Local development processes require more and more smooth cooperation between different stakeholders, e.g. local authorities and schools or local water companies, farmers’ organizations, the media, churches, local NGOs, traditional leaders, etc.  The way in which  local stakeholders take decisions together on the development of their municipality, city or region is translated in the concept of local governance. The quality of local governance is often decisive for the quality of basic services such as education, access to water, food and healthcare. More and more municipalities try to work across the borders to improve these local services, e.g. under the form of city-to-city cooperation.