Local Government Training

Project aim:

The overall aim of the project was to build the capacity of government institutions to enable them to take the lead in the sustainable development of the Delta.

The LEF training approach emphasises action learning and a participative approach, and adopts a rich mix of training experiences to achieve the learning objectives.

Project activities

The one-year programme incorporated seven training workshops, a series of individual study activities, evidence of learning tasks and learners’ support workshops. The London Open College Network formally accrediting the training and there were 33 participants on the first year of the course; 29 from local government councils, 2 from the ministry of local government and 2 from the local government service commission.

As part of the programme five local NGO practitioners; three from Living Earth’s previous partner organisation, Living Earth Nigeria Foundation (LENF), and two from Institute for the Sustainable Development of Pro-Natura International (PNI/ISD), were trained to facilitate the training modules. The course was funded by SPDC.

Following the success of the first year’s pilot programme in Bayelsa State, the second pilot stage of Living Earth’s Leading Sustainable Development: A programme for Local Government Officials was implemented in Delta State. This externally accredited training programme has been developed in partnership with the London Region of the Open College Network (OCN). It is anticipated that the programme will gradually be upscaled to cover all of the states in the Niger Delta region.

60 participants from local government departments took part in the 2008/9 course which was implemented in Delta State between July 2008 and July 2009.

The course comprised of a series of training workshops, learner support workshops, and Evidence of Learning Tasks including practical, on-the-job, assignments.