Rwanda: EU Programme Wins Rwanda UN Award

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The Monitor (Kampala)

29 July 2008
Posted to the web 28 July 2008

Peter Nyanzi
Kampala

A European Commission-funded grassroots anti-poverty programme in Rwanda has been awarded the United Nations Public Service Award 2008, the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service.

A press release on Wednesday said the programme dubbed 'Obudehe' was recognised for its efforts in fostering citizens' participation in policymaking while having improved transparency, accountability and responsiveness in the public service.

The 'Ubudehe' programme empowers citizens at community level in Rwanda to plan and implement poverty reduction projects. "The prize recognises global excellence in public service in countries around the world," the statement said. The EC has financed the programme with a total of € 25 million since 2001 to fight rural poverty and improving local governance in East African country.

Commenting on the award, Mr Louis Michel, the European commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, said: "This innovative programme empowers people at the grassroots-level to play an active role in tackling poverty head-on. This trophy is a major recognition of the essential role local communities play in development. The EU strongly supports this kind of people-focused approach to create the right conditions for development."

More than 9,000 communities have benefited from the programme so far but is expected to rise to 15,000 by the end of the year, according to the press statement.

Relevant Links Central Africa Europe and Africa International Organizations and Africa Rwanda Sustainable Development

The United Nations Public Service Awards Programme was established in 2003 to promote professionalism in the public sector around the world, recognising that democracy and successful governance are built on a competent civil service. Some 150 countries participated in the 2008 competition. Rwanda was amongst the 12 countries that have been honoured with an award.

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