Project description

Title: Aceh Local Governance Action Programme (ALGAP)
Commissioned by: Rapid Reaction Mechanism (EU-Krisenreaktionsmechanismus)
Financier: EU
Country: Indonesia
Lead executing agency: Aceh and Nias Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (BRR)
Overall term: September 2005 – March 2006

Context

GTZ International Services has been mandated by the European Commission to help the local authorities in Aceh steer the process of reconstruction and secure peace. The programme has a key role to play in the province’s present stage of development by filling the gap between emergency aid and reconstruction on the one hand and long-term, post-conflict measures on the other.

Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Indonesian Government and the Free Aceh Movement, GAM, on 15 August 2005, the programme is now generating keen interest within the international community. During the decade-long conflict, the entire province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam was more or less governed centrally from Jakarta. For this reason alone, and irrespective of any tsunami and earthquake-related damage, it is extremely important to promote local governance here. The programme not only covers those regions affected by the tsunami, but is geared to all local governments and parliaments at district level.

Objective

The project aims to assist the authorities and parliaments in the areas affected by the tsunami, bringing them back up to full operational capacity. The contribution by GTZ International Services thus focuses on construction and procurement measures.

Furthermore, government officials and members of parliament in all 21 districts of Aceh are to undergo training to give them the skills and competence they need to render the services demanded of them.

Approach

Together with the partners on site, GTZ International Services identifies needs and decides on the sequence of measures. The project funds initial, urgent measures, such as renovation work and improvements to office equipment. However, the focus is on promoting members of parliament, i.e. the elected representatives of the people, and on their cooperation with representatives of the executive authorities.

In the long term, the project essentially provides training for staff and government officials in pertinent institutions. To this end, GTZ conducts courses – at central locations but also directly on site in some of the less accessible areas – and provides consultancy to the institutions. The approach is constantly coordinated and harmonised with the responsible government authority, the Aceh and Nias Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency. Furthermore, the project works closely with local non-governmental organisations and universities.