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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

  • Pilot programme launched to support local governance in Syria

    March 2, 2026

    Years of conflict and arbitrary governance have weakened local institutions across Syria, disrupting services and undermining public trust. As the level of government closest to communities, local administrations are often the first institutions residents rely on to restore essential services and respond to urgent local needs. A recent motion by Van der Werf in the Dutch House of Representatives emphasized the need to strengthen local governance as a key condition for stability and community protection. Building on more than twenty years of experience in the Middle East and the Levant, VNG International is currently preparing a pilot programme to support local governments in Syria.

    A gradual and practical pilot approach

    Given the complex and evolving situation in Syria, the programme is designed as a pilot with a phased and flexible approach. Initial activities will focus on small, visible improvements that directly benefit communities and help local administrations regain operational capacity.

    The programme focuses on three connected areas:

    • strengthening the role and functioning of local authorities;
    • improving essential local service delivery;
    • rebuilding trust between citizens and local administrations.

    Together, these efforts aim to create safer and more stable local environments.

    Learning from local partners

    In December, VNG International carried out an exploratory mission in the region to better understand the needs of local administrations and explore cooperation opportunities with national and local authorities. The mission focused on practical questions such as restoring services, supporting reconstruction and enabling safe and sustainable return. Representatives from the Syrian municipalities of Daraya, Harasta and Jaramana also joined a learning event organised through the SDLG Lebanon programme. Together with international partners, they exchanged experiences on local recovery challenges and shared examples of ongoing local initiatives.

    Dialogue with Dutch and Syrian stakeholders

    Following roundtables held in April, VNG International organised further discussions in November and February with Dutch organisations, diaspora representatives and academics. The exchanges explored transparency, inclusion and cooperation approaches, and are informing the development of a realistic and locally anchored pilot programme. Special attention was given to transparency towards citizens, the role of women and young people in recovery processes and the potential contribution of the Syrian diaspora in the Netherlands through knowledge sharing and professional networks. The outcomes are helping shape a programme that builds on local ownership and practical cooperation.

    Interested in learning more, or getting involved? Contact: Bo Altena, bo.altena@vng.nl

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 […]