Local governments play a vital role in crises, such as providing essential services, maintaining social cohesion, and supporting communities during disruptions. In this context, a new session of the UNDP SDG Local Solutions Series, titled “The role of local government associations in crises“, will explore how Local Government Associations (LGAs) can strengthen local resilience and governance during crises.
Date: 2 December 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. NY time
Register here.
The event will showcase experiences from local government associations in Rwanda, Somalia, and Southeastern Europe to show how these associations can help local governments respond to crises, advocate for local priorities, and promote inclusive recovery.
Download the concept note here.
These case studies demonstrate how LGAs act as institutional links between local and national governments, encourage peer learning, and support local ownership of recovery and stabilization efforts.
- In Rwanda, the Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA) has been crucial in advancing post-conflict decentralization, professionalizing local administrations, and maintaining essential services through training, coordination, and policy dialogue.
- In Somalia, a local government association is starting to form, aiming to help municipalities build legitimacy, improve service delivery, and incorporate conflict-sensitive planning amidst fragile governance structures and repeated climate shocks.
- Across South-Eastern Europe, the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS) exemplifies regional cooperation, supporting over 9,000 local authorities through shared tools, fiscal management training, and coordinated crisis responses to issues such as migration, conflict, and economic downturns.
SPEAKERS
Ladislas Ngendahimana
Local Governance Expert. Consultant of UN-Habitat Somalia.
Boran Ivanoski
Programme Director at NALAS (Network of associations of local authorities of South East Europe)
MODERATOR
Eric Rosand
Executive Director of the Strong Cities Network
Join this webinar to learn how local government associations can promote local leadership, ensure institutional continuity, and foster collaboration across government levels—even in the toughest situations.