WYG

The programme focuses on strengthening the roles and capacities of local government in Syria. It has two main dimensions: the development of a policy and legislation to devolve powers and responsibilities from central to local government, and related restructuring of the responsible Ministry, the Ministry for Local Administration and Environment; and a series of practical action plans undertaken with six pilot cities: Damascus, Aleppo, Deir Azzor, Homs, Latakia, and Tartous.The action plans include:

• Improving financial management, taxation systems and collection and developing public-private partners for service delivery in local authorities
• Developing property management skills and systems
• Preparing local economic development strategies
• Creating new practices in urban planning through the preparation of urban plans in a number of cities and through introducing GIS systems
• Preparing an integrated development plan for the old city of Damascus
• Finding solutions to the growth of large informal settlements around the major cities
• Preparing integrated public transport strategies
• Implementing a major plan for solid waste management
• Developing sustainability strategies through implementing Local Agenda 21 and citizen participation in all aspects of development

The programme involves substantial training and visits to and from European cities to learn about best practice.

The learning from this initial 42 month programme will be disseminated to all local authorities in Syria, partly through the creation of a Centre for Sustainable Development. This Centre will be housed in an historic building and grounds in Damascus - the refurbishment of the building and the establishment of the Centre is included in the programme.

The programme is a major, Euro 22 million initiative, with finance from the European Commission. It is being implemented by a team of European consultants, Syrian staff from central and local government and local Syrian trainers and consultants. One feature of the programme is the extensive use that will be made of European best practice through involving European practitioners with deep experience of local government. A significant budget has been set aside for this purpose.