CIG to Develop and Pilot New Index for Measuring and Benchmarking Local Government Performance

SINGAPORE, 10 July 2025 – The Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG), with support from Gates Foundation, is developing and piloting a new Index to help local governments better understand, measure, and assess their performance.

In an era of rapid transformation, local governments around the world are taking on greater responsibilities and navigating increasingly complex challenges. Understanding the factors that drive their success is essential to unlocking productivity in governance.

The Index will examine how local governments manage their complex operating environments, and how they mobilise and convert resources into capabilities and systems, that in turn yield public outputs and outcomes across a diverse range of social, economic, and environmental areas. This benchmark will enable national and local governments to identify the root causes of underperformance and, through clear indicators, understand the factors that distinguish high-performing local governments from the rest.

This project aims to generate practical research and analysis that complements existing initiatives, to support improvements in service delivery and citizen outcomes, particularly in areas with the most immediate impact on daily lives.

The Index and its findings will be made publicly available, ensuring that the knowledge generated can benefit policymakers, researchers, and governance practitioners worldwide.

Mr. Wu Wei Neng, Chief Executive Officer of the Chandler Institute of Governance and Chairman of the Chandler Academy of Governance, reaffirmed CIG’s commitment to the project:

“CIG has developed considerable expertise in building practical tools, such as the Chandler Good Government Index, that support national governments in understanding and benchmarking their capabilities and effectiveness. With the support of the foundation, we are excited to channel our capabilities towards developing an Index that supports local governments in measuring their capabilities and effectiveness and identifying opportunities for progress.”

Mr. Wu Wei Neng

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About the Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG)

The Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG) is a non-profit organisation that works with governments worldwide to build a strong and efficient public sector. We are a team of seasoned government practitioners grounded in real-world experience, focusing on the critical ‘how’ of governance in our partnerships with governments to strengthen institutions and systems, equip leaders, and share knowledge. Drawing on proven practices from Singapore and around the world, we tailor our solutions to each country’s unique needs – because context matters in governance. We are not affiliated with any national government or political party, and we do not represent any partisan or commercial interests.

For more news and information, visit www.chandlerinstitute.org or follow CGG on Facebook,  X and LinkedIn @ChandlerINST.

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For media clarifications, please contact:

Chandler Institute of Governance
Email: communications@Chandlerinstitute.org