Background

The M4EG initiative supports local authorities in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) become active shapers of their inclusive economic inclusive growth and vibrant communities (intro video). This is done through strengthening capacities of local governments and creating inclusive innovation processes for design of investable projects that correspond to a new generation of local economic development plans and investing in portfolios of projects, in a way that bring tangible benefits to citizens. The M4EG intends to be a demonstration project of what new trajectories of growth may look like in the EaP, and how additional financing can be mobilized at local government level. 

Objectives

• Facilitate an active network of local authorities in the five implementing countries of the EaP, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to learn, test, connect, and mobilize new partnerships and funding opportunities.
• Introduce new tools and approaches to help address the complex challenges (incl. inequalities, energy transition, conflict and refugee & IDP response) faced by local authorities, and test these through a learning and iterative journey of implementing seed-funds at the local level.