FSDO and UNCDF have piloted a project to introduce sustainable asset management in 39 districts and municipalities in Uganda, Tanzania, Nepal and Bangladesh. The project has followed a five-pronged strategy, consisting of:
- Asset management needs assessments of selected municipalities in developing countries
- Technical assistance for municipal officials in the design and implementation of “Asset Management Action Plans” (AMAPs) that address areas of improvement
- Trainings of Trainers (ToTs) that provide central government officials with the tools to assess asset management needs in local governments and assist local governments with the design and implementation of AMAPs
- On-site support and guidance for the implementation of AMAPs by a team of technical experts and trained central government officials
- Support for enhanced and regular dialogue among central and local governments, as well as other stakeholders to better understand the impact of existing policies, laws and regulations on municipal asset management and explore areas of reform and improvement
Outcome
The project should result in the creation and ongoing implementation of AMAPs in at least 30 districts and municipalities in the target countries. To make sure the proposed AMAPs will be implemented and lead to concrete actions on the ground, specific attention will be paid to ensuring that the sequencing of recommended actions is tailored to the municipal context; existing skills and technologies are considered, and municipal ownership is ensured.
New Partnerships Needed to Bring Impact to Scale
Specific attention has been paid to ensuring that the sequencing of recommended actions is tailored to the municipal context. Existing skills and technologies are considered, and municipal ownership is ensured. But more engagement and support from both the private and the public sector is needed to bring the project to scale. In the four pilot countries, governments have requested more training on sustainable asset management to mainstream AMAPs nationwide. In addition, the concept can easily be applied to other developed and developing countries. New partnerships could scale up the implementation of AMAPs worldwide and thus both generate additional and leverage existing financial resources for sustainable development.
Progress and implementation
Three municipal governments in target countries have been chosen in consultation with the cooperating entities and national governments as pilots to ensure the project can leverage existing work of partner agencies and fits well into national sustainable development strategies. Three years into the project new local governments have requested and received training. As of 2020, municipalities/districts where AMAPs are in place include:
Uganda: Abim, Adjumani, Agago, Amolatar, Amudat, Amuria, Gulu MC, Gulu, Hoima MC, Kapelebyong, Kasese MC, Kole, Lamwo, Mbale MC, Moroto, Moroto MC, Moyo, Omoro, Obongi, Otuke, Pader, Yumbe TC, Yumbe, Zombo
Tanzania: Mwanza, Arusha, Tanga, Temeke, Ubungo, Singida
Nepal: Hetauda, Tulsipur, Dhulikhel, Butwal, Dharan and Bheemdatt
Bangladesh: Bhola, Brahmanbaria, Chandpur, Cox Bazar, Kushtia
Countries interested in more information or technical assistance on asset management should contact: Harry Tonino, Capacity Development Unit