Acting as the flagship research project of the network, the publication comprises of contributions from member organisations including peer reviewed papers and short project profiles / perspectives related to an annually identified theme.

The publication’s main purpose is to present a civil society based assessment of the key challenges, debates and areas of progress with regards to governance and development at the local level in South Africa. It also strives to provide local government policy-makers and practitioners with practical recommendations to improve policy, guidelines, systems and interventions where necessary, based on a sound analysis of the context and an assessment of the challenges and opportunities for improvements.

Additionally, the publication has also been utilised to build awareness of, and mobilize support within civil society and appropriate government institutions for, the key advocacy positions of the network