Regional Afghan Municipalities Program for Urban Populations RC East (RAMP UP East) Monthly Report: November 2011

The program, implemented by DAI, focused on four key components: capacity development, service delivery, economic development, and revenue generation. Capacity building activities were undertaken in 13 municipalities under RAMP UP East, with a focus on upgrading the knowledge and skills of municipal employees in performing their core responsibilities. Capacity building activities were classified into core skills trainings and technical trainings. Core skills trainings included computing, English language, management, planning, and supervising, while technical trainings focused on administration, public finance, economic development, public works, and engineering. The impact of capacity building activities was evident in the increased revenue generated by municipalities. For example, Asadabad Mayor Haji Abdul Ghani Abbasi reported that municipal revenue increased from AFA 1.4 million to AFA 30 million after capacity building activities. Municipal employees were also able to perform tasks with ease, such as writing letters, recording revenues, and preparing forms and payrolls on computers. Infrastructure projects were also completed or nearing completion in various municipalities. In Jalalabad, two culvert installation projects were finished, improving access to pedestrian and vehicular traffic. In Pul-i-Alam, Parking Lot 1 was completed, potentially generating a net income of USD16,000 per annum for the municipality. In Sharana, 70 concrete trash enclosures were completed and installed, improving waste management. The Regional Afghan Municipalities Program for Urban Populations – Regional Command East also emphasized the importance of citizen representation bodies in municipalities or municipal councils. Regular technical working group (TWG) meetings were held among technical and program officers of the four RAMP UP projects to discuss issues surrounding the three RAMP UP components. These meetings helped to involve the General Directorate of Municipal Affairs (GDMA) in the design and implementation of RAMP UP East activities, providing guidance and technical advisory support. The program's focus on capacity building, infrastructure development, and revenue generation has contributed to improved municipal governance and service delivery in urban areas of Afghanistan. The increased revenue generated by municipalities has also enabled them to provide better services to their citizens.