Presentation for Seminar Development cooperation of local municipalities Prague, 30th April 2014 Erik-Jan Hertogs project manager VNG International

Decentralised Cooperation Development education Decentralised cooperation: phases models Two cases: Goes Amsterdam Conclusion

What we believe in: Think Globally, Act Locally

Development Education National aid agencies involve local authorities Regional Centres for development education VNG International: : brochures and seminars : Millennium Municipalities campaign : sustainable development goals?

Decentralised Cooperation: Phases 1950s: peace 1980s: democracy and aid 1990s: capacity building

Decentralised Cooperation Three models of technical exchanges: Bottom-up Mixed Consultancy

Decentralised Cooperation: Bottom-up Based on existing relationships No geographical restrictions Priorities determined by partners Role VNG International: fund manager

Decentralised Cooperation: Evaluation of bottom-up Positive: Trust and pride were boosted Negative: Drops of water in the ocean No quality control

Mixed Concentration of countries Priorities determined by VNG International and municipalities Support on the ground, involvement of higher levels Role VNG International: programme manager

Decentralised Cooperation: Evaluation of Mixed Positive: Effective, efficient and sustainable. Make the linkages stronger Copy to other sectors and countries Politics: Far right and far left vote to reduce funding to zero Senate votes to have a new programme

Decentralised Cooperation: Consultancy Foreign Affairs establishes priorities and countries VNG International: project manager Municipalities help VNG International to implement country programmes Municipalities and others: providers of expertise

Decentralised Cooperation: Evaluation of Consultancy Positive: Alignment with policies of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Negative: Decrease in ownership by partners More seminars, less projects Politics / media: Temporary ban on mayors visiting partners

Development Education: Goes

Development Education Goes Africa year (2009) Latin America Year (2013) Mayor’s New year reception in the municipal theatre with cultural groups A outdoor show involving ballet school, sports clubs. Tens of volunteers involved and hundreds of spectators A fair trade fashion show Etc., etc.

Development Cooperation Goes Cooperation with Kamuli (Uganda): Schools: education on waste Family: children teach parents Municipality: collect, compost, sell Farmers: raise productivity

Decentralised Cooperation: Goes

Success factors: active, creative civil servants involve social organisations fun, positive private enterprise sponsors Cooperation with VNG International based on funding, framework and legitimacy

Decentralised cooperation: Goes

Decentralised cooperation: Amsterdam capital inh. multi-cultural Amsterdam’s decentralised cooperation policy: no development education position Amsterdam’s economy and culture countries: migrants and acquisiton transparency: rules, fees and reports

Amsterdam – Al Zaa’tri (Jordan)

Refugee camp Al Zaa’tri refugees 60% women 55% < 18 year

Al Zaa’tari tents / containers shops corruption and security risks

Amsterdam - Al Zaa’tri Dutch ministry of Foreign Affairs UNHCR Local authorities in Jordan National Jordanian authorities

Amsterdam - Al Zaa’tri Refugee camp with problems of a city. Project: draft integrated service plan governance plan technical expertise: water, waste, health, transport

Decentralised Cooperation: Amsterdam Success factors: Self-esteem of a big city High level political contacts Again: enthousiasm of the civil servant Cooperation with VNG International based on international project manager

Decentralised Cooperation in the Netherlands Conclusion: Balance development education / cooperation shifts Role VNG International changes Role of politics and the media Difference between small/medium and big cities

Decentralised Cooperation in the Netherlands Local authorities are able to build bridges where others fail.