The Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA) and the United Nations Development Progra-mme (UNDP) has joined hands to enhance decentralisation and local governance in Bangladesh.

In this connection, an agreement titled the Local Government Support Progra-mme 'Learning Innovation Component (LGSP-LIC)' was signed between the two organisations in the city Saturday, reports UNB.

Under the deal, Denmark will provide 12 million Danish Kroners (equivalent to US$2.0 million) as part of its development cooperation with the government of Bangladesh under the Human Rights and Good Governance Programme Phase II until December 2010.

Ambassador of Danish Embassy in Dhaka Einar H Jensen and UNDP Country Director Manoj Basnyat signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

The project aims to improve Union Parishad (UP) capacity for effective, efficient and accountable delivery of pro-poor infrastructure and services.

Through its activities in six selected districts, the project will provide learning and innovation for application in the wider Local Government Support Programme (LGSP), and it will support achievement of the goals of the PRSP and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

LGSP-LIC is a five-year project under national execution of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Develop-ment and Cooperatives.