This series is designed to cover all aspects of sound financial management for local governments in developed and developing countries and economies in transition. Concepts of good governance, transparency and accountability are woven into the text of every chapter, and the needs and potential obstacles to greater decentralization and democracy are highlighted. Each volume is self-contained with its own Trainer’s Guide, exercises and web resources.

Introduction of participatory budgeting can be a sound vehicle in realizing good governance and fighting poverty. It is a mechanism that involves elected leaders, public officials, service providers, and non-state actors – civil society, private sector and development partners.

During the last 15 years, savings based community mobilization and organization has grown to maturity. These activities have grown from small initiatives to major programmes reaching thousands of citizens.

In ten nations, a new kind of finance agency, Urban Poor Funds, are working with federations of savings groups formed by slum or shack dwellers or homeless people.

This paper discusses the probable impacts for children of different ages from the increasing risk of storms, flooding, landslides, heat waves, drought and water supply constraints that climate change is likely to bring to most urban centres in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

During the last 15 years, savings based community mobilization and organization has grown to maturity. These activities have grown from small initiatives to major programmes reaching thousands of citizens.

Forestry / Case studies / Community forestry / Forest management / Forestry development / Forestry policies / Land use / Mining development / Natural resources / Wetlands

The degree of success and efficiency of housing production and delivery depends on the prevailing legal, institutional and financial framework. Housing finance credit mechanisms are generally weak in most developing countries because of low-income levels, weak regulatory and legal framework provisions for land title and tenure system, absence of effective laws governing credit and absence of credit rating systems.

Historically, highland-lowland linkages have been limited, although still important, for specific mountain areas. With increasing development activities in mountain areas, there are new opportunities for improving linkages with the lowlands. However, lack of meaningful investment and absence and/or inadequacy of infrastructure in the mountains prevent the establishment of economic linkages likely to bring about progressive change and profitable use and reinvestment in mountain resources.

Series: Collection FAO: Formation