Citizen Participation and Inclusive Governance Course
2025-04-07 - 2025-04-18 | The Hague Academy for Local Governance, Nassaulaan 12, The Hague, 2500 GK, Netherlands
The Hague Academy for Local Governance is now accepting applications for its in-person course on Citizen Participation and Inclusive Governance in The Hague from 7-18 April 2025.
This course is designed for professionals working in participation, inclusion, and social accountability processes. It is ideal for practitioners from national, regional, and local governments, NGOs, donor agencies, and development organisations who seek practical tools to enhance participatory governance and empower citizens.
Course Programme

Explore the four pillars of this course—participation, inclusion, social accountability, and innovation.
Learn about innovative communication tools and strategies to engage stakeholders and manage expectations.
Discover how information technologies enhance transparency and accountability in governance.
Share experiences with peers from diverse professional contexts and countries.
Develop actions to increase the inclusion of marginalized groups—such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities—in decision-making processes.
Participate in study visits to The Hague Municipality, Schilderswijk neighborhood, and Utrecht community initiatives to observe participatory governance in action.

Course Details
Dates: 7–18 April 2025
Location: The Hague, Netherlands
Fee: €3,895* (includes all training-related costs, warm lunches, and refreshments during training days).
*Participants from DAC-listed ODA countries may qualify for a reduced fee. Group discounts are available for teams of three or more.
Upon completion, participants will receive a professional certificate from The Hague Academy for Local Governance, recognizing their expertise in citizen participation, social accountability, and inclusive governance.
Apply now: https://thehagueacademy.com/course/citizen-participation-inclusive-governance/
For questions about the course or the application process, contact us at info@thehagueacademy.com or call +31 70 3738 695.

Inclusive Service Delivery and the SDGs Course
2025-05-05 - 2025-05-16 | The Hague Academy for Local Governance, Nassaulaan 12, The Hague, 2500 GK, Netherlands
The Hague Academy for Local Governance is now accepting applications for its in-person course on Inclusive Service Delivery and the SDGs from 5-16 May 2025 in The Hague.
This course is tailored for professionals working in decentralization, local governance, and public service provision. It is ideal for participants from central, regional, and local governments, NGOs, donor agencies, and development organisations, who aim to strengthen service delivery and address inequalities through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Course Programme

Examine the link between inclusive service delivery and key SDGs, such as SDG 3 (health and well-being), SDG 6 (clean water), and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities).
Learn to use analytical tools to assess and improve local service delivery systems.
Explore methods to engage citizens and foster public-private cooperation for sustainable service delivery.
Gain insights into the role of different government levels in financing, implementing, and overseeing local services.
Participate in study visits to Dutch municipalities and organisations to see SDG frameworks in action, including the Municipality of The Hague and the Global Goals Campaign.
Engage with experts and peers to co-create strategies for improving public-private partnerships and local service delivery.

Course Details
Dates: 5–16 May 2025
Location: The Hague, Netherlands
Fee: €3,895* (includes all training-related costs, warm lunches, and refreshments during training days).
*Participants from DAC-listed ODA countries may qualify for a reduced fee. Group discounts are available for teams of three or more.
Upon completion, participants will receive a professional certificate from The Hague Academy for Local Governance, recognizing their expertise in inclusive service delivery and the SDGs.Learn more: https://thehagueacademy.com/course/inclusive-service-delivery-the-sdgs/
For questions about the course or the application process, contact us at info@thehagueacademy.com or call +31 70 3738 695.

LPSA Asia Working Group – Knowledge Sharing Meeting – May 2025
2025-05-27 15:30 - 17:00 (Asia/Kolkata)
LPSA’s Expert Working Group (EWG) 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 LPSA Knowledge Sharing organized by Asia Expert Working Group is scheduled to take place on May 27, 2025 (6:00 am EDT, 11:00 am BST, 3:30 PM Delhi, 5:00 PM BKK, 6:00 PM Manila). Registration for this meeting is required.
Register Here!
Our upcoming knowledge sharing session will focus on What’s Next for Local Governance in Asia? Adaptive and Localized Solutions Amidst Global Aid Retrenchment.
We need your help to make this meeting a success: If you have any updates about decentralization or local governance reforms in your country; updates about new research; or information about local government projects that you would like mentioned during the open meeting, please email the Working Group co-chairs at asia@decentralization.net so that a brief announcement can be made at the beginning of the meeting.
Reminder: You can join any LPSA Expert Working Group free of cost and receive reminders and updates by opting-in to one or more working groups as part of your LPSA Membership registration.

