Dhaka: Bangladesh government and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Tuesday signed an agreement for implementing a new local government project titled 'Efficient and Accountable Local Governance (EALG)'.

The US$ 7.03 million project will be funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Denmark through DANIDA and UNDP.
It will be implemented by the Local Government Division (LGD) over the next five years (July 2017 to June 2022).

The project aims to further strengthen the capacities of local government institutions and other stakeholders to foster participatory local development service delivery for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

ERD Additional Secretary Shamima Nargis and UNDP Country Director Kyoko Yokosuka signed the deal on behalf of their respective sides at the Planning Commission. LGD Additional Secretary Saurendra Nath Chakrabhatty also signed the agreement on behalf of the implementing agency.

The project will also support the government to further strengthen downward accountability through effective and inclusive public engagement and will provide policy support to the government for establishing effective local governments.