New publication on Transfrontier Co-operation (in Italian)                               
A CD-ROM and Handbook on Training Modules in Transfrontier and Interitorrial Co-operation was published in Italian in February 2010. Commissioned by the Council of Europe, they were prepared by the Institute of International Sociology of Gorizia (ISIG), under the direction of Alberto Gasparini. The Handbook is published in the framework of the project MORE – financed by the Italian Government (Progetto Opportunità delle Regioni in Europa) – which includes also the database on transfrontier and interterritorial co-operation. The publication is available (request by email) from the CDLR Secretariat at the Council of Europe. 05/03/2010

New Tool Kit on Capacity-Building
This new Toolkit includes two powerful instruments which include a benchmarking methodology. They are aimed at improving local regulations and practice in respect of public ethics and financial management. Both tools have already been implemented in several countries.  Download

The two themes dealt with by this Toolkit are extremely topical. Corruption represents not only a waste of public resources but, first and foremost, a real threat to local democracy itself. Sound financial management is the first condition to ensure proper delivery of public services and allows local authorities to avoid or limit the consequences of economic crises. More  19/02/2010

New Manual on Performance and Financial Management - for Albanian Municipalities
The manual outlines the steps and actions that are involved in using performance management mechanisms that allows progress of municipal action to be measured through specific indicators. It also describes in detail the financial planning techniques to be used in order to prepare sound and relevant local budgets, in line with the available resources and priorities of municipalities. Download  12/02/2010

Norway – first member State to ratify the Additional Protocol to the ECLSG
Norway became the first Council of Europe member state to ratify the Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority, one month after the Additional Protocol was opened for signature.  more
 

Conference of European Ministers -
16-17 November 2009, Utrecht Netherlands

The global financial crisis has given a severe jolt to the very foundations of the world's economy and economic governance. While signs of a recovery are emerging, it is clear that the after-effects of the recession will continue to be felt for a long time. Local and regional authorities which, in Europe, manage proportions of public expenditure ranging up to as high as 80% are in the forefront of efforts to find a way out of the crisis, through exceptional investment expenditure, spending in the social sphere or on vocational retraining, etc. Their ability to cope with these exceptional challenges, which will remain long after the recession has come to an end, were the focal point of the discussions among the European Ministers responsible for local and regional government when they met in Utrecht (Netherlands) on 16 and 17 November 2009.  more

   !New! Utrecht Declaration
   Conference Documents
   Conference website

Treaties opened for signature at the Conference
   Protocol No. 3 to the European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation between Territorial Communities or Authorities concerning Euroregional Co-operation Groupings (ECGs)
   Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority

News on the Conference from the member states
1.   UK Government signs up to historic European agreement on local democracy

2.   Netherlands: Recht op deelname aan lokaal bestuur in Europees verdrag vastgelegd (only in Dutch)

3.   Norway - Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development - (articles only in Norwegian)
      i)   Europeisk plan for godt lokalstyre
      ii)  Undertegning av tilleggsprotokoll til Europeisk charter om lokalt
           selvstyre
      - Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
      iii) Europeisk charter om lokalt selvstyre

4.   Montenegro - Ministry of the Interior and Public Administration
Saopštenje: Pomoćnik ministra unutrašnjih poslova i javne uprave, Dragan Pejanović učestvovao na 16. Samitu Savjeta Evrope za ministre nadležne za lokalnu i regionalnu upravu

5.   Hungary - Az ET önkormányzati minisztereinek találkozója

... from other international bodies

1.   Mission Opérationnelle transfrontalière - The Third Protocol to the Madrid Outline Convention

2.   Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) -
      i)   Crisis still a top priority for the Council of Europe
      ii)  Study on the impact of the Economic Crisis by Jeremy Smith
 

Italy: New Act on Fiscal Federalism

On 5 May 2009, the Italian Parliament passed a new act on fiscal federalism (Law No. 42/2009). Under this act, some of the principles on finance from the European Charter on Local Self-Government and promoted by the Council of Europe are now fully reflected in the Italian legal and institutional system.

The act was designed to improve and strengthen careful and accurate financial accountability, which enables all possible responsibilities across the different levels of government to be identified and established, and optimises the use of public finance.
 

CCRE/CEMR Database