The Work of EU Delegations With Local and Regional Governments for Development

This report emphasizes the evolving role of local and regional governments (LRGs) in the landscape of development cooperation. LRGs, as policy and decision makers in their own right, have gained prominence internationally, collaborating with public and private entities to shape policies and decisions. Due to their close proximity to citizens and understanding of local concerns, they are ideally positioned to make informed decisions and take action on their behalf, possessing expertise to innovate in response to various development challenges. LRGs play a vital role in coordinating and engaging with other stakeholders like private sector, academia, civil society organizations, and other local and regional governments.

The European Union (EU) is a major contributor to Official Development Assistance, actively involved in 120 countries through the European Union External Action Service (EEAS) and EU Delegations (EUDs). The EEAS operates in diverse fields based on partner countries' priorities, including diplomacy, trade, security, human rights, and more. The EU, through its Delegations, also emphasizes good governance, sanitation, urban development, education, rural development, and health. PLATFORMA, a key organization, focuses on empowering LRGs and their national associations in partner countries, emphasizing decentralization reforms, capacity-building, and decentralized cooperation, which encompasses various forms of collaboration such as mayor-to-mayor partnerships, administration-to-administration cooperation, and development education initiatives.

In line with EU's development policy, there is an increasing emphasis on policy dialogue and partnerships with LRGs and their associations. The 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the Neighbourhood, Development, International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) promote consultation with LRGs at all stages of policymaking, aiming for a sustained policy and political dialogue. Additionally, the study underscores the significance of leveraging the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through decentralized international action and local engagement, aligning with the 2030 Agenda. The EU, EU Delegations, and Member States are initiating country roadmaps for engagement with LRGs, mirroring the engagement with civil society to establish efficient policy dialogues, considering LRGs' views and specificities to shape a joint vision and framework for engagement. The report aims to enhance understanding and collaboration between EU Delegations and LRGs, assessing the approaches, engagements, and potential for future collaboration in the realm of development cooperation.