Inclusive Decisions At Local Level (IDEAL) Overall Programme IDEAL is a programme by VNG International that works on the involvement of citizens in local governance in seven countries facing fragility or conflict. The participation of citizens contributes to inclusive decision-making. It improves local governance and the delivery of basic services. It makes local governance more sustainable and increases welfare and stability. Our drive and expertise is to support local governments in building bridges with all their citizens - including marginalised groups. Being part of VNG (the Association of Netherlands Municipalities) we benefit from over a hundred years of experience in the field of local governance. IDEAL targets local governments and local government associations in 7 countries: Burundi, Mali, Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda. Inclusive DEcisions At Local Level (IDEAL) is a new programme, funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which targets 7 countries: Burundi, Mali, Palestine, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda. These countries are or have been affected by past or present conflict and cope with various dimensions and degrees of fragility. We share the widely held view, expressed by OECD and many other organisations, that weak capacity or political will of government institutions to carry out basic governance functions in an effective and inclusive manner and to develop mutually constructive relations with the population are among the most significant causes of fragility and instability. The absence of a functioning 'social contract' between state and citizens reduces the prospects of human security, poverty alleviation, sustainable social and economic development and proper management of public and natural resources. It is therefore exactly this problem, the weak social contract, that the IDEAL programme aims to address, thereby contributing to the ability of local governments to better cope with fragility risks. The program will run for five years (Jan 2017 – Dec 2021), and has a budget of €17,5mln. IDEAL builds on the lessons learned from a previous programme (Local Government Capacity Programme, LGCP, 2012-2016). IDEAL will be implemented by VNG International, the International Cooperation Agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities, from 1st January 2017 until 31st December 2021. The programme started with a six-month inception phase, during which management structures have been set up, a communication & visibility strategy has been developed (incl. a website), the M&E methodology has been finalised, and the baseline has been carried out. Activity implementation started in July 1st, 2017. 

The overall programme is managed from VNG International headquarters in The Hague. The country programmes are managed by local teams (led by a Resident Programme Manager) jointly with programme managers based in The Hague. Each country programme works towards the three outcomes by focusing on a specific policy sector that is related to fragility at the local level.

Various technical approaches are used, varying from on-the-job coaching, training, workshops, grants, study visits, and inter-municipal cooperation. The impact of IDEAL is: The stronger social contract between local governments and citizens has enhanced local governments' capacity to cope with fragility risks. 

In order for local governments to establish a strong social contract, they need to be perceived as legitimate actors (from an input and output point of view) and they need an enabling institutional and policy environment that empowers them. Therefore, the IDEAL programme outcomes are:

* Outcome 1: Service delivery by local governments in key policy areas is more responsive and effective ("Output legitimacy").
* Outcome 2: Decision-making processes at the local level in key policy areas are more inclusive and participatory ("Input legitimacy").
* Outcome 3: The policy and institutional environments of local governments has improved ("Enabling Environment"). The main target group is local governments in selected target areas of the 7 countries. Furthermore, each country programme has selected a target group (usually the local government association) that can play a key role in contributing to a more enabling environment for local governments.