Services

Excellent project management

VNG International designs and manages large-scale and complex projects for a broad variety of clients. We only accept an assignment when we are certain we can deliver what has been agreed upon. In some projects we are the sole implementer, in others we work in a consortium with partners and offer complementary expertise. We work with local partners, associations of local authorities, training institutes, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and others.

Through our longstanding experience, we are familiar with the requirements of a variety of international donors and the reality of beneficiaries. With the project objectives in mind, we aim for the right balance between strict implementation where justified, and flexibility when needed. We do this always with an open mind to our clients’ wishes.

Advisory services

VNG International has a large network of short-term and long-term advisers, with extensive international and local experience in a wide range of local government policy fields. Our experts balance the technical and the more conceptual or political aspects of change processes in local government. It is the combination of wise and well-informed politicians and professional and qualified staff that can make the difference. We also carry out policy research and are very experienced in analysing the effects that centrally defined policies and measures have on local governments.

Management of grant schemes

VNG International is an expert in setting up and managing schemes for grants under contract. Our experience relates to grant schemes for local authorities as well as NGO’s and CSO’s. We have developed guidebooks, grant manuals and (pre-disbursement) trainings to ensure the proper use of funding and fiduciary management. We have adopted a strategy of digitalised process monitoring and the use of dashboards for real-time business intelligence. Increasing the capacity of grant holders is part and parcel of the approach, that concentrates on governance, financial management, diversification of resources, project management and volunteer management, among others.

Training in collaboration with The Hague Academy for Local Governance

In a joint venture with the city of The Hague, VNG International created a specialised training institute, The Hague Academy for Local Governance. It is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that aims to strengthen local democracy worldwide by offering practice-oriented training in The Netherlands and abroad. Many staff members of local offices and donation missions and delegations have already taken part in the trainings. VNG International and The Hague Academy work closely together and make good use of each other’s services.