VNG International is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Over the past 25 years, we have contributed to strengthening good local governance in many countries – an essential foundation for stable, safe, and prosperous societies.

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.

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.

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.

Without strong local governments, global ambitions remain words on paper. That message echoed throughout The power of cities’, an event organized by VNG International at Nieuwspoort in the run-up to the Dutch general elections.