Senegal strengthened its decentralisation policy thanks to the 1996 reform and through which the regions were recognised as local collectives. Law No. 96.06, adopted on 22 March of that year, defined the competencies of local authorities and identified the different actors responsible for decentralisation, specifying their roles and linkages. These latter actors have as a mission the design, programming and implementation of development actions and initiatives. In this scenario, the decentralised cooperation appears as a linchpin for the implementation of decentralisation processes and strengthening democracy. To contribute to the fight against poverty, the Directorate for Decentralised Cooperation was created in 1993 with the main objective of achieving harmonious local development in the entire Senegalese territory by reinforcing the powers and capacities of local communities.

In this context, the ART Senegal Programme is conceived as an enabling and operating framework available to the various networks and decentralised cooperation actors. Similarly, it represents a platform for actors and cooperation initiatives, as well as a local and inter-sectorial operating mechanism promoting the identification and implementation of cooperation projects. The programme is based on a flexible administrative model that allows the coordination between different national and international actors present in the country.

The Programme’s core objective of the program is to improve the living conditions of the population through capacity building and development, participatory local planning and the implementation of innovative local development projects in support of national decentralisation processes. Its immediate objective is to articulate, in the territories and within the framework of decentralisation and local governance processes, the policy and operational initiatives of the various international national, regional and local actors.

The 4 main results the Programme aims to achieve are: a better articulation between international cooperation actions, national policy and local processes; strengthening the capacity of local communities in the promotion of more integral development processes and which are better articulated with the local economy and the decentralised cooperation; the modernisation of the operating mode of the territorial administrations and local communities; and improving the Regions’ provision of basic social services.

The ART Programme is structured around two core strategic areas: support the formulation and implementation of a strategy for regional socio-economic development, articulating the interventions of the international cooperation with national policies and local processes; and support to the development of local and regional business through the implementation of projects with the collaboration of the decentralised cooperation. The Programme began its activities in the pilot regions of Ziguinchor and Louga and its extension to other regions will depend upon the achieved results achieved and the mobilised resources from the international cooperation.

Programme at a Glance

Geographical Areas of Intervention

Louga Region

Located in Northwest Senegal, the Louga Region has an area of 24,847 km², representing 12.6% of the national territory. Demographically, the population reaches the 726,533 inhabitants (2005 figures), with a density of 29.3 inhabitants per km² and a very uneven distribution since most of the population is concentrated in the Regional capital, Louga.

The vast majority of the population is made up of two main ethnic groups, the Wolof (70%) and the Peul (25%), although there are other groups such as the Maures and the Serer. Islam is the main religion, preached by about 98% of the population. Administratively, Louga is comprised by three departments: Louga, Linguère and Kébémer; 11 districts; 5 Communes: Louga, Linguere Kébémer, Guéoul and Dahra; and 46 rural communities with about 2,635 people.

The main economic sectors are agriculture and livestock although fisheries represent a major potential as the region has a 50 km offshore area and a 150 km water inlet. Louga is currently defined by environmental degradation and a strong emigration tendency of its workforce. The main economic problems are due to the poor performance of productive sectors, the lack of infrastructure and equipment necessary for the development of fisheries and the lack of tourism development despite the potential it represents.

Besides having low purchasing power, the population also finds that there is insufficient coverage of basic social services. In the field of water management and sanitation, the lack of access to drinking water and the absence of management systems for rain and wastewater as well as for solid waste are some of the most recurring problems the population faces. Finally, the region is characterised by a lack of educational and training supply due to lack of the required school infrastructure. However, the region is currently in the process of implementing initiatives to improve the population’s productive capacities as well as their living conditions.

Ziguinchor Region

The Ziguinchor Region, located in the Southwest of Senegal, is the country’s southernmost region. Together with the Regions of Kolda and Natural Sédhiou it constitutes the Casamance Natural Region. More than half of the population belongs to the Diola ethnic group (61%), followed by the Mandingo (9%), the Poular (9%), the Wolof (5%), the Manjaque (4%), the Mancagne (3%), the Balanta (2.5%), the Serer (2.4%) and other ethnicities (4.1%).

