Summary
The CUI, in association with BearingPoint (formerly KPMG Consulting Canada), is implementing a CIDA-funded technical cooperation program to assist the Jamaican Ministry of Local Government, Community Development and Sport (MLGCDS) to develop and pilot a model, integrated governance structure at the parish (local government) level that utilizes the capabilities of a mobilized civil society to both inform and implement local projects. Running from 1998 to 2003, the project is focused on building the institutional capacity of two pilot parishes (St. James and Manchester), strengthening the mechanisms to facilitate civil society involvement in parish level planning, sharing lessons learned with other local authorities across the country and contributing to policy and program development within the MLGCDS. The program is being coordinated with the Parish Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), financed by the Inter-American Development Bank.
Funding Agency:
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Americas Branch
Timeframe:
1998-2003
Geographic Focus:
Jamaica: including national level agencies in Kingston, major initiatives in the pilot parishes of St. James and Manchester and minor initiatives in the parishes of St. Elizabeth and Portland. Elected officials and staff of other parishes across the country have also participated in selected capacity development activities.
For more information, contact the CUI’s International Programs Office at cui@canurb.com
A community united: planning for sustainable development in the Parish of Manchester (Mandeville, Jamaica, 2001)
Project Partners
Planning Institute of Jamaica
Ministry of Local Government, Community Development and Sport
Social Development Commission
National Environment and Planning Agency
Parishes of St. James and Manchester
Manchester Parish Development Committee
Engaging civil society in Parish affairs: community leaders in St. James gather to discuss local issues (Montego Bay, Jamaica, 2001)
Background
The economic downturn in Jamaica during the early 1980s and the subsequent economic restructuring led to a re-centralization of a number of powers and service responsibilities. This effectively eroded both the authority and fiscal base of parish councils, leading to significant declines in the effectiveness of local governments to manage themselves, to provide services and to plan for growth and development. It also led to greater institutional fragmentation of responsibilities for the land development process and local services, resulting in uncoordinated planning and delivery. In response to a growing public dissatisfaction over the performance of local government, the Government of Jamaica introduced the Local Government Reform Program in 1990. The program was detailed in a Ministry policy paper that received cabinet approval in 1993. The paper recognized the importance of civil society involvement in local affairs to the achievement of good governance. It acknowledged that local government strengthening and community development are complementary processes that need to be closely integrated in order to foster greater empowerment of citizens. The paper also concluded that financial reforms should be a first priority, given that without this all other efforts would prove futile.
The policy paper set forth seven objectives for the program:
to restore the functions and responsibilities which were removed from local government;
to establish new arrangements for the financing of local government by allocating adequate and independent sources of revenue;
to upgrade the institutional capacities to perform their functions in a more effective and cost-efficient manner and to take on greater community development and empowerment;
to revise out-dated legislation;
to improve the quality and cost-efficiency of parish services and regulatory functions;
to build leadership and provide a framework for citizen involvement in local development;
to improve the distribution of service functions between central and local governments as well as community organizations, NGOs and the private sector.
Project Description In support of the Government of Jamaica's ongoing local government reform program, the project’s goal is to contribute to the broadening and deepening of the democratic process in Jamaica by increasing civil society's input into decision-making. Its purpose is to assist the Ministry to develop and pilot a model, integrated governance structure at the parish level that utilizes the capabilities of a mobilized civil city to both inform and implement parish-level projects. The project has four components: 1) Parish Council Strengthening, 2) Civil Society Strengthening, 3) Networking and Coordination and 4) Project Management and Performance Measurement.
Approach
The project has four components:
Parish Council Strengthening. The objective of this component is to enhance the management, operational and planning capabilities of the pilot parishes and their ability to involve civil society and central government ministries/agencies in parish affairs.
Civil Society Strengthening. The objective of this component is to assist with the establishment of the Parish Development Committee (PDC) system and other mechanisms to facilitate civil society involvement in parish government affairs.
Networking and Coordination. The objective of this component is to disseminate lessons learned and best practices resulting from the project to the Ministry, SDC, other parishes and interested stakeholders, as well as to strengthen program and policy development within the Ministry
Project Management and Performance Measurement. The objective of this component is to effectively manage and evaluate the performance of the various project components.
