Intelligence and Innovation, Cooperation and Partnerships

FEMP – Guide on International Action and Decentralized Cooperation (2024)

Involved organizations

Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP)

Year

2024

City, country

Spain, Spain

Lines of work

Analysis and intelligence, Analysis and intelligence

About the project

The project involved the preparation of a practical guide for elected representatives of local governments, designed to provide a clear and up-to-date understanding of decentralized cooperation. The guide brings together the core principles of this public policy, its main challenges, the national context, and the current regulatory framework, offering practical tools for those responsible for development cooperation at the local level. The project contributed to strengthening institutional capacities and making local governments’ international action more accessible through a practical, user-friendly approach aligned with the current challenges of decentralized cooperation.

Challenge

Newly elected local representatives taking on responsibilities in development cooperation need clear and concise guidance to navigate an increasingly complex public policy field shaped by regulatory changes, emerging global agendas, and growing demands for effectiveness, transparency, and coordination. The challenge was to translate this evolving landscape into a practical, accessible, and concise resource to support informed decision-making at the local level.

Approach

PHARE supported the development of a practical guide explaining the foundations of local decentralized cooperation, its current challenges, and its place within Spain’s regulatory framework. The work combined contextual analysis, a review of existing reference materials, regulatory synthesis, and the development of accessible content, adopting a practical approach tailored to the needs of elected representatives across diverse local contexts.

Impact

The guide provides a practical reference tool to strengthen local governments’ capacities in development cooperation. Its practical approach helps elected representatives better understand the value of decentralized cooperation, its distinctive role as a local public policy, and the opportunities it offers to connect municipal action with international agendas, partnerships, and commitments.
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.