Multilevel Governance Archives – Decentralization Net

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[ October 27, 2026 ] South Africa launches landmark White Paper on local government reform Africa
[ October 20, 2026 ] From local action to effective multilevel governance: Lessons from the UN Forum of Mayors Community
[ October 16, 2026 ] LPSA launches new Middle East and North Africa Regional Working Group Community
[ October 16, 2026 ] The Republic of Moldova is implementing sweeping local government consolidation Decentralization
[ October 15, 2026 ] Scaling up locally led climate adaptation in East Africa Africa

South Africa launches landmark White Paper on local government reform

October 27, 2026 LPS Alliance

Nearly three decades after South Africa adopted its landmark 1998 White Paper on Local Government, the country has embarked on a major overhaul of its local governance system. On October 22, 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa […]

The Republic of Moldova is implementing sweeping local government consolidation

October 16, 2026 LPS Alliance

The Republic of Moldova is preparing one of the most ambitious territorial and administrative reforms in its recent history. On October 8, 2026, the Government presented a new administrative-territorial map that would consolidate the country’s […]

Nepal’s federalism at ten: Strong foundations, but unfinished reforms

October 11, 2026 LPS Alliance

Nearly a decade after adopting its federal constitution, Nepal has made significant progress in bringing government closer to citizens. The country’s transition from a unitary state to a federal democratic republic under its 2015 Constitution […]

Making Inter-Municipal Cooperation Work

September 29, 2026 Marina Jandrevska

Local governments are under growing pressure to deliver increasingly complex services with constrained financial and administrative resources. Demographic ageing and population decline are reshaping demand in many territories, while urban growth is creating new pressures […]

Analyzing the Territorial Approach to Local Development through a Development Ethics Lens

August 18, 2026 LPS Alliance

The Territorial Approach to Local Development (TALD) has become an increasingly influential framework within the fields of decentralization, localization, and multilevel governance. By emphasizing place-based development, local ownership, and coordination across levels of government, TALD […]

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 […]

Vietnam’s ambitious subnational governance restructuring

June 11, 2026 LPS Alliance

Vietnam is in the middle of one of the most ambitious subnational governance restructurings in Asia. To streamline public administration, reduce duplication and improve service delivery, the government has embarked on a sweeping program of […]

Decentralized responsibilities without decentralized resources?

April 10, 2026 Marina Jandrevska

The role of local governments in European public service delivery has expanded significantly over the past two decades. Across the European Union, municipalities have become central actors in the provision of education, healthcare, social protection, […]

An inflection point in South Africa’s local government reform?

March 3, 2026 LPS Alliance

South Africa’s system of local government is at a critical juncture. Nearly three decades after the advent of democratic local governance, the country has built a comprehensive municipal system and expanded access to basic services. […]