Intelligence and Innovation, Strategy and Public Policy

FEMP – Direct Cooperation & Global Citizenship Education (2025–2026)

Involved organizations

Federación Española de Municipios y Provincias (FEMP)

Year

2025, 2026

City, country

Lines of work

About the project

The project involved the preparation of a strategic analysis on direct cooperation and Global Citizenship Education within the framework of local governments’ development cooperation. The study identified key trends, challenges, and opportunities across both areas, while providing recommendations to inform the future positioning and strategic action of FEMP and Spanish local governments. Drawing on existing evidence, accumulated experience, and current practice, the report translates knowledge into a practical tool for strengthening the coherence, impact, and strategic direction of local development cooperation.

Challenge

Direct cooperation and Global Citizenship Education are key components of local governments’ development cooperation, yet they require an updated strategic perspective to better understand their added value, complementarities, and emerging challenges. The project addressed the need for a practical tool to help FEMP and Spanish local governments inform decision-making, strengthen institutional capacities, and advance these areas of work in the context of the evolving landscape of decentralized cooperation.

Approach

PHARE conducted a qualitative and strategic analysis based on a review of existing frameworks, the interpretation of available evidence, and lessons learned from local governments’ development cooperation. The study identified key trends, challenges, and opportunities, assessed their implications for institutional coherence, and developed recommendations structured across different levels of action. The approach prioritized practical relevance, translating strategic analysis into actionable guidance for FEMP and Spanish local governments.

Impact

The report provides a strategic framework to strengthen direct cooperation and Global Citizenship Education at the local level. Its recommendations support informed decision-making, help define strategic priorities, and enhance the capacity of FEMP and Spanish local governments to advance a more coherent, place-based, and impact-oriented model of local development cooperation.
Return

Cooperation and alliances

Solutions we offer

Networking and alliance building:

Engagement with networks, platforms, and strategic partners to advance shared agendas and strengthen territorial cooperation.

International cooperation and resources:

Identifying and managing cooperation, funding, and other support mechanisms to strengthen territorial initiatives.

Project design and implementation:

Formulation, management, and support of international projects and initiatives.

ATTRACTIVENESS AND PROJECTION

Solutions we offer

Territorial positioning:

Designing territorial positioning strategies and tools to strengthen the identity and projection of cities and regions.

Attractiveness and identity:

Building narratives, city branding, destination vision, and territorial promotion strategies.

Projecting opportunities:

Attracting investment, cooperation, tourism, culture, and talent.

Strategy and Public policies

Solutions we offer

Territorial strategy and planning:

Designing strategies and tools to strengthen territorial development and consolidate international engagement as public policy.

Public agendas and governance:

Participatory methodologies, policy labs, and collaborative processes for building public agendas.

Technical assistance:

Technical support for implementing territorial development and international engagement strategies.

KNOWLEDGE AND innovation

Solutions we offer

Knowledge and analysis:

Diagnostics, studies, applied research, and forward-looking analysis of international trends.

Training and capacity building:

Training programs, workshops, and tools to strengthen institutional and technical capacities.

Exchange and learning across territories:

Peer-to-peer learning spaces, experience-sharing, and collective knowledge building.