Context:
Local authorities in the regions of Hodh El Gharbi, Assaba, and Guidimagha are not sufficiently fulfilling their role in meeting the basic needs of the population.
Objective:
Selected municipalities in Mauritania provide improved services that are aligned with the needs of the population.
Approach:
The project strengthens the self-help capacities of municipalities and the population in border areas to combat poverty and enhances the capacity of the state at the subnational level in three of the thirteen regions of Mauritania, in order to increase trust in the "state at the local level." Thus, the project has a stabilizing, crisis-preventive, and conflict-reducing effect. The focus on ensuring inclusive, gender-responsive basic services for all population groups contributes to strengthening social cohesion and addresses urgent development needs in parts of the country that are marginalized in economic development. Municipalities receive advice in the development and/or updating of development plans and strategies and are supported in their implementation through the provision of an open development fund. The project also supports the creation, utilization, and institutionalization of participation platforms through which all citizens can participate in decision-making processes. Furthermore, the project promotes the strengthening of cooperation among development partners at the national, regional, and local levels to foster better coordination of development measures.