Building Better Futures


VNG International are experts in strengthening democratic local government in developing countries and countries in transition.

VNG International

Local governments are key actors in tackling the global challenges the world is facing. As a layer of government that has a legal mandate to respond to citizens’ needs, they are fundamental actors in ensuring sustainable solutions in urban development, climate adaptation, safety, food security and rule of law. This is why, from our roots in local government in the Netherlands, VNG International invests in supporting democratic local governments worldwide.

We work on practical and innovative solutions to strengthen the functioning of local governments, in areas such as civil registry, land management, water and waste management, urban and local economic development. We implement many of our projects in the complexity of conflict, migration and crisis. In our approach we strive for equal access to services for all, with particular attention for women, young people and vulnerable groups.

We are supporting over

73 Million

People worldwide

55

Projects

30+

Countries

News updates

  • Empowering Inclusive and Sustainable Local Governance in Ethiopia

    April 28, 2025
  • VNG International logo

    Syria Roundtable: Strengthening Local Administration for a Sustainable Future

    April 9, 2025
  • Improving Water Sustainability in Upper Egypt: The ISWS Project

    April 1, 2025
  • Positive evaluation of strategic partnership with ministry

    March 27, 2025
  • Fifth World Forum of Cities and Local Governments in Montevideo

    May 27, 2025

    On May 2nd, Mayor of The Hague and UCLG president Jan van Zanen travelled to Montevideo, Uruguay, to take part in the Fifth World Forum of Cities and Local Governments for Peace. During the official opening of the Forum, Van Zanen launched the new edition of the UCLG Peace Prize which celebrates good work by local governments that help bring peace and development. It also helps people around the world see how important local governments are for a better and safer future. With this launch, the application period for the prize has now started. For more information on the UCLG Peace Prize and the application process, please visit the website.

    Local governments from all over the world are invited to apply for the UCLG Peace Prize. Applications are open until December 2025 on the official website. Out of all applications, a group of finalists will be selected. They will receive support to share their stories on international platforms and will be invited to present their work at the UCLG World Congress in Tangier in 2026, where the winner of the Peace Prize will be announced.

    The Forum also included a special session focused on the UCLG Peace Prize. Jan van Zanen opened this session, followed by contributions from the Mayor of Montevideo and the Head of International Affairs of the Province of Barcelona.

    The session continued with a presentation about the Peace Prize and a case study from Recife, shared by their representative. After that, there was a panel discussion with participants from Recife, SALGA (South African Local Government Association), the Province of Barcelona, and UCLG.

    This event marked an important step in promoting peace and local leadership around the world.

Featured projects

  • ADIL – Appui au Développement Intégré Local

    Country: Algeria
    Start August 1, 2024 till July 31, 2027
    General objective (impact): To support Algeria in its approach to reform in terms of integrated and sustainable territorial development, governance and participatory democracy, as part of the decentralization process. Specific objectives (results) : 1. Support the implementation of reforms to promote local governance and integrated, inclusive and sustainable territorial development through […]
  • Institutional capacity building with SASB and the development of tertiary drainage in the city of Beira

    Country: Mozambique
    Start April 1, 2023 till June 30, 2027
    The wider objective of the project is to enhance quality drainage for residents of Beira that protects them from inundation. This is done through institutional capacity development within SASB (Beira Autonomous Sanitation Unit). This institutional assistance will facilitate improved tertiary drainage and urban planning by SASB in the city of Beira in addition to improved […]
  • Ethiopia, Water Pricing for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth

    Country: Ethiopia
    Start September 1, 2018 till August 31, 2026
    The overall goal of the project is a realized transition towards an equitable access to scarce water resources and increased water-use efficiency in the Awash Basin, through improved water resources management and water regulation. The specific objective is to facilitate the introduction of a permit and tariffing system. Support is given on translating water […]
  • St Maarten, Netherlands Antilles, Civil Society Partnership Facility for Resilience (CSPFRP)

    Country: Sint Maarten
    Start July 10, 2020 till March 31, 2025
    The wider objective of the project is to improve the capacity of civil society organizations and support implementation of reconstruction and resilience sub-projects at the community level. The CSPFRP will be implemented through three main complementary components: (a) small grants to civil society organizations for reconstruction and resilience; (b) capacity building and technical assistance for […]