The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities "APLA" announced establishing two clusters between a group of local authorities targeted under the Local Authorities Network for Sustainable Development Project "LAND" for joint action in environmental issues. This comes under APLA's endeavor to support the role of local authorities in devising strategies and policies for inclusive and sustainable local development. The Project targets the local authorities in the Western Nablus cluster "Beita and Huwwarah Municipalities and their surrounding areas" and Western Ramallah cluster "Beit Liqia and Nei'lin and their surrounding areas".
A total of 21 local authorities from both clusters signed agreements in order to institutionalize the work in the areas of planning, management of environmental services and maintaining its sustainability, under a clear joint framework with clear roles, responsibilities, and financial, administrative, technical and legal aspects among all local authorities with the aim of enhancing their capacity for planning and management under the frame of joint environmental services. This will enhance environmental sustainability, such as preventing wastes, revival of green areas, and support of circular economy initiatives on one hand, and enhancing the means of awareness and participation of local communities in supporting local and national strategies for environmental sustainability on the other hand.
APLA's Executive Director expressed his appreciation of the readiness and commitment of the target local authorities to enhance joint work and to cluster all powers and efforts to achieve sustainable development in order to enhance the services provided to citizens, especially concerning environmental issues, which are more sensitive and complicated under our difficult reality. He further clarified that the goals of the project are not limited to enhancing joint work among local authorities within the target clusters only, but it seeks also to enhance joint work between them and their counterparts in Italy in order to exchange experiences, knowledge and available resources.
Project Director at FELCOS UMBRIA, Moreneo Caporalini, emphasized that signing these agreements is a key milestone in the ongoing cooperation between 21 Palestinian local authorities working North of Nablus and West of Ramallah, and the 16 Italian Municipalities under the Union of Trasimeno Municipalities and Terre dell'Olio e Sagrantino. This will support cooperation, exchange of experiences and expertise, and working jointly to enhance the quality of services provided to citizens, while focusing on waste management and environmental preservation.
He further added that the close cooperation with APLA and ANCI, and cooperation with FELCOS UMBRIA, significant contribution will be provided in sustainable development of two Palestinian areas facing major challenges due to the Israeli occupation. The project emphasizes the commitment of the Italian government and AICS to support the Palestinian people and the local authorities that work tirelessly for the welfare of their communities.
It is worth mentioning that the abovementioned agreements were entered following a series of preparatory meetings with the target local authorities with the aim of developing a general framework for joint cooperation, and in order to draft the agreements according to their needs and the goals of L.A.N.D. project, implemented by APLA and funded by AICS in collaboration with FELCOS UMBRIA, Union of Trasimeno Municipalities, Trasimeno for Environmental Services, Terre dell'Olio e Sagrantino, Assisi Municipality, the Water and Sanitation Commission – Umbria.
