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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

  • Looking back on a 14-year success story of promoting participatory governance in Ethiopia Dec 10, 2024 – Ethiopia

    December 10, 2024

  • Addressing Urban Violence through Local Peacebuilding

    October 28, 2024

  • UCLG Municipal Peace Talks

    October 8, 2024

  • Launch Think and Do Tank Kenya

    September 19, 2024

  • 600 Containers, One Goal: A Cleaner West Ramallah

    December 24, 2024

    On the 3rd of December, we proudly launched our solid waste management initiative with the handover of 600 household waste containers to villages in the West Ramallah Cluster. The opening ceremony, attended by Dr. Sami Hijjawi (Minister of Local Government), Michel Rentenaar (Head of Mission, Netherlands Representative Office in Palestine), and mayors from the eight local authorities of the West Ramallah, marks an important moment in our ongoing efforts to improve waste management in Palestine.

    The initiative is a concrete response to the lack of adequate infrastructure for waste collection and disposal, which was one of the challenges identified in proper solid waste management in the West Ramallah. The sector of solid waste management in Palestine is marked by serious pollution issues due to large waste volumes, poor disposal practices, open dumps, limited recycling, and restricted revenue generation. Therefore, this initiative is a significant step towards addressing one of the environmental issues in the region – improper waste management, which has led to contamination. In the past, communal waste containers on the streets have been damaged due to ongoing settler attacks. These new household waste containers, which can be securely stored on private property, offer a more sustainable solution for waste collection. The 600 containers will benefit the cluster of villages in the western area of Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate: Shabtin, Shuqba, Qibya, Budrus, Kharbatha Bani Harith, Deir Qaddis, Ni’lin, and Al-Midya.

    The waste management initiative is part of the wider Sustainable Development through improved Local Governance (SDLG) programme, which focuses in Palestine on the thematic priority of Security & Rule of Law in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Governments (MOLG). Over five years, the SDLG programme aims to promote legitimacy and stability in local communities by strengthening organizational capacity, empowering individuals and groups, and fostering an institutional environment that supports clear mandates and decentralization. VNG International works in Area C as it is critical for Palestine’s viability, covering 61% of the West Bank and housing 300,000 Palestinians who face significant challenges due to territorial fragmentation, restricted resource access, and limited infrastructure connectivity, all compounded by complex Israeli policies. These issues hinder effective governance and integrated service delivery across the region. The SDLG Programme is based on a partnership between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and VNG International.

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 […]