In Benin, considerable progress has been achieved with decentralisation processes in the last 15 years. However, the transfer of resources and competencies from central to local authorities for basic service provision remains limited, so do possibilities for citizen's participation in local decision-making processes, especially marginalised persons and groups, such as women, youth and persons with disabilities. The GIZ Programme ‘Supporting Decentralisation and Municipal Development (PDDC)’ – on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) – supports 25 municipalities in enhancing their ability to provide services and aims to improve effective citizen participation in local governance. This Promising Practice describes the measures implemented by the project, its impact and lessons learned.
