Decentralization Archives – Decentralization Net

Scaling up locally led climate adaptation in East Africa

October 15, 2026 LPS Alliance

As climate change increasingly threatens livelihoods, infrastructure, and public services across East Africa, the need for effective climate adaptation has become more urgent. Yet despite growing international commitments to climate finance, relatively little funding reaches […]

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

July 11, 2026 Limabenla Jamir

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

LPSA Seminar: Decentralization, National Oversight and Accountability — A Kenya–South Africa Dialogue

July 3, 2026 Jacqueline Muthura

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 […]

What works better: elected leaders or appointed bureaucrats?

November 24, 2025 Limabenla Jamir

A long-running debate in decentralization circles asks whether local governments function better under elected leaders or appointed bureaucrats. Advocates of political decentralization emphasize accountability, community voice, and responsiveness, while supporters of technocratic administration highlight expertise, […]

Online Seminar: Reimagining Decentralisation in Kerala: Local Governance for a Sustainable Future

October 21, 2025 Limabenla Jamir

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 […]

Decentralized Governance and Climate Change

October 7, 2025 LPS Alliance

A new book sheds light on one of today’s most pressing global challenges: Decentralized Governance and Climate Change, edited by Jorge Martinez-Vazquez, Paul Smoke, and Serdar Yilmaz, examines the intersection between decentralization and climate policy, […]

LPSA Asia Working Group – Knowledge Sharing Meeting – September 2025

September 30, 2025 Limabenla Jamir

The Local Public Sector Alliance’s Asia Working Group convened on September 30, 2025, for its final knowledge-sharing session of the year. Co-Chair Madhavi Rajadhyaksha opened with reflections on emerging challenges across the Asia-Pacific, ranging from […]

The Role of Local and Regional Governments in Advancing Human Rights

April 18, 2025 Limabenla Jamir

In the evolving landscape of global governance, human rights have become central to sustainable peace, security, and development. Yet, despite the commitments made at international forums, the implementation of these rights often falters at the […]

Filling the emerging gap in development spending

March 18, 2025 LPS Alliance

As the reality sets in that the United States and European countries are drastically reducing their support to developing countries, there is a recognition that the end of the advanced economies’ generosity is not the […]

Decentralization, local governance, and inequality in the Middle East and North Africa

March 7, 2025 LPS Alliance

While many scholars, policymakers, and development practitioners view decentralization as a way to increase participation, strengthen political representation, and improve social welfare, little is known about the experiences of communities in the context of decentralization […]