U.S. Government Supports Strong Local Government
On November 28, the second Annual Meeting of National Association of Local Authorities (NALA) was held at the Sheraton Metechi Palace.
250 delegates from 65 municipalities were invited.
U.S. Ambassador John Tefft, Vice Speaker of the Parliament Michael Machavariani, and Deputy Chairman of the State Commission on Effective Governance and Territorial Arrangement Vano Khukhunaishvili made opening remarks and talked about the importance of strong local government in Georgia.
Ambassador Tefft stated: “Strong local governments listen to the needs of their constituencies, search for solutions to those needs in a collaborative way, manage municipal resources effectively and transparently, and lead the improvement of economic and social conditions in their communities.”
Ambassador John Tefft announced that in the coming year the U.S. Government, through USAID, would provide in excess of $1.5 million for training newly elected local government officials, and $100,000 in assistance to the NALA.
The assistance will be provided as part of the “Communities Empowered for Local Decision-Making” project implemented by the Urban Institute.
The USAID-funded training program includes regional workshops for representatives of legislative and executive branches of local self-governments regarding: legislation, service improvement techniques, program budgeting, accounting, procurement and community-based economic development. Workshops will be followed with consulting assistance.
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