Union Parishad is the smallest unit of local government in Bangladesh and the very first point of contact when citizens have any issue to raise regarding service and entitlements. The Government of Bangladesh has decided to empower the local government institutions by adding to their responsibilities in serving citizens.
Unlike the selected civil service officers, the elected Union Parishad members are not as skilled and knowledgeable about social accountability, which is crucial to ensure transparent and timely service delivery to communities. Unlike the selected civil service officers, the elected Union Parishad members are not as skilled and knowledgeable about social accountability, which is crucial to ensure transparent and timely service delivery to communities.
Platforms for Dialogue, a three-year EU-funded project implemented by the British Council in partnership with the Cabinet Division, has addressed this knowledge gap and started to train elected UP members from all its 21 working districts.
The overall purpose of this activity is to build upon the knowledge and skills of UP chairmen, members and secretaries so that they can ensure good governance in Union Parishads by encouraging citizens’ participation in decision-making. The training will specifically focus on an inclusive approach to decision-making and a participatory planning process in connection with NIS, RTI, CC and GRS. The training will also emphasise the effective implementation of these policy tools as part of the UPs’ day-to-day operations.
The process started with training the core trainers (Master Trainers) – the Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) and Deputy Directors of Local Government (DDLGs) – at the National Institute of Local Government (NILG) in March 2019. These core trainers will train Union Parishads’ elected members at the district level between May and September 2019. Union Parishad’s Chairman and Secretaries will receive the same training in Dhaka at NILG in July 2019. The process started with training the core trainers (Master Trainers) – the Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) and Deputy Directors of Local Government (DDLGs) – at the National Institute of Local Government (NILG) in March 2019. These core trainers will train Union Parishads’ elected members at the district level between May and September 2019. Union Parishad’s Chairman and Secretaries will receive the same training in Dhaka at NILG in July 2019.
To deliver this training, P4D has already designed and developed a training manual in consultation with the Cabinet Division that includes all necessary information to help local government institutions become more accountable to their communities.
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Platforms for Dialogue and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.