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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

  • Lavender for livelihoods: How a Lebanese municipality turned waste into opportunity

    January 5, 2026

    In the Lebanese municipality of Ainata el Arz, a former illegal waste dump has been transformed into a thriving lavender field. The municipality turned unused land into a climate-smart livelihood initiative that strengthens social cohesion and creates income for both residents and refugees.

    Five years ago, at the height of the Syria crisis, Ainata el Arz faced growing pressure on services, limited livelihood opportunities and rising tensions between host communities and displaced families. Instead of relying on short-term humanitarian responses, the municipality chose along-term approach rooted in local leadership and shared economic development.

    Lavender emerged as the answer

    Through the MASAR programme of VNG International, Ainata reclaimed neglected municipal land and explored alternatives to traditional agriculture. Together with Dutch and Lebanese experts, the municipality identified lavender as a suitable crop: drought-resistant, relatively low-maintenance and with strong market potential.

    What started as a small pilot quickly proved commercially viable

    The municipality played a proactive role in shaping external support: FAO provided lavender seedlings instead of trees, while GIZ financed a drip irrigation system adapted to aromatic plants. In return, Ainata committed to employing both Lebanese residents and Syrian refugees once cash-for-work programmes ended, creating a dignified shared livelihoods model.

    The results speak for themselves:

    • Lavender oil is now exported to Europe.
    • Producers have secured 10 year contracts.
    • More than 20 families have replicated the model.
    • The municipality generates its own revenues for community projects serving both residents and refugees.
    • A second lavender field has been established with a nearby school as a learning and demonstration site.
    • Other municipalities in the region are exploring similar projects.

    Watch the video here:

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 […]