Decentralisation reforms are currently ongoing in the majority of developing countries. The nature of reforms varies greatly, ranging from mundane technical adjustments of the public administration largely in the form of de-concentration to radical redistribution of political power between Central Governments and relatively autonomous local governments. Decentralisation reforms hold many promises, including local level democratisation and possibly improved service delivery for the poor. However, effective implementation often lacks behind rhetoric and the effective delivery of promises also depends on a range of preconditions and the country specific context for reforms. In several countries it can be observed that decentralisation reforms are pursued in an uneven manner, some elements of the government may wish to undertake substantial reforms, other elements will intentionally or unintentionally counter such reforms. Several different forms of decentralisation, foremost elements of devolution, de-concentration and delegation may be undertaken in a mutually supporting or contradictory manner.

This proposal presents the background to the study that seeks to develop a model to improve service delivery through devolution of resources especially finance and other key resources to urban and rural local authorities in southern and eastern Africa using case studies of two countries, that is, Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The study will, therefore, be comparative with the purpose of deriving common lessons that may be shared between the two countries as well as many other developing countries in the focus of the study and elsewhere. The objectives, research questions are highlighted as well as the justification for the need for such a model is provided. The proposal  briefly reviews literature on the subject under study and presents the proposed methodology for undertaking the study.