New future for LOGO South more likely! - 03-05-11

Ben Knapen, minister for Development Cooperation has written a letter informing the Dutch Parliament about his intentions regarding the LOGO South Programme. In his letter, Mr. Knapen announced that he is reserving €1.96 mln. for the LOGO South programme in 2011 in order to maintain the infrastructure of the programme and that he is planning to start a new development cooperation programme in 2012 which benefits from the expertise of Dutch municipalities.

Two weeks before the Minister had sent the letter, the Senate passed a motion unanimously in which the importance of involving the expertise of Dutch local authorities in development cooperation programmes was stressed.

Under the LOGO South programme, Dutch municipalities aim to strengthen local governance and democracy in 17 developing countries. The budget for the programme was unexpectedly reduced to zero by Parliament on 16 December 2010, despite a very positive external evaluation.