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

VNG International

Local governments make a real difference in how people live, work and thrive. As the level of government closest to citizens, they translate policies into tangible results and deliver solutions that improve everyday life. That is why VNG International, rooted in the experience of Dutch municipalities, supports democratic local governments around the world.

We work with local governments to develop practical and innovative solutions that strengthen their capacity and performance. Our projects cover areas such as improving waste and water services, climate change adaptation, local tax systems, local economic development, and transparent local governance. We often work in contexts affected by conflict, migration and crisis, enhancing inclusive and reliable public services, with particular attention to women, young people and vulnerable groups.

We are supporting over

73 Million

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  • Local Inclusion Agenda helps municipalities embed inclusion in daily practice

    July 17, 2026

    The Local Inclusion Agenda (LIA) offers municipalities a practical way to make inclusion part of everyday local governance. It combines a participatory process with an action plan that helps local authorities identify barriers and improve policies, services and public spaces together with the people affected by them.

    Download the Local Inclusion Agenda (pdf, 4 MB)

    Originally developed in the Netherlands to help municipalities put the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) into practice, the approach has since been further developed and tested internationally. The methodology brings this experience together in a practical toolkit that municipalities can adapt to their own context.

    From barriers to action

    The 6-domain Index helps municipalities review inclusion across education and development, housing and living, work and income, leisure, transport and wellbeing, health and support. It shows what is already in place and where gaps remain. The 11-step Roadmap then helps turn priorities into action, from identifying barriers and setting priorities to defining responsibilities, implementing actions and monitoring progress. Tools such as Action Cards support municipalities in translating priorities into concrete tasks and timelines.

    Building on existing policies

    The LIA does not replace existing municipal policies or strategies. Instead, it helps integrate inclusion into existing planning, budgets, services and working methods. Actions depend on the local context and may include improving accessibility of public buildings, adapting transport or communication and strengthening cooperation between municipal departments.

    Participation throughout the process

    Participation is a guiding principle of the LIA. Persons with disabilities and Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) are involved in identifying barriers, setting priorities, developing solutions and monitoring progress. Their lived experience and expertise help municipalities understand where policies and services create barriers in practice. In this way, the principle of ‘Nothing about us without us’ is embedded throughout the process.

    Adaptable and continuous

    The methodology draws on experience from Dutch municipalities and international pilots in Burundi, Ethiopia and South Sudan. While disability inclusion is the primary starting point, the approach can also support inclusion of other groups at risk of exclusion. The LIA is not a one-off exercise. Municipalities can revisit priorities, review progress and adjust actions over time, making inclusion a continuing part of planning, implementation and evaluation. VNG International supports municipalities, development programmes and partners in applying the methodology through training, facilitation, technical guidance and peer-to-peer learning.

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