Strasbourg, 2 April 2009 CDLR(2009)10
Item 6.1 of the agenda
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE ON LOCAL AND REGIONAL DEMOCRACY
(CDLR)
COMMUNICATION ON THE CDLR
AND LOCAL AND REGIONAL DEMOCRACY
AT THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE
Secretariat Memorandum
prepared by the
Directorate General of Democracy and Political Affairs
Directorate of Democratic Institutions
Introduction
This document summarises the state of affairs concerning the different communication tools and publications in the field of local and regional democracy at the Council of Europe and puts forward ideas for further action to be discussed by the CDLR.
The general information presented in the introduction and the results of the recent survey (see Appendix I) were discussed by the CDLR Bureau at its meeting on 2-3 March 2009. On this occasion, the CDLR Bureau agreed to forwarding these elements to the CDLR accompanied by possible lines of action concerning the CDLR website. It also encouraged the Secretariat to pursue ongoing technical studies aimed at completing the Committee’s working methods by electronic systems allowing for a more efficient exchange of information and for collaborative work on certain documents. First reflections on this issue can be found in a separate document (CDLR(2009)23).
Website
The Local and Regional Democracy website remains the main communication tool for the CDLR. It was completely revised in 2008 and will be further enhanced in 2009. The main objectives of this consequent revision are to take advantage of more up-to-date technical features, to present the issues of local and regional democracy in a more coherent and more attractive manner and according to a clearer navigation structure, and finally to facilitate the search and downloading of working documents.
The new website went online in February 2009 and can be found at the usual direct link www.coe.int/local or by clicking on the tab “Democracy and Political Affairs > Local and Regional Democracy” on the Council’s homepage.
Amongst the present objectives for further developing the website are a stronger involvement of members in the updating procedures (national information briefs for the homepage, newsletter etc.) as well as the strengthening of the website as a European platform on local and regional democracy. Via a questionnaire adopted by the CDLR in December 2008, member States were surveyed about their willingness to contribute more actively to future updates and about their interest for the development of the “platform function” of the website. The 28 replies received (from 25 countries) have shown that a great majority of countries replying to the questionnaire is in favour of such developments (see detailed results in the Appendix I).
In the light of these results, the Secretariat proposes several lines of action with regard to further developing the local and regional democracy website which are presented in Appendix II.
LOREG database
In 2008, the substantial revision of the LOREG database was completed and the new database presented to the CDLR and the LOREG correspondents. The number of member States participating in the network increased by 10 in relation to the preceding years. This takes the total number of participants in the Network to 20 countries (Azerbaijan, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovak Republic, Serbia, Switzerland).
A joint initiative with the Open Society Institute Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative (Hungary) will be launched in 2009. Other possibilities for partnerships will also be studied in order to raise the profile of LOREG with the audience identified.
“MORE” - database for transfrontier co-operation
The Council of Europe database on transfrontier and transnational co-operation, “MORE” (Matching Opportunities for Regions in Europe), set up with the support of the Italian Government and officially launched in 2007, enables local and regional authorities, their associations and training institutions on transfrontier co-operation to look Europe-wide for suitable partners in co-operation, as well as publish information on their activities in the field.
In 2008, MORE was presented to the Congress and to representatives of cities and regions with the European Union (by intermediary of the Committee of the Regions). Almost 400 regional authorities were invited to use MORE in a joint letter from the Congress and the CDLR, and the contact with partners and potential supporters of the project was also reinforced (CoR, CMRE, AER, AEBR, CRPM, etc.). In spite of a modest reaction at the beginning, the current use made of MORE is increasing. At the beginning of 2009, 241 entries were counted (106 of which from Italy).
Publications of the CDLR
Several European Practice Reports were adopted by the CDLR in 2007 and were published in electronic and paper versions in 2008. Several country reports were also prepared in collaboration with member States and published (Denmark, Italy, Netherlands). They were all made available to CDLR members at the December meeting.
Notably with regard to preparing and publishing the CDLR country reports (series “Structure and Operation of Local and Regional Democracy”), the Secretariat, in collaboration with the Directorate of Information Technology (DIT) of the Council, examined in 2008 the possibility of setting up an electronic collaborative work system, which could facilitate the updating and horizontal comparison of reports. The first studies have however not led to any satisfying results. Since new technical solutions should become available in the second half of 2009, the Secretariat will pursue the ongoing studies and put forward new proposals for the CDLR at a later stage. First reflections on this issue can be found in a separate document (CDLR(2009)23).
Action required
CDLR members are invited to take note of the information provided above and discuss and, in case of their approval, adopt the lines of action for the further development of the website proposed by the Secretariat as presented in Appendix II.
