A New Regional Technical Office (RTO) Inaugurated at Bourj Hammoud Municipality
In line with its efforts to support local authorities to address current socio-economic challenges, MERP inaugurated the Regional Technical Office (RTO) established at Bourj Hammoud municipality. This milestone was announced during a press conference held at the municipality on 20 May 2022.
“Capacity and financial challenges are constraining municipal work. The RTO provides our municipality with the necessary skills and equipment to effectively support and follow-up on the various initiatives and projects that we are implementing — from design to implementation” said Mayor of Bourj Hammoud Municipality, Mardig Boghossian.
The RTO model was initiated by UN-Habitat in 2007, as a tool that aims to strengthen local governance, enhance service delivery, and improve municipal planning. Performing as part of a municipality or union of municipalities, the RTO is comprised of technical and social experts, whose role it is to support and enhance planning and the provision of municipal services. Read more about Tyre RTO success story
“Through MERP, UNDP has, together with partner unions and municipalities, identified key basic service and local economic development interventions to support communities in these times of crisis; this includes, for instance, the rehabilitation of the fire department of the Urban Community of Al-Fayha’a and the rehabilitation of the ‘Hesbe’ agricultural market in Tyre. UNDP has benefited from RTO expertise in the development of these initiatives.” Said Melanie Hauenstein, UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon.
She added “for the institutionalization of the RTO model to be ensured, it is crucial that development partners beyond UN-Habitat and UNDP engage with RTOs when implementing their local economic development and basic service projects.”
During the event, the newly commissioned RTO Standard Operating Manual, Capacity Development Strategy, and the Exit Strategy, which will support the hand-over of the RTO from UN-Habitat to the respective municipal authority, were also launched and made available to municipalities and unions. The manual and strategies will serve as guiding tools to ensure the sustainability of these offices and enhance the core competencies and skills of local authorities. Click here to access the developed tools through the newly developed RTO web page.
For more information on the RTO, this video provides a background on the history, role and functions of RTOs in Lebanon: https://youtu.be/LsO0ZxYUE28
