SDLG: Sustainable Development through improved Local Governance

Across the world, local governments can face growing demands, limited resources and complex challenges such as climate change, migration and rapid urbanisation. SDLG, a 5-year programme funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, strengthens local governments so they can respond more effectively to these pressures, deliver reliable services and work transparently with citizens.

SDLG works with municipalities to improve how they plan, budget and organise daily services. It also focuses on building stronger connections with residents, civil society and local partners. In practice, this includes improving water management in flood-prone areas, enhancing local tax systems and developing policies that respond to the needs of both host communities and displaced people.

By enabling local governments to operate more effectively, SDLG leads to better public services and helps communities become more resilient in times of change.

Video

Watch our short explainer video to understand what SDLG is all about (with French subtitles).

About the programme

SDLG is part of a long-standing strategic partnership between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and VNG International. This successful collaboration has been in place for more than 20 years. Across different countries and themes, the programme is guided by one shared goal: “To empower local governments and their representative bodies to shape a more sustainable future for their communities”.

SDLG focuses on 4 thematic priorities:

Security & Rule of Law
Migration & Displacement
Own Source Revenue & Local Economic Development
Water Management

The programme is active in 16 countries: Algeria, Benin, Burundi, Ethiopia, Iraq, Kenya, Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, occupied Palestinian territory, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Uganda and Ukraine.

Our objectives

Security & Rule of Law

We work with local governments and communities to address the root causes of conflict in a non-violent and inclusive way. A key approach is adaptive programming, which allows interventions to be tailored to local realities.

Countries: Algeria, Burundi, Mali, occupied Palestinian territory, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda and Ukraine.

Migration & Displacement

We support local governments in responding to the needs of refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities. By linking humanitarian assistance with long-term development, the programme helps create more inclusive and sustainable local systems.

Countries: Iraq, Kenya, Lebanon and Uganda.

Own Source Revenue & Local Economic Development

We help local governments increase their revenues and develop local economies. This includes improving legal frameworks, building trust with citizens and expanding technical expertise.

Countries: Ethiopia, Mozambique, occupied Palestinian territory and Uganda.

Water Management

We work with local governments and their representative bodies to manage climate and water-related risks. This contributes to safe, healthy and equitable living conditions, as well as water security and climate resilience.

Countries: Benin, Mozambique and South Sudan.

Themes per country

In addition to the thematic objective, each country programme also has its specific objective, which is as follows:

SDLG Algeria Programme (Security & Rule of Law)

This programme supports Algeria in its decentralisation reforms. It focuses on stronger local governance, sustainable territorial development and more citizen participation. This will be achieved by promoting local governance and sustainable development within the Ministry of Interior (MICLAT) and by empowering local governments to take on new roles as key development actors.

SDLG Benin Programme (Water Management)

In the Basse Vallée de l’Ouémé, 5 municipalities face growing risks from flooding and climate change. This programme helps local governments strengthen water management and enhance community resilience. It supports local authorities, water management bodies and communities to better understand their roles, mobilise funding and manage water infrastructure. This includes early warning systems for floods, combining local monitoring, mobile alerts and community response structures.

SDLG Burundi Programme (Security & Rule of Law)

In cooperation with the Association of Burundi Communes, the programme enhances the legal and financial position of local governments and promotes more transparent leadership. It also helps municipalities generate revenue to finance development plans and basic services.

SDLG Ethiopia Programme (Own Source Revenue & Local Economic Development)

The programme supports the Ministry of Finance in implementing a new property tax system. By bringing together stakeholders from national, regional and local levels, the programme develops regulations, tools and shared approaches. This supports consistent and effective implementation.

SDLG Iraq Programme (Migration & Displacement)

In Kurdistan and Nineveh, the focus is on improving services for host communities and displaced people. Support covers (solid/medical) waste and composting, water, Local Economic Development (LED), local administration and citizen engagement. Concrete results include better water supply systems in villages, providing thousands of people with access to clean water and investments in waste treatment such as composting facilities that generate local income.

SDLG Kenya Programme (Migration & Displacement)

Kenya is moving towards a new and innovative integrated settlement approach, whereby refugees and host communities can more closely coexist and share common services. The programme strengthens the role of local governments, promotes cooperation with national authorities and clarifies responsibilities. At the same time, counties are supported to improve service delivery and local economic development, using tools that promote participation and accountability.

SDLG Lebanon Programme (Migration & Displacement)

In Lebanon, activities focus on helping local governments respond to migration challenges and maintain social cohesion. This includes enhancing municipal services and revenue via digitalisation, empowering civil society through Active Citizenship Labs to advocate for inclusive agendas and training diverse groups in local governance for next-generation resilience.

SDLG Mali Programme (Security & Rule of Law)

The programme supports local authorities to prevent and manage conflict in a non-violent and inclusive way. For example, municipalities work together in intercommunal alliances to address conflicts over land and water, using participatory planning with citizens to rebuild trust and reduce tensions.

SDLG Mozambique Programme (Own Source Revenue & Local Economic Development and Water Management)

Building on earlier work in land administration, this programme strengthens local revenue systems. In practice, municipalities such as Beira and Chimoio collaborate on digital tax systems and urban mapping. This improves revenue collection and helps municipalities invest in better services. In Beira, the programme strengthens drainage systems with sustainable solutions to reduce flood risks. It supports the Beira Autonomous Sanitation Unit through capacity building, better planning and donor coordination, while working with local communities in 4 pilot neighbourhoods.

SDLG Palestine Programme (Own Source Revenue)

In marginalised rural communities in Area C, the programme helps municipalities plan better, improve services and work with residents by combining participatory planning with stronger data use and local revenue growth.

SDLG Palestine Programme (Security & Rule of Law)

This project improves local services and decision-making by involving communities, supporting institutions and focusing on people who are often left out, to build lasting and inclusive development.

SDLG Somalia Programme (Security & Rule of Law)

This programme promotes inclusive local economic development by bringing together local governments, youth and marginalised groups. By working jointly on economic opportunities, trust between authorities and communities grows, contributing to long-term stability.

SDLG South Sudan Programme (Security & Rule of Law and Water Management)

In Eastern Equatoria, the programme helps communities prevent and resolve water-related conflicts. In Bor County, it focuses on flood management through early warning systems, disaster preparedness and more transparent decision-making.

SDLG Syria Programme (Migration & Displacement)

Following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, this pilot programme (2025–2026) supports local administrations in restoring basic services and rebuilding trust. The focus is on early recovery and social cohesion in three municipalities in the rural Damascus region.

SDLG Uganda Programme (Security & Rule of Law, Migration & Displacement and Own Source Revenue & Local Economic Development)

In Uganda, the programme focuses on strengthening governance in a fragile context. For example, municipalities work together on improving local revenue systems and citizen engagement, including national-level exchanges where local governments share approaches to taxation and service delivery.

SDLG Ukraine Programme (Security & Rule of Law)

After the full-scale invasion, the program assists local governments in enhancing their resilience and facilitating recovery efforts. During Phase 1, communities developed recovery plans and implemented initial projects with support through training and exchange. Phase 2 builds on this by focusing on resilience, economic development and democratic governance, including stronger citizen participation.