The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA) organized an orientation programme on two key local governance initiatives - the Revenue Improvement Action Plans (RIAP) and Environmental Friendly Local Governance - on the 28^th of April 2018 at Dhulikhel Lodge Resort in Dhulikhel.

The joint orientation programme was supported by the transition phase of the Local Governance and Community Development Programme (LGCDP) on Revenue Improvement, and the Environment Friendly Local Governance Programme (EFLGP) supported by UNEP and UNDP-funded Poverty and Environment Initiative (PEI) and the UN Capital Development Fund’s LoCAL project.

Chairing the Orientation Programme, Mr. Ashok Kumar Benju Shrestha, Mayor of Dhulikhel Municipality, acknowledged the need in local governments to improve expertise in different thematic areas, particularly revenue improvement and environmental aspects of local governance tobe highly relevant to Kavrepalanchowk and Sindhuli. Mr. Dinesh Thapaliya, Secretary of MoFAGA, inaugurated the programme and underscored the importance of revenue enhancement for improved service delivery of local governments, financing for development projects and empowerment of local governments.

The Secretary of MoFAGA further remarked that the workshop was timely, given that the local government laws are being drafted and the budget for the next fiscal year is being prepared during these months. In the context of climate change and environmental degradation, he encouraged the officials of the local governments to work hand-and-hand in a progressive and positive way to build a strong and environmentally friendly local governments.

Mr. Thapaliaya also acknowledged the commitment and initiative of Roshi Rural Municipality and Namabuddha Municipality in allocating substantial funds for addressing the issues of environment and climate change in their localities, and highlighted examples from Namaboudha Municipality in rolling out the integrated property tax, and Roshi and Namaboudha Municipalities on EFLG practices. He suggested that these municipalities can exchange good practices among other municipalities to enhance capacities in revenue improvement and promoting environmentally friendly local governance.

The conference brought together Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Chief Administrative Officers, Revenue officers and Government officials of 22 local governments of the two districts as well as academics and practitioners to discuss on the upcoming RIAP and environmentally friendly local governance interventions rolled out by the local governments of the two districts.

The orientation focused on the importance of preparation of RIAPs and figuring out different ways to strengthen the revenue of the local governments as well as on promotion of climate resilient investments and implementation of environmentally friendly programmes. The importance of disaster preparedness was shared along with information on the disaster management fund and committees for local governments to manage disasters effectively.

The approaches to different forms of local government taxation and other options for revenue mobilization were shared with the participants, and the strengths and limitations of current practices discussed. The consulting firms selected to prepare RIAP in the 22 local governments also presented the process and methodology of preparing RIAPs.

Closing the final session of the Programme, Ms. Deepa Bohra Dahal, Chairperson of Kamlamai Rural Municipality expressed her commitment to incorporate environmental, disaster preparedness and own source revenue elements in preparing the municipal plans, policies and budget.