International Development Grant
Strengthening Democratic Governance in Punjab
Project Number: CA-3-A030696001
Status: Closed
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $11,094,402.00
Start Date: August 15, 2001
End Date: September 30, 2009
Duration: 8.1 years
Project Description
Collaborating with the Punjab provincial government this project works in two districts Kasur and Lodhran building the knowledge of communities and municipal government officials through training joint citizen-official interchanges and communication materials designed for non-literate people. These tools ensure communities are aware of democratic principles and practices so they can be fully involved in the decision-making processes. At the same time it ensures that government officials are equally aware of citizen rights and are transparent and accountable in their governing. The project also has a small fund component the Punjab Initiative Fund which selects small-scale innovative projects of communities such as waste management to generate local income which have the potential for replication in the province. It is implemented through a mixture of Canadian Pakistani and international expertise.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results as of project end include: The project supported the Government of Pakistan in covering the medium-term costs of implementing fiscal decentralization. Through the registration of citizen community boards the project contributed to a more involved civil society throughout the country. A social audit was developed as a mechanism for holding local governments accountable and facilitating planning processes which strengthened district governments. Women councillors were elected to local councils and received training in order to become effective advocates for change. The project has increased community demand for better governance and improved the capacity of government institutions to deliver social services. These institutions are more aware of gender issues in planning budgeting and birth/death registration and are more sensitive to the different needs of men and women.
Key Information
Executing Agency:
Cowater International Inc.
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
OGM Indo-Pacific
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Donor country personnel
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Pre-APP