02.03.2012

A third phase for “PAD”

The Swiss agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has signed an agreement with the Burundian government to launch the third phase of its program to support decentralization (PAD). The new phase of 6 million Swiss francs (6.6 million USD) will extend over a period of three years.

<>Bujumbura, Burundi -

<> Claudio Tognola (left), Swiss Cooperation Resident Director in Bujumbura with Tabu Abdallah Manirakiza (right), Burundian Finance Minister

Through this new phase, the program will focus on improving the living conditions of the population and the performance of communes.

More specifically, it will support the formulation and implementation of development projects that meet the needs of the population of the province of Ngozi, Kayanza and those of Ntega and Vumbi communes of Kirundo Province to which the program is now extended. It will also improve services provided by communes as well as dialogue between local authorities and population.

At the national level, support will be provided to improve the understanding of the decentralization process by the concerned ministries and the civil society.

Earlier phases have allowed the progressive introduction of a culture of local authorities’ accountability, promotion of solidarity between the communes and citizen participation in planning and implementing development plans. This has enabled 44 projects to achieve social development that have improved access to health and education.

Since 2007,  SDC supports Burundi in its gradual development of good governance. The PAD has initially focused its support in the northern province of Ngozi, in parallel to the support it provides to ministries in charge of Decentralization.