USAID to work with Georgian municipalities to improve quality of life, empower communities

The municipalities were selected following a multi-stage selection process where they demonstrated a “strong enthusiasm and dedication” to work on enhancing municipal efficiency and accountability, public service delivery and encouraging citizen participation in local decision-making processes, it added. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

Agenda.ge, 19 Apr 2023 - 17:24, Tbilisi,Georgia

The United States Agency for International Development will work with the southern Georgian municipalities of Bolnisi, Dmanisi and Marneuli in an effort to support improvements to the quality of life and empower local communities, the Agency said on Wednesday.

Under its Local Governance Programme, the USAID will work to promote communication and collaboration between local governments, residents, civil society and businesses for better public services, higher local tax revenues and “citizen-centred local governance”.

Improvements in municipal social services, solid waste management, municipal transportation, preschool education and other areas prioritised by local communities will be developed, along with digital services, the release by the organisation said.

The municipalities were selected following a multi-stage selection process where they demonstrated a “strong enthusiasm and dedication” to work on enhancing municipal efficiency and accountability, public service delivery and encouraging citizen participation in local decision-making processes, it added.

The support offered by the five-year, $21 million Programme is lent to local authorities to aid in the Georgian Government’s vision for decentralising governance across the country. USAID said the initiative improved transparency throughout the local governance sector and helped central-level institutions manage the implementation of decentralisation and public administration reform.

USAID will support at least 22 local governments and civic organisations while also including others in outreach, learning, and exchange activities as part of the effort.