The Merged Areas Governance Programme (MAGP) is a comprehensive governance initiative that focuses on technical assistance and implementation support to the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (GoKP) in three main areas: 1) accelerated development with an emphasis on the delivery of basic services; (2) border governance and connectivity; and (3) support to local governance systems. The overall objective of the Programme is to enhance the capacity of the GoKP to successfully integrate the Merged Areas (MAs) and strengthen border governance and cross-border connectivity by extending laws, policies, and strategies; planning, designing, and delivering development initiatives; and implementing inclusive local government systems. An emphasis is placed on inclusive development, to ensure that marginalized population groups benefit from development in the MAs, as well as on disaster-risk reduction and improved risk management, to help prevent, mitigate and/or address the effects of climate change and other risks.

Background of the proposed project:

Under its second pillar and as part of its approved Annual Work Plan 2023, MAGP is supporting GoKP in developing robust, responsive and inclusive local and district governance systems in the Merged Areas that improve the lives and livelihoods of communities along the Afghan-Pak border. This includes working closely with district administrations for enhanced service delivery, community resilience and connectivity at local levels, contributing to increased citizen-state trust and stability in the MAs. To that end, MAGP seeks to support establishment of a pre-cast concrete bridge at Village Mithai in district Mohmand to connect remote communities (estimated population 18,000 residents), scattered across the hilly terrain of the Bazai Village Council, to the district administration and other key services (including education, health and civil registration services) in the district.