East African Local Governments Association – (EALGA) “YOUR VOICE IN THE REGION”

1. East African Local Governments Association – (EALGA) “YOUR VOICE IN THE REGION” MIC Conference from 15th - 19th March 2010 TICC, Tanga City, Tanzania

2. THE ASSOCIATION (EALGA): The East African Local Governments Association (EALGA) is an Umbrella Organization of National Associations of Local Governments comprising: • Association of Local Authorities of Tanzania - (ALAT) with 118 member Local Authorities • Association of Local Government Authorities of Kenya - (ALGAK) with 175 member Local Authorities • Association Burundaise des Elus Locaux – (ABELO) with 129 member Communes • Uganda Local Governments Association – (ULGA) with 79 member District councils plus 1000 other tier authorities • Rwandese Association of Local government Authorities – (RALGA) with 30 member District Level Local Authorities plus the city of Kigali

3. STATUES OF THE ASSOCIATION: • As a membership organization, EALGA is guided by: • The Society’s Act of the Government of United Republic of Tanzania • The EALGA Corporate Strategic Plan for the period 2007 – 2011; • The Constitution of EALGA • The Organs of EALGA as stipulated in the constitution, namely meetings of the Governing Council and the Executive Committee (EXCOM); • The approved Annual Budgets, work plans and other Policy directives from the Governing Council

4. FUNDING FOR THE ASSOCIATION: • EALGA has limited sources of income since 2005 the finances have come from: • Membership subscription fees:- • Kick start fund (from new members) & Joint Meetings with stakeholders • Donation, Grants and Capacity assistance from Development Partners • From 2010, EALGA now engages the private sector, civil society, business groups and NGOs to raise funds, mobilize resources and build capacity and voice at regional level. • These plans involve joint programme activities with NGOs, EALS, EABC, EACSF, EAC and UN agencies to extend the already existing programmatic activities and scope of coverage.

5. THE ASSOCIATION STRUCTURE: • Governing Council which is the Policy Organ of the Association • The Secretariat of EALGA which is the Administrative organ • Executive Committee which is the technical organ with its technical sub-committees, namely: • Policy Committee • Communication, Information and Research Committee • Finance Committee and • Legal and Administrative Committee

6. THE ASSOCIATION MANDATE AND FUNCTIONS: To advocate for the interests of and represent the Local Governments in East Africa; • Advocate for unity and solidarity amongst the peoples of East Africa; • Contribute to the political and social economic integration in the East African region • Promote and defend common position on any issue of interest to the East Africa region and its peoples; • Promote and support at regional and national level, effective dialogue between the central and local governments • Promote rule of law and good governance • Promote democratic principles of governance • Promoting policy of decentralization • Facilitate political dialogue in Eastern Africa and share experiences in the Diaspora • (Ref: pg 8-10 on EALGA Constitution)

7. THE STRATEGIC PLAN (2007-2011): The Corporate Strategic Plan was prepared in a participatory manner with members of Executive Committee making their contributions in workshops held in Nairobi, July 2006 and Arusha, February 2007. The Strategic Plan focuses on the following seven keys strategic priority areas/Components: • Institution strengthening and Capacity Building for National Associations and Members (Supported by GTZ-SULGO, EAC) • Implementing Human Rights, promoting Democracy and Political participation (Supported by GTZ-EAC, EALS, EACSOF) • Policy Research and Advocacy (Supported by DED) • Supporting Non violent Conflict Management (VNG INTERNATIONAL) • Better Inter-Governmental Relations and Equitable sharing of Development Resources (Supported by FES and EAC) • Sustaining the means of livelihood of residents (UNEP, UNDP, UCLG) • Supporting Local Economic Development. (Supported by UN-HABITAT, UNDP, UCLGA, EABC)

8. FOCUS ON ACTIVITIES & PROGRAMMES: • EALGA & UNHABITAT Project on Local Economic Development (in 2007 in Nairobi, Kenya) • EALGA & VNG International on formation of ABELO, Burundi Association of Local Governments in 2008 and joined EALGA in 2009. • EALGA & GTZ conducted an outreach/ sensitization project in the partner states in the region on “the role of local governments in the integration process of the EAC” in 2008- 2009 with the EAC • A Study initiative on ‘Likely Impact of EAC-CMP on LGs in EA’ Supported by GTZ-SULGO from 2009- 2010 and presented in Morocco at the 5th Africities Summit. • EALGA & VNG International on Peace Building initiative with EALGA in 2009 • EALGA & FES on Cross-Boarder Initiative (CBI, 2009) on building cross boarder relations, security, sharing of resources and knowledge and exchange of experiences for a better service delivery. • EALGA & UNDP MDGs project on ‘Localizing the MDGs’ in November 2009- 2010 • EALGA & UNEP - TACC Project on ‘Climate Change Awareness to Local Authorities’ (2010)

9. CONCLUSIONS: Together with the other activities on CMP, EALGA is working on the possibilities of establishing a Sectoral Committee on Local Governments at the EAC, a desk which matters of Local Government will be referred to within the EAC where EALGA is consulted as a lead spokesperson of local governments in the region. • To assist in establishing a National Association of Zanzibar Local Authorities and possibly join EALGA. • Fund raising for EALGA capacity building and creating stable partnerships between EALGA and more development partners, to strengthen activities and enhance efficiency with result based approach on programmatic activity. • Expanding programmic activities to include matters of HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Gender issues, Youth Empowerment and Resource Mobilization.

10. Thank you!!! Q & A