Government signs agreement with Counterpart International for the implementation of the program “Bá Distritu”
The Government, represented by the Ministry of State Administration, signed, on May 30th, at the Ministry of State Administration (MoSA), a Memorandum of Understanding with Counterpart International, for the implementation of the project “Bá Distritu”.
This project has the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which advanced with USD6.000.000,00 for a period of four years, until September 2017.
Carolyn Tanner, from Counterpart International, informs that the project will be implemented across one hundred sucos, from five districts of Timor-Leste, namely Baucau, Covalima and Oe-cusse Ambeno. Next year, will be extendedto the districts of Ermera and Liquiçá.
The implementation of this project aims to strengthen local government and improve the access to justice, through close cooperation with Suco Councils, Civil Society, local authorities, justice institutions or judicial entities.
“Through this cooperation, we will support the vision of the Ministry of State Administration of creating a decentralized governance”, highlighted Carolyn Tanner.
The program “Bá Distritu” also supports the NGO Belun in strengthening local governance and the decentralization process. This organization will develop the capacity building of Suco Councils, the citizens’ participation and the representativeness in local governance and will improve communication and the relationship between Suco Councils and District Administration, and between ministry lines and the providers of basic public services in the districts.
The program “Bá Distritu” will provide opportunities to community leaders and the communities to gather together in the search for a solution to the challenges identified by them, and proactively participating in the decentralisation process.
The Minister of State Administration referred that the training that the Suco Councils will receive through this project can motivate them, by makingthem more active and participative in the development of their sucos. Jorge Teme has set a challenge: “don’t just be simple observers, but be development authors instead”.