They are also invited to actively contribute to this new communication policy in order to enhance the visibility of the CDLR and its work at national level, notably in the run-up to the Ministerial session of Utrecht in November 2009.
APPENDIX I
SUMMARY OF RESULTS OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE
ON THE FUTURE ORIENTATION OF THE
LOCAL AND REGIONAL DEMOCRACY WEBSITE
OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE
The results of the questionnaire are based on 28 replies provided by 25 countries.
The general tendency shows that:
Never, or hardly ever |
2 |
Only before CDLR / other committee meetings |
2 |
Once a month |
7 |
Once a week |
11 |
More than once a week |
2 |
Other replies given by individual delegations:
|
In order to look at the News items |
18 |
In order to download working documents of upcoming meetings |
21 |
In order to find legal instruments or other publications on local and regional democracy |
23 |
Other replies given by individual delegations:
|
3. Adequacy of the website for the needs (scale 1-5)
1 (corresponds perfectly) |
2 |
2 |
15 |
3 |
9 |
4 |
1 |
5 (does not correspond at all) |
4. Improvements suggested
Visual presentation
Structure (navigation)
Contents of the website
|
5. Interest in the website to become a platform on local and regional
democracy
Yes |
25 |
No |
3 |
6. Other websites of this kind
Yes, I know such websites. |
8 |
|
Websites I regularly visit are: |
||
European Union |
||
www.europa.eu |
European Union |
|
European Commission |
||
European Parliament |
||
www.cor.europa.eu |
Committee of the Regions |
|
European Union at United Nations |
||
www.eur-lex.europa.eu |
European Union law |
|
Council of Europe |
||
www.echr.coe.int |
European Court of Human Rights |
|
www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/Policies/CEMAT/default_en.asp |
European Conference of Ministers responsible for regional/spatial planning |
|
Other international organisations |
||
www.oecd.org |
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development |
|
National governments |
|
www.minregionbud.gov.ua |
Ministry of Regional Development and Construction of Ukraine |
Foundation for Local Self-Government of Ukraine and Ukrainian Delegation to the Congress of the Council of Europe |
|
Associations |
|
Council of European Municipalities and Regions |
|
www.kunnat.net |
Local Finland-Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities |
Association of the City and the Municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region |
|
www.aebr.net |
Association of European Border Regions |
Research institutions |
|
International Institute of Administrative Sciences |
|
Networks |
|
Assembly of European Regions |
|
European Public Administration Network |
|
http://myeurope.eun.org |
myEUROPE- network of schools |
www.interact-eu.net |
INTERACT. Sharing Expertise |
Yes, I do regularly visit these websites. |
10 |
No, I do not know any websites of this kind. |
16 |
7. Interest in a newsletter
Yes |
25 |
No |
2 |
8. Possible newsletter’s content
News on local and regional democracy at the Council of Europe (upcoming meetings, new legal instruments, recently published reports etc.) |
2 |
News on national developments (recent reforms, exceptional developments, new legislation having a significant impact, legislation based on Council of Europe standards, etc.) |
1 (see below) |
Both |
24 |
9. Possible newsletter’s frequency
Bi-annually |
3 |
Quarterly |
13 |
Once a month |
8 |
More often |
1 |
Whenever new developments occur |
5 |
10. Willingness to contribute
Yes |
24 |
No |
3 |
11. Establishment of reciprocal “html link” with ministries represented
at the CDLR
Yes |
23 |
No |
3 |
Do not know yet |
1 |
12. Other national organisations as potential partners to be referred
to by “html link”
National governments |
|
Swiss Confederation |
|
Government of Luxembourg |
|
Guichet Portal |
|
German-speaking community in Belgium |
www.dglive.be |
National Centre for Public Administration and Local Government |
www.ekdd.gr |
Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works |
www.mrrb.government.bg |
Ministry of State Administration and Administrative Reform |
www.mdaar.government.bg |
Ministry of Finance |
Ministry of Regional Development and Construction of Ukraine |
wwww.minregionbud.gov.ua |
Union of Prefectural Authorities of Greece |
www.enae.gr |
Local Government Denmark |
www.kl.dk |
Associations |
|
Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions |
|
Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities |
|
Syndicat des Villes et Communes Luxembourgeoises |
|
Association of Municipalities of Slovenia |
www.zdruzenjeobcin.si |
Local Finland- Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities |
www.kunnat.net |
Association of Estonian Cities |
|
Association of Municipalities of Estonia |
www.emovl.ee |
Association of Flemish Cities and Communities |
www.vvsg.be |
National Association of the Portuguese Municipalities |
|
Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania |
|
Central Union of Municipalities and Communities of Greece |
www.kedke.gr |
National Association of Municipalities in Republic of Bulgaria |
www.namrb.org |
Regional Association of Municipalities „Central Stara Planina” |
www.rso-csp.org |
Regional Association of Municipalities "Trakia" |
www.ram-trakia.org |
Regional Association of Municipalities “Yantra” |
www.ram-yantra.eu |
Union of Bulgarian Black Sea Local Authorities |
www.ubbsla.org |
Association of Danube River Municipalities “Danube” |
www.adodunav.org |
Association of Rhodope Municipalities |
www.arm-bg.org |
Regional Municipalities Association "Maritza" |
www.maritza.info |
