Introduction to Subnational Government Finances
A journey through the World Observatory on Subnational Government Finance and Investment
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Welcome to UCLG’s first MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) dedicated to subnational government finance. The course primarily builds on the work of the World Observatory on Subnational Government Finance and Investment, jointly set up by the OECD and UCLG.
This course brings together a wealth of resources developed to reach out to all communities, governments and individuals wishing to learn about subnational public finance. As it is open to a wide variety of backgrounds, there are no prerequisites to taking this course.
The course aims to give you the basics to understand the main technical and political issues of subnational government finance in different regional contexts. The course will also provide you with a set of tools to analyse the subnational finance ecosystem in an informed, context-based and comprehensive manner.
Today, there are growing expectations about the role of local and regional governments in public action, in order to find local solutions against global challenges. This requires that they have a greater share in total public spending and, in particular, in public investment, with the advantage of offering more accountable, efficient and context-sensitive policies. For these reasons, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms and challenges lying behind subnational government finances.
Online self-paced course
Take your time to complete the course.
Access to key information
on subnational finance
All contents are based on the findings of the World Observatory on Subnational Government Finance and Investment.
Short quizzes and interactive exercises to test the knowledge acquired
No examinations and no certifications are issued after the course completion.
Course Curriculum
Course Coordination
Meet the UCLG World Secretariat’s course coordinators in the Local Finance team, at your service to provide support on any technical aspect of the course and its content.
Paloma Labbé
Local Finance junior officer at the United Cities and Local Governments World Secretariat. Project management and development of the MOOC.
Serge Allou
Special advisor on Local Finance at the United Cities and Local Governments World Secretariat, seconded by Expertise France. Coordination and oversight of the development of the MOOC.
Mathilde Penard
Local Finance officer at the United Cities and Local Governments World Secretariat. Support to the design and development of the MOOC.
Guest Experts
All the following persons have kindly offered their time to share their knowledge and experience on subnational public finance by intervening in different videos and contributing to the course.
Isabelle Chatry
Head of Unit “Subnational Government Finance, Infrastructure and Decentralisation” within the Centre of Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Coordinator of the OECD-UCLG World Observatory on Subnational Finance and Investment on behalf of the OECD.
Daniel Platz
Development economist and urban finance specialist at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs within the Financing for Sustainable Development Office. Contribution to the MOOC on Infrastructure Asset Management.
Astrid Haas
Urban economist specialized in the area of municipal and infrastructure finance, who was working for the African Property Tax Initiative and has now joined the African Development Bank. Contribution to the MOOC on Land Value Capture.
Dorothée Allain-Dupré
Head of Regional Development and Multi-level Governance Division, at the Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Contribution to the MOOC on the territorial impact of COVID-19.
Solana Quesada
Director of the Gender Equality Unit in the Departmental government of Montevideo, previously consultant and professor at FLACSO Uruguay, on gender and public policy. Contribution to the MOOC on gender-sensitive budgeting.
Jamie Simpson
Director of Triple Line Consulting. Economic and management consultant with experience related to strategic planning, public sector reform, infrastructure investment and service delivery. Contribution to the MOOC on funding mechanisms available to local and regional authorities under the European Commission’s 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework.
Emilie Maehara
Deputy Executive Director and Director of Programmes at the Global Fund for Cities Development (FMDV). Contribution to the MOOC on Subnational Development Banks.
Jaffer Machano
Global Program Manager on Municipal Investment Finance at the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF). Contribution to the MOOC on the International Municipal Investment Fund, as its coordinator on behalf of UNCDF.
Discover other UCLG online courses
Continue learning with the available courses underneath other UCLG learning products.
They are complementary to local finance matters and can offer you more specific knowledge
about local public services or the localization of the global agendas.
