Citizen Service Centers: Improving Municipal Services for Citizens in the West Bank

Citizen Service Centers: Improving Municipal Services for Citizens in the West Bank 

One of the many challenges facing both citizens and local government in the West Bank has been dealing with inefficient and bureaucratic government services. Citizens often find themselves shuttling between municipal departments and offices in various locations, waiting for extended periods of time, returning several times to check on the status of requests, and receiving mixed messages from civil servants on what to do.
In response to this, Global Communities introduced the concept of Citizen Service Centers (CSCs) based on previously successful experience in the local governance sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The Citizen Service Centers function as a “one stop shop” for all relevant municipal functions from paying bills to obtaining licenses and permits. 
Since 2005, Global Communities, with USAID funding, has established CSCs in 20 communities in the West Bank, first under the Local Democratic Reform program and now continuing under the Local Government & Infrastructure program. With an average investment of around $250,000, Global Communities is planning to implement an additional 7 CSCs by 2015 for a total of 27.

For more information, please read the Citizen Service Centers factsheet.