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Newsletter July/August 2011 |
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In this July/August 2011 edition we have details of news and events affecting councils, as well as funding and networking opportunities.
News
East Africa is experiencing a major humanitarian crisis due to drought. More than 12 million people need emergency relief. Britain is providing lifesaving aid for over three million people across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia and the UK is now calling on more countries to follow its lead and step up their help for the crisis. Read more.
The Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), in collaboration with the Ghanaian Local Government Association, held a dissemination seminar in Ghana, 20-21 July 2011 to enable partners involved in the Good Practice Scheme (GPS) to disseminate the results and the learning from their projects to a wider audience in Ghana and to explore areas where the project outcomes can help shape and strengthen national policy making. More details.
In July, the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), with the assistance of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, promoted a program titled “Building Support for Models of Local Democracy within a Federal System” at an event in Karachi, Pakistan. This is against the backdrop of suspended local government in the country and the ongoing local government legislative process in Pakistan which has resulted in the responsibility for local government now lying with the Provinces rather than the federal government. More details
Throughout the month of July, the Leeds City Museum displayed artefacts relating to the anti-apartheid movement including a letter from Nelson Mandela. It was part of a project to document the history of the anti-apartheid movement in Leeds and the roots of the Leeds-Durban partnership, by working with schools across the city.
The "Voices Against Apartheid" project captured and raised awareness of the movement in Leeds in the 1970’s and 80’s, which concluded when Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990. The passionate involvement was led by the people of Leeds’ deep rooted commitment to the cause which reflects the city’s values of social justice and promoting equality and diversity.
For more information visit the "Voices Against Apartheid" website.
The Born to Shine TV series has raised over £1.778 million for Save the Children's charity work with the help of UK aid and the generous British public. The money raised throughout the series will help save thousands of children's lives around the world by treating and preventing childhood diseases.
The final show of the fundraising programme - which aired on ITV1 in the UK on Sunday 21 August - was backed by the Government's new UK Aid Match scheme, which doubled the money pledged to Save the Children's work overseas.
For more details on UK Aid Match and the work of the Department for International Development (DFID) click here.
World Humanitarian Day has been celebrated by over 40 countries worldwide on 19 August since 2009. The day was chosen to commemorate the death of 22 humanitarian workers who, in 2003, were killed when the UN Office in Iraq was bombed.
Among those killed was Sergio Viera de Mello, the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights and Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Iraq. His widow, who set up the Sergio Viera de Mello Foundation, fought for 19 August to be recognised as World Humanitarian Day. This was agreed by the UN General Assembly in December 2008, and first celebrated in 2009. Click here to read about Britain's involvement.
Upcoming events...
The demand upon UK councils for support and technical expertise from developing countries is growing. To respond effectively to this CLGF have, over a number of years developed a database of local government practitioners with expertise to offer councils abroad. In response to this, CLGF will be expanding this network of dedicated individuals. In demand are people with a range of 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.
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 click here or contact
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or
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What does the Scotland-Malawi relationship mean for Young Scots? To include a presentation from the Scottish Youth Parliament who have recently returned from Malawi. All are welcome to attend. For security, places must be booked in advance by emailing
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and all attendees must arrive at the Parliament at least 20 minutes before the scheduled start time. For more information on this event, as well as other upcoming activities of the Scotland-Malawi Partnerships click here.
Funding & other opportunities
The latest Wales Africa Community Links grants round is still open for applications. The scheme offers a range of grants to support the development of community links between Wales and Sub-Saharan Africa. Grants are funded by the Welsh Government’s 'Wales for Africa' programme, managed by Wales Council for Voluntary Action.
The deadline for applications is 22 September 2011. For eligibility criteria and detailed guidance please click here.
The European Commission’s EuopeAid is calling for proposals from local authorities across the EU and in developing countries to cooperate in international development projects. The thematic programme “Non-State Actors and Local Authorities in Development” covers projects in developing countries, development education within the EU and coordination and communication between civil society and local authority networks on development.
The specific objectives of this call for proposals are to: 1) support access to employment for young people through projects targeting non-formal skills development and vocational training, and 2) support the service-delivery of local authorities and NGOs in this area. Grant requests must fall between EUR 300,000 and 750,000.
