Local Governance Barometer

Governance is a complex yet vital part of all societies.  The quality of governance (whether it is good or bad) is also a fundamental factor in human development. 

The Local Governance Barometer (LGB) is one of the approaches that have been developed to strengthen governance through measurement.  The LGB is intended to provide a means of determining which capacities of governing authorities need to be strengthened in order to achieve the standards of performance required for good governance.  

The LGB is, first and foremost, an approach for capacity development.  This booklet has been prepared to share background information on the key principles and features of the LGB, as well as key steps in its implementation. Information on the expected results and outcomes of LGB application is complemented by examples of how the approach has helped strengthen the capacity of various local authorities within Africa.

 

The Local Governance Barometer (LGB) is a collaborative initiative of The Institute for Democracy in South Africa (Idasa), Pact and the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) regrouped within the Impact Alliance Network. This latter’s mission is to inspire, inform, and improve practice and performance within organizations leading to the reduction of poverty, the alleviation of suffering, and the achievement of sustainable livelihoods in developing countries.

The first Local Governance Laboratory composed by these 4 partners was held in Pretoria in April 2005. The Local Governance Barometer was conceived as a potential breakthrough capacity building tool that doesn’t compete with other already existent tools but gives them added values. A subsequent “Reflection Workshop” held in Madagascar in July 2005 led to an initial framework and local governance model. 

A second Local Governance Laboratory was held in Quito, Ecuador in late November of 2005. Pact Madagascar was tasked to propose a first draft of model.

The partners then met once again in Pretoria, South Africa in February 2006 to validate the first Core Model and finalize the LGB tool. The Core Development Team regrouping the Technical representatives of the 4 organizations was constituted to coordinate the updating and the implementation of this tool.

The LGB has achieved its pilot phase at the end of 2006.