Gender sensitive plans and budgets in local government
From 3rd to 4th October 2019, Districts and City of Kigali Directors of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation attended a Technical Forum on “Participatory planning and budgeting for inclusive development at local level”. The training session was organized by Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA), in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) and in line with the Inclusive Decisions at Local Level (IDEAL) project funded by VNG International. A representative of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) also contributed to the training facilitation.
Realistic, timely and inclusive planning
With the purpose of improving their performance, participants agreed on actions to allow early planning and citizen participation. They include a request to MINECOFIN to avail the Planning and Budgeting Call Circular (PBCC) before October each year. They also include efforts to increase citizens and other stakeholders’ effective participation in the preparation and implementation of district plans and budgets, and in particular in providing inputs and feedback using ICT tools such as E-citizen, telephones applications, etc. In addition, participants recommended an early preparation of the mid-term review of the District Development Strategy (DDS). They also strongly recommended the harmonization of the action plans, the performance contracts and the budgets before they are entered in the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS). Finally, they committed to always consider the gender balance principle during the elaboration of the plans and budgets.
Efficient monitoring and reporting
Participants to the fórum requested RALGA to advocate for the establishment of a Steering Committee at district level to monitor the implementation of the DDS. They suggested the committee to include the Vice-Mayors, District Executive Secretaries, the Directors of Planning, the Head of the Joint Action Development Forum (JADF), as well as representatives of the Private Sector Federation, the Heads of District Council commissions, People With Disabilities, National Women Council as well as the National Youth Council. They also committed to avail the DDS implementation anual report no later than August each year.
Keeping the momentum
In a bid to build a sustainable and effective network for information and experience sharing, participants elected a committee. Mr. Eric BIZIMANA from Muhanga district was elected as the Dean of the fórum, Mr. Jean Paul BIRORIMANA from Ngororero district as the Vice-Dean, Mrs Tryphose MUREKATETE from Musanze district as the Secretary. Three advisors were also elected, namely Mr. Boniface BAGARAGAZA from Gasabo district, Mrs Marthe KANYONGA from Ngoma district and Mr. Thiery UGIRANEZA from Kayonza district.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Francine TUMUSHIME, Deputy Secretary General for RALGA advised the Directors for Planning to assist their colleagues by availing clear Terms of References based on the Planning and Budgeting Call Circular by MINECOFIN so as to streamline inclusive and responsive planning process at local level. She also advised them to play a key role in assessing and clarifying the real issues faced by the citizens during the planning process. She finally advised that, in addition to peer learning and discussions during technical forums, a session on specific practical skills should be organised .
