On 5 June 2024, the Public Policy Hub (PPH) and the Chair in Municipal Finance in Africa, in collaboration with the National Treasury, conducted the second session of the Local Government Database Training Workshop. This ongoing initiative aims to enhance researchers' skills in utilising the local government database in South Africa, fostering evidence-based decision-making to address municipal needs, and ensuring policies are grounded in empirical evidence while meeting academic publication standards.

The initial session, held on 16 April 2024, introduced basic concepts of local government reporting reforms, relevant regulations and legislation, the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) webpage, the structure of the Local Government Database and Reporting System (LGDRS), and the Municipal Budget and Reporting Regulations (MBRR).

"Under the leadership of Mrs Una Rautenbach, Director of the LGDRS and Municipal Standard Chart of Accounts (mSCOA) at the National Treasury’s Intergovernmental Relations Division and her team, we are embarking on our mission to co-produce rigorous research and translate it into actionable policies that improve the well-being of our communities”, said Prof Nara Monkam, head of the PPH and Chair in Municipal Finance in Africa.

This follow-up training session focused on municipal money, the Application Program Interface (API), and the reform of the mSCOA. The training aimed to equip researchers with a deeper understanding of these topics, supporting policy-relevant research at a municipal level. The training included researchers from diverse disciplines including economics, public administration, law, and architecture. This transdisciplinary approach is crucial for integrating multiple fields to address municipal challenges and enhance municipal finance, ultimately boosting local economic growth and developing local governments that are sustainable and resilient to economic shocks.

The PPH seeks to sustain and expand its relationship with the National Treasury, to deepen their understanding of local government challenges and priorities. Through these efforts, including research-informed initiatives and evidence-based policies, the PPH aims to strengthen South African municipalities and plans to extend such initiatives to other African nations, broadening our impact and sharing valuable insights regionally.