The dlgn links national and linternational policy networks with regional and grass roots’ learning mechanisms existing in partner countries.
The dlgn develops and disseminated thematic standards (“best practices”), thus offering guidance for policy dialogue and operations.
The dlgn assists its members by providing easy access to specialized know how of competence centers and experts and to training opportunities.
The dlgn favours and organizes permanent and regular exchange of experiences among the network members, thus improving their thematical knowledge and competence.
What topics do we work on?
The major topics addressed by the dlgn are
Which concepts and working principles stand behind our action?
In regard to conceptual orientations, harmonisation and alignment (Accra Agenda for Action, Paris Declaration) are a key reference for our strategies and policies. Instruments and concepts used in practical cooperation comprise the Human Rights Based Approach, on- and off-budget support, gender and participative budgeting, capacity development and training, horizontal replication, regional scaling up, and policy dialogue.
The dlgn is coordinated by the “Focal Point Democratisation, Decentralisation and Local Governance” under the responsibilty of SDCs’ Western Balkans Division. The division head assumes the overall responsibility for the thematic focus, partner dialogue nsd quality standards. Around 10 core network members meet bi-weekly at the HQ, while the whole network collaborates on specific objectives and products and meets once a year in a face to face event. Our major working instrument is the share web.
The dlgn builds upon the active involvement of its members, who are the thematic specialists working in SDC’s cooperation offices and at the different geographical divisions of the HQ. Demand orientation stimulated by “smart” offers, exchange among practitioners and actors South-South, and the search for synergies and interaction with regional exchange dynamics (in Latin America, the Balkans, Africa, and Asia) are guiding concerns. We work with specialists of strategic partner organisations and inter-agency bodies like the “Informal Working Group of Development Partners on Decentralisation and Local Governance-IWG-DLG”, and we collaborate with the other thematic SDC networks, in particular with those concerned with governance aspects (conflicts/Human Rights, political economy, local economic development).
Contact: christa.romagnini@deza.admin.ch
