The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) conducted a specialized workshop aimed at developing a practical and actionable participatory procurement plan for Asira Al-Shamaliya Municipality. The plan considers the municipality's strategies, local community needs, and financial constraints, emphasizing transparency and community participation in the planning process.

The workshop was attended by the mayor, Bassam Sawalha, alongside department heads, municipal staff, and community representatives. Discussions focused on key needs and how to address them, procurement processes, roles, budgets, timelines, and receipt mechanisms. The importance of community involvement in setting priorities and formulating a practical plan aligned with real needs was highlighted.

Consultant Osama Saleh, responsible for preparing the participatory procurement plan guidelines, noted that APLA is institutionalizing this approach as a pilot model in two municipalities, including Asira Al-Shamaliya. The goal is to present a practical framework that can be replicated by other local authorities, followed by the development of a specialized guide for participatory procurement plans.

This initiative is part of APLA’s efforts to promote good governance and community engagement under the "Enhancing Accountability and Transparency of Local Governance Bodies" project, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Transparency, Evidence, and Accountability Program (TEA3).