About LGP

The Local Governance Program (LGP) supports Iraq's efforts to establish local government that is transparent, accountable, and responsive to its constituents. LGP, which began in April 2003, operates under a contract from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).  LGP was expanded in 2005 to include a new phase of support for local governance programs in Iraq.
 
Under terms of its contract, LGP:
  • Supports Iraq's efforts to improve the management and administration of local, municipal, and provincial governments
  • Provides technical assistance and training to local elected officials concerning the roles and functions of local government officials and agencies
  • Assists in establishing a legal framework for a democratic, representative, and participatory form of decentralized government in Iraq.
Since May 2005, LGP has been training and mentoring Provincial Councils elected in January of that year in the roles, responsibility, and authority of the Provincial Council, and also providing similar training to Iraq’s network of Local Councils.
 
LGP’s earlier work in Iraq (June 2003-April 2004) included supporting the establishment of more than 700 local government councils. During that time, an in-country team of nearly 3,000 Iraqis and more than 220 international development specialists worked throughout Iraq's 18 provinces on a wide range of locally selected priorities.  These included such varied topics as increasing access to basic utilities and health care and establishing and training local governing councils. The work with Iraqi civil society focused on empowering women, youth, businesses, farmers, and others to organize, advocate, and work for a democratic and tolerant Iraq.

LGP supports the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) effort in 9 provinces across the country by providing technical advisors in areas related to governance, policy reform, and economic development. From its headquarters in Baghdad, LGP oversees operation of its regional hub offices in Erbil, Hillah, Basra, and Baghdad serving all 18 Iraqi provinces.