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Overview of Municipal Assistance

With the support of USAID the Center has implemented a program of municipal administrative and financial reform that is now credited with successfully rebuilding essential foundations for strong local government in Lebanon, providing modern management systems, e-government procedures, and the official and staff training necessary to improve the quality of governance. Broadly designed to strengthen local government by improving relations between citizens and officials, ensuring transparency and accountability in municipal work, and by enhancing the role of various municipal bodies, the program has to date involved more than 880 municipalities and 26 regional institutions throughout the country. Overall achievements including the following:

  • Enhanced efficiency and effectiveness through standardization and automation of administrative work;
  • Enhanced quality of service through human resource development;
  • Greater municipal compliance in the collection of taxes;
  • Increased revenues and reduced opportunities for corruption and tax evasion;
  • Expanded citizen access to local government resulting from additional communication mechanisms;
  • Improved reporting capacities with respect to central government requirements.