DILI, 19 january 2024 (TATOLI) – The European Union (EU) released a disbursement, totaling €1 million, under the Budget Support program “Supporting Program to Deconcentration and Decentralisation Process in Timor-Leste (SPDD-TL).”
The program has two main components: Budget Support (€11.25 million), in collaboration with the Ministry of State Administration, and Complementary Support (€3.25 million) implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
The objective of the SPDD-TL is to fortify the decentralization process, bringing governance, public administration, and essential services closer to citizens. This initiative helps ensure equitable access for both women and men, with a specific focus on vulnerable communities.
The SPDD-TL allowed Timor-Leste to make significant progress in its decentralization efforts. Contributed to the elaboration of legal frameworks, strengthening institutional capacity, and enhancing municipal governance. The implementation of the Administrative Decentralization Strategy approved legislation, including the Law of Municipal Finance and Law on Administrative Division of the Territory, and developed capacity-building initiatives. The political consensus on this issue contributes to a positive environment for decentralization efforts.
The UNDP Complementary Support is set to conclude in march 2024. It is contributing significantly to Timor-Leste’s progress in decentralization and governance reforms. It facilitates the development of a legal framework for decentralization, provides guidance to Members of Parliament, and conducts successful awareness campaigns.
The capacity-building actions, implemented under the project, improved the skills of local authority officers through training, e-learning platforms, and the recruitment of ICT specialists. The Municipal Portal, already attracting over 1,200 monthly visitors, plays a key role in fostering effective communication between municipalities and the central government.
The EU remains committed to supporting Timor-Leste’s sustainable development and promoting good governance and will continue to support the decentralization process in Timor-Leste, facilitating the access of public services to Timorese citizens.
Journalist: Jose Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
