28 Jul 2013

Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has received two vehicles and office equipment from the European Union.

The resources were purchased under the project Community Development Capacity Building Programme that was facilitated through a partnership between the ministry and the EU.

Speaking at the official handover, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Lands, Mr Olebile Gaborone said the overall objective of the programme was to reduce poverty and improve the livelihoods of the poor and disadvantaged sections of the population, including youth and women. The event marked the formal ending of that programme while it also drew the attention to a new beginning for community development.

However, Mr Gaborone noted that the concept of community development was not new to the country as it had been practiced long before independence as ipelegeng, where communities used to build schools and other community structures to improve the lives of the community.

He also noted that the objectives of the programme were consistent with the new areas of focus of the Rural Development Council (RDC), which among others, sought to promote self-reliance and sustainable livelihood approaches and strengthen people’s participation and enhance partnerships with civil society organisations.

Some of the notable achievements of the programme were the development of a community development strategic framework and community action plans in three districts of Chobe, Ghanzi and Selebi Phikwe. Other achievements were the development of seven training modules on different areas of community development.

For his part, the EU Ambassador to Botswana, Mr Gerald McGovern said the donated resources were acquired with funding from taxpayers in the EU to assist in the implementation of a programme on Strengthening the Capacity for Community Development in the Ministry of Local Government and Councils.

He said the EU remains committed to making a meaningful contribution to Botswana’s development agenda as set out in NDP 10 and Vision 2016 as well as other strategic plans. “As we will be coming to the end of one financing framework, the 10th European Development Fund, some extensive consultations have already been held to prepare for the next round which will cover the time frame 2014-2020,” said McGovern. ENDS