General Guiding Principles for Enhancing Alignment and Harmonisation on Local Governance and Decentralisation

For the informal Development Partners Working Group on Local Governance and Decentralisation

The present general guidelines reflect a consensual approach on how the informal Development Partner Working Group (DPWG-LGD) participants can translate lessons learned and perspectives put forth by previous studies into joint action on alignment and harmonisation initiatives that can enhance aid effectiveness in the field of DLG. The guidelines aim to foster exchange, dialogue and cooperation between actors with a view to promoting harmonisation; encourage common understanding of key concepts; and improve coherence, complementarity and effectiveness of initiatives in support of DLG. These guidelines are complementary to other documents and guidelines on DPWG support to DLG.

Adopted in November 2008