Local Climate Response
2026-06-22 - 2026-07-03 | The Hague Academy for Local Governance, Nassaulaan 12, The Hague, 2500 GK, Netherlands
How can local authorities respond to climate change and develop resilience policies? How can citizens be involved in planning climate change mitigation and adaptation actions? What opportunities for financing climate change adaptations are there? How can ecosystems and nature-based solutions help communities adapt to a changing climate?
Learn more about these questions in our upcoming course on Local Climate Response. In this course, you will:

Learn about key concepts of climate change, climate adaptation, risk, resilience, and climate justice
Practice with tools for local authorities to assess climate vulnerabilities and design strategies for adaptation and disaster risk reduction
Learn how to design community-based climate policies including nature-based solutions and energy transition strategies
Map opportunities to finance climate policies, including climate funds and public-private partnerships
Discuss the linkages between climate change and social inequalities
Experience (urban) design and climate resilience measures through study visits (e.g. Rotterdam walking tour or TU Delft’s Green Village)

Interested? You can find more information about the content and application process and register via the button.
We offer group discounts and discounts for professionals working for local governments and local NGOs from countries on the OECD DAC-list.
For general inquiries, please contact info@thehagueacademy.com or call +(31) 70 37 38 695.

Local Economic Development Course (blended)
2026-07-13 - 2026-07-17 | The Hague Academy for Local Governance, Nassaulaan 12, The Hague, 2500 GK, Netherlands
The course will take place from 13 July 2026 to 17 July 2026.

Part 1: 24 June – 10 July 2026 (11 hours, online)*
Part 2: 13 – 17 July 2026 in The Hague, the Netherlands

*Professionals unable to attend the face to face training in the Netherlands, can apply to the online training only. Please see the Practical Information section below before applying.
The fee for the full training is € 2,950. This includes all training related costs as well as drinks and warm lunches during the training days. For professionals who only attend part 1 online, the fee is € 975.
Training Programme
What is the potential of Local Economic Development (LED) for economic growth and job creation? What preconditions are required for LED to succeed? What strategies and tools can be used within LED? What is the role of the different government actors and what public funding mechanisms are there for economic development?
Learn more about these questions in our upcoming course on Local Economic Development, in The Hague.In this course, participants will:

Explore the concept of Local Economic Development (LED) as an integrated and participatory approach to address local economic challenges, and understand decentralisation’s role in enabling LED
Examine the roles of local governments, private sector, and community actors in fostering inclusive and sustainable local economies
Learn how to design and implement LED strategies, including entrepreneurship development, value chain development, and public-private partnerships, and visit Dutch municipalities to experience LED policies and implementation
Discuss how to align education and labour market needs, and promote inclusive employment opportunities for vulnerable groups
Identify opportunities for LED financing from public, private, and development partners
Visit a ‘triple helix’ institute where the public sector works with a vocational training institute, research and development institutes, and the private sector.

Interested? Find more information about the content, application process and group discounts on our website.
We offer a 50% reduction of the course fee for practitioners from local authorities and local NGOs from countries on the OECD DAC-list.
Should you know other persons in your organisation or network who may be interested in this course, please feel free to forward this email.
For general inquiries, please contact info@thehagueacademy.com or call +(31) 70 37 38 695

Asia Regional Working Group Meeting – September 2026
2026-09-01 06:00 - 07:30 (America/New_York) | Virtual Event (Online)
LPSA’s Regional Working Group on Asia aims to bring together government officials, policy practitioners, scholars, civil society organizations, and citizens who share an interest and expertise on decentralization, multilevel governance, intergovernmental relations, local governance and local development in Asia.
The next knowledge sharing event organized by Asia Regional Working Group is scheduled to take place on 1 September, 2026 (6:00 AM NYC, 3:30 PM DEL, 5:00 PM JKT, 8:00 PM SYD). Registration for this meeting is required.
Register Here!
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Topic: TBA

LPSA – Advisory Board & Community Meeting – September 2026
2026-09-04 08:00 - 09:30 | Virtual Event (Online)
The LPSA Advisory Board invites all LPSA Advisory Board members, LPSA Working Group Co-Chairs and members, as well as all interested policy practitioners, government officials, researchers and scholars, civil society stakeholders and other members of the global community of practice on decentralization and localization to an Open Community Meeting on Friday, September 4, 2026 (8:00 am EDT; 1:00 pm London; 2:00 pm Paris; 3:00 pm Nairobi; 5:30 pm New Delhi; 7:00 pm Bangkok).
The Open Meeting provides an opportunity for your input into the activities and work program of the Alliance and its Working Groups for this year.
Registration for this meeting is required.
Register Here!
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Meeting Agenda (TBA)

Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Working Group Meeting – September 2026
2026-09-15 07:00 - 08:30 | Virtual Event (Online)
LPSA’s Regional Working Group on Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) aims to bring together government officials, policy practitioners, scholars, civil society organizations, and citizens who share an interest and expertise on decentralization, multilevel governance, intergovernmental relations, local governance and local development in SSA.
The next meeting organized by the SSA Regional Working Group is scheduled to take place on 15 September, 2026 (7:00 AM NYC, 11:00 AM WAT, 1:00 PM SAST, 2:00 PM EAT). Registration for this meeting is required.
Register Here!
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Topic: TBA

Europe & Central Asia Regional Working Group Meeting – September 2026
2026-09-30 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual Event (Online)
LPSA’s Regional Working Group on Europe & Central Asia (ECA) aims to bring together government officials, policy practitioners, scholars, civil society organizations, and citizens who share an interest and expertise on decentralization, multilevel governance, intergovernmental relations, local governance and local development in ECA.
The next meeting organized by the ECA Regional Working Group is scheduled to take place on 30 September, 2026 (10:00 AM NYC, 3:00 PM UK, 4:00 PM CET, 7:00 PM UZT). Registration for this meeting is required.
Register Here!
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Topic: Central government monitoring local government effectiveness and efficiency in providing local public services

Multilevel Water Governance Course
2026-10-05 - 2026-10-16 | The Hague Academy for Local Governance, Nassaulaan 12, The Hague, 2500 GK, Netherlands
How can a multilevel approach to water governance lead to more effective and inclusive governance of water resources? How to plan for water to mitigate climate change and promote food security? How to finance water systems and services? Which innovative solutions to water challenges can be applied to serve communities and local ecosystems?
Learn more about these questions in our upcoming course on Multilevel Water Governance in The Hague.
In this course, participants will:

Discuss the principles of integrated and multilevel water governance and increase their insight in the legal, political, and institutional frameworks for effective water management
Examine Dutch and international best practices of innovative water management, a.o. at the TU Delft’s Green Village
Learn about effective approaches for citizen participation and stakeholder engagement, and practice with tools to resolve water-related conflicts
Discover nature-based solutions and ecosystem services that promote resilience and reduce distaster risk at the Biesbosch National Park and explore the intersection of climate, water, and food security
Experience urban water and climate adaptation strategies at the city of Rotterdam
Discuss challenges and solutions for financing water resources management and services

Interested? Find more information about the content, application process and group discounts on our website.
We offer a 50% reduction of the course fee for practitioners from local authorities and local NGOs from countries on the OECD DAC-list.
Should you know other persons in your organisation or network who may be interested in this course, please feel free to forward this email.
For general inquiries, please contact info@thehagueacademy.com or call +(31) 70 37 38 695

Local Democracy Thematic Working Group Meeting – October 2026
2026-10-20 08:00 - 09:30 | Virtual Event (Online)
LPSA’s Thematic Working Group on Local Democracy, Inclusive Governance and Community-led Development aims to bring together government officials, policy practitioners, scholars, civil society organizations, and citizens who share an interest and expertise on local democracy, inclusive governance, and community-led development.
The next knowledge sharing event organized by the Local Democracy, Inclusive Governance and Community-led Development Thematic Working Group is scheduled to take place on 20 October, 2026 (8:00 AM NYC, 1:00 PM UK, 3:00 PM NBO, 7:00 PM BKK). Registration for this meeting is required.
Register Here!
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Topic: TBA

Fiscal Decentralisation and Local Finance
2026-10-26 - 2026-11-06 | The Hague Academy for Local Governance, Nassaulaan 12, The Hague, 2500 GK, Netherlands
What is fiscal decentralisation and how does it attribute to local autonomy and self-determination? How can local revenues increase the quality of and access to basic services for all citizens? How can local authorities cooperate effectively with regional and national government to attain allocative efficiency?
Learn more about these questions in our upcoming course on Fiscal Decentralisation and Local Finance in The Hague.
In this course, participants will:

Learn about the fundamental pillars of fiscal decentralisation, such as expenditure and revenue assignment, and sub-national borrowing
Evaluate fiscal decentralisation practices in your country
Identify the different sources of revenue, such as taxes, user fees, intergovernmental fiscal transfers and public-private partnerships
Design inclusive and participatory budgets
Understand different mechanisms for transparency and accountability in local government budgeting and spending

Interested? Find more information about the content, application process and group discounts on our website.
We offer a 50% reduction of the course fee for practitioners from local authorities and local NGOs from countries on the OECD DAC-list.
Should you know other persons in your organisation or network who may be interested in this course, please feel free to forward this email.
For general inquiries, please contact info@thehagueacademy.com or call +(31) 70 37 38 695

