EUR3 million in Belgian funds for local governance in three provinces

NDO—The Kingdom of Belgium has committed EUR3 million in non-refundable aid to support local governance in Vietnam’s three provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Kon Tum, the Belgian Embassy in Vietnam announced on November 14.

The money will be allocated equally among the three provinces over a three-year period with the aim of strengthening the participation of the Government and citizens as a means of promoting transparent, accountable and responsive local governance while improving the delivery of services and increasing citizen satisfaction.

The project targets People’s Committees and People’s Councils at the provincial, district and commune levels and the local Departments of Home Affairs, Planning and Investment, Justice and Finance and related sectors, which will receive technical assistance and capacity-building support.

Members of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and civic organisations at the provincial, district and commune levels will be helped with capacity-building and organisational development in order to better their performance.

The project will also increase the influence of residents from selected communes and districts on decision-making by local authorities, which will result in improved performance for local Governments and the provision of public services.

Earlier, on November 10, on behalf of the two Governments, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen The Phuong and Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Jehanne Roccas signed three agreements on providing support for Responsive, Accountable Local Governance in the three provinces.