INTRODUCTION

Nepal’s recent adoption of federalism in 2017 ushered in a new era of decentralized governance, empowering local governments to play a pivotal role in service delivery and citizen engagement. This proposal outlines an observational visit program for 12–15 Local Government Leaders, including Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Rural Municipality Chairperson and Ward Members, to the United States of America (USA). Through exposure to established US city administrations and best practices in municipal governance, the program aims to equip Nepali local government leaders with the tools and knowledge necessary to strengthen local governance in Nepal. By fostering a culture of learning and collaboration, this initiative has the potential to significantly improve the lives of Nepali citizens.

BACKGROUND

Nepal’s federal system is in its nascent stages compared to the US’s long-standing and well-established model. The 2015 Constitution has bestowed significant powers and responsibilities upon local governments in Nepal, making them more popular and directly accountable to the people. However, this newfound autonomy presents challenges in terms of effective service delivery and efficient resource management. Learning from the US experience, with its mature federal system and established municipal governance practices, can be instrumental in addressing these challenges.

OBJECTIVES

This observational visit program aims to achieve the following key objectives:

Capacity Building: Equip Nepali local government leaders with best practices in municipal governance through exposure to successful US models.

Knowledge Exchange: Facilitate a two-way exchange of knowledge and experiences on effective service delivery, fiscal management, citizen participation, and other key areas.

Networking: Build lasting professional connections between Nepali and US municipal leaders to pave the way for future collaboration and support.

Policy and Practice Enhancement: Encourage the application of the acquired knowledge and best practices to improve municipal governance policies and practices in Nepal.

KEY AREAS OF FOCUS

Effective Service Delivery: Understanding and implementing strategies to ensure efficient and responsive delivery of essential services to citizens.

Fiscal Federalism: Developing a comprehensive understanding of financial management practices that promote local government autonomy, accountability, and sustainable resource utilization.

Participatory Planning and Budgeting: Enhancing citizen engagement in the decision-making process to ensure inclusivity, transparency, and responsiveness to community needs.

Tax Management Systems: Learning from successful models of tax collection and management to strengthen local revenue generation and financial sustainability.

Solid Waste Management: Gaining insights into effective strategies for efficient and environmentally sound waste management practices.

Collaboration Mechanisms: Strengthening collaboration between elected officials and municipal staff to foster a more cohesive and efficient governance structure.

PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

To ensure a comprehensive and impactful learning experience, the program will include a variety of activities:

Site Visits: Local government leaders will visit US cities renowned for their exemplary municipal governance systems. These visits will encompass tours of key departments, infrastructure projects, and facilities directly related to the focus areas.

Structured Meetings: Delegations will engage in structured meetings with US Mayors, city officials, and experts in municipal governance. These meetings will facilitate indepth discussions on specific challenges, strategies, and best practices.

Knowledge Exchange Sessions: Roundtable discussions and workshops will be organized to foster knowledge exchange on best practices, challenges, and potential solutions in crucial areas like service delivery, fiscal management, and citizen engagement.

Policy and Practice Enhancement: Encourage the application of the acquired knowledge and best practices to improve municipal governance policies and practices in Nepal.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

The program is expected to yield significant and long-lasting outcomes:

Enhanced Capacity: Nepali local government leaders will return equipped with a deeper understanding of effective municipal governance practices, empowering them to implement innovative solutions in their own municipalities.

Improved Service Delivery: The acquired knowledge will translate into improved service delivery mechanisms, leading to direct benefits for Nepali citizens.

Strengthened Fiscal Management: Improved fiscal management practices will be adopted, ensuring more transparent and accountable use of resources at the local level.

Increased Citizen Engagement: The program will encourage a shift towards more inclusive governance by highlighting the importance of citizen participation in decision-making processes.

Potential Collaborations: The established relationships during the visit will pave the way for future collaborations and technical assistance partnerships between Nepali and US municipalities.

SUSTAINABILITY MEASURES

The program is expected to yield significant and long-lasting outcomes:

Enhanced Capacity: Nepali local government leaders will return equipped with a deeper understanding of effective municipal governance practices, empowering them to implement innovative solutions in their own municipalities.

Improved Service Delivery: The acquired knowledge will translate into improved service delivery mechanisms, leading to direct benefits for Nepali citizens.

Strengthened Fiscal Management: Improved fiscal management practices will be adopted, ensuring more transparent and accountable use of resources at the local level.

Increased Citizen Engagement: The program will encourage a shift towards more inclusive governance by highlighting the importance of citizen participation in decision-making processes.

Potential Collaborations: The established relationships during the visit will pave the way for future collaborations and technical assistance partnerships between Nepali and US municipalities.

LOCATION

Washington DC and Virginia, Unites States of America

For more details, contact us at info@idiworldwide.net.