The British Academy for Training and Development offers a course on The Roles of Municipal Councils in Local Development. This course is intended for those who wish to understand the roles of municipal and local councils, as well as the local development process and the services provided by municipal councils.

Municipal councils play a vital role in increasing public participation by activating the role of civil society institutions. They aim to reinforce democracy and strengthen the decentralization system by involving citizens in a real and effective manner in the management of public facilities and state services in each local community. Municipal councils focus on several important issues, such as eliminating illiteracy, supporting youth, addressing population growth, empowering women in society, supporting small industries, modernizing industry, encouraging investments, and supporting productive villages and small production units. Municipal councils also oversee and monitor local popular councils within their jurisdiction, and contribute to the study and preparation of plans and programs related to literacy and family planning at the governorate level.

Who Should Attend?

• Municipal directors and mayors.
• All members of municipal councils and local development workers.
• Heads of municipal departments.
• Members of municipal councils.

Knowledge and Benefits:

After completing the program, participants will be able to master the following:

• Understand the general competencies of all municipal councils.
• Gain significant experience in managing municipal departments.
• Learn how to link the work of the municipality with the needs of the community.
• Build a communication language based on understanding and collaboration between the community and municipalities.
• Learn how to plan and implement municipal projects.

• Local Development: Concept and Importance

  • Definition of local development and its objectives
  • The importance of local development in improving citizens' lives
  • The impact of local development on social and economic stability

• Roles of Municipal Councils in Local Development

  • The role of councils in planning, implementation, and monitoring
  • The importance of councils in making local decisions
  • The relationship between municipal councils and the local community

• Interacting with the Local Community

  • How to build trust and communicate with citizens
  • The importance of community participation in local planning
  • Strategies for involving citizens in local decision-making

• Strategic Planning in Local Development

  • The importance of strategic planning in setting development priorities
  • Methods for developing a comprehensive development plan
  • Using data and information in preparing plans

• Local Legislation and the Roles of Municipal Councils

  • Laws governing the work of municipal councils
  • The legal responsibilities of municipal councils in local development
  • The rights and duties of municipal councils according to legislation

• Challenges Facing Councils in Local Planning

  • Difficulties related to setting priorities and allocating resources
  • Challenges in coordinating with other entities
  • Overcoming political and administrative barriers in implementing plans

• Resource Management in Municipal Councils

  • How to allocate resources effectively to meet community needs
  • Strategies for reducing waste and increasing efficiency in resource management
  • The role of councils in improving environmental sustainability through sound management

• Local Funding Sources for Municipal Councils

  • The importance of diversifying funding sources (taxes, donations, loans)
  • The role of the private sector and NGOs in financing projects
  • Effective mechanisms for increasing local revenue

• Preparing the Local Budget and Managing Public Funds

  • Steps to prepare a balanced local budget
  • How to determine public spending priorities
  • The importance of transparency and accountability in managing the local budget

• Monitoring and Evaluation Methods in Local Development

  • The importance of having effective monitoring mechanisms for development projects
  • Tools and methods for evaluation (surveys, interviews, financial reviews)
  • The role of councils in tracking progress and ensuring goals are achieved

• Challenges in Monitoring and Evaluation

  • Difficulties related to data collection and analysis
  • Logistical and organizational challenges in monitoring operations
  • Possible solutions to enhance evaluation and follow-up mechanisms

• Local Performance Analysis in Development Projects

  • Methods for evaluating project performance in municipal councils
  • The importance of periodic reviews to identify successes and shortcomings
  • How to improve project outcomes based on evaluation

• The Importance of Collaboration Between Municipal Councils and Other Entities

  • The role of collaboration with central governments in enhancing local projects
  • Partnerships with NGOs and civil society organizations
  • Collaboration with the private sector to expand the scope of local projects

• Sustainability of Local Development Through Partnerships

  • Strategies for maintaining the sustainability of development projects after completion
  • Involving the local community in sustaining projects
  • The role of municipal councils in encouraging ongoing collaboration

• Building Effective Partnerships with Local Stakeholders

  • The importance of clearly defining roles and responsibilities between partners
  • Strategies for strengthening sustainable cooperation between municipal councils and partners
  • Establishing frameworks for coordination among all stakeholders in local development

• Using Technology to Improve City Management

  • The role of technology in improving public services (transportation, health, education)
  • How digital systems help in managing municipal resources efficiently
  • Applications of information and communication technology in municipal management

• Artificial Intelligence in Improving Local Decision-Making

  • Using artificial intelligence to analyze local data and achieve future vision
  • AI techniques in analyzing social and economic trends
  • How AI can assist municipal councils in planning development strategies

• Technology and Digital Transformation in Providing Public Services

  • Adopting digital systems for serving citizens (e-payments, digital licenses)
  • Improving access to information and services through online platforms
  • The role of technology in accelerating government procedures and enhancing the citizen experience