Goal

The project aims to empower Palestinian Local Government Units (LGUs) to lead inclusive and innovative digital transformation by strengthening institutional capacities, promoting smart municipal service delivery, and fostering sustainable municipal innovation through structured support, capacity building, and strategic partnerships.

Strategic Objectives

• Strengthen the institutional and operational readiness of LGUs to lead inclusive digital transformation.
• Promote innovation and smart municipal service delivery through capacity building, peer learning, and the establishment of an Innovation Hub.
• Enhance the visibility, sustainability, and replicability of successful digital transformation models.

Implementation Approach

• A baseline digital assessment is conducted in the targeted municipalities and village councils, using standardized forms and tools, and feeding into a reference database that informs future interventions in the field of digital transformation.
• A cohort of 43 staff members from member municipalities in the relevant sectors is selected and engaged in a hands-on training programme covering digital transformation, smart service design, initiative management, and monitoring and evaluation.
• APLA’s Innovation and Creativity Platform is activated as a shared working space to develop digital ideas, accompany municipalities in shaping their initiatives, and organize peer-to-peer exchange between more advanced municipalities and those at an earlier stage of their digital journey.
• Tailored technical support is provided to the targeted municipalities through advisory sessions and field visits, to accompany the preparation of digital roadmaps, feasibility studies and plans for launching smart services.
• Communication and visibility activities are designed and implemented to showcase emerging digital experiences in member municipalities, with the project concluding in a public event presenting key results, lessons learned and options for scaling up to additional local government units.

1. Strengthened readiness and strategic direction for municipal digital transformation

• Action plans, tools and frameworks for comprehensive and innovative digital transformation, developed and endorsed by APLA and the targeted municipalities, including specialized guidance materials.
• A consolidated digital database on the capacities of member municipalities in the field of digitalization, existing gaps and future development opportunities

1. Enhanced institutional capacities and innovation leadership at municipal level

• A group of municipal staff and Smart City Ambassadors trained and equipped to design and lead local digital initiatives.
• An operational Innovation and Creativity Platform, together with a technical mentoring network, serving as a continuous space for peer learning, co-creation of smart solutions and technical exchange between municipalities.

1. Improved availability and quality of inclusive digital municipal services

• A specialized training package and updated practical tools to support the development and delivery of digital municipal services that are accessible, inclusive and citizen-centred.
• Two model digital innovation projects implemented in two municipalities: a comprehensive feasibility study for a new digital service in one municipality, and the launch of a scalable smart service in another.