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Democratic governance is a multi-faceted concept encompassing all
aspects of the exercise of authority through formal and informal
institutions in the management of the resource endowment of a state.
The quality of governance is thus determined by the impact of this
exercise of power on the quality of life enjoyed by its citizens.
Sustainable development requires professionals with adequate knowledge
and competence, well functioning organisations and a conducive legal
and institutional framework. Capacity building is a core method to
achieve the overall goal of sustainable development. With the current
commitment of many governments for democracy and decentralisation, the
framework conditions for good governance at the local level are
improving. Democratic decentralisation offers opportunities for popular
participation, improved accountability, responsiveness and transparency
of local leaders, increased effectiveness and efficiency of government
services. It can contribute to the poverty reduction efforts of the
respective countries as it provides chances for empowerment, resource
mobilisation and the provision of those basic services which are to
alleviate many of the causes of poverty.
Effective local governance based on democratic and good governance
standards, however, requires not only improvements in performance of
local governments, but also their effective interplay with civil
society, the private sector and national government institutions. The
capacity building approach as described here comprises of a broad set
of interventions which promotes the development of competent,
responsive and accountable (local self-) government institutions, the
establishment of mechanisms by which different population groups can
equally participate in local decision-making processes and the
evolution of civil society players and organisations. These in turn
lobby and advocate in the interests of citizens, empower disadvantaged
groups of society, as well as develop and apply the necessary checks
and balances towards their elected representatives. It targets
individuals, organisations, the interplay of organisations and the
overall institutional framework based on a comprehensive contextual
analysis.
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