municipal profile: al bireh - global communities · municipal profile: bethlehem about the...
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About the Municipality: Al Bireh is a Palestinian City adjacent to Ramallah in the central part of
the West Bank, 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) north of Jerusalem. First named in history books as far back as
3500 B.C.E., Al Bireh historically served as a stopping point for caravans traveling from Jerusalem to
Nablus. The municipality was first established
in 1928 under the British Mandate, and is
now home to over 40,000 residents.
Governance Excellence: In line with the
strategy of the Palestinian local governance
sector, CHF’s partnership with Al Bireh will
focus on three key areas – community par-
ticipation, service delivery, and leadership
development – to support the municipality’s vision of becoming a more responsive, efficient, and ef-
fective center for governance excellence. Demonstrating their commitment, the municipality and wider
community have already contributed countless staff and volunteer hours working with CHF on the
city’s Strategic Development and Investment Plan and will contribute an additional $85,000 in the
coming years.
Community Participation & Service Delivery: Along every step of the way, CHF works with
the municipality to engage citizens to get their feedback to inform local government decision-making
and service delivery. The key community participation and service delivery interventions include:
In 2013, CHF International and the Municipality
of Al Bireh have begun a new partnership under
the Local Government and Infrastructure Pro-
gram (LGI) funded by USAID. The goal of this
partnership is to further enhance the municipali-
ty’s ability to meet the needs of its citizens in a
transparent and effective manner.
Municipal Profile: AL BIREH
Key Interventions Expected Outcomes
Participatory Planning and Stra-tegic Development & Invest-ment Plan (SDIP) (2013)
Community members are taking an effective role in decisions that affect their lives by participating in developing the city's Strategic Development & Investment plan that will be the guiding document for local economic and social development for the next 8 to 12 years.
Citizen Service Center (2014)
A Citizen Service Center is a state-of-the-art municipal facility that pro-
vides key services in an automated and transparent manner. To comple-
ment the Citizen Service Center, processes within the municipality will
be overhauled to reduce time spent by citizens and staff to process re-
quests (2013).
Expansion of the Al Bireh Youth Foundation Club (2009 & 2013)
With USAID funding, CHF helped expand the services available at the
youth club, including a new media center, computer, music performance
space and theater, and a language development unit, benefiting 1870
youth in 2009. The space was further renovated in 2013.
CHF International/ West Bank & Gaza: [email protected] - www.chf-pal.org - www.globalcommunities.org
“We at the Al-Bireh Youth Foundation couldn't imagine doing
all this without the support of the CHF team. With the renova-
tion, we were able to have more activities for youth...It helped
us in having a better environment to work in. Thank you to
CHF and for everyone who worked with us to have the best for
the foundation.”
- Doha Jaber, Resident of Al Bireh City and Director of Al
Bireh Youth Foundation
Leadership Development: CHF will be supporting the municipality in assuming a leadership role
in achieving sustainable development and developing, sharing, and planning for a longer-term vision
for the community and the municipality’s institutional development.
Photos: Strategic Development and Investment Planning workshops
“We’ve begun our partnership with USAID through CHF because we were convinced that this
partnership will have a real value add. It will enable us to take better decisions developing the
capacity of the municipality, strategic planning and infrastructure…”
- Ziad Assad Taweel, Director of Al Bireh Municipality
Leadership Development Key
Interventions Expected Outcomes
Municipal Strategic Corporate
Plan (2013)
Based on a new municipal capacity assessment tool, the municipality
will develop a Municipal Strategic Corporate Plan that outlines how the
municipality will address its institutional development priorities.
GIS Spatial Data Management
and Administration (2013)
This intervention will address a critical problem the municipality is facing,
scattered spatial data, enabling the municipality to have the information
required for physical and urban planning. CHF will also support the mu-
nicipality in establishing a GIS unit for the city.
Physical Planning and Metro-
politan Plan (2014)
A new physical plan for Al-Bireh and Metropolitan Plan with Ramallah
and Beitunia will ensure proper planning for local development, trans-
portation, and zoning to ensure enhanced access to public services and
recreational spaces and greater environmental protection.
