VNG International

Community development

Institutional development

Public utilities

Inter-municipal co-operation

Dutch and Moroccan municipalities

The overall objective is to enhance Moroccan municipalities' effectiveness, to contribute to decentralisation and local democracy in Morocco, and to intensify participation of citizens of Moroccan descent in the affairs of Dutch municipalities. The platform was created in 2000 as a vehicle for Dutch municipalities interested in exchange with Moroccan ones. This interest is born of the great societal and political changes of Morocco during the reign of King Mohamed VI, the many citizens of Moroccan descent in Dutch cities and towns, and the economic and political impact of migration from one of Europe's southern neighbours. The platform is currently in its second phase.

The activities of the platform and the municipalities in it are diverse. Some bilateral relationships in its framework focus on waste, town planning, and participation of young people. There are platform-wide activities about local elections and the functioning of councils, disaster and crisis prevention and response, the relationship of municipalities with local NGOs, and participation of women and youth.