Local public management is undergoing a period of great complexity. We identify three main challenges in the existing situation: achieving higher efficiency in the operations; building and managing public networks for improving the effectiveness of policy making and service delivery; engaging citizens and stakeholders in order to co-create public outcomes. These challenges happen in different domains: within the municipality, across the municipality and within the community. This paper systematizes for each domain some critical areas and provides specific recommendations for (local) public managers targeted at each critical area. Managing across uncertain boundaries within the municipality, managing polycentrism in (public) networks and managing community engagement have been presented as the key focal points for reshaping local public management in contemporary times
