“A reliable and safe place where all services can be done efficiently and quickly.” This is how Ms. Samya describes the new one-stop shop at Aqabba[1] municipality. As a single mother I could not spend hours at the municipality to pay bills or request official documents: I used to ask my male relatives for help. However, things are different now. I can access all municipal services easily and quickly through the one-stop shop”.

The One-stop shops bring local authorities closer to people through providing quality services in an efficient and transparent manner. These modern office spaces - easy to access also for people with disabilities - are a key element of the infrastructure and capacity building packages offered by the Municipal Development Programme (MDP) implemented by MDLF with the support of Switzerland since 2017. The programme fosters also digitization and transparent procurement processes and improves the municipal capacities in the West Bank and Gaza.

The domain of Local Governance is one of three thematic pillars of SDC engagement in the oPt. SDC aims to foster social accountability, enhance local participation and build the resilience of local communities through a better access to basic services. In line with its Cooperation Strategy 2021-2024, SDC advocates for a meaningful participation of women, youth and vulnerable communities in local planning processes to ensure that nobody is left behind.

[1] Aqabba is a Palestinian village in Tubas governorate.