This baseline assessment is conducted for the Tatweer Programme which is designed to build the capacity of local governance structures to provide effective essential services to Syrians and to promote good governance in Syria. The objective of this baseline is to authentically reflect the reality of governance practice in the assessed communities, and the capacities the Local Councils (LCs) enjoy for rendering services. To deliver on this mission, information was gathered from 16 LCs and one PC in order to better learn, understand and interpret the level of their capacity, identify gaps, improve and retain the skills and knowledge needed to do their jobs competently. This is in addition to assessing the LCs’ /PC’s understanding of Law 107 and their willingness to join hands working cooperatively together as well as with the provincial directorates.