United Nations Development Programme Jamaica

Thematic Area

Governance

Location

Jamaica

Start Date

Duration

June 2010-March 2012

Funding Amount

Sources of Funding

Executing Modality

Implementing Partners

Status

Operationally closed

Objectives

The project will strengthen the capacity of the civil society and public institutions to provide oversight of public expenditure, at the local level.

Expected Results

1. Capacities of the Parish Development Committees (PDCs) developed to support financial transparency and accountability of parish councils and municipalities and to strengthen PDCs' role as a nexus between civil society and local government through:  1) Conducting a capacity assessment; 2) Strengthening financial oversight capacities in relation to Local Public Accounts Committees (LPACs); 3) Provision of communication tools and capacities to strengthen financial monitoring structure

2. Policy and legislation relating to local government financial management developed

3. Capacity of media improved to report on local authorities' use of public funds through capacity building of local and national media to 1) improve understanding of local government reform and devolution and 2) improve media coverage of budgeting and public expenditure at the local level.

The Government of Jamaica, through the Local Government Reform Process, intends to hand over significant autonomy to local authorities by the end of 2010. To ensure that the authorities will handle their expanded powers competently and responsibly, the new institutional model includes a public forum at the local level to examine and assess use of public funds by parish councils and municipalities as well as a civil society body that will function as a key actor in anti-corruption efforts. The project will strengthen the capacity of the civil society and public institutions to provide oversight of public expenditure, at the local level.

2010 Allocations: US$75,500.00

2010 Expenditure: US$32,921.50 

2011 Allocations: US$ 111,000

2011 Expenditures: US$ 74,520

2012 Allocations:US$ 18,000

2012 Expenditures: US$ 11,993

Contact:

Project Manager : Prof. Trevor Munroe
Centre for Leadership and Governance The University of the West Indies Mona, Kingston 5
Tel: (876) 970-0462/512-3359
Fax: (876) 977-1809
e-mail: trevormunroe@yahoo.com

UNDP Programme Officer: Sonia Gill, Governance Advisor and Assistant Resident Representative
Address: Jamaica United Nations Development Programme, 1-3 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica
Tel: + (876) 978-2390
Fax: + (876) 946-2163

Documents:

Download Project Document []

2010 Annual Progress Report

2011 Annual Progress Report

Final Evaluation Report

Additional available information:

News Items posted on UNDP Jamaica website:

January 28, 2012

UNDP and National Partners renew commitment to Anti-corruption Efforts

March 30, 2011 

UNDP shares Experiences at First Regional Law Enforcement & Anti-Corruption Conference

Media Coverage:

Television Jamaica; Local Government Debate Review, 23/03/2012

Jamaica Observer; First local government debate tonight, First Ever local gov't election debate on Mar 22; 22/03/2012 and 19/03/2012

Jamaica Observer; Campaign finance reform in the first 100 days, 11/12/2011 

Jamaica Observer; PM favours naming donors, but..., 10/12/2011

Television Jamaica; Parties promise anti corruption measures, 09/12/2011

Photo Gallery:

Anti-Corruption Day December 09, 2011

Useful Links:

Center for Leadership and Governance (University of the West Indies) Website

Publications:

Survey on the Status of the Local Public Accounts Commitee (LPAC) in Jamaica