The demand upon UK councils for support and technical expertise from developing countries is growing. In response to this the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) has, over the last five years developed a database of local government practitioners with expertise to offer councils abroad.

Now CLGF is expanding this network of dedicated individuals and are looking for people with experience in corporate governance, democratic engagement, finance and management and a range of service delivery areas who may be called upon to speak at conferences, run workshops, advise and support projects abroad.   To date practitioners have spoken at conferences, run workshops, advised and supported projects in councils abroad. Database members are sometimes invited to travel overseas to complete their assignments and this can be anything up to a few weeks each year. 

The database has some very specific criteria which applicants must meet in order to join; notably that you are a Commonwealth citizen able to travel overseas, you are a local government practitioner with relevant experience and expertise and that you are enthusiastic to do work or undertake short projects to assist colleagues in other local authorities in improving and developing local services. It is also a way to improve one's own skills and expertise.

CLGF will be holding selection days for interested applicants on 11-13 October in London and during the week of 24 October in Scotland. For further information please see the Practitioners Database Technical Competancies. If you would like to apply please fill out the Practitioner Database Application Form 2011 and CLGF will contact you shortly

For any questions contact Ann Astell or Cecillia Makonyola