2. Final ARIAL seminar: Sharing Good Practices
Presentation of the Good Practice of the Caribbean Association Of Local Governemnt Authorities (CALGA)
Final ARIAL seminar: Sharing Good Practices
June 17-18, Port of Spain, Trinidad
Presentation by Dr. Bishnu Ragoonath

3. Repositioning the Regional and National Local Government Associations in the Caribbean to Better Access and Utilize Developmental Supports - A CALGA Best Practice

4. CALGA’s Logo

5. LGAs Past and Present Predicament
Some LGAs have a long history, others shorter
State funding is limited, if at all
LGAs cannot afford technical capacity –Managed by transient LG Practitioners
Result – inability to access developmental supports

6. The RLGA Challenge CALGA 20+Year history
Management structure/Dependency syndrome
Was CALGA different from the NLGAs?
Who/what will ensure CALGA’s survival beyond July 2013?

7. Get the Golden Ring Missed opportunities do not return
EU 10th EDF and 2006 CALGA meeting in St. Vincent
ARIAL
Changing EU Funding Structure
Grab what we can

8. ISSUE : Helping yourself and others
CALGA helps itself and LGAs in the Region to understand changing EU Policy on funding
Being a Platform for exchange of knowledge and experience among the LGAs in the Caribbean
Facilitates training in the preparation of position papers, and grant applications
Created a Lobbying and Advocating Policy which set the framework for Accessing Developmental Supports.

9. Making it Happen
Creating an awareness with a SWOT analysis with emphasis on Weaknesses and Opportunities
CALGA take on its responsibility to research and update the members on existing policies and sources on developmental supports
Promote amongst the CALGA membership the need to facilitate an enabling environment for active participation and representation

10. Making it happen
Engaging and encouraging members to be actively involved and proactive.
Provide either directly or indirectly supports to ensure members communicate their position to the EU
Lobbying for the development of a regional position/policy which can further strengthen the LGAs

11. Utilizing ARIAL’s Caribbean Programming
Institutional Assessments to be viewed as opening the door to the SWOT
Engage in Regional workshops to sow the seeds
Provide capacity building supports
Facilitate further consultations
Providing support for LGAs to formulate and submit position papers

12. WHAT MAKES THIS A GOOD PRACTICE?
Local Government eludes the principle of community self-government - achieved with participation. Here the city consultation process was broadened to be LGAs (Association/Authorities) consultation.
The approach demonstrates that with little support and capacity building both the RLA and the NLA can engage developmental agencies.

13. One More Critical Output
With one Regional Communications Policy focusing on lobbying and advocacy, members utilizing this common policy will communicate in the same manner with Developmental partners leading to a multi-lateral approach rather than a Bi-lateral approach further strengthening the case of member states.

14. LESSONS LEARNED
Planning and coordinating events, meetings and workshops are not as efficient when prepared abruptly.
Enhancing the capacity of regional associations has a knock on effect on individual LGAs
Proper management and governance of resources, personnel and programme must be followed to achieve greater efficiency
Final decision making hierarchy must be clear

15. LESSONS LEARNED Always expect a clash of personalities
Cultural differences and different approaches must be appreciated
Meetings and workshops must be rotated amongst Caribbean LGAs to allow the greater level of participation within member states

17. For more information… http://www.calga.org