With the Country Programme 2016–2020 Denmark will, in cooperation with multiple funding partners and national institutions, aim to support the Palestinian National Authority, in contributing to the consolidation of effective, legitimate and resilient local government institutions and improved processes in order to serve the entire population.
Based on decades in supporting the Palestinian people, Denmark has been a dedicated supporter of enhancing municipal institutions since 2009 through the Municipal Development Programme (MDP). As the oldest level of public authority which citizens interact with most frequently, municipalities continue to form the backbone of public administration in Palestine. They perform a crucial role in offering the highest potential for public participation and social accountability.
However and despite significant achievements and success attained in the municipal sector during the past years, municipalities continue to face an uphill challenge hardened by severe constraints, including limited institutional capacity and financial stability.
Conclusive to supporting the municipal sector in Palestine, Denmark also recognizes that a large number of Palestinian communities residing in Area C of the West Bank continue to face progressive limitations in accessing basic and essential services. This has significantly hampered their quality of life and consequently, it remains a dire challenge for municipalities to provide the needed services and even basic infrastructure critical for improving the standard of living for all Palestinian citizens in that area.
Denmark will continue to support the development of Area C in the West Bank to contribute to fostering for more resilient communities, preserving a Palestinian presence, and to safeguard for a contiguous Palestinian territory which is essential for the viability of a future Palestinian State.
Alignment with the Palestinian Authority’s National Development Plan
Denmark’s assistance towards State Building addresses three out of the four Strategic Objectives of the Palestinian National Development Plan. These include good governance; institution building and infrastructure. With regard to good governance and institution building, Danish assistance through this initiative focuses on addressing the following sector-goals:
