Executive Committee meetings and outcomes, 2024

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”

〡Executive Office

Putting in place regulatory tools to enhance institutional effectiveness

〡Upgrading digital infrastructure and promoting technological transformation

Out of its concern to keep abreast of digital transformation and strengthen its institutional presence, in 2024, APLA to developed digital infrastructure and expanded interactive tools, ensuring better quality of services, facilitating access to knowledge and scaling up communication with LGUs. These efforts were reflected in a series of integrated digital initiatives, most notably:

〡Institutional Digital Policy Framework

APLA developed a Technical Policy Guide to standardize digital procedures, ensure data protection, and enhance digital infrastructure readiness in line with global best practices. Covering multiple themes such as data protection policies, access control, IT architecture and digital security protocols, the guide aims to build a secure and stable digital environment that supports the digital transformation of both APLA and its services.

〡Technical and Legal Support Unit Portal

APLA completed the development of the Technical and Legal Support Unit Portal, which serves as a central hub that enables LGUs to submit requests for support, track responses, and participate in focused governance and local development discussions. A comprehensive user manual was finalized to facilitate interaction with the platform. Meantime, practical training sessions targeted APLA staff and LGU representatives to ensure optimal use of the portal services.

〡Opinion Poll and Survey Platform

In 2024, APLA launched an online platform dedicated for opinion polls, serving as an interactive tool to measure LGU satisfaction with APLA performance and services. The hub is a qualitative step to enhance transparency and accountability as well as to activate regular and continuous feedback. Allowing APLA to make decisions based on real data, it improves APLA’s role in responding to LGU needs.

〡Launching Reports Portal (reports.apla.ps)

 APLA launched the Digital Reports Portal (reports.apla.ps) as a specialized electronic platform to release various APLA publications and knowledge content on local government. The platform is an open knowledge tool that allows LGUs, partners and stakeholders to access reliable and up-to-date content that reflects developments in APLA and local government operations in Palestine. It contributes to promoting institutional documentation and knowledge exchange at national and international levels.

〡Upgrading APLA website

In response to APLA’s need for a more modern and effective digital interface, APLA initiated a full-scale revamp of its official website. This included improving the visual design, streamlining user experience, and organizing content in a way that enables visitors to have seamless access to information, services, and activities. The upgrade reflects APLA’s drive to improve institutional communication tools and strengthen its digital presence both locally and internationally.

〡SDGs Platform

APLA continued to operate and update the SDGs platform as an interactive digital tool to monitor progress towards implementing the 2030 Agenda and promote community awareness of the SDGs at the national and local levels. The update included rolling out available indicators in a simplified manner and enabling users to track data on the LGU performance. It further incorporated innovative educational content, such as awareness games that target the youth and students to enhance their understanding of the role of local government in achieving sustainable development.