Summary
Highlights
Delfina Irazusta, founder of RIL, describes the vast and specialized nature of local governance. She explains that cities encompass a wide range of issues, from environmental concerns like energy efficiency and waste management to urban mobility, human development programs, and cybersecurity. RIL has identified over 900 distinct topics within municipal management, highlighting the immense complexity faced by local leaders. Delfina emphasizes that no single mayor can be an expert in all these areas, leading RIL to convene specialists to develop innovative strategies for key urban challenges.
Delfina challenges the traditional perception of politicians, describing local leaders as 'committed citizens' driven by a desire to solve community problems. She shares examples of mayors who came from backgrounds in social work or local NGOs, motivated by addressing inequality and improving the lives of others. This contrasts with the older model where local positions were often seen as stepping stones to higher political office. Delfina believes a new generation of leaders is emerging, focused on genuine community development, often stemming from personal experiences or leadership roles in local organizations.
Delfina explains why local politics operates differently from provincial or national politics. The close proximity of local leaders to their constituents creates a strong incentive to solve problems directly. Unlike higher levels of government, local leaders often prioritize collaboration over partisan competition because the immediate needs of their community are paramount. She likens this to a 'commodity market' of shared public policy and learning, where mayors are not in competition with each other, fostering a virtuous cycle of knowledge exchange and mutual support. This lack of competition and direct accountability to residents helps overcome purely ideological divides.
Delfina recounts the impactful story of Lobería, a small city where the mayor, Juan José Fioramonti, transformed a deficit-ridden municipality into a superavit-generating one. After initial years focused on administrative efficiency, a public-private collaboration led to the 'Lobería University City' project. This initiative, driven by a survey revealing high school students' inability to pursue higher education elsewhere, partnered with universities to offer technology, agriculture, and tourism courses. The project resulted in over 5,000 students, with 98% of the first 126 graduates being the first in their families to achieve a degree, fundamentally changing their life trajectories. This illustrates RIL's focus on creating 'cities of opportunities' by empowering local governments.
Delfina addresses the issue of corruption in local government. She notes that RIL deliberately avoids working with municipalities that exhibit corrupt practices, identifying a small percentage (around 8 out of 99 large cities in Argentina) who choose not to engage due to transparency concerns. RIL actively promotes efficiency and transparency, offering a 'efficient management' certification covering 60 variables, including fiscal balance, human capital, and digital transformation. They also conduct 'hour of truth' checks, gathering feedback from the private sector to ensure accountability. Delfina observes that a lack of digital transformation in procurement or licensing, especially in larger municipalities, can be a red flag for corruption.
Delfina describes her ideal city as an intermediate to small-scale community that offers a high quality of life, balancing the benefits of a close-knit community with access to opportunities. She favors places like San Antonio de Areco or Luján de Cuyo, which offer good education, healthcare, and natural surroundings without the stress of large cities. The ideal city provides access to nature, minimizes commute times, and ensures safety. However, she stresses that quality of life must be combined with 'generation of opportunities,' which includes access to good education and health services. These two dimensions, when combined, lead to successful cities that empower their residents.
Delfina uses the metaphor of a 'game of life' to explain how local governments can address poverty and inequality. Everyone starts with a 'zero square' of birth, but initial circumstances can drastically alter the game. Public policies act as 'cards' that can change a person's trajectory. For instance, well-equipped hospitals and early childhood development centers can provide critical support. RIL focuses on empowering local leaders to understand their ability to 'change the cards' for many people. While ideological differences exist, Delfina believes there's a growing consensus on the specific actions needed to combat poverty, often driven by the direct reality faced by local communities.
Delfina shares the evolution of RIL, from a solo venture inspired by agricultural 'Crea' groups to a 120-person organization. Starting with a pilot project involving eight mayors, RIL quickly grew to fill a gap in local government support. RIL is now expanding internationally, having opened offices in Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay, with plans for three new countries each year. RIL's funding comes from three main sources: international cooperation (including organizations like Vélez Reyes Más and grants from Google), contributions from local governments for specific programs, and scholarships from the private sector for municipalities that need financial assistance. This diverse funding model supports RIL's mission of providing public goods and services to local governments.
Delfina identifies two significant areas ripe for innovative organizational support: the 'third age' (senior citizens) and education. She sees a substantial void in services and programs for older adults, from transitioning into retirement to diverse housing and care options. In education, while acknowledging ongoing efforts, Delfina expresses concern about the current system's ability to prepare people for the future, especially given the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. She believes that the traditional educational model is becoming obsolete and that significant disruption is imminent. RIL is already engaging in education initiatives, but Delfina emphasizes the need for a shift in focus from basic infrastructure to adapting to new technological realities.
Delfina encourages young graduates to consider a career in local politics, especially early in their careers. She argues that the financial compensation for entry-level positions in municipal government can be competitive with the private sector. Additionally, local government offers a unique opportunity for immediate and tangible impact. The constant decision-making and diverse challenges faced by local leaders provide invaluable experience, akin to a postgraduate degree, preparing individuals for a wide range of future roles. This hands-on experience in managing complex situations and driving rapid change is a significant advantage that few other fields offer.