Anna Lindh Foundation

The Hague Academy for Local Governance

National Network

Netherlands

Address

Nassaulaan 12

Country

City

The Hague

Province

South-Holland

Mobile Phone

+31653310506

Telephone

+31 [0] 70 37 38 695

E-Mail

info@thehagueacademy.com

E-Mail (2)

neda.malkawi@thehagueacademy.com

Year of Establishment

2008

Contact Person1

Neda Malkawi

Job Title 1

Programme Manager

Contact Person 2

Cecile Meijs

Job Title 2

Director

Organisation Type

Non-Governmental Organization

Fields of Activity

Democracy and community development, Youth and education

General Information

The Hague Academy for Local Governance is a leading training institute dedicated to strengthening local democracy and governance worldwide. Based in the Netherlands, the Academy provides capacity-building programs for local government officials, civil society representatives, and development practitioners, focusing on themes such as decentralization, inclusive governance, and service delivery.

Through interactive training courses, study visits, and tailor-made programs, The Hague Academy equips professionals with practical knowledge, tools, and skills to foster effective and responsive governance. Our programs emphasize peer learning, participatory approaches, and real-world case studies, ensuring that participants can apply insights directly to their local contexts.

With a strong global network and collaborations with international institutions, the Academy contributes to sustainable development, peacebuilding, and social inclusion by empowering local actors to address challenges and opportunities within their communities.

Mission and Objectives

The Hague Academy for Local Governance is dedicated to strengthening democratic local governance worldwide. We achieve this by offering practice-oriented short courses and multi-annual training programmes for individuals involved in local governance. Our programmes aim to enhance participants' awareness, knowledge, and skills, empowering them to act as change agents within their organisations and communities.

Main Projects / Activities

The Hague Academy for Local Governance strengthens local governance through four key programmes:

Open Subscription Courses – Interactive, practice-oriented training on decentralization, inclusive governance, and service delivery. Held in The Hague, these courses are open to professionals worldwide via direct enrollment or scholarships.

Tailor-Made Trainings – Customized capacity-building programmes for governments, civil society, and development organizations. These trainings range from short courses to multi-annual programmes and often include Training of Trainers (ToT) for lasting impact.

Talent for Governance Programme – A scholarship initiative for young local government professionals, combining training in The Hague, an internship in a Dutch municipality, and networking opportunities.

Training Centre Development – Support for local training institutes in designing curricula, enhancing training methodologies, and strengthening institutional capacity for long-term governance improvement.

Through these initiatives, The Hague Academy empowers local actors, promotes democratic governance, and fosters sustainable development worldwide.

How can you contribute to the Network in your country?

The Hague Academy for Local Governance has strong potential to contribute to the Anna Lindh Foundation Network in the Netherlands by leveraging its training expertise and extensive experience in the Euro-Mediterranean region. As an organization dedicated to building local governance capacity, the Academy can support civil society, public institutions, and local governments by providing practice-oriented training that fosters inclusive decision-making, civic participation, and accountability.

With its deep connections to the MENA region, the Academy is well-positioned to create opportunities for knowledge exchange and cross-cultural collaboration. Through its programmes, it can empower young professionals, build leadership skills, and facilitate intercultural dialogue between the Netherlands and Mediterranean countries. In doing so, The Hague Academy can contribute to sustainable, inclusive governance and help strengthen the network's goals of democratic resilience.

Why do you want to join the ALF Network?

Governance with the opportunity to strengthen its impact in the Euro-Mediterranean region. By joining the Dutch network of the Anna Lindh Foundation, the Academy can expand the reach of its training programmes and foster new partnerships, particularly in Eastern Europe and the MENA region. The network’s focus on intercultural dialogue and democratic governance aligns with the Academy’s mission to build local governance capacity and promote inclusive decision-making. Additionally, the grant opportunities and the annual conference offer potential for further collaboration and visibility, while supporting the Academy’s goals of knowledge sharing and leadership development in the region. By joining, The Hague Academy aims to contribute to the network’s efforts in promoting sustainable development and inclusive governance.