The regional workshop, organised by UNCDF and the International Center for Local Democracy (ICLD), kicked off yesterday with 26 participants from five African countries; Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Tanzania; taking part. The main purpose of the workshop is to review the progress of the third round of the International Training Programme and provide technical guidance to the participants as they plan and develop the content of their change projects.

In her opening remarks, Jenifer Bukokhe, UNCDF Technical Specialist in Lesotho, extended UNCDF’s appreciation to the International Centre for Local Democracy for the joint partnership that has contributed to deepening democracy and local governance in the participating countries, enhanced skills and capacities of government officials, building partnerships and networks.

Mr. Christer Akesson, Deputy Director of the ICLD International Training Programme (ITP), welcomed the participants and placed emphasis on the change projects. Majority of the change projects are focusing on capacity development, local revenue collection and management and local economic development.

The methodology of the workshop involves interactive plenary sessions, lectures, presentations by experts from Kenya and field study tours. For instance, on the first day of the workshop the participants visited the Kaaba Irrigation Scheme in Machakosi County, being one of the change projects implemented by the County to improve people’s livelihoods. On the second day, the participants visited Nairobi City County and had an interactive session on the issues around revenue collection and management, downward accountability and citizen’s engagement.

For more information, please also see the ICLD website.