From 2012-2014, the United Nations Democracy Fund supported The Hunger Project to build a community of practice on Participatory Local Democracy. This community was mobilized to comprise dozens of local pro-democracy civil society groups in more than 70 countries.
Following a series of regional meetings in Africa, Asia and Latin America in 2012, a small secretariat team in Washington DC developed a multidimensional Participatory Local Democracy Index and solicited input from all participating countries to issue State of Participatory Local Democracy Reports during the 2013 and 2014 UN General Assembly.
UNDEF does not “renew” grants – it intends to make a catalytic investment, and with this project they succeeded. It led directly to the launch of the Movement for Community-led Development alongside the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015.
Posts on this site
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Introducing the RDLG Bibliographic Database
We are pleased to announce that the Rural Decentralization and Local Government (RDLG) Database, with its 1600 bibliographic entries – is now part of this website. The Royal Tropical Institute in the Netherlands has, for many years, supported its development and operation within its KIT Information and Library Services. When the services closed in August 2013 due…
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Strategic priorities and operational challenges for European support for democratic decentralisation in the context of the new ACP-EU partnership agreement
Abstract: European donors will remain important supporters for democratic decentralization and municipal development in Africa, but many strategic and operational challenges exist on both sides. The paper outlines ways to address those, and to anchor poverty and local development concerns in European support. Author(s): Loquai, Christiane Source(s): , ECDPM discussion paper; no. 24 53 p.,…
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Decentralization policies and practices under structural adjustment and democratization in Africa
Abstract: The relationship between structural adjustment and democratization, and the institutionalization of local government in African countries is analysed. Suggestions are offered for improving the design and implementation of decentralization policies. Author(s): Olowu, Dele Source(s): , Democracy, governance and human rights programme paper; 4 31 p., 30 cm Democracy, governance and human rights programme paper…
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African decentralisation policies and practices from 1980s and beyond
Abstract: The dilemmas of recent decentralization policies and programmes in Africa are highlighted and the main features of African decentralization practices from colonial times to the 1980s and beyond are identified. Author(s): Olowu, Bamidele Source(s): , Working papers / Institute of social studies; 334 46 p., 30 cm Working papers / Institute of social studies…
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Local democracy, democratic decentralisation and rural development : theories, challenges and options for policy
Abstract: The effectiveness of decentralization for rural poverty reduction depends on: (1) an appropriate balance between autonomy and accountability; (2) constructive support from external actors; and (3) a commitment to democratic deepening. Author(s): Johnson, Craig Source(s): Development policy review; 19(2001)4, p. 521-532 Development policy review 19(2001)4 Published: 2001 Lit, (English ISBN/ISSN: /0950-6764 Link: http://www.uoguelph.ca/~cjohns06/publications/decentralisation.pdf