July 2026 – Decentralization Net

Sustainable development becomes real when it becomes local

July 21, 2026 Marina Jandrevska

Sustainable development is no longer only about defining ambitious global goals—it is about ensuring that these goals translate into measurable improvements in people’s everyday lives. As countries face increasingly complex social, economic, and environmental challenges, […]

Is there an economic payoff from creating new local governments? Evidence from Brazil

July 11, 2026 Limabenla Jamir

Changing local political boundaries by splitting local governments to create more localized governance is a common, yet contested reform pursued worldwide. Proponents argue smaller local government units can improve services, boost local economic activity, tailor […]

Property tax in Europe: a changing landscape

July 8, 2026 LPS Alliance

Property taxation has long been one of the cornerstones of local public finance. Across Europe, however, property tax systems are undergoing profound change as governments seek to improve revenue performance, modernize valuation systems, strengthen local […]

Realizing the Jobs Potential of MENA’s Cities

July 6, 2026 LPS Alliance

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces one of the world’s most pressing employment challenges. While national economic reforms remain essential, a new World Bank report argues that the region’s cities—not just national […]

A new frontier for development cooperation: From localizing development to leveraging multilevel governance

July 2, 2026 LPS Alliance

Over the past two decades, the international development community has undergone an important shift in its thinking about development. Increasingly, policy makers, development partners, and international organizations recognize that achieving sustainable development requires more than […]