Capacity building experiences of the Lake Victoria Region Local Authorities Co-operation (LVRLAC)

1. Capacity building experiences of the Lake Victoria Region Local Authorities Co-operation (LVRLAC) Dr. Julius Ayo-Odongo Secretary General

2. Presentation Outline • The LVRLAC Platform • LVRLAC’s shared Vision with LVR Actors • Strategic Thrust • Focus for capacity building in LVRLAC • Some Capacity Building Experiences • Emerging Challenges and Opportunities Capacity Building Experiences of LVRLAC in WATSAN

3. The LVRLAC Platform • Founded in 1997 as a regional network organization of LAs along the shores of Lake Victoria • Derives mandate from its 62 member LAs • Consolidated LA action in the LVR through the Strategic Plan 2005/2008 & Action Plan 2006/2008 • Popular platform for advocacy and harmonization of LAs development approaches within the broader framework for sustainable development of LVR Capacity Building Experiences of LVRLAC in WATSAN

4. Contributing to the shared LV vision • Strategic Plan 2005-2008 / Action Plan 2006-2008; • a framework for coordinating its membership contribution to the EAC Regional Strategy for Sustainable Development of Lake Victoria and its Basin. VISION: A competent and influential networking organisation of local authorities in the Lake Victoria region with capacity to facilitate its members in their quest to provide better living standards and services as well as opportunities for sustainable development within a decade Capacity Building Experiences of LVRLAC in WATSAN

5. Strategic Thrust • Amongst key strategic areas embraced in Strategic Plan (2005/2008) are; • Urban and rural planning and development: • Strategies include – capacity building, gender mainstreaming, information & awareness creation, and advocacy & sharing of experiences • Environmental management and ecological improvement: • Strategies include – advocating for implementation and enforcement of harmonized environmental policies and laws, promoting appropriate technology, resource mobilization Capacity Building Experiences of LVRLAC in WATSAN

6. Strategic Thrust ….cont’d • Improved Health and Sanitation • Strategies include – demonstration scale interventions on health and sanitation, and partnership building for promotion of safe hygiene and sanitation technology Capacity Building Experiences of LVRLAC in WATSAN

7. Focus for Capacity Building in LVRLAC Learning through demonstration and pilot scale initiatives Exchange of experiences and lessons from good practices Focus of Capacity Building Initiatives Policy and legislative advocacy Partnership building and enhanced networking Institutional strengthening and good governance modeling Peer learning and gender mainstreaming Capacity Building Experiences of LVRLAC in WATSAN

8. Some Capacity Building Experiences • Improved Network platform capacity using knowledge and experiences of the BSR; • 6 years of cooperation between LVRLAC and UBC improved capacity of secretariats and constitutional organs to perform network responsibilities • Capacity in participatory planning and integrated development • Partnership with UNHABITAT in the implementation of the CDS initiative in selected LV Cities has equipped LAs with integrated planning tools and experiences in resource mobilization and negotiations for strategic investments Capacity Building Experiences of LVRLAC in WATSAN

9. Some Capacity Building Experiences (cont’d) • Capacity enhanced in learning through demonstrations • Through implementation of the Environment demonstration centers, nucleus established for LAs to interact with relevant innovations and information on environmental management • Establishment of Jomo Kenyatta Grounds in Kisumu provides learning ground for improved governance models (Trust) and effective integration of social and environmental concerns Capacity Building Experiences of LVRLAC in WATSAN

10. Some Capacity Building Experiences (cont’d) • Policy-makers capacity through peer experience / influence • Successful initiatives have been replicated in member LAs e.g the ‘green and clean city campaign’ now in Mwanza, Kampala, Entebbe, Kisumu and Jinja • Capacity building founded on city twinning protocols • Twinning established between Entebbe – Kalmar; Mwanza - Tampere Capacity Building Experiences of LVRLAC in WATSAN

11. Some Capacity Building Experiences (cont’d) • Capacity to mobilize communities towards collective mass action in betterment of status of Lake Victoria • Annual clean-up Lake Victoria week popular event for LAs to participate with their communities in addressing plight of lake Capacity Building Experiences of LVRLAC in WATSAN

12. Some Capacity Building Experiences (cont’d) • Enhanced gender capacity in LVRLAC activities • Constitution reviewed to include LVRLAC Women network standing committee and representation in all LVRLAC governing organs; • Efforts in advocating and lobbying for harmonized women representation in political leadership of LAs Capacity Building Experiences of LVRLAC in WATSAN

13. Emerging Challenges and Opportunities • Challenges; • To effectively embrace the ongoing Local Government reforms aimed at decentralization and devolution of responsibilities and resources to the Local Authorities, institutionalized capacity building programmes are of urgent necessity against a backdrop of competing interest for the limited resources available at the local level. • Different levels of achievement of decentralization and relative autonomy of the LAs in the three countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) may negate the efforts of consolidating political leadership gains that are a vital foundation to advocacy for harmonized policies and improved governance practices. (e.g Kenya election for Mayors every two years) • High demand for rapid results given the backlog in service delivery amongst the LAs Capacity Building Experiences of LVRLAC in WATSAN

14. Opportunities • Demonstrated ‘goodwill’ and regional networking spirit prevailing amongst the Lake Victoria Region Local Authorities • Shared vision on lake Victoria • Decentralization and devolution of roles/responsibilities from central to local government and other intermediate level bodies Capacity Building Experiences of LVRLAC in WATSAN

15. Thank You Capacity Building Experiences of LVRLAC in WATSAN