The deadline for submission of proposals is 10 October 2011 and full details can be found here.
The International Communities Programme funds projects that focus on tackling the causes of poverty and deprivation and bring about a long-term difference to the most disadvantaged people in the world. You can apply for grants of £50,000 to £500,000 for projects lasting from two to five years. Read more....
European Funding for Local Authorities: timetable announced
The timetable for the publication of calls for proposals (2011/2012) has been announced. Calls for proposals for multi-country and for education & development will be launched in early November 2011. The timetable for calls by country is also available here
Development news & info
This July/August issue features a series of special reports on water and sanitation, including water in an urbanising world, rethinking health for cities in the future, sanitation in cities and the French experience of water management.
Decentralised development - European perspectives
PLATFORMA, the European voice of local and regional authorities for development, has recently released its publication Decentralised Development Cooperation; European Perspectives. The publication showcases a number of case studies from across Europe including two UK examples: the Leicester partnership with Rajkot in India around water and sanitation, and the Rhondda Cynon Taf climate change partnership with Mbale in Uganda.
Have you had a look at the Interaction toolkit? It includes guidance & resources to support your international work, self assessment questions, case studies from oth
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In this April 2011 edition we have details of upcoming events including our online international conference on creativity in tough times, new and existing funding opportunities and the latest development news affecting councils.
Upcoming events
Getting creative in tough times (10-11 May 2011)
Local government innovations from South Africa, New Zealand and Canada will be discussed over a two-day rolling Q&A next month on the Productivity and Efficiency exchange - an online platform set up for local government practitioners to share learning. Open to anyone interested in exploring innovative efficiency measures from overseas, including shared services, funding agencies and transparency. To join in, register on communities of practice.
Can you live on £1 a day for a week?
Across the world around 1.4 billion people have no choice but to live on £1 a day. Take the Live Below the Line challenge and be part of a huge awareness and fundraising campaign making a difference in the fight against extreme poverty. From 2-6 May 2011, people across the UK will be taking the challenge, to join them and find out more visit www.livebelowtheline.org.uk
Funding & other opportunities
The LG alliance is now on twitter, for the latest funding updates, follow us at: lgalliance
Commonwealth Professional Fellowships Scheme
The Commonwealth Professional Fellowships scheme is still open for applications from Local Authorities. Funding will cover the costs of hosting professionals from authorities in developing countries for a period of 1 to 6 months. The closing date for the first round of 2011 applications is 21 April 2011...further info
Host a Commonwealth Fellow with VSO support
Would you like a different perspective on your current work? Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) is seeking host organisations for a 3 month fully funded work placements for Alfred Mungalu, a Council secretary from a District Council from Zambia, and Mumuni Damma Shaiku, a District Planning Officer (strategic planning for the council) from Ghana…find out more here.
Wales Africa Community Links Grants and Training
Wales Africa Community Links have recently announced their latest grant funding programme. Applications close on 3 May 2011. For more information on grant funding click here. A new training programme has also recently been developed to support welsh organisations click here for further info on training
Big Lottery Fund - International Communities Programme (£50,000 - £500,000)
The International Communities Programme funds projects that focus on tackling the causes of poverty and deprivation and bring about a long-term difference to the most disadvantaged people in the world. You can now apply for grants of £50,000 to £500,000 for projects lasting from two to five years. read more...