Urban Governance: Resilient and Smart Cities Course
2025-06-09 - 2025-06-20 | The Hague Academy for Local Governance, Nassaulaan 12, The Hague, 2500 GK, Netherlands
The Hague Academy for Local Governance is now accepting applications for its in-person course on Urban Governance: Resilient and Smart Cities from 9-20 June in the Hague.
This course is tailored for professionals in urban governance, city planning, and development, including city planners, policymakers, and sustainability advocates. It is ideal for participants from local, regional, and national governments, NGOs, donor agencies, and development organisations seeking to enhance urban resilience and apply smart city solutions to current and future challenges.
Course Programme

Explore resilience frameworks and strategies to assess and address city vulnerabilities
Learn to design ethical and effective smart city solutions using innovative technologies and data
Examine the principles of inclusivity, such as “Leaving No One and No Place Behind,” and consider how to mitigate the unintended consequences of smart solutions, like the digital divide and privacy concerns
Collaborate with peers from diverse professional and geographic backgrounds to develop participatory urban resilience strategies.
Participate in study visits to organisations such as the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water, Smart City Amsterdam, and the Rotterdam Global Center on Adaptation to explore cutting-edge solutions in action.
Discuss strategies for building “blended cities” that integrate technology and shared systems for inclusive growth.

Course Details
Dates: 9–20 June 2025
Location: The Hague, Netherlands
Fee: €3,895* (includes all training-related costs, warm lunches, and refreshments during training days).
*Participants from DAC-listed ODA countries may qualify for a reduced fee. Group discounts are available for teams of three or more.
Upon completion, participants will receive a professional certificate from The Hague Academy for Local Governance, recognizing their expertise in urban governance, resilience strategies, and smart city solutions.
Learn more: https://thehagueacademy.com/course/urban-governance-resilient-and-smart-cities/
For questions about the course or the application process, contact us at info@thehagueacademy.com or call +31 70 3738 695.

LPSA Expert Working Group on Europe & Central Asia – Open Meeting – June 2025
2025-06-11 16:00 - 17:30 (Europe/Skopje) | Virtual Event (Online)
LPSA’s Expert Working Group (EWG) 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 public meeting of the ECA Expert Working Group is scheduled to take place on June 11, 2025 (10:00 EDT/ 15:00 BST/ 16:00 CEST/19:00 UZT). Registration is required for this meeting.
Register here!
The focus of the upcoming meeting will be on: Civic Monitoring of Government Programs and Policies
Ensuring government accountability and the effective, transparent use of public resources are fundamental pillars of good governance and sustainable development across Europe & Central Asia (ECA). Citizen engagement in overseeing government actions is increasingly vital for strengthening democratic processes, improving public service delivery, and ensuring that policies truly benefit the communities they are intended to serve. Active civic monitoring plays a critical role in verifying that state programs achieve their objectives, public funds are spent wisely, and local development initiatives align with citizen priorities.
Citizens and civil society organizations across the ECA region are employing diverse strategies and innovative tools to participate in this oversight. They are key actors in tracking policy implementation, scrutinizing budget allocations and expenditures, and evaluating the impact of local projects.
This seminar, hosted by LPSA’s Expert Working Group on Europe & Central Asia, will delve into the practical dimensions of civic monitoring. It will focus specifically on concrete examples of citizen engagement in monitoring state programs, budget execution, and local development initiatives drawn from experiences within the ECA region. The session aims to explore the variety of mechanisms through which citizens and CSOs are holding governments accountable, from social audits to technology-driven monitoring platforms. By examining these real-world cases, the seminar will shed light on effective strategies, identify common obstacles, and foster discussion on best practices for meaningful citizen participation in governance processes, ultimately contributing to more responsive and effective public administration and development outcomes in the region.
We need your help to make this meeting a success: If you have any updates about decentralization or local governance reforms in your country; updates about new research; or information about local government projects that you would like mentioned during the open meeting, please email the Working Group co-chairs at eca@decentralization.net so that a brief announcement can be made at the beginning of the meeting.
Reminder: You can join any LPSA Expert Working Group free of cost and receive reminders and updates by opting-in to one or more working groups as part of your LPSA Membership registration.

Local Climate Response Course
2025-06-30 - 2025-07-11 | The Hague Academy for Local Governance, Nassaulaan 12, The Hague, 2500 GK, Netherlands
The Hague Academy for Local Governance is now accepting applications for its in-person course on Local Climate Response from 30 June to 11 July 2025 in The Hague.
This course is designed for professionals involved in climate adaptation and mitigation policy-making. It is ideal for participants from national, regional, and local governments, NGOs, donor agencies, and knowledge institutions who are committed to addressing climate challenges and building resilient communities.
Course Programme

Understand key concepts such as climate change adaptation, mitigation, risk, and resilience.
Explore tools and methodologies to assess climate vulnerabilities in various contexts.
Learn about mainstreaming sustainability and climate actions within organisations.
Design and plan sustainable climate adaptation policies with a focus on building community resilience.
Engage in study visits to innovative climate projects, including Living Lab Scheveningen, the World Horti Center, and Eva-Lanxmeer.
Collaborate with peers to develop actionable climate policies and identify funding strategies for local initiatives.

Course Details
Dates: 30 June – 11 July 2025
Location: The Hague, Netherlands
Fee: €3,895* (includes all training-related costs, warm lunches, and refreshments during training days).
*Participants from DAC-listed ODA countries may qualify for a reduced fee. Group discounts are available for teams of three or more.
Upon completion, participants will receive a professional certificate from The Hague Academy for Local Governance, recognizing their expertise in climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Learn more here: https://thehagueacademy.com/course/climate-adaptation-local-resilience/
For questions about the course or the application process, contact us at info@thehagueacademy.com or call +31 70 3738 695.

Local Response to Migration and Refugees
2025-07-07 - 2025-07-18 | The Hague Academy for Local Governance, Nassaulaan 12, The Hague, 2500 GK, Netherlands
What are the roles and responsibilities of local actors in dealing with migration and forced displacement? How can local governments plan for migration flows and deliver inclusive services to host communities and refugees? How can local actors foster social cohesion between migrant populations and host communities?
Learn more about these questions in our upcoming course on Local Response to Migration and Refugees from July 7 to 18 2025 in The Hague.
In this course, you will:

Define the meaning of international (legal) migration frameworks for countries with large movements of refugees, migrants, and internally displaced persons
Explore the roles and responsibilities of local, national, and international authorities and how they can cooperative effectively
Understand how to plan for basic services – such as housing, health care and education – in an inclusive manner
Identify strategies for integrating refugees and migrants in the labour market
Explore approaches to promote social cohesion between migrants, refugees, and host communities
Experience successful migration management practices at a local level in the Netherlands

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 share this course with your network.
For general inquiries, please contact info@thehagueacademy.com or call +(31) 70 37 38 695

LPSA – Advisory Board & Community Meeting – August 2025
2025-08-22 08:00 - 09:30 (America/New_York) | 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, August 22nd, 2025 (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 the rest of 2025 and for the coming year (2026).
Registration for this meeting is required.
Register Here!
—–
Meeting Agenda

Welcome and Introductions (Enid Slack)
Update on ongoing LPSA activities (Jamie Boex)
LPSA Member Portal (Mirna Dave)
Draft LPSA Strategic Plan, 2026-2030 (Jamie Boex)
Discussion / Input on LPSA Strategic Plan (Enid Slack)

What should our priorities be?
Where would the funding come from to meet these priorities?
Any implications for our organization structure / operations?

AOB

LPSA Thematic Working Group on Gender Equity & Women’s Empowerment – Open Meeting – August 2025
2025-08-27 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
LPSA’s Thematic Working Group (TWG) on Gender Equity & Women’s Empowerment 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 public meeting of the TWG on Gender Equity & Women’s Empowerment will be held on August 27, 2025 (7:00 EDT/ 15:00 EAT / 13:00 CET). Registration for this meeting is required.
Register Here!
We need your help to make this meeting a success. If you have any updates about Gender Equity and Women’s Empowerment in your country, updates about new research, or information about (1) women’s voice and political empowerment at the local level, (2) women in local administration, (3) gender-responsive subnational services and finance; (4) gender in the context of crisis; and (5) effective multilevel governance as an opportunity to women’s empowerment; that you would like mentioned during the open meeting, please email the Working Group co-chairs at women@decentralization.net so that a brief announcement can be made at the beginning of the meeting.
Reminder: You can join any LPSA Expert Working Group free of cost and receive reminders and updates by opting-in to one or more working groups as part of your LPSA Membership registration.

Integrity and Anti-Corruption
2025-09-01 08:00 - 2025-09-12 17:00 (America/New_York) | The Hague Academy for Local Governance, Nassaulaan 12, The Hague, 2500 GK, Netherlands
What are the main root causes and drivers of corruption, and how do they impact governance? How can integrity policies and anti-corruption frameworks help prevent corruption in public institutions and foster a culture of integrity? What international agreements and legal frameworks exist to combat corruption, and how effective is their implementation? What policy instruments are most effective in preventing corruption?

Learn more about these questions in our upcoming course on Integrity and Anti-Corruption from September 1 – 12 2025 in The Hague.
In this course, you will:

Define key concepts in integrity and anti-corruption
Explore widespread nature of corruption and its effects on social and economic development, and the rule of law
Identify various methodologies for conducting corruption analysis
Discover and apply innovative tools related to integrity and anti-corruption, such as codes of conduct, whistleblower protection, and the use of open data for transparency
Review your own integrity and anti-corruption policies, and identify steps to address gaps and drive positive change
Learn about best practices in safeguarding integrity and the rule of law within the Dutch Public Prosecutor’s Office

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.

LPSA Thematic Working Group on Subnational Finance - Open Meeting - September 2025
2025-09-10 14:00 - 15:30 (Europe/London) | Virtual Event (Online)
LPSA’s Thematic Working Group (TWG) 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 public meeting of the TWG on Subnational Finance will be held on September 10, 2025 (9:00 EDT/ 14:00 BST/ 15:00 CEST). Registration is required for this meeting.
Register here!
The focus of the upcoming meeting will be on Subnational climate finance: what do we know about what works (and what doesn’t)?
We need your help to make this meeting a success: If you have any updates about fiscal decentralization or subnational financial management in your country; updates about new research; or information about multilevel government finance and intergovernmental fiscal relations that you would like to mention during the open meeting, please email the Working Group co-chairs at finance@decentralization.net. so that a brief announcement can be made at the beginning of the meeting.
Reminder: You can join any LPSA Expert Working Group free of cost and receive reminders and updates by opting-in to one or more working groups as part of your LPSA Membership registration.

Local Economic Development
2025-09-15 - 2025-09-26 | The Hague Academy for Local Governance, Nassaulaan 12, The Hague, 2500 GK, Netherlands
What is Local Economic Development (LED)? How does it differentiate itself in addressing economic development challenges? 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,September 15 – 26, 2025 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
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
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
Understand decentralisation’s role in enabling LED and gain practical insights through study visits to The Hague Municipality and the “Triple Helix” Institute

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 course.
For general inquiries, please contact info@thehagueacademy.com or call +(31) 70 37 38 695

LPSA Expert Working Group on Sub-Saharan Africa – Open Meeting – September 2025
2025-09-17 14:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
LPSA’s Expert Working Group (EWG) 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 Sub-Saharan Africa.
The next public meeting of the SSA Expert Working Group is scheduled to take place on Wednesday September 17, 2025 [12:00 PM WAT/1:00 PM SAST/2:00 PM EAT] Registration for this meeting is required.
Register Here!
We need your help to make this meeting a success: If you have any updates about decentralization or local governance reforms in your country; updates about new research; or information about local government projects that you would like mentioned during the open meeting, please email the Working Group co-chairs at africa@decentralization.net so that a brief announcement can be made at the beginning of the meeting.
Reminder: You can join any LPSA Expert Working Group free of cost and receive reminders and updates by opting-in to one or more working groups as part of your LPSA Membership registration.

Training of Trainers
2025-09-22 08:00 - 2025-09-25 17:00 (America/New_York) | The Hague Academy for Local Governance, Nassaulaan 12, The Hague, 2500 GK, Netherlands
How can you ensure relevant training content and measure training impact? How do you design training programmes that are inclusive, culturally and conflict-sensitive? What adult learning methods are most effective? How to engage participants, support diverse learning styles, and encourage action-oriented learning? How do you translate training outcomes into actionable plans for participants?
Learn more about these questions in our upcoming course on Training of Trainers from 22 – 25 September, 2025 in The Hague.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Identify and analyse the specific learning needs of diverse audiences
Design engaging training programmes that balance knowledge transfer, skill development, and awareness-raising
Facilitate action-oriented training sessions by applying interactive and participatory training methods
Deliver training that is inclusive, culturally sensitive, and conflict-sensitive, especially when addressing sensitive or complex topics
Evaluate training impact and effectiveness to continuously improve training approaches and outcomes

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

Multilevel Water Governance
2025-09-29 08:00 - 2025-10-10 17:00 (America/New_York) | 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 from 29 September – 10 October, 2025 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

LPSA Asia Working Group – Knowledge Sharing Meeting – September 2025
2025-09-30 15:30 - 17:00 (Asia/Kolkata) | Virtual Event (Online)
LPSA’s Expert Working Group (EWG) 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 LPSA Knowledge sharing event organized by Asia Expert Working Group is scheduled to take place on 30 September, 2025 (6:00 AM EDT, 3:30 PM Delhi, 5:30 PM JKT, 8:00 PM SYD). Registration for this meeting is required.
Topic: Philanthropy and Local Governance in Asia-Pacific: An Evolving Landscape
Register Here!
Philanthropic organisations are playing an increasingly important role in shaping development outcomes across Asia, especially by supporting governance reforms and empowering communities at the local level. As the region faces rapid urbanization, rural transformation, and decentralization, philanthropy is uniquely positioned to address evolving citizen needs and drive systemic change. Leading organizations, including those highlighted in recent World Economic Forum, OECD, and Asian Development Bank reports are shifting from traditional charitable giving toward strategic, impact-driven approaches that strengthen local governments, build grassroots capacity, and foster collaboration through flexible funding and cross-sector partnerships.
Recent case studies from Indonesia, India, and China illustrate how philanthropic initiatives can catalyze inclusive and resilient community-led development, blending innovative finance, systems thinking, and targeted capacity-building. Through partnerships with government, business, and civil society, philanthropic capital is being mobilized to de-risk investments, pioneer grassroots solutions, and pilot scalable models for improved local governance in both urban and rural settings.
This LPSA Asia knowledge sharing panel will explore how philanthropy can deepen decentralization, strengthen local governance across Asia, highlight why such support matters, and share transformative opportunities and practical insights from the field.
Join us for this engaging discussion to learn from leading experts, exchange ideas, and explore how philanthropy can drive meaningful change in local governance across Asia.

We need your help to make this meeting a success: If you have any updates about decentralization or local governance reforms in your country; updates about new research; or information about local government projects that you would like mentioned during the open meeting, please email the Working Group co-chairs at asia@decentralization.net so that a brief announcement can be made at the beginning of the meeting.

Reminder: You can join any LPSA Expert Working Group free of cost and receive reminders and updates by opting-in to one or more working groups as part of your LPSA Membership registration.

African School on Decentralisation 2025
2025-10-12 - 2025-10-25
ASD Applications for 2025 are open!
Course Description
The theme for the Fifth African School on Decentralisation (ASD) is ‘Decentralisation and Finances’. The 2025 ASD will focus on how decentralization governance in Africa is financed, and on the systems and rules for the prudent use of public finances at decentralized level.
2025 ASD will cover themes such as –

the financing of local governments, counties, provinces, states etc. in Africa, including own revenue, revenue sharing, intergovernmental transfers, and alternative sources of financing;
public finance management at decentralized level in Africa, including budgeting, expenditure controls, procurement, and anti-corruption measures;
intergovernmental fiscal relations in Africa, including mechanisms to determine intergovernmental financing, integrated planning and budgeting, and the intergovernmental supervision and control of decentralized entities.

The course will be offered in Cape Town, South Africa. It will be presented by leading experts who will bring regional and international comparative perspectives. The course includes lectures, interactive discussions, case studies and a study visit. It offers a platform in which African practitioners, academics and activists can be educated and encouraged to innovate and experiment, and to learn from one another in order to address the challenges in the implementation of decentralization. Participation also offers entry into a Pan-African Network of decentralization practitioners. The ultimate goal is to advance good governance in local government in Africa.
Costs for the 2025 Course
The organizers –

waive tuition fees for the 2025 ASD
cover the costs of organizing the 2025 ASD
partially cover the cost of accommodation and meals for the duration of the 2025 ASD (see below)

The participants cover –

travel expenses to and from Cape Town
a participant contribution of ZAR 18 000 towards (shared) accommodation and meals
visa fees
health and travel insurance
personal travel expenses within Cape Town
personal expenses during your stay in Cape Town
any upgrades to a single room
any local travel within your country of residence

Accommodation will be shared (2 persons per room). Depending on availability, upgrades to a single room may be available at your own cost.
Location
This year’s African School on Decentralization will take place at two venues around Cape Town, South Africa. The first week will be at a hotel in the Cape Town area. The second week will be held at the Mont Fleur Conference Venue (www.montfleur.co.za). Both venues ensure comfortable accommodation, so that participants can focus on the Course and enjoy a pleasant stay.
Language
The working language will be English.
Assessment & Certification
The ASD concludes with the issuance of a postgraduate certificate awarded, jointly by the University of the Western Cape and Addis Ababa University, to successful applicants who meet the academic assessment criteria.
Admission
Admission is open to practitioners and scholars who –

work in or with local or regional governments in Africa;
demonstrate how the course will amplify their impact on good local governance in Africa; and
are proficient in English

Apply for the 2025 course
Click here to apply.
For more information, visit the ASD Website.

Gender Responsive Governance
2025-10-20 - 2025-10-31 | The Hague Academy for Local Governance, Nassaulaan 12, The Hague, 2500 GK, Netherlands
How can women be included more in local policies, decision making, and service delivery? How to apply gender analysis and mainstream gender in policies and projects? How to promote the role of women in entrepreneurship and economic development? How to promote gender responsive governance in fragile and post-conflict settings?
Learn more about these questions in our upcoming course on Gender Responsive Governance from 20 – 31 October, 2025 in The Hague.
In this course, participants will:

Learn about gender concepts and gain the latest insights into gender responsive governance
Apply tools for conducting gender analysis, gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting in project and policy development
Design strategies for equitable service delivery and socio-economic inclusion of marginalised groups
Apply measures to empower women and engage men in promoting gender equality and visit the Vadercentrum in Amsterdam
Discuss promoting gender responsive governance through lobby and advocacy at Dutch Gender Platform, WO=MEN

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

Online Seminar: Reimagining Decentralisation in Kerala: Local Governance for a Sustainable Future
2025-10-21 20:00 - 2025-10-30 21:30 (Asia/Kolkata) | Virtual Event (Online)
Since 1996, Kerala’s Local Self Governments (LSGs) have been at the forefront of participatory planning and grassroots democracy. Yet, new challenges—climate change, widening inequalities, and rapid urbanisation—demand fresh approaches. Strengthening autonomy, fiscal resilience, and institutional innovation will be key to building the next phase of decentralisation in Kerala.
This online seminar brings together global, national, and local perspectives to reimagine Kerala’s governance journey and explore pathways for sustainable, inclusive, and accountable local development.
Seminar Format & Schedule

One presentation per day, followed by a panel discussion featuring International, National, and Local experts.
Expected Outcome: Actionable insights and policy directions for Kerala’s next phase of decentralisation—making governance more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready.

10 Subthemes | 21–30 October 2025 | 20:00–21:30 hrs (IST)
21 Oct – Participatory Planning and Budgeting
22 Oct – Social Justice: A Rights-Based Approach in Local Governance
23 Oct – Localising Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
24 Oct – Gender-Inclusive Governance: Towards Equitable Local Development
25 Oct – Gender Inclusive Local Economic Development: Challenges of Kerala
26 Oct – Climate and Disaster Resilience
27 Oct – Advancing Fiscal Decentralisation
28 Oct – Digital Governance for Better Services
29 Oct – Centre–State–Local Government Framework
30 Oct – Local Governments in India since the Constitutional Amendments: Reflections and Lessons for Kerala
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Registration Information
Who can Register:
Students, Working Professionals, Academicians, Local Self Government Representatives and officials, NGO Representatives, Policy Makers, and Representatives of Service Organizations
Registration Fee:
Students – ₹100/-
Others – ₹250/-
Registration Link here
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About the Institution
Dr. A. Suhruth Kumar Library and Research Centre, founded in memory of Dr. A. Suhruth Kumar—distinguished scholar and former Executive Director of Grameena Patana Kendram (GPK)—which is a registered institution committed to advancing democratic decentralisation, knowledge sharing, and participatory governance in Kerala.
As a vibrant hub for research, dialogue, and innovation in local governance, it also reinforces GPK’s wider mission of nurturing decentralised development.

LPSA Thematic Working Group on Subnational Finance - Open Meeting - November 2025
2025-11-05 14:00 - 15:30 (Europe/London) | Virtual Event (Online)
LPSA’s Thematic Working Group (TWG) 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 public meeting of the TWG on Subnational Finance will be held on November 5, 2025 (09:00 EST/ 14:00 GMT/ 15:00 CET)
Registration is required for this meeting- Register here!
The focus of the upcoming meeting will be on “Fiscal Decentralization Outlook in Europe”
We need your help to make this meeting a success: If you have any updates about fiscal decentralization or subnational financial management in your country; updates about new research; or information about multilevel government finance and intergovernmental fiscal relations that you would like to mention during the open meeting, please email the Working Group co-chairs at finance@decentralization.net. so that a brief announcement can be made at the beginning of the meeting.
Reminder: You can join any LPSA Expert Working Group free of cost and receive reminders and updates by opting-in to one or more working groups as part of your LPSA Membership registration.

LPSA Expert Working Group on Europe & Central Asia – Open Meeting – November 2025
2025-11-12 16:00 - 17:30 (Europe/Skopje) | Virtual Event (Online)
LPSA’s Expert Working Group (EWG) 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 public meeting of the ECA Expert Working Group is scheduled to take place on November 12, 2025 (10:00 EST/ 15:00 GMT/ 16:00 CET/ 20:00 UZT).
Registration is required for this meeting- Register here!
The focus of the upcoming meeting will be on: “The Visible Hand: Challenges in the Management of Municipally Owned Enterprises Providing Local Public Services”
Utility services, such water and sanitation, energy and transport, or waste management and other communal services go through transformation in these years. The former market oriented liberal economic policies of the 1990s resulted transfer of assets and transformation of municipally owned enterprises. Lack of effective regulatory institutions and competition culture often created private monopolies.
Following this period of marketization and corporatisation, alternative government policies emerged. In some services national government intervened by limiting the ownership rights of local self-governments and municipally owned enterprises lost their privileges to centrally delegated holders of particular functions. Rather than the invisible hand of the market, it is the will of the state that becomes more detectable.
This webinar aims to contribute to the debate on the transformation of local public service management and especially the future status of municipally owned enterprises.
We need your help to make this meeting a success: If you have any updates about decentralization or local governance reforms in your country; updates about new research; or information about local government projects that you would like mentioned during the open meeting, please email the Working Group co-chairs at eca@decentralization.net so that a brief announcement can be made at the beginning of the meeting.
Reminder: You can join any LPSA Expert Working Group free of cost and receive reminders and updates by opting-in to one or more working groups as part of your LPSA Membership registration.

Digital Transformation in the Public Sector
2025-11-24 - 2025-11-28 | The Hague Academy for Local Governance, Nassaulaan 12, The Hague, 2500 GK, Netherlands
Digital transformation in the public sector is an important development for every field of government. In this course, we will discuss how governments can use data to improve public services, increase citizen participation, promote transparency, and develop better policies. We will also discuss issues of interoperability, digital security, and privacy. Participants will learn about the personal records database in the Netherlands, visit practical examples of spatial planning and digital service delivery, and reflect on the applicability in their own context. This way, the course helps participants to effectively implement and modernise digital transformation initiatives and steer digital governance in area of influence.
The course focuses on the policy dimensions of digital transformation, bridging the gap between policy and technology. It’s practice-oriented, with expert insights from both the public and private sectors, emphasizing practical applications in diverse contexts.
Key Learning Areas:

Interoperability: A critical factor for enabling different government systems to seamlessly exchange and integrate data. Dutch government practitioners from the National Office for Identity Data show how interoperability improves public service delivery and operational efficiency.
Artificial Intelligence (AI): We will explore the innovative uses of AI in the Dutch government, such as improving decision-making, enhancing citizen services, and automating administrative tasks.
Cybersecurity: We will discuss how to strategize for maintaining security with increasing digital threats, understanding key considerations to protect sensitive government data and maintain robust cybersecurity.
Change Management: The focus on will be on managing the organisational change and the expected challenges in order to ensure smooth transitions and gaining stakeholder buy-in.
Critical Success Factors for Government Apps: We will explore what makes a government app successful, from user experience to ensuring accessibility for all citizens.
Inclusivity: Digital public services should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or technical ability. We will discuss how to design and implement inclusive digital services that reach all demographics.

Interested? Find more information about the content, application process and group discounts on the 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

LPSA Expert Working Group on Sub-Saharan Africa – Open Meeting – December 2025
2025-12-11 14:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
LPSA’s Expert Working Group (EWG) 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 Sub-Saharan Africa.
The next public meeting of the SSA Expert Working Group is scheduled to take place on Dec 11 2025 [12:00 PM WAT/1:00 PM SAST/2:00 PM EAT] Registration for this meeting is required.
Register Here!
We need your help to make this meeting a success: If you have any updates about decentralization or local governance reforms in your country; updates about new research; or information about local government projects that you would like mentioned during the open meeting, please email the Working Group co-chairs at africa@decentralization.net so that a brief announcement can be made at the beginning of the meeting.
Reminder: You can join any LPSA Expert Working Group free of cost and receive reminders and updates by opting-in to one or more working groups as part of your LPSA Membership registration.

Subnational Finance Thematic Working Group Meeting – February 2026
2026-02-11 09:00 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | 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 February, 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: “Inter-Institutional Collaboration in Property Tax Administration”
Agenda:

Welcome & Introduction – Dr. Titilola Akindeinde | Executive Director, Local Government Revenue Initiative (LoGRI) & Co-Chair LPSA Thematic Working Group on Subnational Finance
Inter-Institutional Collaboration in Property Tax – Dr. Camille Barras | Policy Lead, Local Government Revenue Initiative (LoGRI)
Centralised Management of Property Tax: The Case of Senegal – Serigne Mabèye Fall | Tax and Revenue Inspector, Director Office of Subnational Governments (BCT) DGID, Senegal
Q&A – Dr. Titilola Akindeinde
Closing Remarks – Dr. Titilola Akindeinde

We need your help to make this meeting a success: If you have any updates about fiscal decentralization or subnational financial management in your country; updates about new research; or information about multilevel government finance and intergovernmental fiscal relations that you would like to mention during the open meeting, please email the Working Group co-chairs at finance@decentralization.net. so that a brief announcement can be made at the beginning of the meeting.
Reminder: You can join any LPSA Expert Working Group free of cost and receive reminders and updates by opting-in to one or more working groups as part of your LPSA Membership registration.

LPSA – Advisory Board & Community Meeting – February 2026
2026-02-13 08:00 - 09:30 (America/New_York) | 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, February 13, 2026 (8:00 am EDT; 1:00 pm London; 2:00 pm Paris; 4:00 pm Nairobi; 6:30 pm New Delhi; 8:00 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

Welcome Remarks
Impact Report 2025 (pre-read)
Draft Work Plan 2026 (pre-read)
LPSA Strategic Plan 2026-2030 (pre-read)
Discussion
Closing Remarks & Any Other Business

*Note: We encourage attendees to review the Impact Report, Work Plan, and Strategic Plan in advance of the meeting. We look forward to hearing your feedback on these documents and working together to help shape the future of LPSA.

Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Working Group Meeting – February 2026
2026-02-17 07:00 - 08:30 (America/New_York) | 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 17 February, 2026 (7:00 AM NYC, 12:00 PM WAT, 2:00 PM SAST, 3:00 PM EAT). Registration for this meeting is required.
Register Here!
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Topic: TBA

Global roundtable on the future of decentralization and multilevel governance
2026-02-26 - 2026-02-27 | NYU Wagner School, 105 East 17th Street, New York, NY, 10003, United States
The seismic shift that is underway in the global development funding landscape should be a wake-up call to leaders in the Global North and South alike. As support from the international community is waning or changing, sustainable development will increasingly have to be achieved by Global South countries themselves and potentially other partners, redoubling their efforts to improve the responsiveness, results-orientation, and efficiency of the public sector.
The changing global context has obvious and important implications for those who study, work on, and advocate for inclusive and efficient decentralization, localization, and multilevel governance. Inclusive and efficient multilevel governance systems can—and should—be leveraged to contribute to global stability, economic prosperity, sustainable development, and efficient public service delivery in countries around the world.
Within this context, the Local Public Sector Alliance (LPSA), together with the Forum of Federations, NYU’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, the Center on International Cooperation (CIC) at New York University (NYU), and a number of other partners, will be convening a global roundtable.
The global roundtable is scheduled to take place on February 26-27, 2026, at New York University’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service in New York City.
Participation in the roundtable will be invitation-only.
Roundtable objectives
The collective vision of the roundtable organizers is a world where people are informed and empowered; governments are open and responsive; and the public good is enhanced through civic engagement and collective action. Achieving this vision requires countries to pursue inclusive, efficient, and responsive multilevel governance systems.
Implementing the necessary reforms to achieve inclusive and responsive multilevel governance systems requires building country-level consensus and political will that results in public sector reforms (including in governance, administrative, fiscal, and sectoral systems), informed by evidence and an in-depth understanding of decentralization and localization as complex, cross-cutting and multistakeholder reforms. Global advocates of inclusive governance and sustainable development have an important role to play in knowledge development; knowledge sharing; and convening, outreach, and field-building. The issue of how to strategically sequence and implement reforms also requires dedicated attention.
The focus of the roundtable is not to reflect on the importance of different thematic or technical issues—there are other venues to dive deeper into specific topics. Instead, the focus would be on identifying what we (think we) know, where we need to be more self-critical or work harder to better understand how multilevel governance can be leveraged in the real-world (or not), what to prioritize, and how to overcome the increasingly restrictive operating environment being faced by global champions, development actors, and other stakeholders that recognize the importance of multilevel governance and the local public sector in achieving inclusive governance and sustainable development.
Hosting, funding, and participation
The roundtable will be co-hosted by the Local Public Sector Alliance (LPSA), the Forum of Federations, NYU’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, and the Center on International Cooperation (CIC) at New York University (NYU). Additional co-conveners and partners include the Commonwealth Local Government Forum, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the World Bank.
An initial estimate is that 40-50 participants might take part in the roundtable. In-person attendance will be invitation-only. In principle, all co-conveners, partner organizations, and participants will bear the cost of their own attendance. Travel support for a limited number of unaffiliated participants may be provided by LPSA or other partners.
Please contact Ms. Mirna Dave (mirna@decentralization.net) for questions or further information.

Citizen Participation and Inclusive Governance Course
2026-03-23 - 2026-04-03 | The Hague Academy for Local Governance, Nassaulaan 12, The Hague, 2500 GK, Netherlands
How can governments involve citizens more in policy and decision making? How can they ensure that voices of women, youth and vulnerable groups are included? And how can citizens be empowered to hold their governments accountable?
Learn more about these questions in our upcoming course on Citizen Participation and Inclusive Governance from 23 March to 3 April in The Hague. In this course, you will:

Discuss basic concepts of participatory policy making, including government-citizen relationships and the participation ladder
Learn about strategies and practical tools to reach out to diverse groups in the community, including women, youth, and persons with a disability.
Discuss best practices and lessons learned of participatory budgeting, citizen assemblies and placemaking
Explore how information technologies can ensure greater accountability and transparency within government and facilitate meaningful participation.

Interested? Find more information about the content, application process and group discounts on the 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 – April 2026
2026-04-07 08:00 - 09:30 (America/New_York) | 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 7 April, 2026 (8:00 AM NYC, 1:00 PM UK, 3:00 PM EAT). Registration for this meeting is required.
Register Here!
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Topic: TBA

Europe & Central Asia Regional Working Group Meeting – April 2026
2026-04-28 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | 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 28 April, 2026 (10:00 AM NYC, 3:00 PM UK, 4:00 PM CEST, 7:00 PM UZT). Registration for this meeting is required.
Register Here!
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Topic: Small Municipalities, Big Ambitions: Assessing Local Capacity for Public-Private Partnerships
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have emerged as a prominent instrument for delivering infrastructure and improving public services, particularly in contexts where fiscal constraints intersect with growing development demands. At the local level, PPPs are frequently promoted as a means for municipalities to mobilize private capital, access technical expertise, and enhance service efficiency, especially in sectors such as water and sanitation, waste management, local transport, and energy services where infrastructure gaps are most visible.
In many countries, however, the decentralization of infrastructure responsibilities has not been accompanied by a corresponding transfer of technical expertise or institutional support. As a result, municipalities are often expected to design, procure, and manage complex PPP projects without adequate capacity or guidance, raising concerns about the effectiveness of existing policy frameworks and the ability of national PPP units, regulatory systems, and advisory mechanisms to support local governments and safeguard public interests.
This webinar aims to contribute to the ongoing debate on the role and feasibility of PPPs at the local level by focusing specifically on the capacity constraints faced by small and medium-sized municipalities. Rather than assuming PPPs are inherently beneficial, the discussion will critically examine the conditions under which they can be effectively implemented and the risks associated with their misapplication.
Agenda:

Welcome & Introduction – Tengiz Sultanishvili | Citizen Engagement Specialist & Co-Chair LPSA ECA Regional Working Group
Unlocking Local PPP Potential – Practical Experiences from Bosnia and Herzegovina – Goran Štefatić | Project Manager, Municipal Environmental Governance (MEG) Project, UNDP
PPP vs. New Public Goods – Lavinia Steinfort | Programme coordinator, Public Alternatives Project, Transnational Institute (TNI)
PPPs in Georgian Municipalities: Legislative Realities and Collaborative Solutions – Ucha Dzimistarishvili | Partner at Caissa Law, Academic Assistant at New Vision University, Georgia.
PPP: Past, Presence and Prospects – Gábor Péteri | Economist, Freelance Consultant
Q&A – Tengiz Sultanishvili
Closing Remarks – Tengiz Sultanishvili
