The Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) and the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University, Rotterdam (The Netherlands) jointly organizeda conference on the theme “Participatory Governance for Local Public Service Delivery and Urban Development in Ghana” on March 20, 2025 in Accra, Ghana. This event marked the culmination of the project "Bottom-up practices and resilient strategies in Informal settlements: New paths for (re)vitalizing cities," funded by the Vital Cities and Citizens (VCC) program of Erasmus University, Rotterdam.The conference served as a platform to disseminate the findings of research initiatives that explored how residents of informal settlements transform and revitalize their spatial, social, economic, and institutional environments. The meeting also furthered thecollaboration between ILGS and ISS on local governance, public administration and
service delivery.
The one-day conference brought together 60 participants, including researchers, academics, practitioners, experts, and policymakers from various institutions. By creating a dynamic and inclusive platform, the organizers hoped to encourage collaboration and advancements in various academic and professional fields on participatory governance for local development in Ghana.
This conference aligned with the VCC program's strategic activities by focusing on participatory governance and its role in local public service delivery and urban development. It contributes to the ongoing dialogue on creating more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities, which is a key objective of the VCC initiative.