VNG International
VNG International is the International Cooperation Agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) and is committed to strengthening democratic local government worldwide. The parent organization, VNG, is one of the oldest national associations of municipalities in the world and was established in 1912. The international tradition of VNG, exemplified through its partnerships with other national local government associations and the world organization of cities and local governments, provides VNG International with valuable access to experience and facilities necessary for municipal development.
VNG International works in nearly all fields of municipal policy, with a focus on service delivery, decentralization, citizens participation, integrity policy, capacity building of local government associations, municipal international co-operation and local economic development. In addition to these established municipal areas of expertise, VNG International also provides expertise in the fields of HIV/AIDS, conflict prevention and resolution, and European Structural and Cohesion Funds.
VNG International achieves its mission through project development and implementation, decentralized cooperation, technical and managerial assistance and peer exchanges for local governments and their national associations to help them strengthen their capacities and improve their professional performance. VNG International is active on three intertwined levels: on the individual level - training of municipal staff and elected representatives; on the organizational level - advising and coaching local authorities; and on the institutional level - adapting financial regulations, laws and institutional arrangements.
