Municipal Technical Exchange Hubs

As part of APLA’s ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of local governance and improve technical and administrative performance, 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. This initiative 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.

Technical Exchange Hubs:

Public Relations Hub: 54 members
Financial Management Hub: 46 members
Engineering and Planning Hub: 53 members

Innovation and Creativity Hub: 38 members
Village Councils Hub: 73 members

In parallel with these Hubs, APLA has established specialized taskforces focusing on priority areas within the local governance sector. These taskforces contribute to developing practice-based policies and serve as effective tools to improve the professional environment within local government units. They also help establish a structured national knowledge base that supports continuous improvement and systematic experience-sharing.

Specialized Taskforces:

Financial Management Taskforce: 6 members representing 6 LGUs
Inclusion and Gender Taskforce: 13 members representing 13 LGUs
SDGs Localization Taskforce: 15 members representing 13 LGUs

Financial Management Hub

Discussion and evaluation session on the LGU Revenues and Expenditures study

Number of targets LGUs: 18

Number of Participants: 19 (11 males, 8 females)

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT Taskforce

Discussion and evaluation on the LGU Revenues and Expenditures study:

Number of targets LGUs: 6

Number of Participants: 5 (3 males, 2 females)

Discussion and diagnosis session on key reforms for the LGU financial crisis

Number of targets LGUs: 6

Number of participants: 8 (5 males, 3 females)

Discussion and assessment session on the current context and developing a future vision of the local government sector:

Number of targets LGUs: 6

Number of participants: 11 (8 males, 3 females)

Public Relations Hub

3 training workshops on AI use in LGU public relations

Number of targets LGUs: 54

Number of participants: 91 (41 males, 50 females)

Engineering and Planning Hub

Workshop on Green Planning (Manual for Tree Selection and Irrigation Systems in Palestinian Cities)

Speaker: Eng. Raed Ya’ish, Chair of the Parks and City Beautification Department at the Nablus Municipality

Number of targets LGUs: 24

Number of participants: 24 (14 males, 10 females)

Inclusion and Gender Taskforce

Discussion session and review of the implementation gender mainstreaming and inclusion plans within LGUs in 2024

Speakers:

Zainab al-Khatib, Public Relations Officer, Municipality of Barta’a ash-Sharqiyah.
Hiba Mustafa, Public Relations Officer, Municipality of ‘Anabta.
Eng. Lina Subeih, Planning and Project Manager, Adh-Dhahiriya, Municipality.
Randa Qadri, Social Worker, Nablus Municipality.
Muneer Barakat, Head of the Financial and Administrative Department at Faqqu’a Village Council.

Number of targets LGUs: 8

Number of participants: 10 (3 males, 7 females)

Discussion session and review of the recent Israeli war impact on LGUs in the West Bank and LGU responses.

Speakers:

Zainab al-Khatib, Public Relations Officer, Municipality of Barta’a ash-Sharqiyah.
Ayat Assi, Administrative Assistant and Activity Coordinator, Municipality of Beit Liqya.
Dr. Ahmed William, Director of Public Relations, Salfit Municipality.
Wafa’ Dawood, Community Rehabilitation, Qalqilya Municipality.

Number of targets LGUs: 13

Number of participants: 17 (6 males, 11 females)

Awareness session on LGU sustainability in providing inclusive services in times of crisis, particularly in the shadow of the current Israeli war.

Speakers: Mu’ayyad Afaneh, External Advisor

Number of targets LGUs: 13

Number of participants: 29 (9 males, 20 females)