Renovated Al-Bireh Youth Foundation
CHF International/ West Bank & Gaza: [email protected] - www.chf-pal.org - www.globalcommunities.org
Governance Excellence: In line with the strategy of the Palestinian local gov-
ernance sector, CHF’s partnership with Bethlehem will focus on three key areas,
leadership development, service delivery, and community participation – to
support the municipality’s vision of becoming a more responsive, efficient, and effec-
tive center for governance excellence.
Specifically, CHF will be supporting the municipality in continuing its leadership role
in developing Palestine’s first Metropolitan Plan for Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, Bait
Jala, and surrounding villages. In addition, CHF will support the municipality in establishing a state-of-the-art Citizen
Service Center, where citizens can access a range of municipal services in one fully automated location.
Along every step of the way, CHF will work with the municipality to engage citizens to get their feedback to inform
government decision-making and service delivery. One key community participation innovation will be the Youth
Shadow Local Council (YSLC), an elected body made up of 15 members aged 15-22 that mirrors the elected local
council in its formation and supports its functions and role.
Working in partnership with the municipality, the purpose of the YSLC is to sensitize youth to good governance prac-
tices and give them an opportunity to take a leadership role in their community’s development. The Bethlehem YSLC
was established in May 2013 following the election shown below:
In 2013, CHF International and the Municipality of Bethlehem be-
gan a new partnership under the Local Government and Infrastruc-
ture Program (LGI) funded by USAID. The goal of this partnership
is to further enhance the municipality’s ability to meet the needs of
its citizens in a transparent and effective manner.
Municipal Profile: BETHLEHEM
About the Community: Bethlehem is a historic city located in the central West Bank, neighboring south Jerusa-
lem, with a population of about 25,000 people. Bethlehem was among the first localities in existence in the West
Bank, and its first election was held in 1872. In the most recent elections of October 2012, Vera Baboun was elected
as the first female mayor of Bethlehem.
“Youth are not involved in decision-making processes. No one cares about their voices.
Therefore, I hope that through the activities of the youth council, youth will be encour-
aged to express their opinion and bring about new vision in the city.”
- Betty Bathich, elected youth council member from Bethlehem
CHF International/ West Bank & Gaza: [email protected] - www.chf-pal.org - www.globalcommunities.org
In close partnership with the municipal council, staff, and community members, CHF will support the implementation
of a wide range of complementary activities that increase the municipality’s efficiency, transparency, and responsive-
ness in serving local citizens. The full list of expected interventions is included below:
“Bethlehem has been in recession and is in need of a renaissance. CHF has lit up hope for
success and access; they’ve shared their experiences, and we thank them for that. And I be-
lieve that our strategic planning is important; to us it means the survival of the city.”
- Vera Baboun, Mayor of Bethlehem
Key Interventions Expected Outcomes
Participatory Planning
and Strategic Develop-
ment & Investment Plan
(SDIP) - (2013)
Community members have begun meeting to identify priority infrastructure
projects needed for Bethlehem residents as of February 2013 and will con-
tinue that process until a new Strategic Development and Investment Plan is
completed in 2013. This will be the guiding document for Bethlehem’s local
economic and social development.
Municipal Strategic Cor-
porate Plan (2013)
Based on a new municipal capacity assessment tool, the municipality will
develop a Municipal Strategic Corporate Plan that outlines how the munici-
pality will address its institutional development priorities.
Physical Plan & Metropol-
itan Plan (2014)
A new physical plan for Bethlehem and Metropolitan Plan with Beit Jala and Beit
Sahour will ensure proper planning for local development, transportation, and
zoning to ensure enhanced access to public services and recreational spaces
and greater environmental protection.
Citizen Service Center
(2014)
A Citizen Service Center is a state-of-the-art municipal facility that provides
key services in an automated and transparent manner. To complement the
Citizen Service Center, processes within the municipality will be overhauled
to reduce time spent by citizens and staff to process requests.
