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Roundtable 5:
Towards a new European Commission Communication on
Local Authorities in Development:the results of the consultation
Report
The proposed round table intended to show the main results of the consultation, and aimed at creating a dynamic discussion on the consultation results. It displayed the nature of stakeholders that had participated in the consultation and the emerging trends that have been integrated in the next Communication on Local and Regional Authorities (LRAs) in development which intends specifically to shape a new EU policy on Local and Regional Authorities in partner countries.In that aim, the European Commission worked closely with civil society organisations, LRAs, Member States, European Parliament and the Committee of the Regions.
The round table started with a general presentation of the report on the consultation outcomes on the issues paper - "Local Authorities in Development". One of the central points of this report was aimed towards the EU's shift from the position of donor and provider of funds to the role of provider of development. In addition, it underlines that development should foster political cooperation, as well as promote democracy and human rights. The report also included the main results of the structured dialogue organised between European Commission and representatives of local and regional authorities from EU and developing countries during the past three years.
It has been recalled that through the 2007-2013 financial framework, a special budget for the enhancement of LRAs in EU and in partner countries was created. The EU, as a donor, financed projects submitted by LRAs, Non-Governmental Organisations, Civil Society Organisations, thus the EU started to be considered merely as money provider and not as a political body with a political agenda regarding Human resources and social development. This trend changed in 2010 with the Structured Dialogue,where CSOs and LAs were asked to exchange visions and ideas. Then the EC has been better able to foster a political dialogue with the other stakeholders.
Concentrating on the main outcomes of the consultation and dialogue, three main aspects were underlined: (i) the growing decentralisation process during the last decade (ii) the demand for better accountability toward citizens and national governments and (iii) the greater need for coordination,and for a good environment for LRAs to operate. To address these issues mobilizing human resources and funds are needed. Also, it is logical that the most fundamental LRAs complaint concerned the difficulty to access funding and in consequence the necessity to mobilize local and internal resources as well.
More specifically the consultation and strategic dialogue called special attention to eight major points. Theyare:
- Central governments and political actors should recognize LRAs as providers of development.
- LRAs should maintain high transparency and be accountable to citizens and government.
- Territorial development should be based on multi-sector approach where domestic resources and partners are involved.
- Support for decentralization.
- Local authorities have to perform Urban Strategic Planning.
- Support for Associations of Local Authorities.
- Support for internal capacities of Local and regional Authorities.
- Enhancing a consistent EU engagement with LRAs at country level and possible switch from calls for proposals by direct assistance based on partnership.
Furthermore, it has been indicated that the coming Communication on LRA in development which will be issued soon after the Assises will advocate for more space of LRAs in the new Financial Programme in order to better fulfil the aim of building more strategic relations between the EC and LRAs.
During the round table second phase, representatives from LRAs reacted to the EC presentation and discussion with all the participants was opened. LRAs representatives acknowledged how the European Commission learned about LRAs during the past years and expressed satisfaction over the growing position LRAs are acquiring within the EU development. They also welcomed the consultation process adopted for the elaboration of the forthcoming Communication.
However, many speakers also agreed that efforts remain to be done, in particular in most of the EU delegations , where there is a "dramatic lack of knowledge" on Local and Regional Authorities and in consequence an urgentneed to raise awareness about LRAs, their role and how they can be useful for development issues, notably though decentralised cooperation.
During the course of their comments and discussion many different aspects were highlighted. The following could be noticed:
Importance of transfer or exchange of "know-how" and good practice, especially from LRA to LRAs. It wasmentioned that in many cases, even when they have financial resources, LRAs do not know how to allocate them efficiently. In addition, transfer of knowledge would also ease the logistical expenses, where instead of sending European experts, trained local experts can help with development issues.
The need for better evaluation tools, promotion of good practicetogether with use of local resources. Firstly, development of evaluation tools and/or means would help LRAs to improve management processes, to be more transparent and accountable to the citizens. Secondly, the use of local elements is seen as a good way to support partnership as well as to encourage local economies, taxation and integration.
Concern for democracy and democratisation particularly in countries where regional and local representatives are appointed by national government and not democratically elected. In such cases, accountabilityis an important issue and the global environment does not encourage decentralized cooperation.
Decentralisation strategy and mean were also considered. In addition to the fundamental involvement of LRA in the design and implementation of the decentralisation process, consensus appears on two other points: (i) the need to have a clear and single decentralisation strategy. When governments only pick and accumulate specific policy areas, the decentralisation as whole is weak; (ii) the importance of political will to succeed in the decentralisation process. As decentralisation effort will not be forced in countries, political lobbying appears as the most valuable way to create political will and support the decentralisation process.
Lack of capacities for Local and Regional Authorities have also been underscored. LRA weaknesses both in technical and financial terms result in low performance, impediments to provide services and difficulties in fulfilling many citizens' expectations. Capacity building for LRAs in developing countries, through technical and financial support, is a major and key factor when considering decentralisation process and LRA possibilities to efficiently contribute to development process and objectives.
LRAs needs of financial and human resources. Base on concrete examples, various participants explain why financial and human supports are required in order for instance to collect tax for further development. Similarly, other participants propose to increase development aid toward LRAs levels. The target to obtain 20% of total aid to LRAs was expressed.
Emphasis Partnership and coordination of LRAs. Most of participants explained the need for better coordination. A couple of speakers also considered that as political actors, LRAs should emphasize the role of partnership, since they have capacities to strengthen local influence and attempt to move from position of donor to position of actor. In that aim LRAs networks should be reinforced and better mobilised, so that it becomes easier for LRAs to develop partnership, to ensure greater coordination and to practise political lobby.
Poverty reduction should remain the primary objective followed by democracy building measures, human rights and inclusive, sustainable growth.
The gap between macroeconomic and microeconomic projects is still tangible: issues should not only be tackled on macroeconomic level.
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