"Marginalised groups in West Nusa Tenggara will have improved access to health, education and infrastructure thanks to a new Australian government funded program, the Australia Indonesia Partnership for Decentralisation (AIPD)," the Australian embassy said in a press statement here Friday.
Richard Manning said that this new five-year, A$62 million program would extend also to East Java, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua and West Papua and will strengthen local government and civil society organisations that deliver services to improve health, education and infrastructure services.
"Local governments and civil society organisations can bring families and individuals out of poverty. These organisations play an essential role in voicing the needs of their communities," said Manning.
The announcement coincided with a visit by Indonesian State Minister for National Development Planning (Bappenas) Prof. Dr. Armida Alisjahbana to the region.
This new program works by supporting increased and better targeted budget expenditure and public finance management in health, education and infrastructure.
"This support will help local governments and civil society allocate and manage their available financial resources in a way that improves health, education and infrastructure for the people within their constituencies," added Manning.
(Tx.F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
