PLATFORMA, the European network of local and regional governments for development cooperation, has received the approval from the European Commission to implement a new project to strengthen institutional capacity of local and regional governments in partner countries. 

VNG International has received approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to implement the Local Government Capacity Programme. Nine developing countries (Benin, Burundi, Ghana, Nicaragua, Palestine Territories, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan and Uganda),  will benefit and can count on support in the capacity building and strengthening of local government. 

VNG International develops benchmarks to improve performance of local government. In the benchmarks of VNG International achievements of municipalities and other organisations are compared to identify the practices of the ones that perform best. By implementing the practices of the best performers, organisations can improve their own performance. 

The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs awarded a one-year project in Tunisia to VNG International. It will help 11 municipalities with reforms, and share the lessons learned with many more. Reestablishing social cohesion and enhancing local governance and development are one of the main challenges of the new Tunisia. With this regard, ...

The Global Fund for Cities Development (FMDV) has recently published a new document on urban funding in South America and was presented in Porto Alegre in November during the workshop "The future of urban investment in South America" organised by FMDV and UCLG.