Photo: Participatory planning workshop in Bethlehem
CHF International/ West Bank & Gaza: [email protected] - www.chf-pal.org - www.globalcommunities.org
About the Municipality: Founded in 2450 B.C.E, Jenin is the largest
and oldest city of the Jenin Governorate located in the northern West
Bank. The first municipal council in Jenin was established in 1886 under
the leadership of Haji Abdul Majid Mansour, the city now has a popula-
tion of over 39,000.
Center for Governance Excellence: In line with the strategy of the Palestinian local governance sector, CHF’s part-
nership with Jenin will focus on three key areas – community participation, service delivery, and leadership de-
velopment – to support the municipality’s vision of being a responsive, efficient, and effective center for governance
excellence. Under these areas, LGI’s main interventions will include:
In 2013, CHF and Jenin Municipality began a long-
term partnership under the Local Government & Infra-
structure (LGI) program funded by USAID. The goal of
this partnership is to further enhance the municipality’s
ability to meet the needs of its citizens in a transparent
and effective manner.
Key Interventions Expected Outcomes
Citizen Service Center & Additional
Community Infrastructure Project
(2015)
A Citizen Service Center is a state-of-the-art municipal facility that provides
services in an automated and transparent manner. Processes within the
municipality will also be overhauled to reduce time spent to process re-
quests. In addition, LGI will support an additional infrastructure project
based on priorities in Jenin’s Strategic Development & Investment Plan.
Human Resources Management In-
formation System (2014)
Providing the municipality with a well-developed and automated human
resource and payroll management information solution in order to improve
their HR operations and reduce total operating costs.
Municipal Strategic Corporate Plan
(2013)
Based on a new municipal capacity assessment tool, the municipality will
develop a Municipal Strategic Corporate Plan that outlines how the munici-
pality will address its institutional development priorities.
Enhanced internal audit approaches
(2013)
An internal audit unit will ensure that the municipality adheres to required
procurement, financial, and administrative regulations, while also enhanc-
ing transparency and accountability of the municipality to citizens.
Streamlined procurement proce-
dures and database (2013)
This intervention will focus on updating procurement procedures to be more
efficient and transparent, and also develop a procurement database to in-
stitutionalize new procurement procedures and templates.
“Our role is to leave behind a footprint by meeting citizen needs on the long run within the framework of
our Strategic Development & Investment Plan... Our goal is to sustain our development resources in-
stead of relying on others …” - Mayor of Jenin, Walid Abu Mwes
Jenin Municipality building
CHF International/ West Bank & Gaza: [email protected] - www.chf-pal.org - www.globalcommunities.org
Municipal Profile: JENIN
About the Municipality: Nablus is a Palestinian cultural and commercial
center about 50 km north of Jerusalem in the West Bank with a population of
over 125,000. It is one of the oldest cities in the world; its historic city center
boasts archaeological sites from the 1st century. In addition, it is known for pro-
ducing the most delicious Palestinian sweets, including kunafeh, the nabulsi
soap industry, and famous poets from the Tuqan family.
In 2013, CHF and Nablus Municipality began a long-term partnership
under the Local Government & Infrastructure program (LGI) funded by
USAID. This partnership will support the municipality’s ability to fur-
ther meet the needs of its citizens in a transparent and effective manner.
Key Interventions Expected Outcomes
Community Infrastructure:
Indoor Sports Complex (2015)
With a contribution of around 40% of all costs from the Nablus municipality, this state-of-the-art
Indoor Sports Complex will provide four floors of courts for volleyball, basketball, handball and
indoor soccer, billiards, table tennis, fitness areas, and a theatre with over 2,000 seats.
Urban & Physical Planning
(2014)
Development of GIS systems paired with street naming and numbering plans will enhance the
municipality’s ability to plan urban development and geospatially map projects.
Online service delivery
through e-municipality (2014)
The introduction of e-municipality will enable citizens to access municipal services online, eas-
ing congestion at the municipality and reducing time spent accessing services.
