On Monday, 12 October 2026, Mario Villalba Ferreira will defend his PhD thesis on the effectiveness of inter-municipal cooperation in waste management.
- Date
- Monday 12 Oct 2026, 15:30 - 16:30
- Type
- PhD defence
- Spoken Language
- English
- Space
- Senate Hall
- Building
- Erasmus Building
- Location
- Campus Woudestein
More about his research
This PhD research examines how inter-municipal cooperation (IMC) can contribute to sustainable development in local governments, with a particular focus on sustainable waste management and municipalities in Latin America. It explores how municipalities collaborate across administrative boundaries to address shared environmental, social, and economic challenges, including the provision of effective and sustainable waste management services. The research investigates the conditions under which inter-municipal cooperation can strengthen local capacity and contribute to more sustainable outcomes.
Drawing on comparative quantitative analysis and Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), the research examines municipalities across Latin America and identifies different combinations of institutional, demographic, financial, and collaborative factors associated with sustainability. The findings highlight that there is no single pathway to sustainable local governance or waste management. Instead, different combinations of municipal characteristics, forms of cooperation, and institutional conditions can support sustainability, offering insights for policymakers, national governments, local governments, and other stakeholders seeking to improve waste management systems and strengthen collaborative approaches to sustainable development.
More about Mario
- Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Geske Dijkstra (IHS/ESSB)
- Co-supervisor: Dr. Peter Scholten (ESSB)
Mario is a dynamic professional with a multifaceted background in urban strategy, political science, and governance. Originally from Paraguay, Mario's academic and professional journey spans several countries, including Norway, the USA, Taiwan, Australia, and the Netherlands. He has held notable roles, such as Vice-Minister of the National Council of Science and Technology and Official Delegate of Paraguay at Habitat III. Mario has also co-founded and directed consulting firms and non-profit organizations, leading sustainable development projects worth over EUR 250 million in collaboration with international organizations like UNDP, the World Bank, and UNEP.
Join Mario's PhD defence to hear more about his research.
Date: 12 October at 15:30
Place: Woudestein Campus, Erasmus Building, Senaatszaal
