Africa Local Government Action Forum (ALGAF) Experiences of MDP-ESA Presentation at The FALGAF Session 14 May 2009 by Phillip Kundishora pkundishora@mdpafrica.org.zw

The Mission of ALGAF The mission of ALGAF is to: Provide a platform for structured dialogue and sharing of knowledge and information on key issues that impact on the performance of local governments. Contribute towards strengthening the role of local government in service delivery, poverty reduction and local economic development. Contribute towards transforming and modernizing local governments as engines of local development.

Partners World Bank Institute (WBI) ANSA Africa United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA) Ethiopia Civil Service College (ECSC) Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) Kenya Global Distance Learning Centre Madagascar Global Distance Learning Centre Rwandese Association of Local Authorities Tanzania Global Distance Learning Centre Uganda global Distance learning Centre Municipal Development Partnership Eastern and southern Africa (MDP-ESA)

Every 1st Friday of each month. Delivery Strategy Delivered: Through videoconferencing provided by the Global Distance Learning Network (GDLN) in nine countries namely, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe Every 1st Friday of each month. Through presentations and facilitation by local government practitioners

Audience Amongst others: Local government officials (elected and appointed) Central government ministry officials Representatives of traditional leaders Managers of community development initiatives Religious leaders The private sector Academics, Trainers and Researchers Media practitioners Development partners

Management of ALGAF ALGAF is managed by the Harare-based Municipal Development Partnership for Eastern and Southern Africa (MDP-ESA), with financial support from the World Bank.

Roles of Country coordinators Invite and convene participants; Facilitate monthly videoconferences Distribute background documents; Monitor and certify attendance; Follow up on requests from participants for more information; Prepare reports with Q&A after the implementation of each session; Prepare a consolidated end of year report provide input into the forthcoming phase Prepare participants’ lists and evaluations; Market ALGAF

ALGAF Phases So far 9 Phases since 2000 ALGAF I: Pilot Phase after Africities 2000 in Windhoek, Namibia (August 2000 to June 2001 ALGAF II: Linking Intergovernmental Relations to Poverty Reduction (November 2001 to August 2002 ALGAF III: Fiscal Reforms and Service Delivery for Poverty Reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa (October 2002 to October 2003 ALGAF IV: Enhancing Local Governance Through Human Resource and Institutional Development for Sustainable Development, Poverty Reduction, Peace and Security (November 2003 to October 2004 ALGAF V: Participatory Governance for Sustainable Local Development (February 2005 to October 2005 ALGAF VI: (Enhancing Local Government Capacity for positive Transformation February 2006 to November 2006) ALGAF VII: Enhancing Participatory Governance in Local Development (February 2007 to November 2007) ALGAF VIII: Participatory Budgeting, Social Accountability and Social Inclusion (February 2008 in progress)

ALGAF PARTICIPANTS

Benefits Fast tracking in Capacity Building (from 2000 – 2008, 12,800 participants have registered Promoted peer to peer learning between 9 countries Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Washington, and Zimbabwe (breaking down barriers imposed by artificial boundaries Promoted networking of knowledge and expertise on subjects such as poverty reduction, HIVAIDS, Gender, local economic development, participatory budgeting and social accountability, urban planning, etc.enabling local authorities to design effective responses to HIVAIDS Minimized costs related to travel and accommodation

Impact Some local authorities are able to prepare pro-poor, inclusive policies Gender and HIV/AIDS policies are in place in participating local authorities A number of local authorities have become resource municipalities out of exchange of good practices Led to establishment of TALGAF in Tanzania Integrated ICT in capacity building Continued networking among participants and institutions

Challenges Sustainability Mobilising people from peripheral local authorities Language constraints Identifying appropriate speakers Political social and economic environment

Tentative Solutions Broaden sources of financial support including local contribution Introduce radio programs through FMs to reach peripheral local authorities Localise ALGAF into local languages e.g. TALGAF IN Tanzania Keep a roaster of potential experts Be sensitive to prevailing national framework conditions

Lessons Learned Videoconferencing is not a replacement for conventional methods of training “Technology does not teach, but effective teachers do’. Videoconferencing still fail to reach some local authorities located in peripheral areas where there is no such technology. This has provoked MDP-ESA to promote radio programs. The true cost of VC is not known which has implication on the sustainability of the program

For all Presentations and Reports on MDP-ESA ALGAF, Visit http:www.mdpafrica.org.zw/Algaf.htm Contact Person: Mr. Phillip Kundishora pkundishora@mdpafrica.org.zw

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION