GOLD Report I - UCLG

NORTH AMERICA250United Cities and Local Governmentsassociations. This role has been especiallyprominent among the national associationsin the United States. The National Leagueof Cities (NLC) maintains a database oflocal government practices, and a MunicipalReference Service that collects informationon local government activitiesaround the country. Both the NLC and theInternational City/County Managers Associationregularly conduct surveys of localgovernments. Their surveys have becomethe most important source of informationon broad trends at the local level. In theU.S., national forums linked to the USCMand the NLC bring local officials togetherregularly to discuss issues of common concern.Networking both domestically andinternationally among local governmentshas also been an important element of theseactivities. As part of its initiatives forlocal capacity building, the FCM has establishedthe Center for Sustainable CommunityDevelopment (CSCD). The FCM alsomaintains a Green Municipal Fund (GMF), aunique $550 million endowment from thefederal government devoted to environmentalsustainability and local capacitybuilding. Since 1987, Canadian municipalitieshave authorized an International Centerfor Municipal Development torepresent the FCM in international work.In both countries, international partnershipshave proliferated outside as well aswithin the auspices of national associationalactivities.