The Provincial and Local Governance Support Programme (PLGSP) is a flagship initiative by the Government of Nepal aimed at enhancing policy support, institutional development, and capacity building at provincial and local government levels. The program respects the principles of devolution and local autonomy, ensuring that it meets the specific needs of these governments while fostering cooperative federalism. 

PLGSP is funded by the Government of Nepal, four Development Partners (DPs), and several UN agencies, including the European Union, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK), the Government of Norway, and the Swiss Development Cooperation. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) serves as the Technical Assistance Service Provider.

The program aims to build institutional, organizational, and individual capacities at all government levels, with a focus on creating functional, sustainable, inclusive, and accountable governance structures at the provincial and local levels. 

PLGSP concluded its four year long first phase in July 2024 and was reprogrammed with a program period of 5 years (2025-2029)

Click here to access the program document of PLGSP (2020-2024)

The reprogrammed PLGSP (2024-2029) maintains its original objectives and outcomes, emphasizing support for intergovernmental relations (IGR) and service delivery through coaching, mentoring, and training, without direct funding for infrastructure.

The reprogramming of PLGSP addresses the slow progress in Nepal's federalization process, highlighting the immaturity of institutions and the significant capacity gaps at provincial and local levels. Recommendations from the Mid-Term Review (MTR) and Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) emphasize the need to reflect federalization in planning, strengthen intergovernmental relations, and focus on service delivery sectors. Additionally, the program aims to enhance technical assistance mobilization, implement Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) action plans, and engage civil society to ensure quality and innovation in governance practices.

Click here to access the Program Document (ProDoc) of reprogrammed PLGSP (PDF, 200MB, External Link)