Local Government conference ends

Local government will now be able to access European funding and work with Central Government in developing projects. This was announced at the closing ceremony of the meeting of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum at the Sunset Shores Hotel on Wednesday, May 17.

The seminar, which was held over two days, sought to review the Cotonou Agreement, which is the agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP), and the European Union (EU) and look at how within the agreement, Local Government can play a part in the 10th programme of funding which will be released in early 2007.{{more}}

Chairman of the Local Government Forum Mayor Robert Montague hailed the event as historic and commended St. Vincent and the Grenadines for being the country that “broke new ground” in the regional declaration.

Minister of National Mobilisation, Social Development, NGO Relations, Family, Gender Affairs and Persons with Disabilities, the Hon. Mike Browne called on the media and educators to assist in the dissemination of knowledge and to raise public consciousness about Local Government.

The seminar was organised by the African, Caribbean and Pacific Local Government Platform, ACPLGP, in conjunction with the Commonwealth Local Government Forum, CLCGF, with support from the Department for International Development, DFID UK, and was hosted by the Ministry of National Mobilisation, Social Development and Local Government, mayors, central and local government officials and other stakeholders from the Caribbean.