Its population, estimated in 2006 to be around 475,784 inhabitants, is spread across three departments: Ziguinchor, Oussouye Bignona, which are in turn subdivided into eight districts. These include 31 local authorities, a region, 5 Communes (Ziguinchor, Oussouye, Bignona, Thionk Essyl and Diouloulou) and 25 rural communities.

The Ziguinchor Region is a fertile area with diversified, yet aid-dependent agricultural production. It has large rural human resources (over 60% of the workforce in the Region), but there is a strong trend of emigration to the urban areas. The main obstacles to the development of the agricultural sector are the lack of equipment and producers’ skills; the difficulty in marketing agricultural production due to lack of resources for produce preservation, processing and transportation; and the isolation of several production areas.

Other productive activities in the Region are livestock raising, fisheries and tourism; sectors with significant potential, but that remain under-exploited due to lack of infrastructure and a structured organisation. Nonetheless, the Region has undertaken major initiatives to support local economic development and strengthening an organisational framework that can facilitate the association of local actors.

Results and Activities at the Local Level

The year 2009 was characterised by activities linked to the establishment of the ART Programme team, the acquisition of materials and equipment for their offices, as well as to the presentation of the ART approach to the different actors of the priority regions of Louga and Ziguinchor. Throughout this year, constant dialogue and exchange was established with regional authorities and all local development actors: Regional Councils and local authorities, Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), Technical and Financial Partners, etc.:

► Carrying out of presentation mission of the ART Programme in Louga (August 14) and Ziguinchor (August 25) as well as preparatory missions for regional workshops on the ART methodology: information on the Programme’s perspective and implementation along Regional Councils and Regional Development Agencies in the two regions; and the implementation of a device for workshop preparation on the ART methodology (DIRCOD; Regional Councils; Louga and Ziguinchor’s RDAs).

► Carrying out of regional workshops on the ART methodology in Ziguinchor (5-6 October), Fatick (8-9 October) and Louga (12-13 October): training of local development actors in the three regions on concepts, objectives and the ART methodology as a specific tool to work and support for the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); presentation of the Programme implementation prospects to actors in the three regions (DIRCOD; ART International; Local Communities; RDAs in Ziguinchor, Louga and Fatick; technical and financial partners).

Results and Activities at the National Level

► Mobilisation of Spanish decentralised cooperation actors in support of the Programme; organisation of meetings and presentations to potential partners on the objectives and challenges faced by the ART Senegal Programme: the Fund of Andalusia Municipalities for International Solidarity (FAMSI), the Deputation of Seville, the Andalusia Foundation for Training and Employment (FAFFE) and the Region of Extremadura (Seville, April 2) (DIRCOD; FAFFE; FAMSI; Deputation of Seville).

► Carrying out of a preparatory meeting for the implementation of the ART Programme and the Territorial Approach to Climate Change (TACC) Programme (4 -5 June in Geneva, Switzerland): development of action plans and budgets for both programmes for the second half of 2009, guideline definition for the recruitment of ART staff, planning of the official launch of the ART Programme and definition of implementing modalities for the Climate Change Programme (DIRCOD; UNDP / UNCDF Senegal; UNDP Geneva). Programming of the National Planning Workshop (PTBA 2009) and the elaboration of the Guidelines for the Louga and Ziguinchor Regions.

► Preparation and presentation of an institutional backstopping and capacity building project, approved for UNDP funding for 500,000 € (June 15, 2009) to the ART Senegal Programme (DIRCOD).

► Development of a presentation document for the promotion of the ART Senegal Programme to potential partners (May 2009): dissemination of the programme among decentralised cooperation partners (DIRCOD).

