Accomplishments: Local Governance
After years of tyranny, Iraqis are participating in local government-laying the foundations upon which a democratic national government can rest. Effective local governance is a vital component, as it encourages citizen participation, fosters dialogue and efficiently delivers essential services. Iraqis are developing the foundations of representative government, which embodies citizen representation, checks and balances and sound democratic principles.
Under Saddam Hussein, the autocratic rule of the Ba'ath Party created a legacy of inefficient government that afforded little room for local governments or civil society organizations. The hallmark of a democratic society is the freedom of diverse groups to express their views publicly, educate the public and the government on important local and national issues, and openly debate policy alternatives.
Mokhtars from Abu Ghrayek, 1 of 15 subdistricts of the Babel Governate, listen to Dr. Jim Mayfield (not shown) as he describes the basics of democracy and the selection process that will allow for delegates to select 20 members from their communities to a new district council. USAID is working to promote ongoing local governance projects throughout Iraq.
(Photo: Thomas Hartwell) |
- The local governance program is working in 18 governorates. More than 19 million people are engaging in local policy discourse through local government entities and civil society organizations to:
- Enhance transparency and participation in local decision-making processes;
- Restore basic services;
- Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of local service delivery;
- Establish, develop, and expand the number of civil society organizations that can interact with local government entities.
- Established an interim structure of government, a Governorate Council, to represent the population in Baghdad and 12 other governorates. Additional local entities include:
- Twenty five city councils, 33 district councils, 36 subdistrict councils, and 224 neighborhood councils. Ninety percent of all districts in Iraq are represented.
- Awarded more than 1,060 grants to local government agencies totaling $50 million that have restored basic services through transparent public debate and decision.
- Established the Iraqi Women in Local Governance Group in response to the challenge of women's gross under-representation in political processes across Iraq. The group will develop and guide program activities in order to expand women's participation at all levels.
- Awarded two grants worth $475,000 to the Ministry of Human Rights for the rehabilitation of buildings to house the National Evidence Storage Facility (NESF). The NESF will serve as a venue to analyze recovered documents and store forensic evidence of mass graves and human rights abuses of the Ba'ath government. The facility is part of a larger effort to help build Iraq's capacity to investigate complex crimes and implement international law enforcement best practices.
- Working with local governance service departments to plan, budget and manage their resources, and providing training on transparency and accountability in the use of those resources. The team's work with officials in Dhi Qar resulted in more efficient delivery of public services to over 390,000 residents.
- The local governance team supports the work of 868 Iraqi workers, of which more than half are senior and mid-level professionals.
- A civic education task force is planning a nationwide campaign to educate Iraqis on democracy. The Civic Education Campaign will implement a range of activities including convening focus groups in town hall meetings in all provinces and assisting in distribution of hand bills and posters.
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