Government to boost the decentralization process in Timor-Leste with the support of the European Union and UNDP
A new data collection training program started on July 14th, through the 'Portal Municipal', intending to increase the competences and capacities of municipal employees and to support the administrative decentralization process.
The program's launching ceremony took place in the Ermera municipality, and was attended by the Minister of State Administration, Miguel Pereira de Carvalho, the European Union Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Andrew Jacobs, and the head of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in East Timor, Munkhtuya Altangerel.
This initiative is part of the Project "Strengthening Integral Local Development through Capacity Building of Municipal Authorities in Timor-Leste", funded by the European Union and UNDP, and implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of State Administration, the National Parliament, the National Institute of Public Administration (INAP) and Municipal Authorities.
These training actions aim to increase the knowledge of local employees regarding tools and data indicators of the ‘Portal Municipal’ and encourage trainees’ participation. The sessions will also help in coordinating data collection efforts between municipal services and the Ministry of State Administration, through the 'Portal Municipal'.
The 'Portal Municipal', launched last March, is an interactive platform to track and monitor the progress of development indicators, at the municipal level. The Municipality Data Portal is the result of great efforts made by the Ministry of State Administration to strengthen local development. The platform is based on a set of development indicators that allow data analysis and comparison in all municipalities, to allow a better planning and better service delivery at the local level.
In his speech, at the opening of the ceremony, the Minister of State Administration stated that "the main targets of this major project are the Municipal Authorities and the municipal civil servants".
The Minister also stressed that “it is not enough to have the opportunity to learn about the usefulness of the 'Portal Municipal' and its benefits, but there must be a sense of belonging and a spirit of responsibility”.
“A capacity that merges into everything, knowing, practicing, transmitting, and preserving, so that everything that has been achieved does not fade,” added Miguel Pereira de Carvalho.
Andrew Jacobs expressed the “pride of the European Union in supporting the Municipalities process of decentralization and development, through effective, participatory and innovative methods, implemented in close coordination with the Government, UNDP and the people of Timor-Leste.
The European Union Ambassador in Timor-Leste highlighted that “a good governance at the local level is necessary to achieve sustainable development and equitable outcomes. This training will improve social inclusion and citizen's access to better services ”.
The UNDP's representative stressed that "reliable access to municipal data will allow the central government and local authorities to promote inclusive and effective policies" and added that "development must be carried out in municipalities, close to the people, and capacity building is ours most powerful tool to achieve the development of resilient communities in Timor-Leste ”.
Access the 'Portal Municipal' at www.portalmunicipal.gov.tl
