The predefined project strengthens an institutional capacity of small and medium sized towns identified in Poland’s Strategy for Responsible Development. 54 cities received advisory assistance to elaborate Local Development and Action Plans addressing environmental, social, economic, demographic and good governance challenges. Based on these plans, 29 cities were selected to receive funding and tailored support to implement them.
The project activities include expert assistance; capacity-building for local government staff; monitoring of local development progress; methodology and implementation of self-assessments to measure initial and progressive levels of good governance and institutional capacity; know-how on good governance from an international organisation (OECD) and campaign to promote principles of integrated and participatory local development.
Inclusion of vulnerable groups, non-discrimination, gender equality, transparency and good governance are integral to the predefined project at all stages, i.e. planning, implementation and dissemination as well as in the activities of the 29 cities.
Within the predefined project the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities in cooperation with the beneficiaries provide expertise on local development by facilitating bilateral activities within partnerships between 29 PL cities and Donor municipalities from NO and IS. 17 such bilateral agreements were concluded. Moreover, within the framework of the pre-defined project, bilateral activities are carried out involving the remaining 12 beneficiaries for whom it was not possible to find a partner. Thanks to this, projects staff will be able to participate in study visits, internships and events in Poland and Norway.
The OECD provided expertise on good governance - drafting a local public governance review and operationalizing recommendations as well as supporting cities to adopt and use a self-assessment tool on good governance.