In a series of podcasts the International Cooperation Agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities, VNG International, interviews people involved in the programme Governance of Inclusive Green Growth in Cities (DEALS). Our main question is: what or who makes the key difference at the local level?

VNG International is an expert in strengthening local government in developing and transitional countries. DEALS is a programme to support fast-growing cities in the transition to inclusive and sustainable development. For this transition new forms of cooperation are needed between local government, companies, social organizations, knowledge institutions and funding institutions.

In this podcast (#2) we interview Ap Reinders, Vice Mayor of the City of Haarlemmermeer and member of the VNG Commission Europe and International on the portfolio of regional economic development. On behalf of his city Haarlemmermeer, he is member of Amsterdam Metropolitan Area (which includes the three other cities of Amsterdam, Almere and Amstelveen). For VNG International, the DEALS programme, he participated in the first General Assembly and executive board meeting of the League of Cities of the Philippines after the municipal elections earlier in 2019. The DEALS programme focus is on intermunicipal cooperation within the context of the Manila Bay Sustainable Development Master Plan.

The programme is financed by the Netherlands ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Inclusive Green Growth department.