Overall Objective:

The project aims to strengthen the institutional and operational capacities of Palestinian Local Government Units (LGUs) by building sustainable municipal partnerships with municipalities in Barcelona Province. This will contribute to improving local services, promoting local economic development, supporting the resilience of cities, institutionalizing decentralized cooperation, and strengthening international partnerships between Palestinian and Spanish municipalities.

Strategic Objectives:

• Strengthen the institutional and technical capacities of Palestinian LGUs through knowledge and experience exchange programmes with municipalities in Barcelona City and Province.
• Support the implementation of joint municipal cooperation projects that contribute to developing services, facilities, and public spaces, and improving the quality of life in local communities in Palestine.
• Consolidate decentralized cooperation between Palestinian and Catalan municipalities by building sustainable partnerships, strengthening twinning programmes, enhancing institutional communication, and promoting city diplomacy.
   

Approach

The project adopts an integrated decentralized cooperation approach based on establishing direct and sustainable partnerships between Palestinian LGUs and municipalities in Barcelona City and Province. It combines technical knowledge exchange, the implementation of joint municipal projects, and the promotion of solidarity and institutional cooperation with Palestine.

The project includes a series of specialized technical exchange visits focusing on urban resilience, local economic development, and the representative and diplomatic role of LGUs. These exchanges will provide opportunities for knowledge sharing and for translating acquired knowledge into practical interventions that contribute to improving public services and facilities in Palestine.

The project also supports the implementation of two development projects in Palestine, while promoting the sustainability of municipal cooperation through the development of twinning programmes, the establishment of digital twinning labs, the organization of an annual Solidarity Week with Palestine, and support for related media initiatives. These efforts will contribute to expanding international partnerships, strengthening the international presence of Palestinian LGUs, and consolidating long-term institutional cooperation between the two sides.

1. Strengthened Technical and Institutional Capacities of Palestinian LGUs

• Implementation of specialized training programmes in the areas of urban resilience, local economic development, and city diplomacy.
• Enhanced capacities and practical skills of municipal staff through participatory learning and the exchange of municipal experiences and practices.

2. Implementation of Municipal Cooperation Projects Contributing to Improved Local Services

• Implementation of two development projects under the supervision of the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA), focusing on urban adaptation, urban planning and water management, as well as local socio-economic development, contributing to the improvement of services, facilities, and public spaces.
• Strengthened capacities of municipalities in the preparation, management, and implementation of development projects in line with best administrative and financial practices.

3. Strengthened and Sustainable International Partnerships and Decentralized Cooperation

• Establishment and operation of digital twinning labs to facilitate continuous communication between Palestinian and Catalan municipalities.
• Organization of an annual Solidarity Week with Palestine to strengthen international advocacy and solidarity efforts.
• Signing of twinning agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Palestinian and Catalan municipalities, contributing to expanding future cooperation opportunities and strengthening the international presence of Palestinian LGUs.