Developing tools and cases to promote governance and democracy under decentralization

The European Union Civil Society Organizations and Local Authorities Thematic Program is being developed for the new cycle of E.U. development cooperation to support multi-actor approaches and inclusive partnerships for poverty eradication and sustainable development. The program aims to help Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Local Authorities (LAs) respond to population needs and to encourage inclusive policy making at different levels. Program activities encourage CSOs and LAs to interact in innovative ways, thus facilitating local public policy making and better development outcomes. The Capstone team worked with EuropeAid’s Civil Society and Local Authorities Unit on their efforts to promote governance and democracy under decentralization. The team developed a series of sector-specific background papers and case studies to help provide direction and guidance for EuropeAid’s decentralization and local governance initiatives in the areas of security, public sector management, civil society, state building, and human rights.