6th Annual DeLOG Meeting (2011) Villadsen, S: Synthesis paper on how to improve aid effectiveness in the field of decentralisation and local governance.

This presentation summarises findings from an EC-commissioned study on aid effectiveness and decentralisation. Since the Paris Declaration (PD), coordination and harmonisation of DLG programmes has improved while alignment continues to be an issue.

The presentation is based on case studies in Benin, Mozambique and Peru, and includes information on Ghana, Uganda and Cambodia. The results show that donors tend to apply one-size-fits-all approaches and treat local government like a sector. Generally, thereis a low level of ambition to go further on the PD. The PD has had limited direct impact on DLG reforms.One of the major constraints faced by local governments is that funding is available at national and sectoral level, rarely at local level. In all countries the study found weak fiscal decentralisation and poor local tax systems and a tendency to recentralise as soon as there were challenges. Strong national leadership is identified as the best way to improve aid effectiveness in the field of decentralisation and local governance.

This presentation was delivered at the 6th annual meeting of the Development Partners Working Group on Local Governance and Decentralisation (DeLOG).