Leadership, Empowerment, Advocacy and Development (LEAD) Quarterly Report July 1-September 30, 2012

The project focuses on four key objectives: strengthened local government capacity, increased transparency of local government operations, increased capacity of local organizations, and improved service delivery. Strengthened local government capacity is a critical component of the LEAD Project. Community-based strategic planning (CBSP) was conducted for six champion local government authorities (LGAs) in Sokoto State, while the Strategy Drafting Committee began developing LGA plans in Bauchi State. Local Government Development Framework (LGDF) assessment was completed and validated for four Round 2 champion LGAs in Sokoto, and LEAD conducted an LGDF reassessment for Round 1 champion LGAs in Bauchi State. Additionally, LEAD inaugurated and conducted orientation for the Round 2 champion LGAs in Bauchi State, and two grantees in Bauchi facilitated the second phase of community priority-setting exercise in Katagum and Ningi LGAs. Increased transparency of local government operations is another key objective of the LEAD Project. LEAD facilitated a meeting of internally generated revenue (IGR) stakeholders forum in all the champion LGAs in Bauchi State, organized interactive sessions on IGR database management for champion LGAs and state officials in Sokoto State, and conducted capacity building training for civil society organizations (CSOs) and LGA officials on participatory budgeting in both Sokoto and Bauchi states. LEAD also organized dissemination workshop on the analysis of the IGR in Bauchi State and facilitated financial management trainings for LGA officials for Round 1 champion LGAs in Sokoto. Increased capacity of local organizations is a critical component of the LEAD Project. LEAD conducted CSO/CBOs mapping exercise in Sokoto State and updated CSOs database in Bauchi State. LEAD also conducted reassessment of LEAD grantees using the organizational capacity assessment (OCA) tool in Sokoto and Bauchi states, and conducted mentoring visits to six grantees in Bauchi State. Improved service delivery is a key objective of the LEAD Project. While LEAD met with Sokoto State Working Group on the adoption of draft Water and Sanitation Policy, LEAD also facilitated the development of a service improvement plan (SIP) for Round 2 champion LGAs in Sokoto State. Additionally, LEAD conducted a review of the Local Government Development Framework (LGDF) for Round 1 champion LGAs in Bauchi State and facilitated a meeting of the State Independent Electoral Commission in Bauchi State. The LEAD Project has made significant progress in achieving its objectives. Key program accomplishments include the conduct of community-based strategic planning (CBSP) for six champion local government authorities (LGAs) in Sokoto State, the completion and validation of Local Government Development Framework (LGDF) assessment for four Round 2 champion LGAs in Sokoto, and the inauguration and orientation of Round 2 champion LGAs in Bauchi State. The project has also facilitated the development of a service improvement plan (SIP) for Round 2 champion LGAs in Sokoto State and conducted a review of the Local Government Development Framework (LGDF) for Round 1 champion LGAs in Bauchi State. The LEAD Project has also made significant progress in increasing transparency of local government operations. LEAD has facilitated a meeting of internally generated revenue (IGR) stakeholders forum in all the champion LGAs in Bauchi State, organized interactive sessions on IGR database management for champion LGAs and state officials in Sokoto State, and conducted capacity building training for civil society organizations (CSOs) and LGA officials on participatory budgeting in both Sokoto and Bauchi states. The LEAD Project has also made significant progress in increasing the capacity of local organizations. LEAD has conducted CSO/CBOs mapping exercise in Sokoto State and updated CSOs database in Bauchi State. LEAD has also conducted reassessment of LEAD grantees using the organizational capacity assessment (OCA) tool in Sokoto and Bauchi states, and conducted mentoring visits to six grantees in Bauchi State. The LEAD Project has also made significant progress in improving service delivery. LEAD has facilitated the development of a service improvement plan (SIP) for Round 2 champion LGAs in Sokoto State and conducted a review of the Local Government Development Framework (LGDF) for Round 1 champion LGAs in Bauchi State.