Guatemala Decentralization and Local Governance
USAID/Guatemala (2005-2009)

For additional information in Spanish, please click here for the program site.

 

DevTech is the prime contractor on USAID's Decentralization and Local Governance program in Guatemala.

In this capacity, DevTech is providing direct technical assistance and coordinating assistance by national-level institutions to improve the capacity and resources available to selected municipalities and mancomunidades in Guatemala. DevTech is also working with municipal development councils and other citizen groups to support a more active role of these groups in the decision-making process, with a particular focus on gender and ethnic equity. In addition to its intensive technical assistance in selected municipalities and mancomunidades, DevTech is working at the national-level to strengthen municipal associations and support decentralization policy with an emphasis on addressing the problem of municipal debt and devolving taxation authority.

As part of this assistance, DevTech works under four Sub-Intermediate Results (Sub-IRs): Sub-IR 2.1 More transparent systems for management of public resources by local governments; Sub-IR 2.2 Increased devolution of responsibilities and resources to the local level resulting in greater responsiveness by local governments to citizens' needs; Sub-IR 2.3 More opportunities for citizen participation in and oversight of local government decision-making; Sub-IR 2.4 Local capacity for the development and implementation of reconstruction program strengthened in the San Marcos Department.

In two cases, contract results were modified mid-course due to changes in Government of Guatemala requirements for municipalities. DevTech conducted the necessary technical analysis to adjust the program activities and re-target assistance. DevTech also helped the Governor of the San Marcos Department establish a system for monitoring reconstruction projects in the aftermath of Hurricane Stan.

DevTech has incorporated an integrated performance monitoring system for its work at the local government level, which includes indicators for more than 20 lower-level results and data collection (baseline and yearly) in 15 municipalities. The system serves as a basis for establishing indicators of municipal development, and guides program activities.

  • After one year of direct technical assistance and on-the-job training, partner muncipalities have achieved significant results in the improvement of their financial management capabilities utilizing the integrated-financial management system (SIAF, its acronym in Spanish) supported by the Government of Guatemala. Installation and implementation of this system improves the capability of municipalities to receive inter-governmental transfers, and provides the basis for reporting on expenses to their citizens. As a result of this assistance, several municipalities for the first time will be holding public meetings to discuss municipal finances, which can then be followed by real efforts by citizens to audit their elected officials. Before, most finances were done manually, and municipalities reported surpluses because not all expenses were recorded. Any attempt at a financial and social audit was impossible due to the lack of accurate data. The Program's efforts are not limited to financial management, and include the installation and usage of an online procurement system (Guatecompras); developing tools for municipal budget and project planning; designing local economic development programs; and working directly with municipal development committees to transform their meeting attendance into real change.

 

Success Stories from Guatemala: