Decentralization Net

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

Asia Regional Working Group Meeting – April 2026
2026-04-29 14:00 - 15:15 (Asia/Bangkok) | Virtual Event (Online)
LPSA’s Regional Working Group on Asia brings together government officials, policy practitioners, scholars, civil society organizations, and citizens with a shared interest in decentralization, multilevel governance, intergovernmental relations, and local development across the region.
As part of its ongoing knowledge exchange series, LPSA joins as a knowledge partner to a webinar jointly organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), focusing on the implementation of Social Innovation Platforms (SIP) across cities.
Date: Wednesday, 29 April 2026Time: 2:00–3:15 PM (GMT+7 / Bangkok time)
Topic: Leveraging Social Innovation Platforms for Inclusive and Sustainable Local Development
Venue: Zoom Webinar
Registration for this meeting is required.
REGISTER HERE
The webinar will bring together cities that are actively applying the SIP approach within their local contexts, offering grounded insights into how social innovation is reshaping local development practices.
Designed as an open space for peer exchange, the session will connect SIP cities with government partners and practitioners interested in advancing new approaches to local development. The discussion aims to spark reflection on existing practices and inspire cities to explore how social innovation and systems thinking can support more inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready solutions.

Training of Trainers Course
2026-05-18 - 2026-05-22 | The Hague Academy for Local Governance, Nassaulaan 12, The Hague, 2500 GK, Netherlands
How to design training for international programmes, that is inclusive and culturally and conflict-sensitive? What adult learning methods are most effective? How to engage participants, support diverse learning styles, and encourage action-oriented learning?
Learn more about these questions in our upcoming course on Training of Trainers 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.
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 – May 2026
2026-05-19 09:00 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | 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 in local democracy, inclusive governance, and community-led development.
Date: 19 May 2026 | 9:00 AM NYC | 2:00 PM UK | 4:00 PM NBO | 8:00 PM BKKDuration: 1.5 hoursHosted by: LPSA Thematic Working Group on Local Democracy & Inclusive Governance and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Registration for this meeting is required.
Register Here!
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Topic: The role of youth in multi-level governance: how can we meaningfully engage young people?
This panel discussion organized by LPSA and UNDP will explore how young people can be more meaningfully engaged in multi-level governance (MLG) systems, particularly in the context of growing demands for inclusive, transparent, and responsive governance. Bringing together youth leaders, practitioners, local governments, and development partners, the session will examine challenges, opportunities, and practical approaches for strengthening youth participation in governance and decision-making.
The event will also highlight the role of local governance and digital innovation in supporting youth engagement, accountability, and trust in institutions. Participants will exchange experiences, good practices, and actionable recommendations that can help strengthen inclusive governance across different contexts.
Join us for this engaging discussion to connect with youth leaders, practitioners, and governance experts working to advance inclusive and participatory governance across different contexts.
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.

Webinar: European Observatory for the Defence of Democracy at the Local Level
2026-05-21 14:00 - 15:15 (Europe/Brussels)
The European Observatory for the Defence of Democracy at the Local Level (ODELL) was officially launched in December 2025 as a joint initiative of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), the Municipality of Bilbao and the Association of Basque Municipalities (EUDEL), in partnership with Bocconi University, and with the support of the Basque Government. Building on a shared commitment to safeguard democratic governance at the level closest to citizens, ODELL aims to better understand, document, and respond to the growing pressures faced by local and regional elected representatives across Europe.
Since its launch, the Observatory has focused on developing robust evidence based on threats affecting local leaders. This work comes at a time when democratic institutions across Europe are facing increasing challenges, including rising political polarization, the spread of disinformation, and declining trust in public authorities. In this context, local and regional representatives are often on the front line, exposed to various forms of intimidation, harassment, and violence that can hinder their ability to carry out their mandates effectively.
These developments are also gaining recognition at the European level. Initiatives such as the European Democracy Shield reflect a growing awareness of the need to strengthen the resilience of democratic systems against both internal and external threats. While much of the policy focus has traditionally been placed on national institutions, there is increasing acknowledgment that local democracy constitutes a critical layer of democratic life that requires targeted attention and protection.
In this evolving landscape, generating reliable data and fostering dialogue between different levels of governance is essential. ODELL contributes to this effort by combining research, political engagement, and cooperation with institutional and academic partners.
As part of its work, ODELL is preparing a European report analyzing patterns of threats and attacks against local and regional representatives. This webinar will present the preliminary findings of the report and open a discussion with political representatives and experts on their implications for local democracy in Europe.
The webinar will take place on 21 May 2026 from 14:00 to 15:15 (CEST), will be held online with the meeting link provided to registered participants one day before the event, and will be conducted in English without interpretation.
Click here to register.

Subnational Finance Thematic Working Group Meeting – June 2026
2026-06-03 14:00 - 15:30 (Europe/London) | 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 3 June, 2026 (09:00 AM NYC, 2:00 PM UK, 3:00 PM CEST). Registration for this meeting is required.
Register Here!
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Topic: Sustainable urban infrastructure financing: Lessons from Latin America
Agenda:

Welcome & Introduction – Dr. Gundula Löffler | Research Fellow, ODI Global & Co-Chair LPSA Thematic Working Group on Subnational Finance
Trends and patterns in urban infrastructure financing – Sohaib Athar| Senior Urban Development Specialist, the World Bank
Subnational debt financing in Mexico – Prof. Heidi Smith | Professor Economics Department, Universidad Iberoamericana
FINDETER’s experience with municipal lending in Colombia – Mónica Vergara Mercado | Director for Sustainability, FINDETER
Q&A – Dr. Gundula Löffler
Closing Remarks – Dr. Gundula Löffler

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.

LPSA GEWE Working Group Meet & Greet – UCLG World Congress, Tangier 2026
2026-06-22 16:30 - 17:30 (Africa/Casablanca) | Tangier, Morocco
The Local Public Sector Alliance’s (LPSA) Thematic Working Group on Gender Equity and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) invites members and allies to an informal networking session on the margins of the UCLG World Congress in Tangier, Morocco.
Taking place on Monday, June 22, 2026, from 4:00–5:00 PM, this gathering offers a unique opportunity to connect in person with practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and civil society leaders working at the intersection of decentralization, localization, and gender equality and discuss.
Why Attend?
This intimate meet-up creates space for GEWE Working Group members and LPSA colleagues to build meaningful connections ahead of the official Congress program. The session will feature a reflection on the working group’s activities and achievements since its establishment, offering participants a chance to take stock of progress and impact.
Over coffee and light refreshments, members will share updates on their work in the decentralization, localization, and gender equality space, fostering peer learning and identifying potential collaborations. The gathering will also provide an opportunity to collectively identify member priorities and chart opportunities for the working group’s next phase of engagement over the coming two years.
Whether you’re a long-standing LPSA member or new to our community, this session offers a valuable platform to strengthen professional networks, contribute to shaping the working group’s future direction, and advance our shared commitment to inclusive and equitable local development.
Event Details
The meet-up will take place on Monday, June 22, 2026, from 4:30–5:30 PM in Tangier. LPSA members, GEWE Working Group participants, and practitioners working on gender equality and local governance are warmly welcomed to join this informal coffee networking session.*
RSVP
Please confirm your attendance by June 19, 2026 by emailing women@decentralization.net.
This event is organized by LPSA’s Gender Equity and Women’s Empowerment Working Group, which brings together government officials, policy practitioners, scholars, civil society organizations, and citizens who share expertise and interest at the intersection of decentralization, localization, and gender equality.
We look forward to connecting in Tangier and catalyzing action toward more gender-responsive and inclusive local governance systems.

*Specific venue details will be communicated to registered participants.

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

LPSA Seminar: Decentralization, National Oversight and Accountability — A Kenya–South Africa Dialogue
2026-07-28 15:00 - 17:30 (Africa/Nairobi) | Nairobi, Kenya
The LPSA Expert Working Group on Sub-Saharan Africa (LPSA Africa) is a regional working group of the Local Public Sector Alliance that brings together government officials, policy practitioners, scholars, civil society organizations and citizens who share an interest and expertise in decentralization, multilevel governance, intergovernmental relations, local governance and local development across the region. The Local Public Sector Alliance (LPSA), in collaboration with the South African Research Chair in Multilevel Government, Dullah Omar Institute have organized a special hybrid seminar on the theme, Decentralization, National Oversight and Accountability: A Kenya–South Africa Dialogue.
Kenya and South Africa are in different stages of implementing ambitious decentralization programs. Key to the current debates in both countries is the question of how to ensure national oversight over subnational governments without compromising local and regional democracy. After decentralization, national governments still want to safeguard national standards and compliance, but counties and local governments want to exercise local discretion. This dialogue examines that balance by looking, amongst other things, at the ongoing Review of the White Paper on Local Government in South Africa, as well as the debate on the role of the Senate vis-à-vis counties in Kenya. The discussion has relevance for all countries that are considering or implementing decentralization reforms.
The seminar will take place on 28 July 2026, from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm, at in Nairobi, Kenya. Prof. Jaap de Visser, National Research Chair in Multilevel Government, Law and Development at the Dullah Omar Institute, University of the Western Cape, will serve as the lead speaker. The session will be moderated by Judy Oduma, Co-Chair of the Local Public Sector Alliance (LPSA) Expert Working Group on Sub-Saharan Africa. The event will be structured as a dialogue, followed by a networking session.
This event builds on LPSA’s previous convening in Nairobi: the May 2024 workshop on “Elevating the Debate on Decentralization and Multilevel Governance in Africa,” which served as a platform for experts, practitioners and policymakers from across Africa to exchange experiences on decentralization reforms, multilevel governance, local democracy and localization, and to identify collective priorities for advancing the debate and practice in the region.
Registration for this meeting is required.
Attendance options:

In person at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi — Seating is limited, so please RSVP by emailing africa@decentralization.net
Online via Zoom — register in advance at the separate link below. Registration is required for online participation, and you will receive a confirmation email with joining instructions afterward: Zoom Registration!

For more information, please reach out to the LPSA Africa Coordinator at africa@decentralization.net.

African Decentralization Day 2026: Pathways to Effective Decentralization in Africa
2026-08-10 13:00 - 15:00 (Africa/Nairobi) | Virtual Event (Online)
On Monday August 10, 2026, UNDP will celebrate African Decentralization Day 2026 with a webinar under the theme “Pathways to Effective Decentralization in Africa.”
More than a decade after the adoption of the African Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralisation, Local Governance and Local Development, decentralization across Africa continues to face important political, institutional, and fiscal constraints. In many countries, reforms have resulted in administrative deconcentration rather than genuine devolution, leaving local governments with limited authority and fiscal autonomy.
The webinar will bring together African decentralization experts and local government leaders to explore what distinguishes successful devolution from reforms that remain largely deconcentrated; which reforms have improved service delivery, accountability, and local development; and how fiscal decentralization should evolve in response to urbanization, climate change, and demographic pressures.
The webinar is convened by UNDP, with opening and closing remarks by Ms. Nirina Kiplagat, Governance and Peacebuilding Coordinator, UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa (RSCA). The panel discussion will be moderated by Ms. Nadine Rugwe, Governance and Peacebuilding Advisor and Team Lead, UNDP WACA. Speakers include Dr. Charles Nyuykonge, Co-Founder of Peacebuilders Without Borders; Mr. Francois Menguele, Secretary General of UCLG Africa; Mr. Eric Talardia Kondia, Permanent Secretary of the Council of Local Authorities of the West African Economic and Monetary Union; Ms. Rose Gertrude Buyinga, Secretary General of the East African County and Local Governments Association (EACLGA); and Mr. Jamie Boex, Executive Director of the Local Public Sector Alliance.
Date: Monday, 10 August 2026Time: 10:00 am –12:00 noon GMT / 13:00–15:00 (Nairobi)Venue: Online via Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting:Join the African Decentralization Day webinar
(https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71116431149?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 711 1643 1149Secret code: 3furWp
