Innovations in poverty reduction: The role of local government

Local governance is critical for poverty reduction. Local governments have a natural advantage in knowing and understanding the needs and resources of their own territories and so they can provide better local public goods to meet the demands of their populations. However, while the debate on governance has focused on the institutions of the national state less attention has been given to sub-national governments. And while decentralization reforms cross the developing world have advanced, their implementation continue to face critical challenges: legal frameworks are often inconsistent, sub-national authorities lack the capacity to implement them, the budgets are limited or have grown beyond their competencies and opportunities for sustainable economic development have not accompanied new political accountability at the local level.

This ODI public event will address the importance of sub-national authorities and governments for poverty reduction. It will then highlight some lessons learned in Latin America and the UK and address their relevance across the development world.

Former Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, will discuss poverty reduction in London, drawing upon his previous experience as a Local Councillor, Leader of the Greater London Council, Member of Parliament and Mayor.

Objectives:

1. Improve understanding of the importance and role of sub-national and urban governments for reducing poverty and improving inclusion
2. Disseminate and compare lessons learned, best practices, and tools generated from working with sub-national governments to reduce poverty in Latin America and the UK
3. Present the innovations generated by the regional partnership approach known as PAR: its model, impacts and future potential in the Latin American region and beyond
4. Facilitate the exchange and comparison of experiences and approaches among practitioners from a cross-regional perspective