme (ASGP)

Project completed

The overall aim is that Afghan women and men, boys and girls access more accountable, transparent and inclusive subnational services. The project strengthens Afghanistan’s provincial and municipal institutions to improve the quality of local governance. Subnational institutions will plan and report in a more consultative and accountable manner. Civil society stakeholders engage more effectively with local institutions and processes.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Afghanistan
Governance

Decentralisation
01.12.2015 - 31.12.2018
CHF 9'550'000
Background

A basic structure for Afghan subnational governance is in place with, amongst other, institutions set up at provincial, district and municipal level. Overall, however, formal governance is still very centralized. Most important decisions that are relevant to people in the provinces, be it on policy, resource allocation or staffing, continue to be taken in Kabul. Development planning and accountability processes are taking place in provinces but their quality is doubtful. A massive challenge is to make local governance more gender-balanced. While some women have taken up provincial/district governor posts, they struggle to sit at most local governance tables and when they do sit, their voices are often overheard. The subnational legal and policy framework is expected to be reinforced with the adoption of a number of key laws (Provincial Council, Local Administration and Municipal laws) and the revision of the Subnational Governance Policy.

Objectives

Improved legitimate, transparent and inclusive governance at all levels that enables progressive realization of human rights.

Target groups
  • Approximately 11 mio. Afghan people living 13 prioritized provinces.
  • 13 Provincial Governor’s Offices
  • municipalities
  • 13 Provincial Councils
  • 23 municipalities
  • 30 civil society organizations
  • Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG)
Medium-term outcomes
  1. Capacity of Provincial Governor Offices (PGOs) and Provincial Councils has improved for accountability and transparent service delivery.
  2. Municipalities with improved revenue generation are able to deliver services in an accountable and participatory manner.
  3. Civil Society has improved oversight capacity of local governance.
  4. IDLG is able to develop policies to improve local government accountability and service delivery.
Results

Expected results:  

  • Provincial Budgeting Policy implemented.
  • Outreach and accountability measures carried out by Provincial Councils to promote women and men’s participation in subnational planning and budgeting.
  • Strengthen participation of the population through the involvement of Community Development Councils, Nahia (neighborhoods), Gozar (city districts), and Municipal Advisory Boards in planning for the municipalities, and promote women’s involvement in the process.
  • Subnational governance legal and policy framework developed and supported during implementation.


Results from previous phases:  

  • The capacity of the Independent Directorate of Local Governance to formulate policies and orient subnational governance nationwide increased.
  • Bottom up development planning processes take place in all 34 provinces thus opening spaces for communities’ participation directly or through representation.
  • Capacities of 34 Provincial Councils improved, in particular their oversight over provincial service delivery.
  • 21 municipalities enhanced revenue generation (by 20 %) and undertook institutional reforms.
  • UNDP’s financing of national technical assistance advisors (NTAs) is not a sustainable approach to fostering Afghan state capacities. It should be gradually reduced.
  • UNDP project management has been output/activity-driven instead of outcome-oriented.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • United Nations Development Programme


Other partners

Key donors: European Union (12.37 Mio. EUR)  and Sweden (6 Mio EUR) while other donors are being approached.

Coordination with other projects and actors
  • Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economy, line ministries.
  • USAID projects: Initiative to Strengthen Local Administrations (ISLA) and Strong Hubs for Afghan Hope and Resilience (SHAHAR).
  • UN-Habitat: Afghanistan Urban Peacebuilding Programme (AUPP), other municipal programmes.
  • GIZ supported subnational projects (Northern provinces).
  • UNAMA-Civil Affairs Unit
  • National Democratic Institute (NDI)
  • World Bank
  • Civil society support programmes including Tawanmandi.
  • Other UNDP projects such as Law and Order Trust Fund (LOTFA), Local Economic Development.; and the Local Governance Initiative and Network-LOGIN
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF   9'550'000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF   6'500'000
Project phases

Phase 4 01.12.2015 - 31.12.2018   (Completed)

Phase 3 01.12.2013 - 30.06.2015   (Completed)