Municipal development cooperation effective and sustainable - 23-02-10

Municipal development cooperation is effective and sustainable. That is the most important conclusion of research of the Local Government South (LOGO South) programme conducted by the University of Utrecht and the University of Amsterdam. VNG International executes this programme with financing of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Within LOGO South, 50 Dutch Municipalities and Regional Water Authorities transfer knowledge to their partners in 13 development countries. The LOGO South research was concluded in January 2010.

LOGO South predominantly works through the colleague-to-colleague approach. Peers within local governments assist each other with strengthening local governance. This is unique due to its effective way of learning and its sustainable results, according to the evaluation. Local coordinators and national associations of municipalities ensure a national reach of the results of the LOGO South programme. Therefore, and because of the fact that existing organizations are used, costs are considerably low in comparison to other development cooperation programmes. There is a very large involvement of all participants. The evaluation therefore considers the programme unique when it comes to efficiency and sustainability.

LOGO South strengthens local governance by improving municipal organisations and the technical skills of civil servants. In Ghana, for example, Dutch municipalities and their partners cooperate on improving the collection and processing of waste. In relation to this, they work on a system for tax collection that finances this kind of service delivery. Another example is the development of municipal HIV/AIDS policy in Namibia. Supply and demand in the healthcare sector are better synchronized and the local municipality endeavours  to make the taboo-ridden subject of prevention discussable. In South America, the LOGO South programme is focused on creating a market for social housing by setting up housing corporations.

VNG International will use the results of the evaluation when applying for the successor of the current LOGO South programme. This application will be filed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before 1 April 2010.

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