Creative Associates International and the global consulting arm of one of Europe’s leading local government associations, VNG International, have formed a partnership that will leverage their complimentary expertise, it was announced March 6.
“By working together, we can provide even better and smarter programming for the clients, people and communities we serve,» dit Leland Kruvant, Président et chef de la direction de Créatif, a social-impact company with development programs in more than 30 pays. “VNG International and Creative have a positive history of collaboration and this new long-term partnership strengthens that bond.”
VNG International – formally called the International Cooperation Agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities – is one of the oldest local government associations in the world, working at both the technical and political level of local government. VNG’s expertise is in strengthening democratic local government in developing countries and countries in transition. VNG designs and manages complex development projects for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Banque mondiale, the European Commission and other donors.
“VNG International and Creative have a lot in common, we are result-driven, innovative and willing to work in partnerships. We can strengthen each other. This strategic partnership can help our organizations to grow and diversify,» dit Pieter Jeroense, Board Chair of the Hague Academy for Local Governance. “Just as Creative gives VNG access to its U.S. government funded programming, we at VNG are enthusiastic about having Creative contribute its expertise to our Dutch and other European funded work.”
Creative and VNG International will work together to develop joint programming for U.S. and European bilateral donor and multilateral development agencies that utilize their respective talents and resources in locations such as Ukraine and the rest of Eastern Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. The global partnership is a collaborative effort, not a joint venture, and both organizations will continue to operate independently.
Building on an Existing Relationship
VNG International continues to be a key partner in the Creative-led Active Citizenry-Effective States (AS) IDIQ funding mechanism, a five-year contract designed to support the U.S. les efforts du gouvernement pour renforcer la bonne gouvernance, transparence et responsabilité dans le monde. It is administered by the U.S. Agence pour le développement international.
Through this global partnership, VNG International brings expertise in decentralization policy reform, local government capacity building, municipal finance, and local economic development. It also brings to the mix its relationship with the Hague Academy for Local Governance, a non-profit organization that aims to strengthen local democracy worldwide through practice-oriented training.
Partnerships to Expand Reach and Capability
This strategic alliance with VNG is part of a larger effort underway by Creative to establish authentic, mutually beneficial, partnership platforms to expand our reach and impact globally. This agreement with VNG follows on the heels of Creative’s November 2022 launch of the Alliance de développement in the Middle East and North Africa region. The Dev-Alliance leverages talents, compétences, cultural knowledge and geographic expertise of emerging regionally-focused development companies – including three in Jordan and one in Palestine – to facilitate locally conceived, designed and led programming. Pour en savoir plus, please read a Q&UN with the Dev-Alliance members and this courte vidéo.
À propos de Creative Associates International
Creative collaborates with local, regional and national stakeholders in the areas of education, croissance économique, gouvernance, democratic transitions and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, this global development organization was founded in 1977 by four enterprising women and now has a field presence in more than 30 countries and a strong client portfolio that includes USAID and the State Department.
About VNG International
VNG International are experts in strengthening democratic local government in developing countries and countries in transition. It is a medium-sized company with 60 staff in its headquarters in The Hague and another 150 staff in its project offices abroad. VNG International has one fully owned daughter company in Tunis, Development Center for the Innovative Local Governance (CILG) and has recently founded VNG International USA LLC.