Municipal Strategic Corporate
Plan (2013)
Based on a new municipal capacity assessment tool, the municipality will develop a plan that
outlines how the municipality will address its institutional development priorities.
Enhanced internal audit ap-
proaches (2013)
An enhanced internal audit unit will ensure that the municipality adheres to required procure-
ment, financial, and administrative regulations, while also enhancing transparency and account-
ability of the municipality to citizens.
Streamlined procurement
procedures and database
(2013)
This intervention will focus on updating procurement procedures to be more efficient and trans-
parent, and also develop a procurement database to institutionalize new procurement proce-
dures and templates.
Municipal Profile: NABLUS
Mayor Ghassan Shakka: “Our mandate [as a municipality] is to serve our citizens and achieve economic and social
security in line with our national policies... Currently we are trying to provide the city with new services such as hotels,
sport complexes, and we will continue to focus on children and youth because they are the future…”
Photo: Citizens at entrance of
Nablus Municipality
CHF International/ West Bank & Gaza: [email protected] - www.chf-pal.org - www.globalcommunities.org
Center for Governance Excellence: In line with the strategy of the Palestinian local governance sector,
CHF’s partnership with Nablus will focus on three key areas – community participation, service delivery,
and leadership development – to support the municipality’s vision of being a responsive, efficient, and effec-
tive center for governance excellence. Under these areas, LGI’s main interventions will include:
About the Municipality: Ramallah is a key political, cultural, commercial, and economic center in the West
Bank. Originally founded by the Haddadin clan in the 1500s, Ramallah grew dramatically in the 17th and 18th
century as an agricultural village and later in the early 20th century as an upscale destination in the region.
Home today to over 27,000, including famous Palestinian activists, poets, artists, and musicians, it is renown
for hosting the gravesite of the most celebrated Palestinian poet, Mahmoud Darwish, and has produced several
traditional Palestinian dance (dabkeh) groups that have performed all over the world.
Center for Governance Excellence: In line with the strategy of the Palestinian local governance sector, CHF’s
partnership with Ramallah will focus on three key areas – community participation, service delivery, and
leadership development – to support the municipality’s vision of being a responsive, efficient, and effective
center for governance excellence. Under these areas, LGI’s main interventions will include:
In 2013, CHF and Ramallah Municipality
began a long-term partnership under the
Local Government & Infrastructure pro-
gram (LGI) funded by USAID. This partner-
ship will support the municipality’s ability
to further meet the needs of its citizens in a
CHF International/ West Bank & Gaza: [email protected] - www.chf-pal.org - www.globalcommunities.org
Photo: Planned upgrades to Ramallah Municipality building
and establishment of Citizen Service Center
Key Interventions Expected Outcomes
Participatory Planning and
Strategic Development &
Investment Plan (2014)
Community members will take an effective role in decisions that affect their lives by partici-
pating in developing the city's Strategic Development & Investment plan that will be the
guiding document for local economic and social development for the next 8 to 12 years.
Upgrade Ramallah Munici-
pality and establish Citizen
Service Center (2014)
Provide the municipality with state of the art municipal facility that will provide key services
in an automated and transparent manner.
E-municipality (2014) The introduction of e-municipality will enable citizens to access municipal services online,
easing congestion at the municipality and reducing time spent accessing services.
Municipal Strategic Corpo-
rate Plan (2014)
Based on a new municipal capacity assessment tool, the municipality will develop a Munic-
ipal Strategic Corporate Plan that outlines how the municipality will address its institutional
development priorities.
Enhanced internal audit ap-
proaches (2014)
An enhanced internal audit unit will ensure that the municipality adheres to required pro-
curement, financial, and administrative regulations, while also enhancing transparency and
accountability of the municipality to citizens.
Metropolitan Plan (2014)
A new Metropolitan Plan for Ramallah, Al Bireh, and Beitunia will ensure proper planning
for local development, transportation, and zoning to ensure enhanced access to public ser-
vices and recreational spaces and greater environmental protection.
Municipal Profile: RAMALLAH