The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities and ENABEL signed a grant agreement for implementing the Multi-Annual Action Plan (MAAP) 2022-2025, including supporting APLA’s efforts in localizing SDGs while specially focusing on environmental and climate change issues, in addition to enhancing APLA's role in supporting and representing local authorities.
APLA's Executive Director, Eng. Abdallah Anati and ENABEL Country Representative in Palestine and Jordan, Christelle Jockuet signed the agreement at APLA HQ in Ramallah, attended by APLA's President, Eng. Musa Hadid; Program Manager from ENABEL, Sirin Abu Jamous; Local Governance Sector Expert, Oday Al-Ja'bari; Media Director, Yahay Maswadeh; Area C Programs and Local Governance Director at the EU, Jenin Abu Azzam; LGRP-GIZ Technical Advisor, Emile Ghory, and APLA's executive team.
Executive Director, Eng. Anati, welcomed the efforts and the shared contributions from all partners for supporting APLA in implementing MAAP project, mentioning that ENABEL's grant is an introductory stage for larger cooperation for opening new horizons before local authorities, providing broader opportunities for increasing employees' competence through enhancing exchange of experiences and expertise while providing local and international opportunities.
In return, Jockuet explained that Belgium and Palestine signed a joint cooperation program for the coming five next years focused on Greener Palestin, supporting Palestinian youth and providing them with job opportunities. She further emphasized that the agreement is nothing but the first step towards a larger and broader cooperation with APLA, being a key strategic partner in making policies and identifying the priorities relevant to the local governance sector in Palestine.
As per the agreement, LGRP II will support APLA in developing the SDGs localization plan and implementing it, as well as raising the awareness of local authorities in environmental and climate change issues, enhancing local authorities’ cooperation in providing services and participatory local development, and improving contributions to regional complementarity, especially in Area C.