Through associations, local governments can join forces to represent their shared interests to legislative bodies. In addition, they play a critical role in professionalizing local government through targeted capacity building and specialized training. Building the capacity of local government and professional associations is one of ICMA’s most important roles in furthering the development of effective governance and management worldwide. ICMA, itself an association founded in 1914, has had years of experience serving a constituency of professional local government managers and other local government executives.
ICMA’s association development work involves both strengthening the role of associations in the local government sector and promoting their long-term viability so that they can progress toward their goal of effective governance without external assistance or funding. ICMA has published case studies describing its work with the City Managers’ Association in Gujarat, India, and the Asociación de Municipios de México to illustrate the range of issues involved in association development:
The Role of Associations in Strengthening Local Government: A Look at CMAG
The Role of Associations in Strengthening Local Government: A Look at AMMAC
Based on its experience, ICMA serves as a model, mentor, and partner for national and regional municipal associations in other countries. ICMA has provided technical assistance and training to associations worldwide, and has working relationships with national municipal associations on five continents. ICMA has helped strengthen and in some instances establish local government associations in Bosnia, Poland, Slovakia, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Montenegro, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador, Indonesia, India, and the Philippines.