European Funding for Local Authorities: timetable announced
The timetable for the publication of calls for proposals (2011/2012) has been announced. Calls for proposals for multi-country and for education & development will be launched in early November 2011. The timetable for calls by country is also available here
At home: news from UK councils
Global Learning in the London Borough of Lewisham
There are 164 different languages represented in Lewisham’s schools. However, even in the 15th most diverse borough in the country, the visit of three South African delegates as part of the Global School Partnerships (GSP) programme still had the power to capture the attention and imagination of Primary School children across the borough…read more
Bristol Schools experience Fairtrade first hand
Bristol school children gained a real life experience of the impacts of Fairtrade when Jitzy Centeno, a Fairtrade Coffee producer from Nicaragua visited Bristol during Fairtrade Fortnight (Feb 28 to March 13). Local authorities in South Gloucestershire and Bristol have been involved in the preparations and were able to see how their efforts in promoting Fairtrade and ethical procurement in locally is impacting lives overseas…read more
Sierra Leone Council Chief Exec visits Warwickshire partners
A leading light in African local government spent two weeks sharing learning in Warwickshire. Funded by the CLGF Good Practice Scheme, William Alpha, Chief Administrator (CEO) of Bo City Council in Sierra Leone visited his partner authority -Warwickshire County Council - to progress cooperation on planning, waste management, financial management, environmental health and water issues…read more
Local Economic Development Consensus at Cardiff Commonwealth Conference
Commonwealth Local Government Forum members have pledged to develop partnerships with business, the private sector and development agencies to encourage and improve economic development. The Cardiff Consensus for Local Economic Development, developed at the Commonwealth Local Government Conference in March 2011, also commits local government to become more strategic when developing local infrastructure, tourism and services...read more
Schools Minister launches Sustainable Schools Alliance
Representatives from across the education sector came together in London earlier this month for the launch of the Sustainable Schools Alliance, a network which aims to put sustainability at the core of school life...read more
Development news and comment
Cities: the real battle ground against climate change
UN-HABITAT’s Global Report on Human Settlements 2011 - Cities and Climate Change says urban centres have become "the real battle-ground" in the fight against climate change and cities will "neglect their role in responding to this crisis at their peril. Not just their own peril but that of the world."... read more
Decentralised development - European perspectives
PLATFORMA, the European voice of local and regional authorities for development, has recently released its publication Decentralised development cooperation - European perspectives. The publication showcases a number of case studies from across Europe including two UK examples: the Leicester partnership with Rajkot in India around water and sanitation, and the Rhondda Cynon Taf climate change partnership with Mbale in Uganda.
Brussels Urban Declaration
Despite recent news that DFID is cutting its budget to UN Habitat (the United Nations agency promoting sustainable urban development), there are a growing number of organisations putting the management of rapid urbanisation at the top of the sustainable development agenda. In January this year, the ‘Brussels Urban Declaration’ committed all EU institutions to closer work with UN-HABITAT and supported institutional capacity building of local authorities as a priority...read more
Chatham House Report – Opportunities for a Coordinated UK Approach to Development
A new paper looking at ‘Scotland and Wales in Africa: Opportunities for a Coordinated UK Approach to Development’ was launched by Chatham House last month. The report suggests that at a time when DFID and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) face significant cuts, there is now a great opportunity to encourage innovative and better coordinated development policies across all levels of government...read more
Have you had a look at the Interaction toolkit? It includes guidance & resources to support your international work, self assessment questions, case studies from other UK councils, hints, tips and more!
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Welcome to the first newsletter for 2011. In this edition we have details of new and existing funding opportunities, upcoming events and training, and the latest development news affecting councils.
Upcoming events
Training: Ethical trade and public procurement (7 March)
Developed by the Ethical Trading Initiative, this 1-day course on Public Procurement and Ethical Trade will help you to understand how ethical trade principles can be applied to public procurement and to identify the elements of an ethical procurement strategy in your own organisation. In addition, a 4-day course on the Essentials of Ethical Procurement will run from 8-11 March. This aims to help participants develop ethical trade policies and put this into practice along the supply chain.
Commonwealth Local Government Conference: Energising Local Economies (15-18 March 2011)
Over 500 representatives from local government across the 54 countries of the Commonwealth will come to Cardiff next month to share innovations and solutions on boosting economic prosperity with reduced resources. This is an opportunity for UK politicians, policy-makers and practitioners to meet with their peers from across the Commonwealth to hear how others are meeting current challenges...read more
Host a Commonwealth Delegate (14 March)
In advance of the Comonwealth Local Government Conference, there will be the opportunity for UK local authorities to host a Commonwealth delegate for a day to share learning in an area of mutual interest. All host councils will be able to attend the conference at a reduced delegate fee. Please contact
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for further information.
December 2010- May 2011 Wales Africa Community Links workshops (Cardiff)
Together with SMIDOS, Wales Africa Community Links are running a series of training workshops in Cardiff to support international community links. Workshops are available to anyone in Wales involved in a link with Africa and will focus on funding, diaspora and improving impact. more info...
