Summary

Despite solid progress over the last two decades in peace and security, economic development, and service delivery, Timor-Leste still faces challenges that affect municipalities’ ability to deliver local services and ensure inclusive participation of people, particularly marginalized sections of the population. As reported by national and international experts, these challenges include a weak legal framework for decentralization and functional assignments, limited fiscal decentralization, lack of capacity (incl. from a demand side), limited integrated planning/budgeting systems, and downward accountability and public participation mechanisms (inclusive for women and youth).

Background

This project is designed to complement (and support) other ongoing decentralization/local government projects and programs, particularly the SPDD-TL and EU-UNDP Decentralization Project, this proposal is for UNDP to support the Ministry of State Administration and the selected Municipal Administrations by providing technical assistance to personnel in the following two areas:

• Enhancing the legal, policy, and institutional framework for decentralization
• One-stop-shop for selected public services at the municipal level    

Project Outcome

The project aims to:

Short-term Outcomes

• Reduced time and cost for citizens accessing government services.
• Increased accessibility and coverage of government services.
• Improved efficiency and reduced bureaucratic complexity.
• Enhanced coordination among government agencies.

Medium-term Outcomes

• Standardized and consistent service delivery across regions.
• Improved citizen engagement and trust in public institutions.
• Modernized administrative processes and frameworks.
• Higher levels of satisfaction and trust in government services.

Long-term Impact

• Equitable and efficient service delivery contributes to better governance.
• Strengthened public trust and engagement in government processes.
• Sustainable and modernized administrative frameworks supporting continuous improvement.
• Enhanced overall governance leads to improved socio-economic development.