Local Governance Initiative
Strengthening resident elected representatives relations through an end-to-end e-governance platform and capacity building programs.
Governance
The Challenge
- •Outdated Governance Procedures: Many local governments, including the Greater Chennai Municipal Corporation (GCMC), operate under outdated Corporation Procedure Rules (CPR), leading to inefficiencies and a lack of transparency.
- •Insufficient Training for Representatives: Elected officials often lack the necessary training and resources to effectively serve their constituents, highlighting the need for comprehensive capacity building initiatives.
- •Limited E-Governance Systems: The absence of robust e-governance frameworks hampers the ability of municipalities to streamline services, manage grievances, and engage with citizens effectively.
- •Fragmented Devolution of Powers: The uneven delegation of powers from state governments to municipal corporations results in discrepancies in governance and service delivery across different regions.
Our Approach
- •Strategic Partnerships: ECTE has formalized a partnership with Praja, serving as a knowledge partner and advisor. This collaboration focuses on training, research on CPR, and advising on e-governance improvements.
- •Capacity Building: Praja is developing training modules for elected representatives to enhance their governance effectiveness.
- •Baseline Assessments: Conducting field visits and interviews across different zones to identify knowledge and skill gaps among ward councillors, informing the design of capacity-building sessions.
- •Performance Studies: Initiating performance studies of Chennai's elected ward councillors, using models developed by Praja, to encourage improved service delivery through valuable feedback.
Our Vision
- •Empowered Local Governance: To establish a responsive and transparent local government system that effectively serves the residents of Chennai.
- •Sustainable Institutional Frameworks: Creating sustainable institutions that address the evolving needs of Chennai's residents, aligned with the 74th Amendment of the Indian Constitution.
- •Community Engagement: Fostering active resident participation in governance processes to ensure that policies and services reflect the community's needs.
Our Partners
- •Praja Foundation – Serving as a knowledge partner and advisor through a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), collaborating on training programs, research on Corporation Procedure Rules (CPR), and advising on e-governance improvements.
- •Greater Chennai Municipal Corporation (GCMC) – Collaborating with ECTE to implement beneficial policies for Chennai residents and providing a platform for understanding local governance while creating sustainable institutions.
Support This Project
Your contribution can make a significant difference
Related Projects
All-women trade organization (VPMS)
Organizing women auto drivers under a single formal organization – Veera Pengal Munnetra Sangam (VPMS). The initiative empowers women in a traditionally male-dominated sector, offering formal organization, collectivization, and economic security.
Supporting marginalized workers
Supporting marginalized worker groups including rag pickers, home nursing workers, domestic workers, and more. We provide training, resources, and advocacy to improve their working conditions and livelihoods.
