The Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) Good Practice Scheme seeks to  improve the delivery of local authority services through the spread of good practice. The Scheme matches UK councils with an overseas partner. CLGF support both parties through identifying a project of mutal benefit and developing a project plan, and can provide up to £40,000 to support selected project activities.

Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals is the overarching goal to which the Scheme aims to contribute. Improving the capacity of local government to provide quality basic services to local communities will contribute to reducing global poverty. Projects are therefore designed to contribute to “Improving capability – effectiveness, responsiveness, and accountability, in sustainable forms – of participating local authorities in target countries to serve their citizens.”

The Good Practice Scheme (GPS) brings benefits to both partners. UK local authorities are increasingly encouraged to work in partnership with the community they serve using different methods of participation. The Scheme enhances their learning centred on accountability, resource management, communication, monitoring and evaluation, adaptability and transparency – all tools which are required within their day to day working environment.

Phase 3 of the Good Practice Scheme (GPS) is now open for applications. Overall there will be up to 34 active individual partnership projects designed to promote good practice policy and practical projects to reduce poverty in the following areas:

Many UK councils were involved in Phase 2 of the Good Practice Scheme, further information on the work that they did can be found in our case studies section.

It’s not too late to be involved in the scheme. If you would like any further information then please contact Hannah Cook or Rachael Duchnowski on 0207 3891490 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit the CLGF website.

The Good Practice Scheme (GPS) is funded by the UK Department for International Development and managed by CLGF.