MENA Archives – Decentralization Net

Syria’s new leaders reject demands for federalism and regional autonomy

April 29, 2025 LPS Alliance

Syria’s Islamist leaders said this week on Sunday that Kurdish demands for the country to adopt a decentralized system of government in a post-Assad political order posed a threat to national unity. “We clearly reject […]

The Dynamics of Decentralization in the MENA: Processes, Outcomes, and Obstacles

May 10, 2022 LPSAManager

In March 2020, the Program on Governance and Local Development at the University of Gothenburg brought together decentralization scholars from around the MENA region. The discussions focused around the design of decentralization reforms, obstacles, progress […]

Webinar: Urban Governance, Social Inclusion and Fragility in the MENA region

February 24, 2022 LPSAManager

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is defined by its urbanizing, and highly concentrated populations. Yet, rising inequality and exclusion within cities can derail development progress, and MENA is no exception. Fast growing and […]

Webinar: Local Governance, Conflict, and Peacebuilding in the MENA region

February 24, 2022 LPSAManager

Local governance can address drivers of insecurity and conflict by enhancing government responsiveness and accountability to local people, including for the diverse needs of heterogeneous populations. The role of political decentralization, in signaling agreed vertical […]

Webinar: Decentralization and inclusive local governance in MENA: reforms and progress

February 24, 2022 LPSAManager

MENA countries have made some decentralization gains since the Arab Spring. However, these gains have been partial, incomplete, and limited because of other concerns. Morocco, Tunisia and Iraq are among the most decentralized countries in […]

Webinar: A comparative analysis of decentralization and subnational governance in MENA

February 24, 2022 LPSAManager

Several MENA countries have made decentralization gains, particularly since the Arab Spring. However, these gains have been partial, incomplete, and limited by regime security and patronage concerns. A recent study analyzes the extent to which […]

Comparative analysis of subnational governance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

December 21, 2021 LPS Alliance

A recent desk study prepared for USAID analyzes the extent to which governance is decentralized in law and practice in nine Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries—Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, […]

Webinar: A comparative analysis of decentralization and subnational governance in MENA

November 14, 2021 LPS Alliance

Several MENA countries have made decentralization gains, particularly since the Arab Spring. However, these gains have been partial, incomplete, and limited by regime security and patronage concerns. A recent study analyzes the extent to which […]

Decentralization and Local Development in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA)

November 14, 2021 LPS Alliance

Effective decentralization and localization—including subnational governance systems that empower and encourage local leaders to promote inclusion and equity—form an important precondition for resilient, inclusive, sustainable, equitable and efficient development. The Local Public Sector Alliance is […]

Webinar: Decentralization and inclusive local governance in MENA: reforms and progress

November 14, 2021 LPS Alliance

MENA countries have made some decentralization gains since the Arab Spring. However, these gains have been partial, incomplete, and limited because of other concerns. Morocco, Tunisia and Iraq are among the most decentralized countries in […]