UN Joint Programme for Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery, Phase III. UN Joint Programme for Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery, (UN JPLG) Phase III is a pooled basket funded programme implemented by UNDP (contracting agency), ILO, UNICEF, UNCDF, and Habitat in all the regions of Somalia and Somaliland. Phase III of the programme started on 1st July 2018 and is envisaged to end on 30th June 2023. Federal governance structures in Somalia, all highlight a need for focusing on the third level of government (the district) as part of the federal consolidation and new state formation, without which genuine stability, encompassing most citizens, will not be realized. The Government of Somalia has identified the unique role local governments have in strengthening social contracts and contributing to service delivery and their role in building the legitimacy of the state and improving the resilience of communities to shocks, conflict and disasters. Establishing and capacitating local governments to promote good governance is included as national priorities in National Development Plan (and associated State Development Plans) as well as the Stabilization Strategy under the Comprehensive Approach to Security (CAS) and the Wadajir Framework for Local Governance. UN JPLG III is best placed to support the Government of Somalia to achieve local governance goals because of the implementation history of JPLG I and II and the long-term partnerships formed with local authorities. JPLG III will support the state to achieve context specific goals for local governance as well as contribute to strengthening the capacity of government to lead coordination at Federal, state/central and district levels. This would be achieved through  support to policy, legal and regulatory frameworks on local governance; strengthening the capacity of local governments to deliver equitable and sustainable services, promote economic development and peace and improve the engagement between citizen and local government, with an emphasis on women and marginalized groups.