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Governance and Performance
Enabling LGUs
Representing, Lobbying and Advocacy
Statistics and Figures
In 2024, APLA Executive Committee played an active leading role in addressing the cumulative challenges, particularly in light of the ongoing Israeli aggression against the West Bank and Gaza Strip and consequent direct threat to LGU ability to continue to provide basic services. The Committee held regular meetings to follow up on developments, examine the most pressing issues, and discuss critical legislative and financial files, most notably: Professional tax, property tax, Draft Tourism Law, Regulation on Municipal Police, LGU courts, joint service councils, financial relationship between the government and municipalities, and challenges associated with the Public Procurement Law.
Driven by its representative responsibility, APLA has intensified its coordination meetings with the MoLG and other ministries, offered insights into and submitted notes on legislative and financial amendments, including a proposal on the VAT Law and ways to facilitate implementation of self-funded projects.
In light of the deteriorating humanitarian and financial situation, the Executive Committee called on the government to bear its responsibilities toward municipalities and provide immediate financial solutions, including rescheduling arrears and providing urgent assistance to ensure the continuity of municipal functions and protect community safety.
In an institutional context, the Executive Committee approved the 2024 budget and adopted a series of organizational and administrative tools, including: The Financial Performance Report, Procurement Manual, Advocacy Strategy, and Annual Report 2023. It also monitored the progress of programme and initiative implementation, most notably the Sub-grants Initiative for Village Councils in the so-called Area “C”
Enabling LGUs
The"technical Exchange hubs" program was launched as an institutional mechanism aimed at strengthening the capacities of local government staff, promoting professional interaction, and fostering the exchange of specialized knowledge and expertise.
his Program seeks to:
- Support the development of planning, financial management, and accountability systems within local government units.
- Enhance the technical expertise of a broader range of local government employees.
- Promote a culture of participatory work and encourage the exchange of experiences among different LGUs.
Development of Operational Guidelines to Support LGUs Capacity Building
- Follow-up on the implementation of the SDG Localization Plan at the level of LGUs
- Submission of the annual report to the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)
- Preparation of the training manual on SDG Localization
- Launching the SDG Taskforce
- Capacity enhancement through training of the SDG Taskforce members
Defending LGUs and strengthening their position and powers is a key driver for incorporating APLA, which was launched as an umbrella national institution to represent all Palestinian LGUs, spearheading the responsibility for unifying positions, representing interests and defending rights of LGUs. APLA is not only a coordinating platform, but a representative body that plays strategic roles in influencing public policies, promoting transparency and accountability, and facilitating exchange of knowledge and best practices. APLA also plays a vital intermediary role between the central government and LGUs, ensuring decentralization and placing citizens’ needs at the heart of policies and decisions.
APLA follows a clear vision, namely, local governance is the real entry point to sustainable development, and decentralization is not a technical requirement but a national need. Along this vein, APLA scaled up lobbying and advocacy efforts and led informed strategic interventions. These included the development of comprehensive policy documents, holding of national dialogues, active participation in relevant ministerial and technical committees, and submission of concrete recommendations to address financial and legislative crises facing LGUs, such as net lending, budgets, collection and regulation and administration laws.
Last year, advocacy was of a holistic and institutionalized nature. Not only did it involve rhetoric and claims, but it derived from an accurate database, realistic diagnosis of challenges, and direct interaction with decision makers, boosting APLA’s position as a trusted partner in public policy-making.
This intensive policy and institutional presence of APLA was not merely in response to emergency crises, but a normal extension of its role in creating an enabling environment for local government, on grounds of expanded powers, strengthened financial and administrative independence, and a fair legislative system. APLA has made sure that the voice of LGUs is heard and considered in all approved policies and regulations.
Key Highlights
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Publications and Media Production
