Unlocking Subnational Finance: Overcoming Barriers to Finance for Municipalities in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
This report is intended to address this development challenge. It provides a snapshot of the volume of finance flowing to municipalities in developing countries, showing that such flows have been extremely restricted in recent years.
Municipalities in low- and middle-income countries confront financing needs that greatly exceed available flows. Currently, most investment in municipal infrastructure is financed directly from public fiscal sources, but needs cannot be met by existing public and international development sources alone. Much greater use of private and commercial financing will be required.
This new World Bank Group report is intended to address this development challenge:
- It provides a snapshot of repayable financing flows to municipalities in developing countries, showing that such flows have been extremely restricted in recent years.
- It identifies the chief factors that contribute to these restricted flows, along three dimensions: municipalities’ effective demand for finance, the supply of finance, and the intermediating regulatory environment.
- Finally, it offers recommendations for municipalities, national governments, and development partners to address these constraints.
UrbanShift Looks Back: Reflecting on Uniting Stakeholders for Climate Action
C40’s Viola Follini, Matheus Ortega, Emily White, Anelise Rosa, and Amaia Leonet discuss the value of bringing a wide range of sectors—from mayors to the private sector—to the table to accelerate urban transformation.
Urbanshift Second National-Local Dialogue In Argentina
The dialogue took place alongside the sixth Steering Committee meeting, bringing together around thirty national and local stakeholders.
Empowering Cities to Shape Climate Goals: Lessons from the UrbanShift China City Academy
On 1-3 July 2025, the Academy brought together over 120 participants from cities in China, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, and the Philippines, alongside national government representatives.
Local action to drive sustainable tourism for the communities and nature
How can we ensure tourism not only thrives but also helps protect our planet?
