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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

  • Building Kenya’s shift to sustainable refugee governance

    December 23, 2025

    As Kenya moves from emergency response to long-term refugee governance, capacity becomes the bridge between policy and practice. People need the right knowledge and tools to make the change work, so they can deliver inclusive services that benefit both refugees and host communities.

    That is why VNG International brought stakeholders together in Kenya to review and validate the Refugee Management Curriculum. The forum was organised with the Kenya School of Government and The Hague Academy for Local Governance. The curriculum is designed to strengthen the day-to-day capacity needed as Kenya reshapes how it manages refugee affairs.

    A practical curriculum, developed together

    Participants were clear on what is needed. As Kenya redefines its approach, capacity strengthening is essential. The curriculum was seen as timely and important for supporting public officers and partners as the country shifts from a mainly humanitarian response to a development-oriented and government-led approach. This transition aligns with the Refugee Act 2021 and the Shirika Plan. Validating the curriculum together strengthens shared ownership and coordination. It helps create a common understanding across institutions and levels of government. This will advance an inclusive, coordinated and sustainable response that benefit both refugees and host communities.

    Many voices around the table

    The forum brought together a broad and representative group of actors, whose institutional mandates intersect with refugee management in Kenya. The Ministry of Interior and National Administration participated, represented by the Commissioner for Refugee Affairs, Ms Mercy Mwasaru. Leaders from counties hosting refugees, including Garissa, Turkana and Nairobi, joined as well, alongside embassies, development partners, refugee-led organisations and academic institutions.

    VNG International thanks all partners for their active participation and practical feedback, which will help improve the curriculum further. The commitment shown during the forum is an important step towards stronger and more sustainable refugee governance in Kenya.

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 […]