Fiscal Decentralisation & Local Finance

Key questions in this course include: how can fiscal relations between national and local authorities be improved? How can local authorities raise their income and finance basic services for the poor? And how can citizens actively help set spending priorities and hold their governments accountable? 

You will learn about the four pillars of fiscal decentralisation and discuss relevant tools for income generation and financial management at the local level along with approaches for participatory budgeting (including women and marginalised groups), and public-private partnerships. 

You will also get acquainted with practical examples to help increase revenue, improve services and at the same time support civic engagement and government accountability.

In addition to expert-lectures from a.o. UNCDF, there will be study visits to the Netherlands’ Ministry of Interior, the Association of Municipalities and the Dutch Tax and Customs Office. You will learn more about local practices in The Netherlands by visiting the city of The Hague and engaging in a municipal finance quiz.