I have broad professional experience in the field of local governance, with a focus on strengthening municipal institutions, improving service delivery, and supporting participatory and accountable local government structures in diverse and often challenging contexts. My work has involved supporting local governments, national institutions, and municipal associations through technical cooperation projects aimed at improving governance, planning, and administrative performance.
Across different regions, I have been involved in the design, coordination, and implementation of programmes addressing core local governance functions, including municipal development planning, financial management, organisational development, and capacity building for local administrations. This includes work with municipalities and metropolitan areas, national ministries, municipal development funds, and associations of local authorities, as well as support to local councils and civil society organisations in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
My experience combines conceptual work with practical implementation support, emphasising institution building, service-oriented local administration, and constructive state–citizen relations. I have worked at the interface of policy advice, organisational development, and on-the-ground capacity development, supporting local governance systems that are more effective, inclusive, and responsive to local needs.
2018 - 2020
Photo: Jwanah Qudsi
2018 - 2020
I served as Programme Director for a project strengthening community governance in the context of the Syria conflict. The project focused on capacity development for civil society organisations, while supporting Syrian diaspora organisations in Europe to strengthen their role in dialogue and advocacy on the future of Syria.
The assignment included the design and implementation of capacity development measures for Syrian civil society organisations in Turkey and Lebanon, in particular for organisations of former local government representatives.
2007 - 2008
2007- 2008 German Technical Cooperation
Conceptual backstopping for programme implementation, with a focus on strengthening municipal planning, institutional capacity, and local economic development.
This included a scaling-up approach for Strategic Municipal Development and Investment Planning as a standard planning tool for Palestinian local governments. It further involved an integrated capacity development approach for the Municipal Development and Lending Fund, and capacity strengthening of the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA).
2004
2004 - German Technical Cooperation
Short-term consultancy assignment focused on the preparation of guidelines for the future work of newly established Local Development Units at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, the Cities and Villages Development Bank, and selected pilot municipalities.
The assignment aimed to support the establishment of a coherent capacity development concept for local governments, clarifying mandates, workflows, and coordination mechanisms, and strengthening the institutional foundations for local development planning and implementation.
2001 - 2003
2001- 2003 German Technical Cooperation
Overall coordination and conceptual backstopping of a technical cooperation project aimed at improving municipal service delivery by Serbian local governments.
In addition to improving basic services such as water supply, sanitation, and waste management, the project supported capacity development for local governments and provided advisory assistance on improving regulatory framework conditions. It also included organisational development for the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities, the association of Serbian local authorities, to strengthen its role in representing and supporting municipalities.
2009 - 2013
2009 - 2013 EU
I led the Supporting Mechanism of the CIUDAD programme and managed a five-member international expert team that provided strategic coordination and technical inputs for programme implementation.
The programme financed 21 municipal grant projects implemented through partnerships between European cities and municipalities in EU Neighbourhood countries. Collectively, they demonstrated practical approaches to strengthening local government capacities, and fostering long-term city-to-city cooperation.
2005 - 2007 German Technical Cooperation
I was responsible for managing the project that aimed at improving local governance in four core areas: municipal development planning, organisational structures and human resource management, municipal financial performance, and public service delivery.
Key achievements included the preparation of a City Development Strategy for the Metropolitan Area of Ramallah, co-financed by the Cities Alliance, a substantial improvement in municipal fee collection, and the introduction of the One-Stop-Shop concept for public service centres.
© Frank Samol 2023