Course: Fiscal Decentralisation and Local Finance

How a country organises its public finances forms the basis for how local authorities govern priorities in cities, towns, and villages. While national governments have the responsibility to design and supervise a system that works, local authorities are challenged to use their often limited resources for delivering better local services.

Case studies will analyse different local finance initiatives across the globe. Participants will also visit Dutch institutions including the Dutch Ministry of Interior and the Municipality of The Hague.

This course will address the following questions:

• How can spending responsibilities and revenue resources best be assigned to the different government layers, taking into account the country context?
• What are the responsibilities of the national government in designing and supervising a system that works?
• How can sub-national governments be supported to increase local revenues and strengthen financial management?
• How can local authorities be held accountable by their citizens?

You will discuss the assignment of expenditure responsibilities and revenue sources, the design and implementation of intergovernmental transfers, financial accountability, gender budgeting and local government spending and monitoring.

You can find more information here.