17/10/2025
KNOW BALA COMMISSIONS
Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA) was established to promote unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among Local Authorities (LA, s) in Botswana; with the overriding objective being to contribute towards a strong, democratic and developmental local government (LG) in Botswana.
In pursuant of achieving its broad-based objectives, BALA has established sector specific commissions to tackle issues of governance, service delivery and development to fine tune and/or advocate for legislative reforms aimed at improving efficiencies. These commissions have a delegated authority to address and make recommendations to the national executive committee.
1. GENDER COMMISSION
The BALA Gender Commission has been established in compliance with the agenda of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA) to reaffirm African local governments commitment to the worldwide declaration on women in local government adopted in Harare, Zimbabwe in November 1998 for the promotion of gender equality and the emancipation and empowerment of women.
The commission aims at ensuring alignment to Botswana National Gender Policy which aims at ensuring gender equality in social, cultural, political and economic spheres, advocating for legislative reforms for the elimination of discrimination and gender-based violence through gender mainstreaming initiatives.
Objectives
•Identify specific social, economic, political, legal and cultural constraints hindering full participation of women and men in local governance structures
•Prepare and publish information designed to foster gender equity in local governance and inform appropriate institutions on BALA’s position on women participation in local government
•Evaluate the representation of women and men within the local government structures in Botswana
•Identify and assess the relevance of any specific systems and policies designed to address and promote increased women’s participation and gender inequality in local government structures in Botswana.
•Make recommendations on appropriate remedies and identify specific challenges to improve the status of women and men as well as contribute to the achievement of gender equality and equity in local government structures in Botswana.
•Develop strategies and intervention to combat gender-based violence as well as phyco-social support to victims and survivors of abuse.
2. REGIONS COMMISSION
Objectives
•To create a robust and sustainable framework to guide branch and regional interventions as well as functions in local Authorities.
•To increase participation of the general membership on the economic, political and social spectrum of localities.
•To increase a national platform to discuss issues of common interest for the general membership
3.FINANCE COMMISSION
The commission is established to explore and exploit avenues by which council can develop own source revenue generation for purposes of augmenting revenue support grant.
Objectives
•To act as an advisory body to the executive committee of BALA and the general membership on matters relating to local government finance and resource mobilization.
•To assist local authorities, access current thinking and innovations on ways to increase the flow of domestic and international funding support.
•To provide policy and technical advice to the executive committee on local government finance matters.
•To serve as a resource to the association and local government through provision of a pool of expertise, providing guidance on policy and technical matters and to act as a” sounding board” to members on their proposals and concerns.
•To act as a channel through which information and knowledge may be captured and disseminated to members, this will work through the BALA web-based information gateway and meetings.
•To undertake, develop position papers and conduct public debates on local government finance matters.
4.LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (LED) COMMISION
The Government of Botswana has made a strategic choice to use Local Economic Development as a vehicle for transforming cities, towns and rural areas into viable economic entities through identifying and harnessing resources and opportunities needed for stimulation of sustainable economic development.
The purpose of LED is to build the capacity of a local economy to achieve development of the right kind which is premised around rapid economic growth, employment creation, eradication of poverty and livable environment. By its nature, LED requires decentralized development management; it is concerned with building endogenous capacity of local communities, local institutions, enterprises and civil society to act collectively in building inclusive economies. Local Authorities are therefore challenged to create an enabling environment (such as through affirmative action, bye- laws and policies) for LED to bring about the desired change of “Prosperity for All”.
Objectives
•To create a robust and sustainable LED framework to guide LED functions in LA, s.
•To contribute towards the creation of sustainable jobs at the local levels for purposes of reducing poverty.
•To increase participation of the local citizenry in the economic spectrum of localities.
•To enhance environmental competitive advantages of localities.
•Provide strategic guidance to local authorities for purposes of effective implementation of the Local Economic Development (LED) Framework and Implementation Plan.
•To assist in the identification and mapping of key stakeholders, investors and partners to market district specific economic potentials, for purposes of attracting investments.
5. YOUTH COMMISSION
The primary objective for establishing the youth commission was to deal with contemporary issues affecting the youth, such as unemployment and drug and substance abuse. The establishment of this commission seeks to amplify the voice of young Batswana and stimulate participation, representation as well as entice the young people to develop interest on national matters.
Objectives
•To create a robust and sustainable framework to guide youth development functions in local authorities.
•To increase participation of the youth in the economic, political and social spectrum of local governance.
•To create a national platform to discuss issues of common interest for youth councilors
6.WELFARE COMMISSION
BALA recognizes the need for its members to work in an environment that can provide comfort and address financial, social and emotional needs for the betterment of their welfare. A healthy and peaceful environment is critical for morale to boost.
Objectives
•Negotiate favorable terms on welfare schemes
•Utilize membership feedback to improve products and services
•Constantly engage government on issues of members.
•Engage in dialogue on welfare of councilors and council employees.
•Devise mechanisms for marketing and promotion of our product and service
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