The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) conducted a training workshop titled “Building Capacities for Digital Transformation Planning and Participatory Validation”, as part of the ongoing series of training workshops implemented under the “Next Generation Municipal E-Services Project". The workshop was attended by representatives from 43 Local Government Units (LGUs), with a total of 56 participants from the Digital Transformation Innovation and Creativity Hub, including Mayors of LGUs, technical teams, and administrative staff. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supported by (GIZ).

The workshop, delivered by the consultant Loay Qabajah, focused on the practical aspects of developing digital transformation plans for LGUs through interactive training sessions designed to translate theoretical concepts into practical and applicable steps. The sessions addressed several key areas, including reviewing the outcomes of the previous online session, facilitating participatory discussions among LGUs representatives and public and private sector stakeholders, as well as training on process engineering and User Experience (UX) design. The workshop also addressed the integration of digital resilience requirements, information security, and data privacy measures within digital transformation plans.

The training program further included practical exercises on developing digital transformation plans and establishing performance indicators and measurement mechanisms to support implementation follow-up and impact assessment. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants developed a set of recommendations, including strengthening digital transformation practices within LGUs and expanding partnerships between larger and smaller LGUs to facilitate knowledge exchange, enhance institutional capacities, and improve municipal services.

The Next Generation Municipal E-Services Project aims to support Palestinian LGUs in leading comprehensive and innovative digital transformation by strengthening their institutional and operational capacities, supporting the development and delivery of smart municipal services, fostering a culture of innovation in municipal work, and building strategic partnerships that contribute to the sustainability and impact of digital transformation efforts across Palestinian LGUs.