USAID/Ecuador Tu Municipio Responde (TuMUNI) Activity

Improving the delivery of public services and strengthening democratic governance in Ecuador

National decentralization efforts have elevated the role that local municipalities play in Ecuador’s economic and social development. However, disparities in financial and technical capacities across municipalities have hampered progress in delivering large-scale growth.

Objective of TuMUNI

USAID TuMUNI is a five-year (2023–2028) project to enhance the capacity of executive and legislative institutions at the local level to provide effective, inclusive, and citizen-responsive public services, and improve access to water and sanitation services in Ecuador.

Approach to TuMUNI in Ecuador

TuMUNI supports the goals of catalyzing progress in economic growth, education, digital connectivity, and child nutrition; strengthening democratic governance; and increasing public trust by:

• Engaging local governments, civil society organizations, academia, and the Government of Ecuador, to build the capacity of local municipalities to deliver critical public services, including water and sanitation
• Prioritizing locally led development and inclusive citizen engagement, particularly women, youth, indigenous people, and other historically marginalized populations
• Expanding municipal own-source revenues through more efficient collection of service payments and property tax.

TuMUNI Activities

More effective and accountable local governance

Though Ecuador has gone through a decentralization process, much work remains to ensure that local governments are equipped to deliver on citizen expectations for public services. TuMUNI evaluates local governance service delivery systems and creates additional efficiencies in staff productivity and delivery processes. These improvements in governance will increase public trust and strengthen livelihoods.

Improved water and sanitation services 

Access to water and sanitation is a key priority of TuMUNI as it has impacts on livelihoods, health, and security. By fostering participatory dialogues between water and sanitation service providers (WSSPs) and citizens, TuMUNI aims to align expectations on sector priorities and needs, increase WSSP accountability, and change citizen behaviors and attitudes toward paying for water services.

In addition, TUMUNI will work to create the conditions for a long-term social contract between WSSPs and citizens that is supported by the delivery of reliable, consistent water services that citizens see value in paying for.