Association of Southwest Municipalities |
http://aswm.net |
Association of South Central Region Municipalities “Hebar” |
www.hebar-bg.org |
Association of Mountain Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria |
www.bulmonte.org |
National association “Legal initiative for Local Government” |
www.nalilg.org |
Association of Towns and Municipalities of Slovakia |
www.zmos.sk |
Association of Slovenian Municipalities and Towns |
www.skupnostobcin.si |
Danish Regions |
|
Local Government Association |
www.lga.gov.uk |
Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government |
|
Local Government Information Unit |
www.lgiu.gov.uk |
Research institutions |
|
Service central de la statistique et des études économiques |
|
Financial Institute for Regional Development |
www.qca.pt/english/ifdr/default.asp |
Catholic University of Mons |
|
University of Namur |
www.fundp.ac.be |
University of Liège |
|
Lithuanian Institute of Public Administration |
|
Foundation for Local Government Reform |
www.flgr.bg |
Center for the Study of Democracy |
www.csd.bg |
Institute of Local Administration |
www.ita.org.gr |
Catholic University of Leuven |
www.uclouvain.be |
Networks |
|
International Network for Studies in Technology, Environment, Alternatives, Development |
APPENDIX II
LINES OF ACTION PROPOSED FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
OF THE LOCAL AND REGIONAL DEMOCRACY WEBSITE
In the light of the results of the recent survey on the future orientation of the local and regional democracy website, the Secretariat proposes the lines of action listed below including the assignment of concrete measures to be taken subsequently be national delegations and the Secretariat.
The main objective of these proposals is to involve members more strongly in up-dating procedures, which would hopefully lead to more regular up-dates, increase the website’s attractiveness and usefulness for members and, in a long term perspective, strengthen the website’s function as a “platform” on local and regional democracy and make it more visible at a European level. In few words, the intention is to increase the members’ “ownership” of the website as their tool of information and exchange.
Action proposed |
Measures to be taken by national delegations (ministries) |
Measures to be taken by the Secretariat |
Regular contributions by members to the updating of the website (contents and structure), notably the news about national developments on the homepage |
- Regularly send information on national developments in the field of local and regional democracy and possibly of interest to other member States to the Secretariat, ideally in form of a brief article in English or French (or both), including links towards relevant national websites - Give general feedback and suggestions to Secretariat concerning possible enhancements of the website (missing information, elements difficult to find, new features wished for etc). |
- Regularly remind delegations of the need for new national information to be added to the local and regional democracy website (reminder by email at least every three months unless useful information has already been sent in by individual member States) - Approach individual member States to report on interesting developments at national level known through committee work or press - Closely cooperate with national delegations to prepare short articles on national developments for the website (in English and French) - Add new information on national developments to the website regularly (at least every three months) |
Launch of a newsletter including information concerning local and regional democracy at the Council of Europe and on national developments |
- Regularly send information on national develop-ments in the field of local and regional democracy and possibly of interest to other member States to the Secretariat, ideally in form of a brief article in English or French (or both), including links towards relevant national websites - Highlight interesting national developments to the Secretariat which are being followed by other institutions or organisations and indicate a relevant contact person to the Secretariat (e.g. in national associations etc.) |
- Regularly remind delegations of the need for new national information to be added to the newsletter (reminder by email at least every three months unless useful information has already been sent in by individual member States) - Approach individual member States to report on interesting developments at national level known through committee work or press - Closely cooperate with national delegations to prepare short articles on national developments for the newsletter (in English and French) - Send out a newsletter of local and regional democracy at least once every three months, including news on the CDLR/Council of Europe and interesting national developments |
Establishment of reciprocal “html links” with ministries represented at the CDLR |
- Introduction of a link towards the local and regional democracy website on relevant pages of the ministry |
- Addition of a new page to the existing website which would contain electronic links towards the ministries of CDLR delegations |
Establishment of “html links” towards other national and European organisations |
- Recommend any institutions or organisations to the Secretariat which could be part of a wider European network on local and regional democracy and towards which an electronic link could be added on the Council of Europe website |
- Addition of a new page to the existing website which would contain electronic links towards national and European organisations recommended by national delegations |