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Projects > Brief descriptions > Support for Decentralised Rural Development in Lesotho

Contact person


Mr Martin Mayer
Email: martin.mayer@giz.de

Support for Decentralised Rural Development in Lesotho

Programme description

Title: Support for Decentralised Rural Development in Lesotho
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Lesotho
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Finance and Development Planning
Overall term: March 2003 to February 2014

Context

Lesotho. Land use planning: Training local planners to analyse aerial pictures. Photo: GTZ Lesotho

Responsiveness to citizens' needs, balanced development, better living conditions and better provision of basic services throughout the country - these are the most important goals of Lesotho's decentralisation policy. The local council elections in 2005 were a first milestone in the process. However, the capacity of the local authorities to deliver services is still limited due to the lack of clarity about the respective roles of ministries and local authorities. A number of questions regarding the local councils' mandate remain unanswered, and the transfer of decision-making powers is progressing hesitantly. The local and district councils still rely on instructions they receive from the ministry. The AIDS pandemic puts a further burden on the country and on the society.

Objective

Functional, citizen-friendly decentralised institutions established in Lesotho, which guarantee the provision of basic services to the population throughout the country.

Approach

Since 2002, GIZ (until December 2010 GTZ) has been advising Lesotho on decentralisation issues and coordinating the work of other German Development Cooperation organisations in this priority area. During the last phase of the programme, which runs from 2010 to 2014, GIZ will focus on:

  • Networking government ministries amongst themselves and with the district and local authorities: by the end of the programme, all those involved should be able to control the decentralisation process efficiently, either independently or in cooperation with other donors.
  • The establishment of a land use planning approach: GIZ is supporting the countrywide application and institutionalisation of the land allocation procedure by local authorities
  • Human resource development for decentralised services: here, GIZ advises the Government on establishing decentralised public services. This means local authorities will have qualified staff to accomplish the new tasks they have been allocated.
  • Coordination of support: German development cooperation is part of a network of European and multilateral development partners that jointly support Lesotho in providing better public services.
  • Fighting HIV and AIDS as a cross-cutting task.

The Program is supported by the German-based company Institut fuer Projektplanung GmbH in the sectors of impact monitoring and assessment of the status of decentralisation in Lesotho.

Results achieved so far

The following visible results have been achieved so far, with GIZ support:

  • The first local elections were held in 2005.
  • 10 district councils, 128 local councils and one town council have taken up their work since the local elections were held.
  • All the local authorities now provide targeted services for people affected by HIV and AIDS.
  • Many ministries are implementing a joint decentralisation action plan.
  • The Ministry of Local Government is implementing a strategic plan to help it provide better services.
  • Local authorities refer to a manual on land use planning in their  work.
  • The Government of Lesotho has a management system at its disposal that has been adapted to the needs of their public employees.
  • Lesotho uses a modern, transparent selection procedure when recruiting public officials.

Lesotho. Public Service Day: Children practise being future employees of the Ministry of Public Service. Photo: GTZ Lesotho

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    Further information

    GIZ worldwide

    Contact person


    Mr Martin Mayer
    Email: martin.mayer@giz.de
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