Netherlands, Policy Advice to Dutch Municipalities and the VNG on International Cooperation 2023

Objectives:

The project is based on the following objectives:

1. To demonstrate the importance of international cooperation for municipalities as well as contributions of municipalities to international cooperation.
2. To offer access to international knowledge and cooperation and to carry out good practices of Dutch local governments where relevant.
3. To inform and to advise on international developments and agendas and how these can be localized and implemented by municipalities (e.g. Municipalities4GlobalGoals campaign).
4. To facilitate knowledge exchange between Dutch and foreign municipalities regarding international policies and the international dimension of local challenges.
5. Good internal coordination, within the B2023 team, the VNG (incl. team Europe) and VNG International.

Activities:

The project aims to achieve these objectives through the following categories of activities:

1. Provision of services to Dutch municipalities
2. Platforms and networks related to international relations and policy
3. Advocacy / Representation of interests of municipalities
4. Management and communication
5. Special focus in 2023: membership relation with the Caribbean members, start of new Chair VNG, Secretariat

Services delivered:

Services delivered:

• A national campaign Gemeenten4GlobalGoals (Municipalities4GlobalGoals) that provides the still growing group of participating municipalities with concrete support in the shape of information materials and examples, research, Global Goals elections and meetings.,
• Participation in national SDG steering committee and SDG focal points consultation of the ministries and contribution to the annual progress report of the Netherlands.
• An technical advisory group of municipalities, to discuss international trends, policies and relations at local level and feed VNG’s international actions and policiesSecretariat of the international delegation of the VNG committee on European & International Affairs
• Support to the VNG-delegation within world organisation United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), incl. co-presidency of Jan van Zanen
• Lobby actions towards the ministry of Foreign Affairs, the United Nations, the European Commission and the Dutch Parliament
• Contribution to VNG processes and activities , participation in events e.g. the VNG annual congress, webinars etc.

Staff:
Pieter Jeroense, Renske Steenbergen, Jessie Post, Irene ten Teije, Claudia de Laaf, Rik Ploeg, Joppe Bastiaansen, Mijke Rietbroek, Anne Schuurmans, Finn Speulman, VNG International events (2 colleagues)

Extra budget: this year to support Jan van Zanen in UCLG, Secretariat NL2040 (thinkteam Netherlands in the World), membership Caribbean members.

Budget available for staff time: 433.773,00