GLoBe Nicaragua - strong local governments develop and implement an inclusive policy to strengthen local economy with a focus on sustainable

Strong local governments develop and implement an inclusive policy to strengthen the local economy with a focus on sustainable food security VVSG’s program ‘GLoBe’ (Goed Lokaal Bestuur) is committed to good local governance for sustainable and coherent policies. Local governments can play an important role as duty bearers to contribute to safeguarding the human rights of their populations, to contribute to the realization of the SDGs and to improve living conditions for the population. In Nicaragua, GLoBe supports local governments developing qualitative and inclusive policies for local (food) economy. By developing this policy, the programme contributes to improved living conditions for small (food) producers and small (often female) entrepreneurs who process and sell food, both particularly vulnerable in the chain of food production, processing and sales. For the population, the program contributes to improved access to quality and affordable food. The commitment to agro-ecological production methods ensures environmental protection as an integral part of the entire program. GLoBe is in line with the global movement for decentralization in which authorities and resources are transferred from central to local governments. Nicaragua is a highly polarized society with unstable political and socio-economic context. This poses additional challenges to develop good local governance including strong service delivery for the population. Challenges such as the need to strengthen legitimacy, develop and professionalize the local administration, install result-oriented participatory mechanisms, and create a political culture aimed at strong service delivery to the entire population. In Nicaragua, GLoBe contributes to the necessary capacity building of local administrations for the purpose of a strengthened service delivery by partnering Nicaraguan local governments with Flemish local governments. Santo Tomás - Mol and Ciudad Darío – Lommel will exchange experiences mutually and share them on national and international platforms so they can reach out to all Nicaraguan local governments.