Funding & other opportunities
The LG alliance is now on twitter, for the latest funding updates, follow us at: lgalliance
Commonwealth Professional Fellowships Scheme
A new round of funding for UK Organisations to host developing country professionals as part of the Commonwealth Professional Fellowships Scheme has been announced for 2011-12. The closing date for the first round of 2011 applications is 21 April 2011...further info
THET Health partnerships funding - closing date 18th February
NEW - THET funding of £20,000 per project is available to fund long term partnerships in health. Closing date on 18th February 2011. click here for further information
British Red Cross call for partners in new EC climate change bid
The British Red Cross is looking for partners in a joint bid to the European Commission for funding to support a project on climate change focussing on how to help communities prepare for and respond to extreme weather. Contact us for further information.
Global Schools Partnerships and Connecting Classrooms
Grants are available to local authorities to broker and support school partnerships through the Global Schools Partnerships scheme - deadline for expressions of interest: March 2011. Grants will also be available through the Connecting classrooms scheme for partnerships between clusters of schools supported by the local authority. Deadline for applications: May 2011.
Big Lottery Fund - International Communities Programme (£50,000 - £500,000)
The International Communities Programme has just confirmed the budget for its five-year programme. £80m will be available to fund projects that focus on tackling the causes of poverty and deprivation and bring about a long-term difference to the most disadvantaged people in the world. You can now apply for grants of £50,000 to £500,000 for projects lasting from two to five years. read more...
At home: news from UK councils
Hampshire and Ghana - Village link leads to technical cooperation between councils
The parish of Buriton in East Hampshire has been developing strong links with a small community in rural Ghana for over ten years. From small beginnings, an innovative ‘Village-to-Village’ Group has been established and most recently a technical cooperation project between the local authorities on local economic development...read more
Edinburgh training event - funding and media/comms resources now available
Representatives from Scottish and Northern English authorities attended a training event in Edinburgh last month, looking at the opportunities and challenges of international work in the current climate. Through a series of discussions and workshops participants heard about innovative ways to fund international development work, getting internal buy-in and managing media & communications...click here to access event report & resources
Development news and comment
Public spending cuts - opportunity for more ethical procurement practices?
Man Kwun Chan of Ergon Associates dicusses how the Government spending review could provide an opportunity to address ethical issues and workers rights in public sector supply chains... read more
DFID consultation on scheme to match fund public donations.
DFID has opened a consultation on a scheme to match fund public donations to development appeals to give the British people a say in how part of the aid budget is spent. Contribute to the consultation before 25 February.
Development Education - fundamental to support for the big society
Global Poverty Project and Think Global have published research highlighting that the international development sector sees development education as fundamental to building support for the government's vision of a ‘big society' globally as well as locally...read the report
Have you had a look at the Interaction toolkit? It includes guidance & resources to support your international work, self assessment questions, case studies from other UK councils, hints, tips and more!
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Welcome to the November edition of the LG alliance newsletter. In this edition we have details of new funding opportunities, upcoming events including further training days and of course the latest development news affecting councils.
Upcoming events
30 November 2010: Bradford a rich mix: sharing learning on strengthening community relationships (Birmingham)
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Bradford Metropolitan District Council are taking their work on tour with a series of events across the UK, designed to share learning and good practice on empowering communities and strengthening community relationships. The series is aimed at voluntary sector, community groups, social enterprises and local authorities. further info...
8 December 2010: Ethical Trading Initiative Public Procurement Event - places still available (free event, London)
Aimed at both those who hold the tenders for public projects and organisations who procure for them, this event looks at the particular set of challenges for public bodies when attempting to source goods responsibly. In this afternoon session, we discuss difficulties faced and offer specific guidance on how to meet requirements, improve your record, minimise risk and harness procurement as a force for good. further info
27 January 2011: LG Alliance & SMP training event (hosted by the Scotland Malawi Partnership, Edinburgh)
Following the success of the 'making an impact' LG alliance training event in London in September, the LG alliance has teamed up with the Scotland Malawi Partnership to host a free international development event in Edinburgh on Thursday 27th January 2011. We will take participants through some of the content of the Interaction toolkit and include sessions on funding, project management and media & comms ...read more
December 2010- May 2011 Wales Africa Community Links workshops (Cardiff)
Together with SMIDOS, Wales Africa Community Links are running a series of training workshops in Cardiff to support international community links. Workshops are available to anyone in Wales involved in a link with Africa and will focus on funding, diaspora and being more effective. more info...
Commonwealth Local Government Conference 15-18 March 2011 - host a delegate
The next Commonwealth Local Government Conference will be held in Cardiff in March 2011. The conference will attract local government ministers, mayors and practitioners from across the Commonwealth. With this years theme focussed on local economic development, it is an excellent opportunity to share learning with counterparts from around the Commonwealth.
The conference will be preceded by a global youth forum for 18-30 year olds from 13-15 March 2011. Opportunities are also available for UK local authorities to host a delegate prior to the conference to share learning in an area of mutual interest ...read more
Funding & other opportunities
Big Lottery Fund - International Communities Programme (£50,000 - £500,000)
The International Communities Programme is now open for applications. It funds projects that focus on tackling the causes of poverty and deprivation and bring about a long-term difference to the lives of the most disadvantaged people in the world. read more...
Commonwealth Connections Arts Residencies funding
The Commonwealth Connections programme is now open for applications. Open to visual artists and dance practitioners with funding of up to £8000 to develop your art in another country. Deadline: 30 November 2010. Further info and applications...
LGA EU Funding tracker - available for LGA member authorities
The Local Government Association has recently launched an EU funding tracker, covering all EU funding opportunities that are relevant to local authorities. This includes a section on international development project funding. You will need to be an LGA member authority and register on the LGA website. further info....
At home: news from UK councils
Councils in the Southwest join forces for fair trade
Councils in the South West got together in October for the UK's first Fairtrade public procurement event, organised by the South West Sustainable Procurement Network and Fairtrade in the South West. The event highlighted issues faced by public bodies with respect to Fairtrade and ethical procurement. For more information and resources from the event ...click here
Getting the most out of our international work: resources
Councillors and officers from all over the UK came to London in September for a training event focussed on maximising the impact of international work. Participants attended workshops on finding funding & resourcing projects, maximising the value of partnerships and project delivery. Presentations and resources from the workshops can be found here. The new Interaction toolkit also contains a range of resources to support councils maximise the impact of their international work.
Border Agency - making successful visa applications for your partners.
Earlier this month, at a meeting covened by BUILD, the UK border agency presented a briefing on making successful visa applications for your partners. A summary is provided here and can also be found in the Interaction toolkit.
Latest development news
World cities and local governments: vision for the city of 2030
Last week local leaders from around the world gathered in Mexico City for the 3rd World Congress of Cities and Local Governments. Key issues facing local governments across the world were discussed, including the impact of the economic crisis and of increasing urbanisation. As a response, a vision for the City in 2030 was presented. To download the documents click here
Consultation on EU Development policy
On 10 November 2010, the European Commission launched a public consultation on how the EU can best support developing countries to speed up their progress towards the Millennium Development Goals and beyond. read more...
DFID's new business plan includes local democracy target
The UK Department for International Development has released its four-year business plan. The plan covers six priority areas, including a commitment to 'support the development of local democratic institutions' ....read more
Global Biodiversity plan for local governments agreed
Governments at the United Nations conference on biodiversity agreed a Plan of Action on Sub-national Governments, Cities and other Local Authorities and Biodiversity (2011-2020) as one of twenty broad elements. The plan provides guidelines for national governments to support their local authorities towards the mutually beneficial goal of achieving the objectives of the convention on biological diversity. read more...
Kampala call to action on local development
The first Global Forum on Local Development took place shortly after the UN Summit on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in New York in September and highlighted the potential for local governments to accelerate progress toward the MDGs, and the concrete steps necessary to do this in the Kampala Call to Action.....read more
Have you had a look at the new Interaction toolkit? It includes guidance & resources to support your international work, self assessment questions, case studies from other UK councils, hints, tips and more!
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