Decentralisation for EU-accession countries 2012-2015

In the period of 2012 to 2015, The Hague Academy was responsible for the design, delivery and monitoring and evaluation of training courses on ‘Decentralisation’, designed for senior civil servants in Albania, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey. The programme took place in the Netherlands. Participants went on study visits to the Dutch Ministry of Home Affairs, the Dutch association of local authorities and the municipality of The Hague. Attention was given to the European framework for Decentralisation, European regulations with an impact on regions and municipalities in Europe, EU subsidies and institutions for cooperation between regional and local authorities in Europe. In addition, participants learned about lobbying in Brussels and change management. This course is part of the larger programme Matra Patrol.

Main goal

To increase understanding of basic concepts of administrative, fiscal and political decentralisation, multilevel governance and accountability. 

Objectives

On completion of the training, participants:

• Had a thorough understanding of the basic concepts of decentralisation and multilevel governance;
• Had insight into the EU framework for decentralised government and the relevant EU institutions dealing with decentralised government;
• Had insight into the way decentralisation and local governments function in The Netherlands;
• Were able to use the acquired knowledge and best practices as a source of inspiration for dealing with challenges related to integrity policies in their own countries; and
• Were trained in practical skills.

Partners