► Organisation of a workshop for preparing the Annual Work Plan and Budget for the second half of 2009 (Dakar, July 27): definition of the work plan with participation and contributions from DIRCOD, the Regional Councils and RDAs in the pilot regions, the CAP, UNDP Senegal, UNDP Geneva and a representative of FAMSI; organisation of a workshop for the validation of the budget for the second semester of 2009 (July 29) (DIRCOD; CAP; UNDP Senegal and Geneva; FAMSI).

► Carrying out of an organising meeting for the launch of the ART Senegal Programme (September 17): planning for the Regional workshops on the ART methodology, organisation of the official programme launch, planning the execution of the resources obtained by UNDP Senegal (DIRCOD; UNDP Senegal).

► Development of presentation brochures for the Regions of Louga and Ziguinchor (DIRCOD), for their dissemination among potential donors and cooperation partners (DIRCOD).

► Signature of the contract for the Programme National Coordinator, formally beginning his duties on October 15, 2009; recruitment of staff at the national level (December); national and regional ART team on 4 January 2010: Administrative and Financial Manager, Administrative and Finance Assistant and Assistant Director) (CAP; UNDP ART Senegal).

► Acquisition of equipment for the Programme’s national coordination and regional antennas (November 2009): equipment and personnel in operation as of January 2010 (Director of General Administration and Equipment – DAGE; DIRCOD; ART Senegal Coordinator).

► Opening of the Programme’s Bank Account: made the request to open a bank account in December 2009, which will be operational by January 2010.

Results and Activities at the International

Level

► Participation in the training session on "The ART Initiative Work Methodology” in Seville, Spain (22-26 June): strengthening DIRCOD’s knowledge of the Programme’s challenges and objectives at the international level, relying on better tools to support its implementation; review of the most important aspects of the launch phase and implementation of the ART Programme by ART International representatives (DIRCOD).

► Participation in the "ART International Forum: 4 Years and 10 Results” (Seville, 25-27 November): carried out exchanges that have facilitated Programme implementation and partner mobilisation (DIRCOD; ART Senegal; UNDP Senegal).

► Participation in the introductory meeting for the "Decentralised Cooperation Initiative in Morocco and Senegal within the context of the ART Programmes" (Como, October 9): presentation of the initiative on water management in Louga, which will be developed with support of the Provinces and the Region of Lombardy (DIRCOD; UNDP Dakar).

Programme's Challenges for 2010

One of the specific objectives the Programme has set for 2010 is to support the two regions of intervention in developing intervention strategies for the mobilisation of decentralised cooperation partners. This to be done through the review and adaptation of laws and regulations on decentralised cooperation, the articulated elaboration of documents and guidelines in the Regional Integrated Development Plans (PRDI) and the establishment of the Local Development Houses.

The component on capacity building for local actor occupies a central place in the Programme activities, which is why special emphasis will be placed on the development of a mechanism to harmonise the interventions in the pilot regions, focusing in strengthening the actors’ technical capacities.

The identification and exploitation of the Programme pilot regions’ potential and priorities are important objectives for the coming year. Social and economic projects will be implemented through key sectors for improving access to basic social services and develop income-generating activities.

The organisation and effectiveness in the implementation of activities will be crucial for the achievement of the expected results. In this regard, the Management Unit for the ART Programme will ensure the systematic exchange of all activities related to the implementation of functional managerial, coordination, and capitalisation mechanisms with the ART international networks.

Finally, a framework for partnership strengthening and development at the national and local level will be elaborated with:

• The Spanish cooperation, regarding national execution projects;
• Projects and programmes under national execution, for better synergies among them;
• The Regions’ presidencies and regional development agencies: and
• The associations of elected officials.

Contacts

Mr. Mamadou Dior Diaw, Director DIRCOD, mdiordiaw@cooperationdecentralisee.sn

Mr. Boubou Camara, UNDP Country Director: boubou.camara@undp.org

Mr. Aliou Kandji, National Coordinator ART Senegal Programme : alioukandji64@yahoo.fr

Mr. Johannes Krassnitzer, International Coordinator ART Senegal: Pororamme johannes.krassnitzer@undp.org