The complex challenges to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the United Nations cannot be addressed exclusively from the top. Local authorities themselves through United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) have reaffirmed the indispensable need for action at the local level in achieving the MDGs. The need for a participatory decision-making process, the demand for adapting development strategies to local needs, the requirement to turn local knowledge to better account, entail considering development from a local perspective.

The aim of the initiative is to stimulate public debate and gather views and opinions on European policy in this field from different stakeholders, particularly regarding the role of local governments in the development process. Specific feedback is required on a number on issues which are at the heart of this debate including democratic governance, decentralisation and territorial development and the role for local authorities  as both donors and recipients of ODA. 

The public consultation will close on 16 June 2008, and should lead to a Commission Communication in July 2008. which will contribute to shaping an EU approach to local governance for development. This topic will be the focus of the European Development Days (Strasbourg, November 2008).