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Gaza Vulnerable Communities Development- GVCD (Phase 1)

Project completed

In the first phase of this project, SDC will support selected Municipalities in the Gaza Strip to improve the delivery of services through the Municipal Development and Lending Fund (MDLF): small-scale infrastructure projects targeting vulnerable communities and capacity development activities to enhance the participation of these communities in local decision-making processes will be implemented. This project is aligned with Palestine National Policy Agenda (2017-2022), and Swiss Cooperation Strategy for the oPt (2015-2018).

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Governance
Human rights
Water
Decentralisation
Human rights (incl. Women's rights)
Water sanitation
01.10.2017 - 31.12.2021
 CHF  3’400’000
The project in brief
Background In the fragile context of the Gaza Strip, the Municipalities’ ability to provide mandated services to their citizens has been curtailed by the compounded impact of Israeli Occupation including armed conflicts, the 10-year closure of the Strip, and the intra-Palestinian divide especially the latest decisions taken by the two rival authorities. Facing general de-development trends and increased poverty, they are dependent on support provided through the Municipal Development Programme (MDP) of which SDC is a donor. Most of these Municipalities, in particular the smaller ones, are unable to address the specific needs of vulnerable communities, whose voices are too often not heard in local decision-making processes.
Objectives Vulnerable communities in targeted Municipalities enjoy improved access and voice in local service delivery and decision-making
Target groups
  • Vulnerable communities living in 5-6 Municipalities (in the Eastern side of the Gaza Strip from middle to south (ca. 100’000 residents)
  • Neighbourhood Committees, civic groups (youth, women, etc), and local civil society organisations active in the above selected municipalities
  • Municipal councils and Technical staff in the selected municipalities as well MDLF Gaza based staff.
Medium-term outcomes
  • Improved and accountable service delivery for vulnerable communities
  • Strengthened accountability of targeted Municipalities towards citizens    and civic groups (youth, women and Neighbourhood Committees) participating in local decision-making processes
Results

Expected results:  

  • 10-15 infrastructure projects are implemented to  respond to the needs of vulnerable communities (gender sensitive)
  • Maintenance checklist developed jointly with community representatives
  • Local CSOs are trained on MDLF’s Civic Participation and Social Accountability Guidelines
  • Municipal authorities, civil groups and citizens are trained on civic participation (CP) and social accountability (SA).
  • Vulnerable communities hold municipal authorities and service providers accountable in all stages of infrastructure projects (planning, implementation, monitoring).


Results from previous phases:   SDC-supported HIMII (See Annex 9) and its contribution to reconstruction after the 2014 war (MDP Window 5) have resulted in small-scale infrastructure (water/sewage network, and road connections), and in behavioural changes between citizens and Municipalities. These interventions demonstrated the relevance and adequacy of targeting “vulnerable communities” in the local governance sector in the oPt, in addition to the participation in the MDP.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
  • SDC Field Office


Coordination with other projects and actors
  • 7F-07621.02 MDP3
  • 7F-09404.01 Gaza Participatory Spatial Planning
  • 7F-09403.01 Support to Village Councils (with  focus on Area C (West Bank only)
  • Support to civil society initiatives/culture  (CFTA 7F03095.07, Qattan 7F-08809.01)
  • Close coordination with MoLG/MDLF
  • Synergies with other domains especially RoL
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    3’400’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    2’988’259
Project phases Phase 2 01.01.2022 - 31.12.2024   (Completed)

Phase 1 01.10.2017 - 31.12.2021   (Completed)

  • Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
    GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
    WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION
    Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation
    Decentralisation and support to subnational government (incl. accountability)
    Human rights
    Basic sanitation
    Cross-cutting topics Human rights
    The project also supports partner organisation improvements
    Aid Type Project and programme contribution
    SDC administrative costs
    Project number

    7F09539

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Last update 31.07.2024