In its continued effort to promote financial sustainability and good governance at Palestinian local government units (LGUs), in cooperation with the ‎Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS), ‎the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) developed a specialized analytical study, entitled Revenues of Expenditures of Palestinian Local Government Units. The study was produced in the context of the Promotion of Accountability and Transparency within Palestinian LGUs project, funded by the UNDP Transparency, Evidence and Accountability (TEA3) Programme.

The study provides a comprehensive analysis of LGU financial position, identifies financial, administrative and legislative gaps impairing LGU performance, and proposes a roadmap of innovative solutions to strengthen LGU capacity to achieve financial stability and develop regulations as well as effective and good practices for financial resource management in line with international accounting and financial management standards. The paper also promotes transparency and accountability in revenue and expenditure management and submits recommendations to upgrade the legal and legislative framework of LGUs, above all as regards amendment of the LGU Law No. 1 of 1997 to give LGUs broader resource management powers.

To discuss the study, MAS organized workshop that brought together a number of interested groups, specialists, academicians, experts, and partner donors. Eng. Abdallah Anati, APLA Executive Director, highlighted the importance of the analysis as a key step towards LGU sustainable financial management. The study employs an approach grounded in modern international standards for financial performance quality control by collecting and analysing data on dozens of LGUs. Anati stressed the need for amending effective regulations to be consistence with LGU planning and operational frameworks and creating consolidated revenue and expenditure management systems.

This is in line with APLA’s commitment to support LGUs in the face of economic and administrative challenges and develop needed capacities to achieve desired development goals. It realizes the APLA Strategic Plan 2023-2027, particularly to contribute to strengthening LGU financial stability.