Potential monitoring role of local authorities is underutilized

Local authorities assume many mandates. They manage local revenue, engage in service delivery, and implement development cooperation. Yet these governments remain at the margins in setting priorities and monitoring and reviewing development results.

This Development Cooperation Forum Policy Brief based on analytical input from Erik Lundsgaarde outlines factors that limit local authorities from expanding their monitoring role.

In addition to addressing questions about the division of political responsibilities and financial resources within countries, national governments and cooperation providers should focus on strengthening the capacities of local authorities to generate, analyze, and systematize data to enable consistent monitoring at the local level.