The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has joined forces with key stakeholders in Baidoa, the largest city in the southwest state of Somalia, to boost community participation and improve public services.
The UNDP said the partnership aims to establish a user-friendly digital platform. It is partnering with the Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development and the municipality of Baidoa.
This is to encourage citizens, officials, organisations and stakeholders to actively contribute to the city’s development.
“Encouraging active participation in decision-making and public services ensures that everyone’s voice is heard.
“Such participation will foster a more inclusive and participatory governance model,” UNDP said in a joint statement issued in Mogadishu.
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It said the core objective of the initiative is to empower the people of Baidoa. It would also transform them into active contributors to the shaping of their communities.
The UNDP said the initiative is part of the Saameynta UN Joint Programme. UNDP, UN-Habitat and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) are implementing the programme.
The main aim of Saameynta, which means “impact” in the Somali language, is to reduce the number of people living in forced displacement.
By this, Saameynta will provide large-scale, durable solutions suited to urban environments in Baidoa and two other Somali cities — Bossaso and Beletweyne. (Xinhua)
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