Decentralization in the Mashrek Region: Challenges and Opportunities

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This paper was prepared as a background document for the “Seminar for Dialogue and capacity Building of local and regional authorities in the Mashrek in the Fields of Development and local governance” on 24-25 September 2014 in Amman, Jordan. The publication was funded by the European Union and produced by PLATFORMA; the pan-European coalition of towns and regions – and their national, EU and global associations – active in city-to-city and region-to-region development cooperation.

This publication is a pre-LUGARIT work by our experts.

Abstract

The paper focuses on decentralisation in the Mashrek region of the Near East, exploring how this process aids local development, democratic change, and social cohesion. It is particularly relevant to international aid programs, especially those from the EU and European bilateral programs. The paper is divided into three parts.

The first part examines the progress of decentralisation in the Mashrek region. It considers global and regional discourses, highlighting various approaches countries have taken. These range from de-concentration, involving transferring central competencies to local bodies, to true decentralisation or devolution, involving a deeper transfer of powers and resources. This section discusses the impact of these approaches on local development, poverty eradication, democratization, resource maximization, conflict resolution, and social cohesion. It includes case studies from Jordan, Lebanon, and Yemen to showcase national priorities and common structural themes. The Mashrek region is defined flexibly, incorporating insights from non-Arab and Maghreb countries.

The second part reviews how European policies have historically influenced decentralisation in the Mashrek region. It analyzes the European experience with decentralisation, noting the successes and failures that have shaped European aid paradigms, such as the European Neighbourhood Initiative. This section reflects on the shift from large-scale national reform programs to smaller, local projects to avoid national-level corruption and bureaucracy.

The final part offers general and specific recommendations for future development and poverty alleviation aid in the region. These recommendations are broad, focusing on framing future projects and programs rather than detailing their types and scope. The paper aims to foster dialogue among stakeholders and acknowledges the importance of considering local accountability in the context of the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals. It emphasizes the need for a broader perspective on decentralisation beyond current paradigms, contributing to ongoing discussions in the field.