Gender Equity & Women’s Empowerment Thematic Working Group Meeting – November 2026
2026-11-03 08:00 - 09:30 | Virtual Event (Online)
LPSA’s Thematic Working Group on Gender Equity and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) aims to bring together government officials, policy practitioners, scholars, civil society organizations, and citizens who share an interest and expertise at the intersection of decentralization/localization with gender equity and inclusive governance, including local women’s empowerment.
The next meeting organized by the GEWE Thematic Working Group is scheduled to take place on 3 November, 2026 (8:00 AM NYC, 1:00 PM UK, 4:00 PM EAT). Registration for this meeting is required.
Register Here!
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Topic: TBA

Subnational Finance Thematic Working Group Meeting – November 2026
2026-11-11 09:00 - 10:30 | Virtual Event (Online)
LPSA’s Thematic Working Group on Subnational Finance aims to bring together government officials, policy practitioners, scholars, civil society organizations, and citizens who share an interest and expertise on fiscal decentralization, multilevel government finance, intergovernmental fiscal relations, and subnational financial management.
The next meeting organized by the Subnational Finance Thematic Working Group is scheduled to take place on 11 November, 2026 (9:00 AM NYC, 2:00 PM UK, 3:00 PM CET). Registration for this meeting is required.
Register Here!
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Topic: TBA

Fiscal Decentralisation and Local Finance Course
2026-11-16 - 2026-11-27 | The Hague Academy for Local Governance, Nassaulaan 12, The Hague, 2500 GK, Netherlands
How can fiscal decentralisation contribute to locally led development and increase government accountability? What financial arrangements help national and local governments to cooperate more effectively to deliver services such as health care, education, housing or social services? How can local authorities increase their local revenue? And how can they engage citizens in the budgeting process?
Learn more about these questions in our upcoming course on Fiscal Decentralisation and Local Finance in The Hague.

Thanks to contributions by high level, international experts such as Nicholas Travis and Jenifer Bukhoke, and visits to Dutch national and local governments, participants will be able to:

Explain the four pillars of fiscal decentralisation: assigning expenditure responsibilities and the subsidiarity principle; assigning revenue sources for local authorities; intergovernmental fiscal transfers or grants; and sub-national borrowing.
Assess decentralisation and its potential in their own country with the help of the MOOD-framework (Multilevel governance as an Obstacle or Opportunity for Development)
Identify sources to increase local revenue, such as taxes, user fees, intergovernmental fiscal transfers and public-private partnerships
Understand different mechanisms for transparency and accountability in local government budgeting and spending
Design and lead inclusive, participatory, and gender-responsive budgeting processes

Interested? Find more information about the content, application process and group discounts on our website.
We offer a 50% reduction of the course fee for practitioners from local authorities and local NGOs from countries on the OECD DAC-list.
Should you know other persons in your organisation or network who may be interested in this course, please feel free to forward this email.
For general inquiries, please contact info@thehagueacademy.com or call +(31) 70 37 38 695

Digital Transformation in the Public Sector
2026-11-16 - 2026-11-27 | The Hague Academy for Local Governance, Nassaulaan 12, The Hague, 2500 GK, Netherlands
How can digitalisation improve public service delivery, government efficiency and transparency? How to lead digital transformation processes in complex institutional environments? And how to use AI and data platforms while safeguarding privacy and security?
Learn more about these questions in our upcoming course on Digital Transformation in the Public Sector in The Hague.
Thanks to contributions by high level, international experts such as Tamas Erkelens, Dara Sherwani and Vincent Lau, and visiting best practices in a.o. the City of Amsterdam and the Technical University of Delft, participants will be able to:

Conduct a digital maturity assessment and identify priority areas for development and improvement
Design digital services that are inclusive, accessible and responsive to diverse community needs
Integrate data-driven decision-making into pulic policy and services
Apply change management approaches to lead digital reform processes
Strengthen cybersecurity frameworks and ensure data privacy compliance, including practical responses to emerging digital threats
Promote open government using open data for transparency and engagement
Analyse ethical and legal aspects of AI and identify success factors for its effective and responsible integration in the public sector

Interested? Find more information about the content, application process and group discounts on our website.
We offer a 50% reduction of the course fee for practitioners from local authorities and local NGOs from countries on the OECD DAC-list.
Should you know other persons in your organisation or network who may be interested in this course, please feel free to forward this email.
For general inquiries, please contact info@thehagueacademy.com or call +(31) 70 37 38 695

Europe & Central Asia Regional Working Group Meeting – November 2026
2026-11-25 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual Event (Online)
LPSA’s Regional Working Group on Europe & Central Asia (ECA) aims to bring together government officials, policy practitioners, scholars, civil society organizations, and citizens who share an interest and expertise on decentralization, multilevel governance, intergovernmental relations, local governance and local development in ECA.
The next meeting organized by the ECA Regional Working Group is scheduled to take place on 25 November, 2026 (10:00 AM NYC, 3:00 PM UK, 4:00 PM CET, 8:00 PM UZT). Registration for this meeting is required.
Register Here!
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Topic: Climate change adaptation and mitigation: specific budgeting tools and fiscal instruments at local level
