Strengthening Democratic Local Governance (Sdlg) Program in Bangladesh

The Strengthening Democratic Local Governance in Bangladesh (SDLG) Project as extended is a 51-month activity (December 2010-March 2015) funded by the United States Agency for International Development's Bangladesh Mission (USAID/Bangladesh). Building on more than a decade's worth of local government strengthening programs in Bangladesh, the SDLG Project combines a focus on research and policy advocacy, capacity development for local government associations, and training and technical assistance for local government units at union parishad, upazila parishad (UP), and pourashava levels. Tetra Tech ARD is the implementing partner for the SDLG Project. Key elements of the SDLG Project strategy for achieving results include: -Building on USAID/Bangladesh's more than 10-year history of significant local governance support programs. -Enhancing the political will of national and local government elected officials as well as citizen groups and NGOs to reform local governance. -Identifying and disseminating to local governments innovative practices to achieve performance standards. -Integrating gender and youth concerns across the SDLG program, while supporting women's participation in local government leadership. -Disseminating through multiple media outlets information on local governments in Bangladesh and the role of the USAID-funded SDLG Project. -Linking with USAID/Bangladesh's (and other donor's) programs, including Presidential Initiatives in the areas of health, agriculture and climate change. This strategic approach will help ensure the project achieves core objectives within the 51-month timeframe, given the resources available, and taking into consideration constraints and opportunities posed by the legal and policy framework for local governments.