In 2001 the Department of Provincial and Local Government decided to strengthen its research capacity on governance and development by establishing a Research Directorate. Some of the products of this Directorate were the production of the Research Bulletin, the conducting of research studies and the drafting of articles or papers.

1. Research Bulletin

One of the main objectives of the Research Bulletin is to inform staff of the Department, provincial departments of local government, municipalities, academics and relevant members of Parliament of programmes of DPLG in respect of governance and development. Two issues of the Bulletin can be accessed, namely that of October 2001 and July 2002.