ABSTRACT
This book unearths outcomes of efforts for the institutionalisation of various components of strengthening local governance through the collaboration of GOs and NGOs at the local level. This chapter particularly deals with CB efforts for individuals and organisations of the Sharique project of the SDC at the local council (Union Parishad) level in Bangladesh. It analyses the outcomes of the efforts for enhancing knowledge, skill, and awareness of both the supply and the demand sides of the UPs, and it unpacks the strength of the Union Council as an institution to serve its constituents. The findings suggest that citizens have become conversant on roles of local bodies, their needs of involvement, and their rights, entitlements, and duties. They have become familiarised with various concepts of people’s assemblies for planning and budgeting, though they showed incapacity on technical issues, citizens’ charters and rights to information. The officials have also displayed enabled characteristics in running the Union Council efficiently. Consequently, the councils, which collaborated with NGOs have been rewarded with fame and acceptability among the citizens.
