Launch of the Methodological guide for the implementation of the participatory budget for participation and citizen engagement

Despite the advent of the third decentralization reform marked by the establishment of the principle of citizen participation, the implementation of decentralization continues to pose significant challenges with regard to the effective accountability of local authorities in taking into account charge and promotion of local economic development.
In order to complete the system put in place, the government of the Republic of Senegal, in the interest of a breakthrough, has set the course for endogenous development of the territories and the strengthening of the territoriality of public policies.
The ambitious decentralization policy in Senegal, which is characterized by the transfer of skills to local authorities, has resulted in the increase in the powers of the latter through the transfer of nine areas of skills. As far as it is profitable for a vision of participatory governance for harmonious and equitable economic development, the exercise of the responsibilities conferred on local authorities takes place in a critical context marked by the insufficiency of financial and human resources, the weakness even the absence of local leadership, the objective limits observed in the participation of populations in the management of local affairs and the obligation to report and accountability of local authorities, the weakness of the capacities of civil society and community organizations, etc.
In view of the inadequacies and timid performances achieved in terms of support for the decentralization and local development policy and following the evaluation carried out with the parties, the Authorities wish to raise the intervention cursor towards optimized and better articulated levels. the objectives of improving local capacities, in particular the provision of basic social services and the commitments made to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The methodological guide for implementing the participatory budget for citizen participation and engagement in the management of local authorities in Senegal, published by the Ministry of Urban Planning and Local Authorities, with the support of Enda ECOPOP and the International Observatory of Participatory Democracy for Africa, is a tool, both flexible and accessible, to support local elected officials in the quest for performance within local authorities and citizens in search of better participation local development initiatives to impact public policies.
The book launch will be chaired by the Ministry of Urban Planning, Local Authorities and Territorial Planning of Senegal, in the presence of other invited African Ministers, technical and financial partners, local university authorities and leaders of the civil society.