Decentralised Development Cooperation Report #1: a European overview
The first Decentralised Development Cooperation (DDC) Report provides a unique snapshot of how local and regional governments (LRGs), their associations, and civil society actors engage in international cooperation. Based on a Europe-wide survey (March–May 2025), it gathers 54 contributions from 27 LRGs, 9 associations, and 1 NGO across 11 countries.
The aim is to collect up-to-date evidence on decentralised cooperation projects and partnerships, and to support CEMR and PLATFORMA’s advocacy with stronger knowledge, better coordination, and a deeper understanding of enabling factors and challenges.
Where does Europe stand when it comes to decentralised development cooperation (DDC)?
The first edition of the DDC Report highlights:
- DDC is a priority for many – Over 80% of respondents consider DDC important or very important for their work. More than 70% currently maintain active partnerships, mostly through city-to-city and region-to-region cooperation.
- Multi-actor character – Partnerships often involve not just LRGs, but also civil society organisations, educational institutions, public utilities, and, in some cases, private sector actors.
- Persistent challenges – Limited resources, lack of expertise, and the short-term nature of project-based cooperation remain barriers to scaling up.
- Funding outlook – While national governments, EU institutions, and own resources are the main funding channels, 43% of respondents expect their DDC budgets to grow by 2025, suggesting cautious optimism.
This article is part of a new series of reports mapping decentralised cooperation across Europe. The second report will explore country-level frameworks, budget, and case studies in more detail. Stay tuned!
Read the full Mindcraft DDC Report #1, available in English, French, Spanish, and German.
CEMR encourages European and national authorities to strengthen the role of LRGs in development policy, not only as implementers, but also as strategic partners helping shape a more resilient, inclusive, and effective development agenda.
This report is produced within the Bridging and Mapping Knowledge Gaps in Decentralised Cooperation (Mindcraft), funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
For more information, contact:
Research Analyst – Decentralised Cooperation
