DUSHANBE, February 18, 2015, Asia-Plus -- The Executive Bodies of State Power of Shouroobod, Qubodiyon and Qumsangir districts of Khatlon province held public hearings with a wide participation of the local population, private sector, civil society organizations, and the Government, including representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, local authorities, and other stakeholders.

According to the UNDP CO in Tajikistan, this event was held with support of UNDP Communities Programme within the framework of its Project for Livelihood Improvement in Tajik-Afghan Cross-border Areas (LITACA).

The public hearings reportedly aimed at ensuring accountability of the local authorities in addressing needs of the population through implementation of the local development priorities reflected in District Development Programs (DDPs).  The public hearing serves as one of the feedback mechanisms that ensure improvement of public service delivery.  In particular, such event creates favorable platform for both, the local population to receive updates on progresses and achievements as well as the obstacles of their district development programs and for the local authorities to receive feedbacks from residents and other representatives with respect to progresses and achievements of their district development programs, on quarterly basis.

The head of the Shouroobod district, Mr. Ikromzoda Amirkhon, mentioned in his speech that developing DDP assisted the local authority to attract additional funding from other than government sources.  Compared to 2010 the amount of the attracted funds for the development of the district has grown by 52%.  For the last four years, 69 planned projects out of 187 mentioned in District Development Program have been accomplished, 57 projects are under implementation and 61 more will be implemented in the next two years.

Project for Livelihood Improvement in Tajik-Afghan Cross-border Areas (LITACA) is financed by the Government of Japan through JICA at the amount of US$10.7 million and is being implemented by UNDP Tajikistan in close cooperation with UNDP Afghanistan for the period of three years 2014-2017.  LITACA reportedly promotes participatory approach in identifying regional and districts’ priorities, their budgeting, planning and implementation, as engaging people in this process raises their awareness on how local government addresses district’s development challenges and hence it increases their trust to local government.  The ultimate goal of the Project is to help Tajik and Afghan people in the cross-border areas to actively improve their livelihoods, and strengthens their resilience that contributes to promoting regional security and stability.