Final Report: Road Map to Decentralization in Iraq

The second amendment to Law 21, passed in 2013, transfers the responsibility for delivering services to citizens from eight central government line ministries to the Governorates. This devolution is expected to improve the delivery of services and increase citizen participation in governance. The amended Law 21 provides a framework for the transfer of service delivery units to Governorate administration. The High Coordinating Commission for Provinces (HCCP) will play a crucial role in facilitating this transition. The HCCP will be responsible for coordinating the transfer of authority from the central government to the Governorates. To prepare for the transition, each Governorate is recommended to establish a Task Force. The Task Force will be responsible for preparing the Governorate and its stakeholders for the implementation of the amended Law 21. The Task Force will develop an action plan, which will include obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the targeted directorates or departments, reviewing legal and regulatory documents, and requesting the transfer of governorate investment allocations from the central ministries. The Task Force will also build consensus among all stakeholders, including central and local government officials, to develop agreement on what tasks, services, and competencies are to be devolved and the associated timeline. The Transitional Coordination Process will engage the Ministry of State for Provincial Affairs (MOSPA) to develop recommendations for the devolution of authority down to the Governorates. The Governorates are motivated to move forward with administrative decentralization. The next Governors Conference for the Provinces is planned for February 28, 2014, in Baghdad, with the support of Taqadum. Taqadum will provide technical and other preparatory services to support the conference. The contemplated Task Forces in each Governorate will greatly contribute to building the capacity necessary for the implementation of administrative decentralization. This transition is expected to be planned, gradual, and phased, with units transitioning from federal ministry to Governorate-level administration. The consensus-building process initiated by these Task Forces would be greatly strengthened by continued support from a neutral consultative group similar to the USAID-funded Taqadum. The amended Law 21 provides a framework for the transfer of service delivery units to Governorate administration. Article 45 of the law transfers service delivery authority from directorate to Governorate administration. The law also expands the HCCP to include the Governorates and provides for the establishment of Governorate-level Coordinating Committees to advance the transfer of service delivery units to Governorate administration. The establishment of the Task Forces in each Governorate is a crucial step in preparing for the transition. The Task Forces will be responsible for developing an action plan, building consensus among stakeholders, and engaging the MOSPA in the Transitional Coordination Process. The Governorates are expected to play a key role in the implementation of administrative decentralization, and the Task Forces will greatly contribute to building their capacity. The Road Map to Decentralization, presented at the First National Conference on Developing a Road Map for Implementation of Law 21, as Amended, held on January 12 and 13, 2014, in Baghdad, provides a framework for the transfer of service delivery units to Governorate administration. The Road Map has been refined and updated through a series of conferences and meetings, including the Second Governors' Conference held on February 1, 2014, in Ninewa. The implementation of administrative decentralization is expected to be a gradual and phased process. The units will transition from federal ministry to Governorate-level administration, and the Governorates will be responsible for delivering services to citizens. The Task Forces in each Governorate will play a crucial role in preparing for the transition and building the capacity necessary for the implementation of administrative decentralization.