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

  • View of Kyiv

    Urgent appeal to Dutch municipalities to support Ukrainian cities with energy equipment

    February 26, 2026

    Read this article in Dutch

    Large parts of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have been damaged by targeted Russian attacks. As a result, essential public services are under severe pressure. The Ukrainian Embassy and the Kyiv City Council are making an urgent appeal to Dutch municipalities to provide support. Disruptions to the electricity grid affect daily life across the country, particularly in major cities such as Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, where power outages quickly impact residents and vital services.

    The municipalities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam have already contributed via the VNG Fund to support Ukrainian municipalities, for which we are very grateful.

    How Dutch municipalities can contribute

    To protect residents and keep essential services running, there is an urgent need for generators and other energy equipment. Dutch municipalities can contribute in two ways. They can make available energy equipment that is currently unused, or they can make a financial contribution to the VNG Fund. The cost of a generator ranges from tens of thousands to several hundreds of thousands of euros. This is precisely why sharing existing equipment or pooling financial contributions is so valuable. Even smaller contributions help Ukrainian municipalities secure emergency power for essential services. 

    What is needed now

    The current request focuses on equipment that can be deployed immediately to keep vital services operational, including:

    • diesel and gas generators
    • transformers
    • mobile substations
    • switchgear
    • voltage regulators

    Equipment that is no longer in active use in the Netherlands can make a difference in Ukrainian municipalities where the energy supply is under extreme strain.

    Donations via the VNG Fund

    The VNG Fund enables municipalities to support partner municipalities abroad in times of disaster and conflict. The Fund coordinates logistics and ensures that contributions reach the right place quickly and efficiently. Donations can be made to Stichting VNG Fonds NL94 BNGH 0285 1737 15 with the reference “Oekraine”. 

    Contact

    Municipalities that can make equipment available or have questions about the procedure are invited to contact mijke.rietbroek@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 […]