A Users' Guide to Measuring Local Governance

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Local Governance Self-Assessment (Bangladesh)
Producer
Inter-cooperation (Swiss Foundation for development
and International Cooperation) and CARE
Bangladesh.
History
The Local Governance Self-Assessment (LGSA) is a
tool piloted by SHARIQUE – a Local Governance
Programme initiated in 2006, in the areas of
Rajshahi and Sunamganj, Bangladesh. This
programme aims to reduce poverty through
participatory and accountable local governance,
leading to equitable local development for all
segments of the society, especially the poor,
women and other marginal groups.
Objectives
The main objective of the community level local
governance self-assessment is educational.
However, the Self-Assessment exercise is also
meant to mobilize action by the people and
contribute to better functioning of governance in
their Union Parishad (local governments), through
the following specific objectives:
• Make the people of the communities aware of
local governance issues;
• Give the people the opportunity to voice their
opinion;
• Influence the Union Parishad’s Local
Governance Improvement Plan;
• Mobilize citizens to get active in initiating
and supporting activities to improve local
governance;
Use the outcome as baseline information for the
community, the Union and projects.
At the Union Parishad level, the LGSA main
objectives are to raise the level of awareness and
understanding of the participants in regard to
different local governance issues and to encourage
the Union Parishad (UP) to take initiatives to
improve local governance functioning. Apart from
these objectives the results of the assessment can
be used as baseline information for the Union
Parishad itself as well as for projects.
Applicability
The tool is designed to be used at community and
Union Parishad levels.
Types and sources of data used
Quantitative and qualitative outputs from the
discussions undertaken as well as the questionnaire
presented and filled during the meetings held
at the community and UP levels. Information is
mainly subjective given the focus on local actors’
perceptions.
Methodology
The Local Governance Self-Assessment exercise is
conducted through stakeholders’ meetings at two
different levels: at the ward/citizen/community
level, and at the Union Parishad level.The meetings
follow some common steps: Identify and
discuss roles of different actors regarding local
governance; Identify key local governance issues
(demand and supply sides issues); Evaluate local
governance issues; Define priorities that
need improvement; Assign responsibilities for
forwarding assessment results (at the community
level) or Elaborate Local Governance Improvement
Plan (at the UP level); Feedback and closing.
The first stage aims to help participants (at the
community and UP level separately) understand
that local governance is not only about the Union
Parishad but that there are many more actors in
the Union that play an important role in regard to
local governance. Flashcards with pictures of all
important categories of actors should be displayed
and the participants invited to explain what
different roles these actors play in the Union
regarding local governance. The following are the
A Users’ Guide to Measuring Local Governance 117